Nintendo USB Wi-Fi adapter

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Hey all,

I got a Wii last week and just picked up the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi Adapter as I do not have a wireless network for the Wii to access.
I got the adapter up and running, sort of.....

We have 4 PCs in the house, 3 of which are running XP. The 4th is running Win2K.
The software for the Nintendo adapter requires XP for installation...
We hooked the Wii up in the living room downstairs and the Win2K machine is about 4 feet away from it. All of the XP machines are quite a ways away and have floors &/or walls between them and the Wii.
After installing the Nintendo software and adapter on our HTPC, I eventually got the Wii to connect to the internet, but the signal is weak and intermittent.
Even using the supplied USB extension and later using a 6-foot USB extension, the signal is still weak and intermittent..
Tried it on the other 2 XP machines with even worse results.

Additionally, the Wii wants a 24/7 connection for some of it's features. The HTPC is only used occasionally, whereas the Win2K machine is our juke-box as well as a print and file server -- it just happens to be on 24/7.

Is there a way to install the software and adapter on a Win2K machine? Every time I've tried, it says "You are using the wrong operating system" and will not allow installation.
What does XP have that 2K doesn't and this program/hardware need?
I've googled the interwebs for answers, but apparently am not using the correct search terms....

Does anybody know a way to use the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi adapter on a Win2K machine????

TIA!!

[yoda313]

I am fortunate to have been able to use the built in wireless on the wii. It was able to find my wireless network fairly effortlessly. Actually much simpler than the old xbox 1 was.

@ xylob - do you have enough harddrive space to partition XP on to your win2k machine? Maybe you could install it that way?

I would imagine the only reason they don't put it on 2000 is its not anywhere as common as XP is and 2000 is generally considered a business os instead of a home system.

----One other option you could do is looking into a powerline system. Those somehow use the electrical outlets in your home to transmit data - I believe they rate up to 200mbps. You could look into those as an option.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I don't have an "extra" copy of XP to install.

[yoda313]

Oh sorry.

Try looking into that powerline network idea I mentioned. It would require purchasing a new adapter of some type. But I believe you should be able to simply use any ac plug to use the lan line connection.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

maybe...
but I doubt it.
I'm really not willing to spend any money for "free" online play.
I was hoping there was a way to trick the software into working on Win2K, especially since I can't return the adapter now as it includes software and has been opened.

BTW, the 500 points I spent to download/install the Opera Browser on my Wii was the biggest waste of money EVER.

[yoda313]

I don't believe the browser is a complete waste. Apparently you can stream media through it. I think there is something like wiivcr or somesuch app out there. Do some digging online and you should be able to find some stuff that can be streamed onto it.

[Conquest10]

I don't believe the browser is a complete waste.

He means for him. Since he can't get it to work properly.

Why not just get a wireless router?

[BJ_M]

30$ wireless router and your good to go is the easy simple solution -- get a cheap buffalo and run dd-wrt on it ....

[Xylob the Destroyer]

None of my PCs have wireless though...
Plus, I like a fast connection.
If I go wireless on the PCs, I'll take a hit in download speed.

[Conquest10]

If I go wireless on the PCs, I'll take a hit in download speed.

Not really. What type of internet connection do you have? I'm on cable and there is no noticeable difference unless I go down into the basement. Plus, wireless routers are not wireless only. They are regular routers with antennas on it. You can still use your wired computers with it and you'll also be able to use the Wii online.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

...wireless routers are not wireless only. They are regular routers with antennas on it. You can still use your wired computers with it and you'll also be able to use the Wii online.

dammit.... I thought they were strictly wireless.

regardless, I've heard/read many times that wireless takes a serious hit on connection speed.
You're saying this is not true?

I'm on a cable set up. Currently enjoying very fast downloads. Haven't "clocked" it on DSL Reports or any of the others for several months, but all those sites rated my connection very high. Haven't noticed any slowdown since.
T
he Wii, Win2K, and HTPC are all in the basement, as is the PS2...
Only the office/desk PCs are upstairs with the router and cable jack.

[Supreme2k]

Wireless is just as fast as wired in regards to internet speed (considering that most routers are at least g now). The only speed lag that I notice is file transfers between PCs (and not much).

[tenders]

my son has a usb wifi for his ds. i suggest you call thier support, they are pretty good at solving any problems you may have

[LITEONDVD]

I am fortunate to have been able to use the built in wireless on the wii. It was able to find my wireless network fairly effortlessly. Actually much simpler than the old xbox 1 was.

@ xylob - do you have enough harddrive space to partition XP on to your win2k machine? Maybe you could install it that way?

I would imagine the only reason they don't put it on 2000 is its not anywhere as common as XP is and 2000 is generally considered a business os instead of a home system.

----One other option you could do is looking into a powerline system. Those somehow use the electrical outlets in your home to transmit data - I believe they rate up to 200mbps. You could look into those as an option.

Yeah my Wii connects to either my Wi-Fi or my wireless router. I would think the same as yoda on this one.