View Full Version : Nintedo WiFi adapter, a legacy of pain.
njiska
12-01-2005, 01:45 AM
It's taken me a week but i finally got the damn thing working. Apparently the software relies on Windows ICS inorder to function but ICS in XP is a POS that never works quite right. When the program activated ICS it killed ever other system on my networks access.
After 4 days of fighting and a call to Nintendo that yielded no help i finally got the damn thing working by Removing the ICS and creating a network bridge between my Eithernet card and the DS adapter.
I shouldn't have to do that, what's more any non-techsavy user is gonna have a bitch of a time figuring that out.
Has anyone had a similar problem and found a better solution? I'm not worried about the bridge creating security holes because i still have my Hardware firewall protecting me and i never used a software one anyways. Beside the adapter can only connect to DS's.
Still what a bitch it was getting this thing going.
Mayhem
12-01-2005, 06:48 AM
I'm getting 52103 error on using the wi-fi USB dongle. Can find IP address can't connect to server though. Dunno if it's something similar to what you said, or AOL being crappy and interfering with it.
yok-dfa
12-01-2005, 07:04 AM
I'm not worried about the bridge creating security holes because i still have my Hardware firewall protecting me and i never used a software one anyways.
Slightly off-topic maybe, but hardware firewalls are not necessarily safer than software firewalls. It actually even might be the other way around since software firewalls can be easily updated when new threats surface...
gamegirl79
12-01-2005, 10:06 AM
AOL being crappy and interfering with it.
That would be my guess....AOL interferes with just about everything. LOL
Seriously though, it sounds like a router would be easier to set up (even though you'd think it would be the other way around!). All I had to do was type the WEP key into my DS and it connected to my router right away.
Mayhem
12-01-2005, 11:39 AM
It would probably require a change of ISP before I got anything out at home at the mo tbh. I was gonna speak to you to see if you can bughunt it, but you probably already know the reason ;)
Drexel923
12-01-2005, 11:46 AM
Well I don't know any of those technical terms you mentioned. All I know is that I have XP and mine works perfectly.
I took it out of the box, and 5 minutes later I was playing online.
Sylentwulf
12-01-2005, 11:52 AM
Just out of curiousty. What IS the nintendo wi-fi adapter.
When I DO go online with my DS (Metroid and animal crossing) do I need to buy something for my DS? I thought the DS had native wifi support in it, so I could just turn animal crossing on, and it will connect to my wireless router just like that.
And ya, ics in xp being a pos is a pita. Of course, just spelling that out once might help your original post a bit.
njiska
12-01-2005, 12:47 PM
get a router.
No i'm stick with my good old WIRED Router
It would probably require a change of ISP before I got anything out at home at the mo tbh. I was gonna speak to you to see if you can bughunt it, but you probably already know the reason ;)
I'm not sure what's causing the problem but i'd call Ninteno Wifi Support if i were you.
And yes ditch AOL now. Maybe you're alive in the early ninties but we use to have the saying, "How do you know you need help? Look at you're email address, does it end in @aol.com?"
Just out of curiousty. What IS the nintendo wi-fi adapter.
It's a USB wifi adapter that allows people with out wireless routers to play online.
I loath wireless so i choose the adapter over replacing my Router.
norkusa
12-01-2005, 12:57 PM
Anyone know if the WiFi adapter will work on OS X?
njiska
12-01-2005, 01:08 PM
Anyone know if the WiFi adapter will work on OS X?
Maybe someday but currently the software is for XP only.
le geek
12-01-2005, 01:11 PM
Anyone know if the WiFi adapter will work on OS X?
No only windows XP. But the Wifi will work with Airport Express.
Cheers,
Ben
philosophyst
12-01-2005, 01:18 PM
Well I don't know any of those technical terms you mentioned. All I know is that I have XP and mine works perfectly.
I took it out of the box, and 5 minutes later I was playing online.
My thoughts exactly, I was playing online minutes after I received it. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was....especially considering I'm a complete idiot when it comes to computers. :D
Joker T
12-01-2005, 03:52 PM
I have a wireless router. Strangely it worked without a problem so I'm happy :)
How much does the nintendo thing cost?
Mayhem
12-01-2005, 03:58 PM
And yes ditch AOL now. Maybe you're alive in the early ninties but we use to have the saying, "How do you know you need help? Look at you're email address, does it end in @aol.com?"
Heh... my parents went with it because it was the best deal at the time for getting online (and especially broadband) and actually, so far, we've hardly had any connection issues. Currently 2MB connection unlimited bandwidth for 25 GBP per month (or about $40) which is better than most you'll find.
They don't use AOL email anyhow. Indeed all it is used for is just to get online. Everything else they use something else (even email provider).
NE146
12-01-2005, 04:05 PM
Nintendo outta just have a dongle where you can plug the thing directly into a switch of your choice with regular old ethernet.
I dont know wtf this USB thingy does by having you connect your DS through your computer.. just seem real flaky to me as a way of connecting to the internet. O_O
Frankie23
12-01-2005, 04:59 PM
Nintendo outta just have a dongle where you can plug the thing directly into a switch of your choice with regular old ethernet.
Which would be rather useless to people who don't have a hub or a router. At least this way all they have to do is buy one piece of equipment which will work on most of the PCs out there.
philosophyst
12-01-2005, 05:04 PM
How much does the nintendo thing cost?
$35 plus shipping from the Nintendo.com store.
NE146
12-01-2005, 06:23 PM
Nintendo outta just have a dongle where you can plug the thing directly into a switch of your choice with regular old ethernet.
Which would be rather useless to people who don't have a hub or a router. At least this way all they have to do is buy one piece of equipment which will work on most of the PCs out there.
I didn't say they should not have the current product (as funky as that is).. I just said they outta have one where you CAN just plug w/ Ethernet as opposed to the USB one :)
And it wouldn't be "useless" necessarily if you dont have a hub, or a home router with a built in switch... you could always just unplug your pc's connection and shove it into said dongle :D
Jibbajaba
12-02-2005, 02:42 AM
Man, I don't know if this is OT, but I just got a DS today, and the fucking thing isn't compatible with my wireless router. Between that and the fact that I am highly un-wowed by the quality of the DS's screen, I think that this thing may be taking the next train out of town.
Hey, all I'm saying is that my PSP works with my router just fuckin fine. I don't know what this bullshit is all about.
Chris
Avatard
12-02-2005, 01:51 PM
Why are you sticking to your guns with a wired router? I have a wireless router but I only use the wireless for my DS. When it comes down to it you MUST use wireless in some form.
Also AOL does not support ICS, it greys out lots of options you could have. Atleast with dial-up it does, the broadband program may have residue of that BS. Change ISPs. Having AOL is like having a virus, you've gotta remove it before any serious tech help can be given.
DreamTR
12-02-2005, 02:00 PM
Wireless is overrated.
I have a wired router, the DS works fine with my Wi-Fi adaptor, so I consider myself lucky. With lag on wireless modems for online play, I don't even touch it, because I play fighting games online for regular consoles. If this thing did not exist, I would be screwed. I think I hack into someone else's system for PSP.... =(
Joker T
12-09-2005, 10:12 AM
I love my wireless router. For my PSP, DS and 2 laptops it is a real good thing to have. I have had no problems with lag. A wired router and a USB dongle makes alot of sense for people that don't have a wireless router.
Mayhem
12-09-2005, 10:49 AM
Well I got the USB dongle working with AOL in the end, so I've been spending the last couple of nights playing lots of MKDS :)
blissfulnoise
12-09-2005, 12:48 PM
Wireless is overrated.
I have a wired router, the DS works fine with my Wi-Fi adaptor, so I consider myself lucky. With lag on wireless modems for online play, I don't even touch it, because I play fighting games online for regular consoles. If this thing did not exist, I would be screwed. I think I hack into someone else's system for PSP.... =(
Using lag as an excuse against wireless is overrated.
I play Street Fighter III over Xbox Live all time time via a wireless connection without any issue at all.
Seems to me that you need to site survey your house and optimize the position of your wireless components.
I know, I know, you:
[a] live next to a hydroelectric station that blocks the signal
[b] have metal shards sticking out of your ceiling and floor
[c] live on the moon and the gravity sends the signal to the sun
:P
Seriously. Some simple forethought on the placement of your gear will equal a signal strength of 97% - 99% in nearly all cases which equates to a lag free experience online.
And to the folks having trouble... BUY A WIRELESS ROUTER!!! They're less than the cost of the dongle these days for god's sake.
Avatard
12-09-2005, 06:12 PM
You must,
A: Never use your microwave
B: Not own a wireless phone
C: Have a very small house
I get disconnected from the net when A and B are in use. It happens. It sucks. Use wires when you can.
Even at the "Extremely Low" signal strength its stll good enough to play without lag, however the issue is completely losing the signal randomly. But I agree, get a wireless router instead of the dongle as long as you're buying a Cisco.
njiska
12-09-2005, 09:09 PM
You must,
A: Never use your microwave
B: Not own a wireless phone
C: Have a very small house
I get disconnected from the net when A and B are in use. It happens. It sucks. Use wires when you can.
Even at the "Extremely Low" signal strength its stll good enough to play without lag, however the issue is completely losing the signal randomly. But I agree, get a wireless router instead of the dongle as long as you're buying a Cisco.
Haha i've got a 2.4ghz Wireless phone, an Xbox 360 with 2 wireless controllers, a PS2 with 2 wireless controllers all cramed withing a 5x5 space surrounding my DS Wifi Adapter and a microwave not very far away.
It's an interesting experience to say the least.
It's time for Nintendo DS math!
Only support .11b
+
Only support WEP
=
:embarrassed: