My media center machine is my guinea pig. It’s relatively old with it’s nForce 440 based motherboard, Athlon 64 3200+ (Socket 989), and 1 whopping gig of memory. It’s also got a Hauppauge MCE500 dual analog tuner and an ATI 4550 with HDMI out to my Samsumg A550 40″ LCD.
I couldn’t be happier with how Windows 7 performs with minimal hardware. This machine is easily 3.5 years old, and it wasn’t exactly top of the line when I bought it. H.264 at 1080P plays flawlessly (thanks to AVIVO), and the Media Center interface is incredibly responsive, even right after bootup (which, I’m sad to say, wasn’t the case with Vista).
Anyway, last night I reinstalled Windows 7 Beta x64. Every single driver installed out of the box…except this damn WMP54G, which also didn’t work on Vista 64. So, here’s how to make it work.
This card is based on a card by RALink…that, or they use the same chip. Either way, they offer a driver that works.
http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Windows.html
I downloaded the RT2500 installer. Then I installed it. *EDIT* Here’s the updated link location, thanks to “Heroin” the commenter (had to clarify): http://driverscollection.com/?file_cid=410099446353e5b327a2d97a64c
So, install then, then head over to Device Manager. You should see this:
Double click that device and go to Update Driver.
Select Browse my computer for driver software
At the bottom, select “Let me pick from a list of drivers on my computer”
In the next window, scroll down to Network Adapters and double click. Then click “Have Disk”
In the box that pops up, navigate to/enter this path: C:\Program Files (x86)\RALINK\RT6x Wireless LAN Card\Driver
Hit OK then scroll down to “Ralink Technology Corp” in the box on the left side. On the right side, select “802.11b/g Wireless Adapter.”
Click YES on the warning.
Success! Now try to connect to your wireless network.
Thank you so much! IT WORKED!!!
Wow!! it just works!
You just saved a college student enough money to buy 2 weeks worth of groceries. Hats off, sir.
Awesome! Ramen and Natural Light? That was my diet.
You just saved my money and my time ! Thank you !
DID NOT WORK. SO FRUSTRATING. WIN 7 64 bit
Driver links at Ralink so most download sites are down here is the link to the windows drivers for several of these cards the 2500 is the one specifically in question here. This are full setups so should just have to insall
http://eng.ralinktech.com.tw/support.php?s=1
this device cannot start (code 10). followed exact steps. wmp54g v4.1 win7 ultimate x64 no luck here.
Same here
I love you, man. I’ve been at this for 2 days. Thanks!
This will let you download the RT2500 driectly from RALink.
http://www.ralinktech.com/license_us.php?n=1&p=0&t=U0wyRnpjMlYwY3k4eU1EQTVMekF6THpNeEwyUnZkMjVzYjJGa056VTBNek16TXpJNE9TNWxlR1U5UFQxSlUxOUJVRjlUVkVGZk1qVXdNRjlFTFRNdU1pNHdMakV3WDFaQkxUTXVNaTR3TGpCZlVsVXRNaTR4TGpNdU1GOVdRUzB5TGpFdU15NHdYMEZWTFRJdU1DNHpMakJmVmtFdE1pNHdMak11TUY4d01qRXlNRGxmTVM0d0xqRXVNRjlHY21WbEM%3D
BTW… Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Thanks so much for this!!! So quick and simple! :D
Back when I first got Win7 I had to do some roundabout thing that took a few complicated hours, but I couldn’t remember what I did for this reinstall.
That was really simple. I don’t do this frequently, so I forget. Thanks for the info.
The RT2500 driver didn’t work for me (Win 7 Ult 64b) to resurrect my WMP54G-4.1. I found a slightly different set of instructions at tomshardware. skinnypirate, there, suggested using the drivers for the RT256x chipset, instead. That worked for me. See: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/429-63-wmp54g
Thanks, this was great help :)
Since I got the Code 10 error as well, I did this, after reading the comments here.
I have:
Windows 7 / 64-bit
WMP54G V4.1
After following the steps from the author, I got Code 10 error (thanks anyway for pointing me here).
I read the comments and did this to succeed:
1. uninstall the drivers installed after reading this post (Device Manager > Network Adapters > Uninstall)
2. downloaded the attached file here: http://icrontic.com/forum/showpost.php?p=679946&postcount=1
3. followed instructions on the attached sheet: http://icrontic.com/forum/attachment.php?s=0cf3d8be4589e9ab6948f48305d078ac&attachmentid=26913&d=1238981671
where (RALink… under START was not listed, yet)
4. my wireless adapter finally works again!
THANK YOU ALL :-)
Tried this as well (same code 10) error but now I get a message saying the system can’t find the file specified
thnx friend u solved my problem i think u should done it…………………………..
successfully downloaded “IS_AP_STA_2500_D-3.2.0.10_VA-3.2.0.0_RU-2.1.3.0_VA-2.1.3.0_AU-2.0.3.0_VA-2.0.3.0_021209_1.0.1.0_Free.exe”
But the update driver steps don’t work. Windows refuses to find any drivers there. And the applications in that directory won’t launch.
Win 7 64 bit
hey thank you so much for this! just got it working with my windows 7 64, definitely glad i finally found a solution!
Works like a charm, thanks for the help.
The problem is, how can I download this if I have no internet on my computer?
Can I transfer it with a USB?
THANK YOU
Mine is a really old model, been sitting around for years – thought I’d try it for a new PC I just built and was about to sack it off as a lost cause because of Win 7 and found this.
It works like a dream!
it works, thank you very much.
uuuuuuuhhhhhaaaaaaauuuuuu thank you so much you are genius is working perfect
[...] http://www.phishthis.com/2009/01/16/how-to-install-wmp54g-drivers-on-windows-7-beta-64-bit-or-vista-... Tagged as: Linksys WMP54Gv41 Leave a comment Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) ( subscribe to comments on this post ) [...]
Muchas gracias me sirvio de maravilla, Su ayuda
Thank you soo much… finally managed to get it working on x64! was about to give up!
I will mention one thing though, in the guide after installing the RALINK 2500 drivers and selecting Have disk you directed us to “Ralink Technology Corp” in the text but have underlined “Ralink Rechnology Inc” In your illustration..
A fairly moot point i admit but may be worth some clarity to the less computer savvy.
JUST POP IN THE CD THAT CAME WITH THE CARD AND CLICK HAVE DISK AND POINT IT TO THE CD.
IT INSTALLS WITHOUT A HICCUP.
Enjoy
Hey all, great page, this also led me to the solution.
To the person that created the original directions up at the top, I tried it but I had the same results as Joseph in the comments. The code 10 error thing. I followed his post to the other link and I am posting over the wifi network right now from W7 x64.
You should update the original with his link as well as a plan b for those of us who can’t get the original way working.
But thanks! This page has resulted in me fixing my issues.
I’ll post his solution again in case people hate reading comments in the middle.
Since I got the Code 10 error as well, I did this, after reading the comments here.
I have:
Windows 7 / 64-bit
WMP54G V4.1
After following the steps from the author, I got Code 10 error (thanks anyway for pointing me here).
I read the comments and did this to succeed:
1. uninstall the drivers installed after reading this post (Device Manager > Network Adapters > Uninstall)
2. downloaded the attached file here: http://icrontic.com/forum/showpost.php?p=679946&postcount=1
3. followed instructions on the attached sheet: http://icrontic.com/forum/attachment.php?s=0cf3d8be4589e9ab6948f48305d078ac&attachmentid=26913&d=1238981671
where (RALink… under START was not listed, yet)
4. my wireless adapter finally works again!
Someone needs to save the file linked on that forum post for all times in case this happens in the future and that site goes down.
Rock on all.
Worked great! Thank you so much.
I have tried this on Win7 64bit ultimate and I get the error the device ‘can not start’. Does not work for me, I also tried numerous other things and have been spending at least 4 hours on this without result. List time ever I buy a linksys product.
Very nice – thanks so much for sharing your solution.
good work! i just finished building a computer and dug this card out of the old electronics box in my basement. i didn’t have the money to buy a new one and thought i was gonna have to because i couldn’t get the darned thing to work even after trying every single linksys driver! way to save the day!
THANKS a looooooooooooooooooot.
thank you!!!!!!!! Joseph, i have win 7 64bit and did exactly what you said.. perfect.. this is what the internet was meant for.
[...] know if its still for sale but I found this for win 7 http://www.phishthis.com/2009/01/16/…-vista-64-bit/ __________________ Current Systems; Q6600 3.3ghz E6400 3.2ghz HPG60-230US T4200 [...]
Hello All, I clicked on the link and it is not longer working, but This site is working http://icrontic.com/forum/showpost.php?p=679946&postcount=1
But, this is the WMP54G VER: 4.1, and my Card is the WMP54G VER:4, will this Driver still work>?
Thanks All
JOSEPH YOURE A M*THAF*CKING GENIUS!!!!!!! TNX BRO
Dude awesome. I spend 3 hours. Reinstalled windows 7. And you walk through is what did the trick. Thanks
thank you brother too much! really worked and was efficient!
This is great, and it works perfectly!
Thanks a lot!
Thank you!!
In order to get it to work on my windows 7 64 bit I downloaded the file from the following site:
http://danwendorf.com/Linksys%20Wireless%20G%20(RT2500).rar
Then installed the card into my computer and it picks it up as unknown network adapter. Then I unzipped the files in the rar file and use the device manager to manually install the drivers from the location I unzipped them to and it worked correctly and installed my driver. I have the WMP54GV4 … Not sure if v4.1 is the same or not.
After a year..
Finally got it installed thanks to this guide, many thanks.
THANK YOU!!!! This took me a few days to get goin and it was your page that finally got it to work.
Need help >> Any one can please , I need drivers for my linksys wireless G 2.4 ghz
PCI Adapter model # wmp54G ver. 4.1
Thanks in advance
Great. I think this is the first time someone’s come through for me with this amount of precision. Thanks so much!
THANK YOU! 6 hours trying to get it to work. I was about to give up and buy a newer card (which would have meant a new wireless router as well -$$$-). So THANK YOU again!
—Linksys WMP54G 802.11g Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
This worked for me 6/1/11 WMP54GS v4.0
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64 bit (x64) updated as of 5/31/11
the PCI RT2500 is the key.
my download was for the PCI/mPCI/CB (RT2500) 3.2.0.0
file:
IS_AP_STA_2500_D-3.2.0.10_VA-3.2.0.0_RU-2.1.3.0_VA-2.1.3.0_AU-2.0.3.0_VA-2.0.3.0_021209_1.0.1.0_Free
Note in the Select network adapter first pick the
Ralink Technology, Inc <—Note the ", Inc." not the other two listings.
then pick the 802.11b/g Wireless Adapter as shown above.
This works, does not cause the Error 10 "can not start" or "Did not start"
it finishes as system32\Drivers\RT2500.sys
3.02.00.0000 built buy wINddk
HARDWARE IDS OF
PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_0201&SUBSYS_00321737&REV_01
PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_0201&SUBSYS_00321737
PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_0201&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_0201&CC_0280
SERVICE rt2500
Thanks to those above!
Thanks for the solution! I needed a slight mod to make mine work.
I have:
Windows 7 / 64-bit
WMP54G V4 (does not indicate V4.1 on the card)
When I tried the above solution, the WMP54G V4 network adaptor was identified by Win 7 as an unknown video controller and not as an unknown network adaptor. When forcing the driver upload, I would get the “Code (10) error device can not start”. When I relocated the adaptor to the pci slot closest to the edge of the mother board, Win 7 properly identified the device as an unknown network adaptor and the rest of the solution from above worked properly.
Thanks again for working this solution and sharing with the community!
Your instructions worked perfectly…Thanks again ..continue the goof work..God Bless
Your instructions worked perfectly…Thanks again ..continue the good work..God Bless
Joseph FTW! I got the C0de 10 error and Joseph’s advice sorted me right out :D