Belkin FD71101 Windows 8 driver

Tuesday, January 28, 2014 by kona0197 | Discussion: Personal Computing

Looking for a working driver for the Belkin FD71101 wireless USB network card. Windows 8 does not recognize the card, and Belkin does not supply a driver for Windows 8.

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Crastiloowa
Reply #1 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:18 PM

I have no first hand knowledge, but if no one posts a better solution, you could try the workarounds listed here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/39392-43-belkin-wireless-adapter-driver-windows

in short

1) If you upgraded from 7, point to your previous driver (if you didn't delete the backup)

2) Use the default Windows "conceptronic 54Mbps Usb adapter" driver instead (perhaps that uses the same chip.)

Failing that, Newegg lists any number of USB network adapters for < $10.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014288&IsNodeId=1&Description=usb%20network%20adapter&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

I'm guessing some of them at least are Win8 compatible.


Further edit: It appears that this uses the Realtek 8192SU chipset (according to some Linux forums where people were hacking in support for it) - you might be able to use a generic driver for that chipset or from another manufacturer using that chipset (though a quick skim through Google doesn't turn up anything that looks super-likely.)

kona0197
Reply #2 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 6:14 PM

Does Realtek offer a driver? Their site is confusing!

Wizard1956
Reply #3 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 6:54 PM

Crastiloowa
Failing that, Newegg lists any number of USB network adapters for < $10.
I paid $8 for a TPLink that I use on my main rig and it works fine on Win 7 and 8. I paid $6 for a Netgear b/g/n refurb that also works fine. Both came from Newegg. Actually all 3 of mine work well with XP, Vista, 7 and 8. If you have an old adapter, you're better off getting a newer one.

Poor driver support....shades of Vista.

 

kona0197
Reply #4 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:14 PM

Yeah a new one would be nice. I must put it on my list of things to buy when I get some money. Might be a long time. In the meantime I'll try to get this one I have working.

Wizard1956
Reply #5 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:35 PM

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=4657  Use the one in that list for the version you have (1 or 2)and run the installer in compatibility mode for Vista or Win 7.

RedneckDude
Reply #6 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:04 PM

Kona, what happened to "Windows 8 runs super slow on my PC"?  

 

You realize this thread is going to get a lot of that kind of response, right?  

You really do do this stuff to yourself.   

kona0197
Reply #7 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:20 PM

I never said it was for my computer. Didn't think about that did ya?

Wizard - tried that. No go. Windows 8 does not like either one of those installers.

RedneckDude
Reply #8 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:36 PM

kona0197
I never said it was for my computer. Didn't think about that did ya?

You're digging again Kona. It's getting deeper all the time.  

kona0197
I must put it on my list of things to buy when I get some money. Might be a long time. In the meantime I'll try to get this one I have working.

RedneckDude
Reply #9 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:38 PM

If it's not for your computer, why not just say so to begin with? This is why people say you contradict yourself, and these kinds of situations is why your credibility falls short.

kona0197
Reply #10 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:45 PM

Does it really matter RedNeck? Do we really have to keep tabs on what I do or not do? Simply wanted to know if there was a drive, that's all. Thanks!!

 

RedneckDude
Reply #11 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:55 PM

kona0197
Tired of being picked on. I simply asked for a driver. Who cares what computer I'm talking about?

I'm not picking on you Kona, I'm simply stating that after a thread full of "Windows 8 runs like a dog on my PC" then a thread like this, what did you think people would think?

 

It appears to be about you trying to run windows 8. If it isn't, you being more clear would have averted me even saying anything.

 

You bring this stuff on yourself.

 

I will shut up and let you have your thread back.

kona0197
Reply #12 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:56 PM

Hey I edited post 10 my friend. No worries. It's all good, thanks.

Phoon
Reply #13 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:04 PM

Insert facepalm...

kona0197
Reply #14 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:17 PM

Yeah you're right Phoon.

RedNeckDude you caught me. Red handed. I was curious about Windows 8 again. 7 has been a bit slow lately. Sorry. I know what I have aid about 8. Was just trying to fit in.

Maybe I should quit trying to please others and just be myself.

Anyhow, Will try what was said in reply 2.

Thanks!

RedneckDude
Reply #15 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 9:23 PM

the_Monk
Reply #16 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 10:19 PM

kona0197
you caught me. Red handed. I was curious about Windows 8 again

 

TRANSLATION:

"after bashing the shit out of windows 8 (with no real reason) and after seeing other people adopt it without their PC's blowing up and just maybe having done a little background reading of my own on the benefits (yes real and documented benefits) of moving to Windows 8 I've decided to ignore everything I've said in the past about Windows 8"...........here's hoping the rest of the forum users also forget everything I said about it!   hehe

 

RedneckDude
Reply #17 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 10:28 PM

Out of curiosity, what did you use for internet before, when you tried 8 on your rig?  

starkers
Reply #18 Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6:09 AM

the_Monk


Quoting kona0197, reply 14you caught me. Red handed. I was curious about Windows 8 again

 

TRANSLATION:

"after bashing the shit out of windows 8 (with no real reason) and after seeing other people adopt it without their PC's blowing up and just maybe having done a little background reading of my own on the benefits (yes real and documented benefits) of moving to Windows 8 I've decided to ignore everything I've said in the past about Windows 8"...........here's hoping the rest of the forum users also forget everything I said about it!   hehe

 

Actually, kona and I have been discussing Windows 8 in PM's and I have helped to clear up a few usage/performance issues for him.  While Win 8 may not run the best on his current hardware, we have discussed workarounds that will allow him to use it until he can upgrade with new hardware.  However, I have not been able to find a solution to the Belkin issue, and thus, kona has posted here hoping somebody else can help.

Oh, and RND, anyone else who doesn't understand, kona has communication issues and does not always express/explain himself as well as you or I.  Whether that is due to health issues or another reason, a bit of patience and understanding goes a long way towards a better understanding of kona's thoughts, questions and needs, etc.  To just go in with all guns blazing to blame, attack ridicule him without first trying to establish a common ground is non-productive and will always lead to avoidable unpleasantries.

In other words, politely ask about the situation before using a tone that'll upset the apple cart and benefit noone. Okay?

Crastiloowa
Reply #19 Wednesday, January 29, 2014 8:41 AM

kona0197
Does Realtek offer a driver? Their site is confusing!

Repeating disclaimer: I have no first hand knowledge of this product/chipset, and the info that the product in question is using this chipset is based on a quick skim of some linux forum posts - in no way an official source.

Probably the reason that Belkin doesn't have a Win8 driver is that Realtek hasn't given them a baseline one to re-brand.  According to Realtek's website, their last update for the 8192SU chipset was in 2012 and only supported up to Win7.  Note that sometimes Win7 drivers will work in Win8 - depends on which driver model they're using.

That's here:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=2&PNid=48&PFid=48&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false&Downloads=true

(search for 8192SU on the page.)

If that one doesn't work and Microsoft hasn't picked up the torch, I'd guess that this hardware will never be supported under Win8, as there is little economic incentive for the manufacturers (either Realtek or Belkin) to do so at this point. 

One more thing you could possibly try is installing the Windows 8.1 update (free update to Win8) which possibly has additional driver support.  That said, if you can't reach the network downloading the update may be difficult.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial

 

Final thought - if all you need is a network card, you're OK with installing it yourself, and you've got personal transportation, you can quite possibly find one for free either by trolling through Craigslist posts or (if your municipality segregates electronics waste and you live in a well populated area) heading down to your local dump (I know that mine always has an assortment of computers in various states; usually most are fairly old, but if you're just looking for something equivalent to the above, it's not exactly new technology.)  Of course, YMMV and all that, you may (will) end up with some dead ones along the way, and you'll probably need to take it out of an entire machine.

 

Good luck!

 

ElanaAhova
Reply #20 Wednesday, January 29, 2014 9:05 AM

I think I have an old bilkin wireless tucked away somewhere in my apt.  maybe the drivers are with it.  Don't know which model it is.  When I get home tonight - I will dig the belkin out - check model, and get drivers.  sorry I cant now - appointment in a few...

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