It will work with any b/g/n and most pre-N networks. It will either work, or not.Īs an 802.11n, it is backward compatible. In this case, you check the TiVo compatibility list before buying, or just try it if you have it. They were designed to work with a known chipset and the drivers are typically not able to update. It is because they hardwired certain driver steps into the machine. It is at this stage that game machines and TiVo units may fail to work with a non-certified device. Once you get the adapter installed, it will work with compatible routers or access points. If it failed, that’s where you would worry about installing them from disk or USB. If possible, make sure the machine has a wired network connection during this step. If it works and installs software successfully, you are done, except for your login and network software setup.

So, installation typically starts by just plugging in the adapter. That’s why drivers are on disk or can be downloaded to a USB flash drive. That is a problem if you don’t have network access, and are installing this to GET access. That may require the machine to go online to check. If it is less common or too new, you can plug it in, and the O/S will try to locate a driver in the HCL. If it is, you can just plug in the adapter, and it will work.

If the chipset is common, the drivers may be included in the primary or core hardware compatibility list (HCL) and library. I don’t know what chipset this SMC adapter uses, but it is easy enough to look up. Each chipset performs common functions but the specific details of how-to resides in the driver. The drivers enable the OS to control or access device specific functions. Some companies customize the drivers or add UI features, but the driver sets are common. The truth is, all of them use a small family of common chips from 3-4 sources to handle all the data.Įach of these chips has a generic driver from the manufacturer. There are dozens of devices like this from a multitude of vendors. The answer is petty simple if you know certain points.Īll these USB network adapters/dongles follow well established protocols and practices. Hi – I have already seen several questions about compatibility, with TiVo, game units and different O/Ses.

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