Re: Got my grandson a linksys game adapter, I'm going nuts

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The Linksys WGA54G gaming adapter is very similar to the Linksys WUSB54GS
wireless network USB adapter connected to your grandson's PC, in that they
both can connect a single device at a time to the wireless network router in
your room.

The WUSB54GS USB adapter was designed to connect and communicate through a
PC's USB port, so it's of no use to the Playstation 2, only for a PC.

The Linksys WGA54G gaming adapter is more versatile than the USB adapter,
because you can plug an ethernet cable from any networkable device into it.
So you could plug in either the PS2 or the PC (the PC would have to have a
wired network card for the cable) and then change which device was plugged
in as often as you wanted without having to reconfigure the gaming adapter.
By the way, were you able to successfully configure the gaming adapter? You
have to temporarily plug it into your network router and use the CD that
came with it to program the wireless network name and password into it.
After that it can connect to the router wirelessly and you can unplug it
from the router. Also, there is an ad-hoc switch on the gaming adapter, but
that is only for connecting directly to another gaming adapter and not your
wireless router, so make sure it is not switched to ad-hoc or you won't get
online.

So with that knowledge here are some connection options for you:

1. Keep both wireless adapters and let them both connect to the wireless
router independently of each other.

2. Keep only the gaming adapter and keep changing which device gets to be
plugged into it (the PC or the PS2). With that method you would need to have
a wired network card present in the PC for the network cable to plug into
($15).

3. Keep only the gaming adapter and buy a wired network hub for about $15
and plug it into the gaming adapter. Now you now you can plug up to four
devices into the hub at the same time, and the gaming adapter will connect
the hub to your wireless network. As with option 2, the PC would need a
network card.

4. Return both adapters and buy a wireless ethernet bridge. This is similar
to option 3, but the wireless adapter and hub are both contained in a single
unit. You will have multiple wired ports open for plugging into, and the
bridge will connect wirelessly to the router in your room. Again, the PC
will need a network card for connecting.

Now a word about the wireless gaming adapter. I own the same model as yours,
and while I was happy with it initially, my view has changed. I bought it to
have the freedom to game wirelessly whether I was at home or at my nephew's.
Last time I was at my nephew's I could not get it to reconfigure for his
network. After multiple attempts I gave up and just ran an ethernet cable to
the router.

I've played SOCOM II and III while using the adapter, but their gaming
network system is already less than stellar. Trying to connect to it
wirelessly only adds to the existing online gaming issues, which includes
major headset operation problems (can hear but not talk to teammates, can't
hear or talk, etc.). I ran an ethernet cable to the PS2 and have had much
better luck in those and other games. Connecting with an ethernet cable to
the router is much simpler and also more secure.

Connecting a PC wirelessly for web browsing is one thing, a connection drop
or lag might not ever be noticed. But gaming requires an always present
connection. If the connection drops or lags you can be disconnected entirely
or have performance issues (you're game character can't keep up with the
action). You may have better luck than I (especially with a dedicated
wireless bridge), but if at all possible, a wired connection with ethernet
is faster, more reliable, more secure, and still less expensive than a
wireless one. You could also look into HomePlug networking, it uses your
home's power lines to create a network, but an ethernet one will still be
more reliable and cheaper.

Hope this helps!


.

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