Review Linksys WCF12 Wireless Card

JOBLEMG · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 10:11 AM

Hello Axim users,

The WCF12 card from linksys is pretty decent. I had minimal problems installing the card when I first got it (PPC 2002). There are a few things you should know before you try to use it.

First, you have to stop that impulse to rip open the box and slide the card right in. It will not work. I did this when I got mine. I ordered it from CompUSA.com when they had a great rebate on it. Of course, I had to wait 2 weeks for it to show up to my door. When I got it, I quickly opened the package and found the card. It was in a huge plastic case, so you might plan on trying to find a smaller case for it when not in use. Anyway, I thought it would be plug and play so I popped it right in and :cry: . Nothing!

Second, Linksys hasn’t released drivers to work with PPC 2003. So you will have to use other drivers to get it to respond. I got some from the Senao site. I don’t know if it is OK to post a link to it or not. If you do install these drivers you will be OK. I upgraded last night and found out the hard way that the drivers didn’t work.

The card works pretty well for me. I haven’t lost connections or anything. It was pretty easy to install. I had to configure my wireless router with the MAC IP address on the card (it’s on the back of the card) to allow the connection. I also followed the directions in another forum on wireless syncing. I had everything up and running in half an hour.

The cool thing about having the card is that you can active synch wirelessly. You can also get software to control your desktop in case you use it as a media center. I watch movies on TV from my PC, so I found this very useful. I also use this to play tricks on people who are using the desktop.

Overall it is a good product and I recommend buying it.

CMMS_AXIM · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the GREAT review!!!

I don't see why you cant post a link to the drivers that will work until lynksys gets thiers up and running.

JOBLEMG · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 10:59 AM

I didn't know what the policy was on posting links.

Here is the link for drivers to get your WCF12 card to work with PPC 2003

http://www.senao.com/service%20&%20support...WinCENET400.zip

Remove the card from the slot.
Run setup
Insert card.
When it asks for a name, type in "wlannds.dll"
Do a soft reset

When you do the soft reset, there may be an error message about cannot find a file. Click OK. If want to stop this message from coming up, remove the shortcut from your windows/start up folder (none of the card utilities work).

PPC 2003 should pick up the signal now

Linksys has beta drivers, but I haven't had any luck using these
ftp://ftp.linksys.com/beta/SW_CD_Beta081903PPC2003.zip

Computer Ninja · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 11:50 AM

What kind of problems did you get with the beta drivers from Linksys? I just finally upgraded to WM 2003 and wanted to make sure my WCF12 worked.

JOBLEMG · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 12:09 PM

When I tried to use Linksys' beta drivers, I still couldn't get the card to be recognized.

It would ask me for the name of the card, I typed in "linksys". And then the card would turn off. Then I took it out and slid it back in...same thing, it asked for the name and then shut off.

I still couldn't even run the Linksys utilities.

Let me know if you have any better luck with this driver.

Computer Ninja · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 12:31 PM

Same problem. I installed those drivers, which didn't seem any different (based on release notes) than the ones from 2002.

When I do a softreset, it asks me to identify the card, which tells me that it doesn't work. However, when I am in the Wireless Ethernet Settings, the WCF12 Wireless CompactFlash Card shows up in the list of adapters that can have settings modified, which is strange.

CMMS_AXIM · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 02:14 PM

Did you try the OTHER drivers that JOBLEMG provided ninja?

batuckan · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 11:46 PM

Hey folks,

I have to agree with Joblemg. It is truly a wonderful wifi cf card.
I just swapped over from a DLINK 660W, and it was JUNK. Poor design, poor support, I was pretty disappointed not just with their support but their product as well. I probably got the "one" all MTBF's base their data on, but.. seemed too much work to rma a wifi nic.

anyway, I just picked up my linksys wcf12, and it's great with the linksys-b router I am using..
Great connection anywhere, zero configuration.. I am leaving the wep off, till I get comfortable, then I will enable.

but anyway, I just had to thank you guys for nudging me there. I was switching between ambicom and linksys, and in the end, I just went with link because I love their T/S and product line.

I reccommend linksys over anyone. but can anyone recommend a decent pda case that will hold the wifi nic and the axim without damaging the card? is aluminum the way to go? or are there sleeved pda cases that are durable.

thanks
mike

Computer Ninja · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 08:35 AM

Okay, so I've installed these "other" drivers and the green light on my WCF12 is blinking, so I assume it works. It's a shame that I can't see any sort of status on the card though.

Also, I did have to remove that Startup item, as noted in this thread.

When I get home from work, I'll have to make sure the WiFi truly works, as our WiFi at work is very secure, and unless the card has the WEP key hardcoded into it, the WiFi cards don't work!

CMMS_AXIM · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 05:10 PM

Let us know how it goes.