How to install Linksys WMP54G and WUSB54G Wireless card on Vista

Submitted by Yousif on Thu, 31/08/2006 - 12:09am.

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UPDATE: This article is obsolete. Linksys added Vista Drivers to their support page. Please visit Linksys and download the latest Drivers for your Wireless card.

So i finished downloading Windows Vista Pre-RC1. The installation went really smooth as expected then came the part where you have to install the drivers.

I have a Linksys WMP54G Wireless-G PCI Adapter.Vista didn't recognize it. There was a "Network Controller" entry in Device Manager. I tried installing the drivers that came with the card but that didn't work. Vista said something like "Drivers could not be loaded code 31"

Here is how to get your Linksys WMP54G or WUSB54G wireless card working in Windows Vista

1) WMP54G and WUSB54G are based on chipsets made by Ralink Technology so we go to their support page and download the RT61+RT2500 drivers if you have Linksys WMP54G and RT2500USB if you have the USB version WUSB54G

The drivers were released this month so support for Vista is there.

2) Next we download the Windows XP drivers from Linksys (or use the ones in the driver CD)

3) run the Ralink installer. When it's done Windows Vista may ask you for drivers for your "Network Controller". If that happens point Windows Vista to the old Windows XP drivers.

Enjoy Wireless networking with your Linksys wireless card in Windows Vista thanks to Ralink Technology Corp!

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237296 reads

Could you post a more

Submitted by VTNomad on Sun, 08/10/2006 - 1:15am.

Could you post a more detailed write up? I can't get Vista to recognize Ralink or Linksys drivers.

I'm using the 64-bit version of Vista and Version 4.0 of the Linksys Adapter. Thanks.

Re: More detailed write up

Submitted by Yousif on Mon, 09/10/2006 - 1:06am.

The article above applies to the 32bit version of Vista. I am not sure there is even drivers for the 64bit version.

WMP 300N

Submitted by bucky57 on Mon, 09/10/2006 - 3:18pm.

I went to ralink and downloaded the RT61 i didn't get a installer ?

Also will the driver work with Linksys adapter WMP 300N or do you know where i can get a driver to work ?

thanks
bucky

Has this worked for anyone?

Submitted by kchamp on Fri, 02/02/2007 - 1:07am.

Has this worked for anyone? I have 32 bit vista and the WUSB54G v2.

Re: Has this worked for anyone?

Submitted by Yousif on Wed, 07/02/2007 - 7:26am.

yes... me :)

Result

Submitted by manichayan on Sun, 28/06/2009 - 6:01pm.

Yes.It worked for me. Thanks.
wells fargo home mortgage rates

Vista X64 Instructions

Submitted by gmeyergauen on Sun, 18/02/2007 - 5:11pm.

Here's how I got my LinkSys WMP54GV4 card to work on Vista Ultimate x64:

Go to Ralink Windows Driver and download the RT61 PCI/mPCI/CB driver for Vista X86/X64
Extract and run the Setup program which will take about 5 minutes to complete
Click Finish to complete the RT6x Wireless LAN Card Setup
Open the Windows Device Manager
Right-Click on the Network Controller under 'Other devices', and select Properties
Select the Driver tab and click on 'Update Driver' button
On the upcoming screen, select 'Browse my computer for driver software'
I am not 100% sure if it's necessary to browse to the VistaX64 folder before you continue, but just to be safe here, browse to the VistaX64 folder (in my case it was installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\RALINK\RT6x Wireless LAN Card\Installer\VISTAX64), and then select 'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer'
On the upcoming screen, select 'Network Adapters' and click Next
Now comes the part where you may have to try different Ralink drivers using trial-and-error. Select 'Ralink Technology, Inc.' under the Manufacturer listbox, and try out some of the Network Adapters which will appear in the right listbox. In my case, the 'Ralink RT2500 Wireless LAN Card' did the job. If you selected a non-working driver, you will get the typical 'Device cannot be started error (Error 10)'. If you selected a working driver, the driver will successfully install. As I said above, I have a WMP54GV4 wireless PCI card, and the Ralink RT2500 Wireless LAN Card driver worked for me.

Good luck...

Great post, it is useful

Submitted by robert on Fri, 04/05/2007 - 6:49am.

Great post, it is useful. I have been searching for 64-bit drivers for LinkSys WMP54GV4 for one long time, Thanks.

Great post !!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 17/06/2007 - 8:07am.

You saved my day. i tried with the card all night before finding your post. Thanks a lot.

Actually, for me the RT61 driver was the right one, (am using WMPG54-DE)

THANK YOU

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 18/06/2007 - 1:41am.

I'm new to this "computer scene" thing and let me tell you, this post helped out tremendously! It was easy to follow and actually made sense to a newbie like myself. Thanks for the help, this is legit.

Great post!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 5:58am.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post these instructions. I built an AMD 64x2 machine with Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition, using an older Linksys WMP54G Version 1 PCI Wireless Adapter. I followed your instructions and found the correct driver under "Ralink Technology Corp" (the first Ralink option listed in the driver update utility), and it was the first driver listed there.

A couple of other tips to add: If you don't find the correct driver right away (you get an Error 10 Code), be sure you go back and uninstall the incorrect driver. Then click on Actions, select Detect Hardware Changes, and you'll get back to your original Device Manager configuration with the Network Controller listed again under Other Devices. (When you install an incorrect driver, it will show up under Network Adapters and the original detection under Other Devices will go away.)

It wasn't necessary to browse my computer for the driver software, btw; I simply selected the "Let me pick" option.

The driver installed beautifully and the Ralink utility works flawlessly. Considering the limited options for Vista wireless adapters (Linksys doesn't even offer Vista updates), you've given this card and my new machine a whole new lease on life. Thanks again.

I'm impressed

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 08/09/2007 - 3:12am.

I am impressed. Thank you very much for helping not to buy another card just to support Vista. Your instructions is clear and worked for my Vista Ultimate x32 as the Linksys driver just can't get to load.

Once again, thank you!

Vista x64

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 26/04/2008 - 12:21pm.

gmeyergauen thanks dude, and thanks to the dude who created this forum, I have been trying to get this to work for ages.

I can finaly send stuff back to my pC now, thanks once again.
Ps Thjis works for the premium version of vista 64 as well so am guessing it should work for all versions of the 64 bit vistas.

pps. I have the linksys v4 card.

cheers.

Thanks!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/06/2008 - 7:10pm.

You just saved me hours of guesswork. The RT2500 driver worked for my WMP54G v.4.1.

Great job!

OMGWTFBBQ IT WORKED

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 15/06/2008 - 6:29am.

YOU ARE A GENIUS. that is all.

Did not manage

Submitted by sjinsi on Sun, 30/11/2008 - 2:42pm.

I followed your instructions above, downloaded the RT61 drivers from the Ralink site.
The C:\Program Files (x86)\RALINK\RT6x Wireless LAN Card is created, but I do not find the INSTALLER directory.
I uninstalled the original Linksys drivers and tried to install the Ralink drivers.
However, Windows does not find any drivers. (although the C:\Program Files (x86)\RALINK\RT6x Wireless LAN Card does exist).

I retried, switching off/on the computer, but Windows continues not finding the Ralink drivers.

I am back to the original Linksys drivers, which are not compatible with Vista x32 and regularly block on my Vista x64.

Any suggestions?

adsa

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/12/2007 - 7:45pm.

adsa

Hmm @ the 4.0 Is that the

Submitted by Dan Saltman on Sat, 13/12/2008 - 12:52am.

Hmm @ the 4.0
Is that the black one?

It seems Ralink has improved the driver installer

Submitted by grrrr on Sat, 20/12/2008 - 8:17am.

I just ran the setup for the RT61 PCI/mPCI/CB driver (I have a WMP54GV4.1) and it was very easy and slick.

I didn't run it directly from the Ralink site since I needed it on a new Dell I didn't have any good way to connect to the internet. Using my other PC I downloaded the exe (it has a very long file name) to a thumb drive and ran it on the Dell off the thumb drive. All I did was start the install and clicked through a couple basic install screens. A Ralink wireless utility window opened up showing the wireless networks available, and that was it. It seems like the setup chose the correct driver and installed it. I don't know, it was a little weird. But the new Dell running Vista 64 with my Linksys WMP54GV4.1 (using the Ralink driver) is connected to the internet. It's a beautiful thing.

Much thanks for the great info!!

Thank you with all my heart

Submitted by Bradroeger on Mon, 19/02/2007 - 2:46am.

Thank you with all my heart you have no idea how many things I have been trying and now that this has worked I could kiss you

Thank you again

help!!

Submitted by rahool on Sat, 10/03/2007 - 11:47pm.

ok this worked the first time no problem, but i recently had to reformat my hard drive and when i go to do this again i download the RT61+RT2500 drivers and install them and then under "realtek technology inc." there is no driver for the RT2500. the first time i did this it worked no problem, i have a wmp54g and i installed the same driver that worked for you and everything was fine, now that driver doesnt show up?? any suggestions?

please i need this! lol

oh and i'm running windows vista ultimate 64bit edition

Help

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 15/06/2007 - 3:29pm.

I recently installed vista home premium 32 bit edition and the ralink drivers and the ralink application is running, but it will only work when i am physically plugged into the router. it recognizes my wireless network, but my wmp54g pci adapter card will still not work. Can someone please help?

link to driver

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 19/10/2007 - 12:32pm.

http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Wireless_Adapters&message.id=2699

Obsolete for Vista... but not Windows Server 2008 x64

Submitted by labgeek on Sun, 24/02/2008 - 1:20am.

You can use the same technique to enable a V4.1 wireless adapter in Windows Server 2008... w2k8 makes a great (and quick) desktop os with a few tweeks... with the help of this thread I was able to get the wireless adapter up and going (Linksys's driver wasn't signed = wk8 won't activate the driver!) but the Ralink drivers are signed... Had to remove the newtwork adapter from the device manager, but once I did the Ralink install worked like a champ!

Thanks!

this post is definately NOT

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 20/03/2008 - 8:48pm.

this post is definately NOT obsolete!!!! I've been trying for weeks to get my WMP54G card working properly; connection kept slowing down after a minute or two.

YOU ARE MY HERRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

No thanks to the Linksys support line... phoned them 5 times, they offered me a new card but I had a hunch it was a driver problem.

thaaank you

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 27/03/2008 - 9:52pm.

Thank you for saving me close to $100, got my WUSB54G version 1 working on vista...perfect

Thank you

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 27/03/2008 - 9:53pm.

Followed Directions and My WUSB54G is working perfectly (version 1 on vista)

WUSB54G V1

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 19/05/2008 - 2:23pm.

Did anyone get WUSB54G V1 working on vista x64?

Thanks

WUSB54G V2

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 27/04/2008 - 5:10am.

I am still having difficulties finding and installing drivers for the 64 bit version of Vista. I have a Linksys WUSB54G V2. Can anyone help?

I have done everything

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 10/05/2008 - 7:04pm.

I have done everything above. Everything connects. I get an Ip and everything. Just cant browse to the internet. Driver works pefect. Just no browsing.

Amazing:

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 23/06/2008 - 3:14pm.

Look at the date stamp on this comment. Two years from the time of the original post and 64 bit wireless cards and drivers for them are still hard to find.

Through google I did finally luck onto a post at a Linksys forum and got the drivers for my wmp54g v.4 card, distributed by Ralink. This was after I went to Linksys tech online chat support and was told by the tech there that Linksys does not make 64 bit cards and did not supply 64 bit drivers for existing cards. Thanx for the help Linksys.

To them, the x64 is a small

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/07/2008 - 3:38pm.

To them, the x64 is a small group of people. They don care cos is not cost effective and even though they knew there is a 3rd party x64 driver. They just want you to buy a new set! They sucks big time!

Thanks for the people who contributes the valuable info. :)

This is so not obselete

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/07/2008 - 10:13pm.

I had a hell of a problem geting a wmp54g version 1 card with vista 64bit cause this old of a card has no vista or 64 bit drivers but following this site was great the ralink drivers worked marvelously.

thanks for all of this and its far from obselete.

P.S: like someone else said i did not have to use the windows xp drivers, i went to either ralink corp or incoperated and the first driver entry worked for me, ive yet to have any problems.

Why the fuck hasnt linsys

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 6:00am.

Why the fuck hasnt linsys made 64 vista drivers for these adapters yet? WTF is there godamn problem?

ilginc

Submitted by reiskadir on Fri, 01/08/2008 - 12:15am.

thanks for all. interesting.

Definately NOT obsolete!!!

Submitted by RedRox on Mon, 25/08/2008 - 5:12am.

OK first of all. That's just a SPAM site above this post!! (gazetter link)

Secondly, Thx to Yousif! Just bought a Vista based PC and figured it would be relatively easy to switch my WMP54G v4 PCI adapter over. First issue was hardware as old card was in a full tower and new PC is slimline Inspiron. Had to physically unscrew the linksys card from the metal slot cover and do the same for the installed 56K modem and swap metal slot covers so the linksys card was on a short enough slot cover to fit. Downloaded the VISTA drivers for the V4.1 adapter and hoped it would work with V4. No such luck! Got on with Linksys chat (in India given name of tech support person) and went through version and serial number queries and was told it wasn't supported on Vista and the solution was to purchase a new adapter! When I asked a follow up question, the SOB disconnected me from chat!! very nice!

So followed the instructions here more or less and it worked like a charm!! A couple things have changed though. Ralink Support site for windows is now at:
http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Windows.html

And the download you want is the second from the bottom in the Windows section. Title of it is: PCI/mPCI/CB(RT256x/RT266x) from 10/26/07. In the version column it lists support for Vista: RT61:2.1.0.0 and RT2500: 3.2.0.0 which jives with the "RT61+RT2500" listed above, it just took me a bit to figure out it was really the same driver set. (I fully admit that could be a chair/keyboard interface issue!)

Anyway, installed the RALink software, but didn't get a prompt for drivers, so went through reboot/restart process to bring up new hardware found messages, pointed to the linksys drivers folder I had already unzipped into a Linksys folder on the hard drive, and was connecting to my wireless router without a hitch!!

So my order of operations were as follows:

1. Unzip linksys driver .exe into the C:\linksys folders (default location)
2. Run the RALink install executable
3. Restart the computer
4. When prompted for drivers for new hardware found, choose the "other options" selection and browse to the Linksys folder and make sure the "Include subfolders" option is checked and let it install the drivers.
5. Select my network from the list of available wireless networks, enter my encryption code and voila, internet access up and running!

Very sweet workaround!!!

I had an absolutely HORRIFIC

Submitted by Barry Mikguires on Sat, 20/09/2008 - 12:57am.

I had an absolutely HORRIFIC time trying to install WUSB54GSC on Vista64 Ultimate. I spent probably 2 hours total screwing with it. The worst part is, linksys doesn't even offer drivers for 64bit versions of XP. Like wow, WTF are they waiting for? If I could have got my hands around the CEO's neck that day...

--------------------------------------------
Name - Mikguires
Email - mikiguires[at]gmail.com
AIM - mgm1980
Yahoo - mgm1980
Start a Petition

WUSB54GSC on Vista 64 Ultimate

Submitted by jwbigtex on Sun, 30/11/2008 - 8:39pm.

Did you ever get this combination to work together, I am having the same issue? Thanks, let me know.

WMP54G - still does not work

Submitted by sjinsi on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 11:18pm.

I downloaded the drivers from the Ralink site, installed them on my computer.
When updating drivers for the WMP54G card, the Ralink drivers are not found.
I am back to using the original Linksys drivers, compatible with Vista 32, but not with Vista 64.
Works sometimes, but blocks regularly.

Does anybody know what I could be doing wrong?

I just love how Linksys

Submitted by Dan Saltman on Sat, 13/12/2008 - 12:51am.

I just love how Linksys leaves it up to the users and community to figure out the problems.

Vista 64 Support Is Still Well And Alive In December 2008

Submitted by Stingingfork on Sat, 27/12/2008 - 2:40am.

The statement at the top of this page states: UPDATE: This article is obsolete. Linksys added Vista Drivers to their support page. Please visit Linksys and download the latest Drivers for your Wireless card.

That is a lie propagated by Linksys in order to sell new hardware. I spoke with one of their Indian Tech Support team members this morning only to be told that there isn't any Vista 64 bit drivers for my new WMP54G Wireless Adapter (Version 4) which I had purchased earlier this year on ebay. Nor he stated was there any drivers available from the chipset manufacturer for this card. What a load of crap! Thanks to this page I was able to get my card installed with a driver which works very well with my Vista Ultimate 64. Thanks to Yousif and the others which helped me locate and install the driver so I didn't have to invest in new hardware just because Linksys doesn't want to support their Customer base with drivers for their older but very reliable hardware. Shame on you Linksys for putting the bottom line ahead of your customers! With the lack of support for Vista 64 I will definitely go to another vendor when it comes time to replace my wireless equipment.

Alive and kicking 03/2009

Submitted by max power on Sat, 28/03/2009 - 10:07am.

My WMP54G in Vista 64 was dropping packets and was unacceptable for even browsing the Internet. This fix did the trick! It is now running like a champ. I downloaded and installed the same driver referenced above. Choose to select the driver manually, and then select the "Have Disc" option. Browse to the location and select the driver. Then, I chose the Ralink 8021b/g miniPCI wireless adapter from the list. Works great.

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