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Forum Discussion
DrDunc
Mar 26, 2018Tutor
Windows XP drivers for Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot Router Model MR1100
I'm attempting to help an elderly friend. Until recently he has been accessing the internet from his old Windows XP machine (for email only) via a Telstra supplied 4G Wifi router, plugged into a USB ...
- Apr 04, 2018
Hi DrDunc,
If the XP machine has an Ethernet NIC then you can plug in via Ethernet. Depending on the FW version you are on, you may need to tap the power button to wake up the Ethernet port. If you are plugged in via USB to PC then the Ethernet port shuts off until USB tethering is no longer happening.
If the XP machine does not have an Ethernet NIC, then try downloading and installing the drivers from the following link: http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/aircard/AC790S_Zain/Driver%20package%204.3.0.0.exe
If you are still having issues then PM your contact details and we can work out a suitable time to troubleshoot whilst you are on-site.
Kind Regards,
ArodiD
michaelkenward
Mar 26, 2018Guru - Experienced User
There is support for the MR1100 here:
>>> MR1100 | Product | Support | NETGEAR <<<
Not sure that it actually needs drivers.
The manually suggests that it works with XP.
- DrDuncMar 26, 2018Tutor
Yep, that's the page I already found. His XP machine clearly indicates that it doesn't have a driver for this device - "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28) To reinstall the drivers for this device, click Reinstall Driver." Clicking this button however fails to find a suitable driver locally and this is where we hit the problem of requiring internet access in order to fix the problem of not having internet access. Perhaps the required drivers are not specific to the MR1100 but are more generic, only they weren't part of the original XP or service packs. If so, perhaps someone knows of a locatin for drivers for this class of device?
- schumakuMar 26, 2018Guru - Experienced User
Strongly doubt there is a driver required. This router does provide Internet access either as a wirelss access point to wireless clients or to systems connected over an Ethernet cable.
The features list of the marketing blush does clealry state "Simple setup with no software to install – just power on and connect".
The USB ports aren't used for Internet access, in my undertanding ie. the USB 3.0 port is to attach a storage device (disk/flash).
- michaelkenwardMar 26, 2018Guru - Experienced User
DrDunc wrote:
Perhaps the required drivers are not specific to the MR1100 but are more generic, only they weren't part of the original XP or service packs.
I think you have put your finger on it.
Maybe schumaku has put their finger on it. How does the person connect to the Internet? LAN or wifi?
That could be where the need for drivers arises.Either the LAN card or the wifi adapter.
Ignore the USB ports on the modem.
- DrDuncMar 26, 2018Tutor
According to the documentation this router can be used in USB tethering mode via the USB C socket (the USB A port is for attaching peripherals such as external hard disk). (From my own observation I would say this is slightly inaccurate as this is a micro-USB rather than a USB C port but the port in question is clearly the one referred to in the diagram in the manual.)
Again according to the documentation the ethernet port appears to only be used for "Ethernet offloading", rather than to provide access from a LAN to the 4G network.
Every peripheral requires a driver, but the drivers for most peripherals either come with the Windows OS or are downloaded automatically when Windows first detects new hardware. Go into device manager and right click on a peripheral to see its properties and then choose the Driver tab and you will see details of the driver in use. For this device if I do this I see the details in my previous post, i.e. the lack of a suitable driver.