EnGenius EMP-8602 Plus-S wireless card

[ Updated Information Below - 22 Jan 2011]

If you are in the market for one/some of these check out Item # 280609643062 on eBay.

$30 ea. OBO + $6 S/H

 

I sounded my wish list for 2pcs in the other forum. Casting my net to see if anyone can lend a hand with re-shipping. Many TIAs!!
Ron in SG

 

The problem is that some of the ones on ebay can be fakes.... Not saying this one is... But all mine have the big ENGENOUS stamp on the metal part.

These might have been bulk sales to someone... Who knows... But I would email the seller and ask why...

 

Well, I guess we will find out when they arrive.

Wasn't aware of bogus cards circulating out there. Do you have any info on them?

 

I have seen cards that appear to be Engenous card but just don't seem to get the range of the cards that I KNOW are true Engenous cards. I did a deal a few years back and took partial payment for one of my laptops in the form of 15 Engenous cards. The ones that had the stickers always performed flawlessly.... The ones without always seemed to not quite get the range of the others. A few just outright did not work. Again... I am not saying that the referenced cards are fakes.... But the Chinese crank out A LOT of counterfeit stuff.... So you just never know unless you are buying from a reputable seller.

 

Rick: they are here and they are genuine EnGenius in factory-sealed antistatic bags.

Next job: installation.

 

Wow if they are legit, this is an awesome price. Time to buy.....

 

Anyone willing to forward one onto the UK - payment upfront via Paypal?

 

First off, why not try querying them to see if they will ship direct to you:

http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ectfaq=1&SSPageName=PageAskSellerQuestion_FAQ

 

1. Because most require a USA verified Paypal address.
2. Did ya miss the BOLD prints?

Frankly, if not for circumstances, I would have ordered 5pcs. No, I didn't ask... not when I have to watch my budget very tightly.

Ron in SG

 

I see he only sold 14 so far. I Figured he would of sold a lot more than that. Still waiting for my 2 .

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Topcop, as Ron said, I was somewhat put off by the big bold statement at the end of the ad - "I Ship USA Only."

 

I hadn't scrolled down that far, so I missed that. :confused2:

Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask. After all, all he can do is say "NO".

 

Ok guys, I've been thinking...

Since the Engenius is the real McCoy and it's free shipping within the USA, here's a trade proposition.

I have a CF-VDR282 DVD-ROM/CD-R/RW Drive Pack (based on Matsh!ta UJDA-750 drive) to trade for 2pcs of EMP-8602+S plus shipping to SG. It won't cost much if the cards are sandwiched between cardboards and sent in blister envelop via USPS.

The combo drive is in excellent condition, has no problem burning CDRs and is bootable from BIOS. It is NOT the CF-VCD271, which is just a CD only drive.

Bottom line is, I don't have a job now but I really want to get my grubby hands on 'em cards real bad. My butt is still sore from kicking me-self for passing on a <$60 CF-29 HDD caddy so.... I don't want to miss this one (yea... I'm sick I know).

I feel it's a fair trade, a win-win, without either losing an arm. Upon deal confirmation and the cards are on their way to me, I'll foot the postage and ship out the drive. Let me know.

Ron in rainstormy SG... where ebay sellers won't ship!

 

Ron . You are not a seller on ebay ? Why not sell it on here, There is a guy looking to buy one now. You would have no problem getting $45-$50.00 . I can buy / ship them too you.

 

Ron, per our discussion I've got you covered....ST I will let you know when they arrive.

 

Thanks for the offer, Blair, but like da Trooper said, I'm good.

Trading on fleabay? Well... I've sold some turntable related stuffs but have mostly been a buyer. I know that I can get some money back on the DVDRW caddy but wasn't sure if it was worth the hassle since my purpose was to get the 2 cards and also benefit a member at the same time.

Furthermore, the folks in the USA are sitting on a gold mine, where all the good stuffs are, so... why would anyone bother buying a caddy from across the oceans???

Now... before we go way off topic, can those who already own/use the +S cards please update which drivers/url they're using. I'd be interested in one that can throttle the card's power output. Many TIAs.

Ron in SG ...many oceans apart!!

 

You can download the most recent driver HERE!

You need to install the entire program, not just the driver, to be able to throttle the card. It's a great program... I use it all the time on my 29s...

 

Thanks Rick! Yeah, I was planning for these in my 18 & 29 but how did you rig up the antennae? Would that be RP-SMAs like you did for the 28s or a combo of external plus an internal paddle?

Ron in SG

 

Don't the 18 and 29 both have factory internal antennas? Just swap for the OEM card, connect antennas, load drivers, and go!

 

Yeah... CF-29 is plug and play.... As long as you have Wifi enabled BEFORE you switch cards!

Go in after that and uninstall ProSet (if you haven't already) and install the Engenous softwarel

 

Yep, it does have twin paddles but I was too darn curious what Rick and other die-hard modders might have done to theirs. Doesn't hurt to increase reception since either TB is likely to accompany me on bike rides for job interviews.

Rick, thanks! I'm using the Proset client so that I can 'switch off' the wifi when the 29 is connected via UTP. The transfers goes much faster, or so it seems.

Ron in SG

 

Hi there.
New to the forum and just got me a CF-29 and very happy with it. My question is is this card a simple pull out the old and install the new and replace with the new drivers and software?

Thanks

Dan..

 

Basically, yes. If your unit came with restored OS, then the Intel Proset utility is already installed.

Personally, I would choose to;
Uninstall Proset utility client. Shut down.
Remove Intel mini-pci card.
Install Engenius drivers and utility. Shut down.
Install Engenius card and let Windoze detect.

Others might do it differently but I'm skittish about plugging/pulling anything while the unit is 'live'. No battery, no mains and ya... glad to have you onboard, Dan.

Ron in SG

 

Is this the program you are talking about ? Went in to read the help but the folder is empty? Just trying to figure out how to get maximum power out of this thing . Do you let windows manage your wifi?

 

If you go under the advanced tab... It's in there somewhere...

opfor2 - Do what Toughnut says.... Though I generally.... Remove Intel... Shut down ands REMOVE AC AND BATTERY... unscrew the bottom plate... Look for hidden screws before you pry it open as well as disconnecting the speaker wire beside the RAM. Then pop in the new card, reboot and cancel MS "We found new stuff" and install your new software.... This will get you about 50% great range than an old Intel BG and about 25% over the Intel ABG card.

 

Thanks, I'm about to but two off of Ebay as we speak one more thing the two internal antennas does it matter which one goes to which connector on the card and I'm assuming that they don't need to be modified in any way?

 

Nope... Just take off the bottom plate and carefully remove the u.fl connectors, carefully remove the card and then carefully snap the connectors back on. Reinstall, reboot and go!

 

Any UK, Irish or European users interested in a card? I've been in discussion with the seller and if I buy a few, he'll give me a price for shipping to the UK. Onward postage from me will be at cost.

Let me know.

Mark

 

Rick, I followed the instructions on the install, and everything goes fine until it gets to the authenticating and then it just hangs. I then get the "limited or no connectivity". I have tried installing a couple of times and still get the same result.

I have Zero Configuration enabled and I am using WPA2 for security. Help!

 

If you UNINSTALLED the Intel Proset and installed the linked software above.... You should be able to hook up.

Be aware that Engenous gives you MANY other types of encryption! Make sure you have the correct one. As long as you snapped the board in properly and it didn't sit proud of th rubber bumpers that the stock wifi card rests on (some bumpers require SLIGHT trimming for the Engenous wifi card to fit flush) then it is a password/encryption choice problem. I'd almost guarantee you that you chose the wrong type... It can be a little confusing.

I don't have one in front of me but I always use WPA Personal with TKIP and then the passphrase/password.... Then you need to click on ACTIVATE.... If your SSID is hidden you need to check the box that says, "Connect even though this SSID is not broadcasting"....


Let me know...

 

ST did windows recognize the new hardware when you powered back up? I believe when I powered back up I left the windows auto install running and then ran the WLan install app. After making some choices the windows install continued and the new wireless connection was installed. I believe you will also have to set up your wireless connections again as this is a new device.

At the beginning of the WLan install I suggest choosing "Install Driver Only" instead of "Install Client Utilities and Driver (recommended)". Letting M$ do the work is much easier than using the WLan application to set up and manage connections. I first tried the recommended utility and did not like it. I ended up uninstalling the application and re-installing jus the drivers. As TB mentioned above you have to manually configure all of the security settings for each connection including selecting the security type. With XP managing, it detects the security type and just asks for the security key.

 

Windows WILL NOT allow you to throttle the card's power... You need the utility in order to do that. I always install the comlpete shebang.... You can always switch over to let Windows control it if you want to.

I guess it is a matter of personal preference... But to throttle the card... You need the entire utility installed.

 

I thought I had uninstalled the Intel Proset, but had not. I did the uninstall, and then I uninstalled both the Engenius card and the program and started from scratch. When I did the reboot it found the card (but had that "did not install properly") and then installed just the Engenius driver and not the entire program. Everything worky now! Thanks guys!

 

By this do you mean set the transmit power?
I was not aware of that. Do you know if the card is at full power by default? If not I may re-install the utility and use windows for managing the connections.

 

I just installed my new card and the accompaning drivers/software and I have to say that I am not impressed with it. The old Intel sofrware was a lot better than this.. Oh well

 

I see what you were talking about, there are three settings for "power save mode." I now use XP to configure the connections and in addition have three profiles in the WLAN utility for the three power settings.
So far I don't really see any performance difference between the power settings. I tried the extremes of the settings: power save off, and maximum power save, running netstumbler between each and did no get any different readings on the visible APs nor see any new APs.

You can use XP to manage your wireless connections, much simpler interface.

 

Well... To tell the truth... I never worry about power...

First, words of wisdom.... ALWAYS get power where you can when you can.... Stay powered, recharge, etc. I always kept mine at full power.... Damned the torpedoes... Full speed ahead. I do this with my cell phone, laptop... Anything that depends on batteries. I try to cycle my batts so they don't get used to sucking it out of the wall... But you know where I'm headed.

Now... For someone living off grid or using solar.... The throttle may be okay. but I have the photographic, side-by-side photos somewhere of both CF-18s and CF-29s set up on my deck rail. The 600mW card ALWAYS pulls in at least 20% better signal over the best stock card. Usually I compare using NetStumbler but that doesn't work with W7 that I am using now... But on the CF-18s & 29s that were using the BG card.... I usually saw a 30%-40% better signal. MUCH more stable too.

Just my thoughts... YMMV

 

Well don't think that one would really see much of an improvement on received signal for you are Dependant on the antenna and it's location. I'm sure that the real improvement is in getting your signal out there with the 600mw of power. As I stated earlier, I have been playing with the software and I really got to say that I like the old Intel Pro wireless interface a lot better than this one. Oh well I gotta deal with it in order to get the full benefit of 600mw

 

Just curious, but if one does not use the Engenius program, and uses the Windows program to manage the connection, would the card not default to the 600mw setting? Rick, were you able to take any transmit measurements using the Windows program?

 

I'm curious of this as well.
I too plan to keep it on full power. Logic says that if there's no real reason to throttle the power and it if it runs at 600 mW then that's one more background process I can eliminate.

 

I have no idea what the power is when Windoze is in control. You would think it would default to high power... But I have never tested the difference between the two.

 

And how would you really know that it is really putting out the claimed 600mw??

 

"More POWER!"
-Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor

 

Hey TopCop, where were you a part of the Elite Guard?

 

Well... With Windoze you really can't I suppose unless you compared reception between using the utility that is included then switching over to Windoze. The Utility has settings for it. Windoze doesn't...

But I CAN tell you that my experience with the 600mW card using the Utility has shown dramatic differences.... I've posted them above somewhere...

 

I like the standard windows network configuration and recommend it
The proset is terrible
I originally installed several engenius programs for testing with these cards and used it as an access point ,gradually reducing output to see what effect it had on throughput
These cards are more reliable than intel 2100b,2200bg and 2915abg found in most Toughbooks
The newest intel pci express cards like my 3945 in my cf-19 work fine in my newest Toughbooks ,but I delete the intel proset software and let windows manage the connection


Alex

 

Alex,

I wonder if this would have had any effect on the funky BSODs that many were getting from a MS Hotfix that scrambled their Intel Software and caused the BSODs... I know that unpdating to the most current Intel software/driver solved the issue for many but I wonder if the problem was ProSet or the driver itself. I think MS came out with another hotfix that allowed the older drivers to still be used however...

 

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered mine. Now to setup an external antenna port. Whats the best antenna? Probably want a rubber ducky type.

Shawn