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kw13500's avatar
kw13500
Aspirant
Dec 21, 2020

Just built a new PC and want to hook up an old Wireless N Dual Band adapter.

So, I just finished building my brand new gaming PC today and I need a wireless adapter until I can run an ethernet cable to my room. My dad installed a Wireless N Dual Band USB WiFi adapter on the family desktop a while back and said I could use the adapter until we get ethernet run to my room (so I only need this for a couple days).

 

I figured it wasn't just going to be a "plug it in and it works" situation, but I don't actually know what to do in order to get it to recognize that it's a USB WiFi adapter.

 

I am currently using my Android phone as a USB tether but obviously I can't just leave my phone hooke dup to the PC forever so I need an alternative and this is the only option I have for the next few days.

 

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

EDIT: Didn't think I would have to clarify this, but the manual is gone and I am WELL past the support time fram of 60 days. This thing has been in use for YEARS

3 Replies

  • antinode's avatar
    antinode
    Guru
    Dec 21, 2020

    > [...] I don't actually know what to do in order to get it to recognize
    > that it's a USB WiFi adapter.

     

       One of those "it" things is the computer, and the other is the
    adapter?

     

       When information is lacking, there's a time-tested approach which
    often works:

     

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM

     

       Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
    for Documentation.  Get some.  Read.  Nearby, under Downloads, you might
    find some relevant software, too.

    • kw13500's avatar
      kw13500
      Aspirant
      Dec 21, 2020

      That would be some great advice if I had the manual and it was under the support warranty time. We've had this thing for YEARS and the manual is LONG gone. Thanks for the "advice"

      • antinode's avatar
        antinode
        Guru
        Dec 21, 2020

        > That would be some great advice if I had the manual and it was under
        > the support warranty time. [...]

         

           Huh?  How does an expired warranty affect your access to the
        documentation?

         

        >    Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
        > for Documentation.  Get some. [...]

         

           Did you?  Which part of that was unclear?

         

        > EDIT: Didn't think I would have to clarify this, but the manual is
        > gone [...]

         

           I thought that my directions for finding the documentation were
        pretty clear, too.  Even a Web search for terms like, say:

         

              netgear  WNDA3100v2  manual


        should lead pretty directly to the desired documentation.  It's not
        complicated.

         

           Did you also not find the software kit which is available for
        download?  Or should we next expect a complaint about the lost Resource

        CD, too?

         

        > [...] Thanks for the "advice"

         

           You're welcome, but you might find it more helpful if you actually
        read it.