Wireless PCI NIC supported by Win 7 & WRT54G2?

**daveleau** · May 23rd, 2009, 10:55 PM

Hi everybody,

Does anyone know of a NIC (for a desktop) that will work with a WRT54G2 (Linksys G router) and WRE54G (wireless signal extender) and is supported by Windows 7?

My Gateway is having huge problems under Vista (driver crashes), so I was thinking of trying Win 7. I installed it in a dual boot (Vista on C and Win7 on D) and my WMP54G Linksys NIC is not supported. So, I need a NIC supported by Win7 that will work with my router and extender.

Thanks!
Dave

**Ol'Tunzafun** · May 24th, 2009, 10:19 PM

Most Vista drivers work with Windows 7.
No Windows 7 drivers yet? Try using Vista’s - TechSpot Blog
If it doesn't work, Win7 may elect to run it in Compatibility mode.
Give it a try.

**ScottW** · May 24th, 2009, 11:15 PM

Daveleau! Welcome back! I see that you started posting again on 5/14 but you were on a hiatus since September. How have you been?

**EXreaction** · May 24th, 2009, 11:26 PM

Did you try installing the drivers that came with the NIC or something?

Unless you need drivers for some reason (like a gaming graphics card or if Windows doesn't have native drivers for it) I don't recommend installing any. I would try uninstalling the drivers for it and I'd be willing to bet that Vista will have native drivers for it.

**Ol'Tunzafun** · May 24th, 2009, 11:34 PM

Windows Update is the best source for Windows 7 drivers. If you can get online via ethernet, Windows Update may find a driver for the wireless adapter.

**daveleau** · May 25th, 2009, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by ScottW

Daveleau! Welcome back! I see that you started posting again on 5/14 but you were on a hiatus since September. How have you been?

Doing great, Scott. Thanks for the nice welcome.

Trying to downplay my computer knowledge with the USAF so I don't get stuck with all the extra jobs our computer guys neglect to fix. I'm busy enough as it is.

I am really glad to see the site is still doing very well, as is RR. I check RR more often than stuff here because I haven't been tinkering as much at home with my systems. (Again, the busy thing.) I hope you are doing well!

Dave

**daveleau** · May 25th, 2009, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the help guys. Once I get my OS Selector to find my Win 7 partition, I'll be in business. Right now, I have to hide my Vista partition to boot into Win 7, which is a pain, as it means I can't see the data I need on my Vista drive. But, I've got that part licked, I think.

The fix I found was to load the Ralink Technologies Inc 802.11b/g wireless adapter driver, and it works like a charm. No issues so far, as this link says it is the same network chipset as the Linksys card I have (WMP54G). Here's a good link for those who have the same issue: How to install WMP54G Drivers on Windows 7 Beta 64 bit (or Vista 64 bit) | PhishThis!

For those interested in Win 7, I highly recommend the RC build 7100. It works very well, and is stable. I haven't run into any apps that won't work, yet. Much better/faster than Vista. And, with the RC, it won't deactivate until June 2010.