I just purchased a cheap "Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapter CB21AG", basically a Cardbus wifi adapter, to complement the 5 year old laptop my father has for his retirement road trips and wanted to test it on my old laptop before I install it on his.

Regardless, I installed the original software from the CD but when trying to get the latest driver software (basically a newer version of their install wizard) I was informed by the site and their online techs (overseas tier 1 instruction repeater) that I needed a service contract. To do so I have to contact my 'partner' or sales rep, which of course was the local eBay reseller. Does anyone know if there's a workaround for this? Seems odd I'd have to pay for latest software/drivers, it's not like a business overhaul or some giant company. Even the quick start manual says it's better to download the most up-to-date install wizard and drivers online from cisco instead of installing from the disc.

1/13/2012 1:54:43 AM

cisco aironet is their business line, linksys is the consumer line. i bet the chipset is identical to a linksys card and you can find the driver on the linksys page

1/13/2012 9:07:49 AM

I think you can just sign up for a cisco account online and get access to drivers and some of the firmware?

Try this. I just downloaded it and threw it up on dropbox. [NO VIRUZLOL]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/979374/340-Windows-XP-Bundle-2.1.exe

Quote :

" 340-Windows-XP-Bundle-2.1.exe Release Date: 06/JUL/2007 PCM, LMC, PCI Client Adapter firmware 4.25.30, Windows XP NDIS driver 8.2.3, ACU 5.05.001 and Release Notes. Read Release Notes for Cisco Wireless Security Suite and AP firmware version information. Size: 5091.25 KB (5213437 bytes)"

If that doesn't work then you'll have to create your own account (free) and find the one you need.
http://www.cisco.com/cisco/software/navigator.html?mdfid=278853375&catid=278875243


[Edited on January 13, 2012 at 10:13 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2012 10:04:30 AM

Good to know about that linksys/aironet difference, I didn't realize that when I purchased it. Ill see if that driverset works.

I created the online account (manual said I would have to) but once I get in and select the appropriate driver file for this product it says I need a service contract to download, the overseas techie repeated the same thing said I would basically have to buy a service contract since whoever sold me the card didn't have a contract already (they could search via my serial number).

1/13/2012 1:28:39 PM

FWIW

http://thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=569168

1/13/2012 1:32:03 PM

lol nice same boat different day apparently, brought back some bad memories?

I just rechecked their site and it appears that version on dropbox is only for the aironet 340 series wireless bridge anyway, different version #'s as well. I guess I'm stuck with this version, my father won't use his laptop for any online financial stuff anyway and the release notes aren't too bad. Thanks for the help and the heads up for the future.

1/13/2012 9:58:33 PM

Yeah I downloaded the wrong thing and also get the dealer/reseller message on the utility you actually want.

If you google the file name you get http://195.148.217.80/public/Cisco/Drivers/PCI/

Maybe try that?

1/13/2012 10:43:28 PM

Damn that's mighty tempting, I am a newb when it comes to this but is that directory legit I.e. a subdomain (or whatever you call it) part of cisco's site? On my phone right now as well so I can't navigate very easily.

1/14/2012 9:17:27 PM

Come on now, there are some people here that work at Cisco, someone help him out.

1/14/2012 9:20:08 PM

http://grok.lsu.edu/File.aspx/23/WinClient-802.11a-b-g-Ins-Wizard-v36.exe

1/18/2012 7:08:03 PM

Special thanks goes out to the local Tdub cisco rep, took some time getting the kinks worked out but got the latest rev installed up and running.

1/21/2012 12:39:56 AM