Entered CNET Catalog: 07/07/2005
SKU: CNETPNNETWORKMAGIC
Manufacturer: Pure Networks
User opinions
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User Rating: 
1/10
ripoff - can't activate cause activation server is down
Pros: quick and easy purchase
Cons: after they charge your credit card you can't use the product because their activation server is down. Itonic that the system they use to keep people from stealing their product ends up allowing them to steal money from people.
User Rating: 
3/10
Offers nothing new
Pros: Marginally acceptable for novice users.
Cons: I've loaded this program a number of times and can't figure out any use for it. Why add another layer of complexity to network administration?
User Rating: 
4/10
Was a great product for newbies...
Pros: Great product for setting up your network initially, makes many issues easy to deal with
Cons: Online service fair at best, upgrade installation may de-register your product requiring purchase with out warning (registration only good to XX.X, Mac version waste of money, does not work out of the box - speed test causes system lock up on upgrade
User Rating: 
2/10
Network Magic is useless if you have network problems
Pros: Fancy picture of your network (network map), allowing you to see the IP address of each device, MAC address, operating system for each PC, and some alerts per PC about the firewall , virus checker, and antispyware status
Cons: If you're having network trouble, e.g. you can ping a PC in your network but you cannot map a drive to that same PC, Network Magic won't offer any help. If you are using a network printer, Network Magic is useless.
User Rating: 
6/10
Network Magic Lifetime of upgrades
Pros: I understand Suthai's concern and called PureNetwork's helpdesk at an 888 number found on CNET. They noted that my lifetime of upgrages will stop, yet they'll continue to support my 4.9 version on the phone and via email.
Cons: The end of free upgrades is a bummer, but I'll work with it. Nothing lasts forever.
User Rating: 
8/10
It works just as advertised
Pros: It worked. I had a laptop and desktop sharing in about 15 minutes.
Cons: Had to do a bit of digging to find the firewall settings....minor issue.
I ordered the Pro edition and installed on both machines. Then I followed the directions and within 15 minutes had sharing working between both computers. I have file sharing and sharing the printer on the desktop. Most anxious part was setting up the firewall. I get nervous messing with things like that. No worry. I followed the links to setting up with Norton 360 and carefully followed the directions. Pretty easy because they provide screenshots. The software found a did whatever was needed with my router a D-Link DIR-655. So far I am happy.
User Rating: 2/10
Net2go removed from version 5 of Network Magic !!
Pros: Network Magic WAS great. Easy to install and easy to add workstations and shared equipment. The net2go feature allowed the sharing of files and pictures to friends and family over the Internet.
Cons: Net2go was removed without warning.
Short list of supported cameras.
User Rating: 1/10
Was promised lifetime upgrades and support-and LIED TO!
Pros: Once upon a time this was a good product at a fair price. No more. Not since Cisco took over and decided to rip the thousands of paying customers they had off.
Cons: This product and company is a scam. Avoid at all costs unless you want to be ripped off and ignored.
And it doesn't stop there. The payment of more than I bought the program for is good for support for only one year. Then you'll be paying them again, and again, and again. Not good.
And whatever they've done "upgrade" wise, there are tons of people complaining about even more connectivity issues than ever. This newer version, like it's earlier incarnations, also does not have support for many new routers leaving you without all the "extras" that you're supposedly paying an upgraded price for.
Cisco should honor the original company's lifetime upgrades and realize that on the internet, word of mouth and standing by your promises is paramount to success. I used to recommend this program often but no more. How can I when they don't stand by their users?
They also should have someone respond to support questions instead of sending auto-response after auto-response. That is no way to make you feel supported.
I hope someone starts a class-action lawsuit. Count me in.
User Rating: 3/10
Poor Support
Pros: Worked very easily to set up home network ( 2 desktop computers and 2 laptops)
Cons: I have a D-Link DIR-655 and it is HW ver:A3 which is not supported even though I was told a year ago that it would be supported soon, that has never happened. Also like other people have said in the reviews it disconnects my internet quite often.
User Rating: 
9/10
The one stop program for doing anything on the network!
Pros: Great User interface, wizards for doing anything, diagrams and visual compliments to everything, works on weak PCs, works with Macs, lots of cool features, affordable
Cons: Minor bugs with anylizing the network
The great thing about Network Magic is that it's so simple to use. All of the features are logically organized by tabs at the top of the application, and if the Internet stops working, rather than going through any menus or commands, there is just a big red button above all of the tabs that says "Repair Network Connection" before it asks you to even get up or do anything, it will instantly disable your networking device, re-enable it, and try to reconnect again like windows does. If that doesn't work (which it usually doesn't) it tells you what to do with visual cues step by step instructions. Each instruction has a briefoutline of what you need to do in bold at the top of the wizard, with a more detailed description of the task in a sentence or two in the space below. There is also a picture below each instruction, wich makes the program even more Idiot proff, user friendly, and easy to use. When reconnecting your computer, it will ask you to reboot your router, your modem, check all wires, or, if you are using a wireless connection, if you are too far away from the router or if there is too much interference. If you told Network Magic that you were on a laptop, it will ask you to check your computer's wireless switch. Little touches like this make everything run a lot smoother.
No software is perfect, and network magic isn't without it's faults. It's flaws aren't very significant, however, but they are woth mentioning. On the network map for one of the PCs in the house, that PC's own network map will say that it, that PC, is offline, while right above at the connection status it will say it is connected. Other times, when it is not connected to the network, it will say "connected" on the map, but the router will appear offline. Also, when configuring the wireless network security, it will say that our wireless network has no security or encryption set up, when in fact it does. Other times, it will be unable to ever change the settings, and from then on give innacurate reports about the status of the network encryption. It also would be nice if the wizards were a little smarter: such as making a log of what the most common problems are with each computer and addressing them first when the connection is down.
However, in any scenario, the only problems above were incorrect anylysis and reporting. I have not experienced problems with the network reports feature. None of the other features were faulty or inoperational. All of the features have been very helpful to me. In short, manaing my network has been so much easier because of this product. I would highly recommend it.
User Rating: 1/10
the promotion looked good -- performance was mediocre to terrible
Pros: it did nto malfunction when it installed
Cons: most of the things they advertised software being able to do, it could not do - I have 4 printers on my wireless network; it detected only 1 and could not connect that to any other user;
Could not secure the Wirleess LAN at all; it failed on every category of all the issues that the developers list on their menu; either doing it partially (detecting 1 out of 4 of my printers) or not being able to do anything at all. AVOID
User Rating: 2/10
OK for first year then I "upgraded"
Pros: Fast way to connect a home network
Cons: Upgrade has created a memory hog.
Before this update which put this virus like resource hog on my machine I would have given this program a 9. Now, it gets a 10. I will live with it and eventually phase it out as I get new machines in my home network.
Network Magic says they haven't a clue as to the root cause.
Was great, but not since I updated the software. Would have gotten a 10, but to me it acts more like virus. When I first installed it and used it I thought I had died and gone to heaven because it was so easy to connect all the equipment on my 3 PC home network. Then I updated and had problems with a memory hogging file from Network Magic. The update was probably more to fix some bugs in Vista applications. I should have left it alone since I run XP SP2.
Network Magic support is nice but unable to help with the Network Magic executable file nmctxth.exe that balloons as time passes on the machine. It balloons 20 over 20% of the memory resoruce being taken up in just a few hours of operation. This executable consumes more and more systems resources.
User Rating: 
10/10
Great Product, makes a complex job easy
Pros: Installed flawlessly, performed perfectly
Cons: None - did what it was suppose to do
User Rating: 1/10
This product charges for basic router funtionality that others offer for free
Pros: none at all - this product is a complete rip-off
Cons: constantly asks you to buy software which should be free with the router
Do not buy D-link routers or and router with this Network Magic software.
User Rating: 9/10
An Excellant product for anyone running a Small Home/Office Network.
Pros: Magic Network was easy to install and run. I highly recommend it.
Cons: None that I can think of
I recommend this product to anyone having problems with running a Network.
User Rating: 2/10
almost worthless
Pros: good graphics
Cons: connecting, customer service
Network Magic worked fine for my wired computers, but for my wireless connections it didn't work. I thought, no problem, I'll just call support and get some help. No help whatsoever, I have been on the phone with them multiple times and they just tell you they can't help you over the phone, then send you emails that don't relate to your problem. Customer service was terrible, they say they'll look into it and don't, then they tell you the same thing when you call back.
This company needs to get their support together or just fold and quit making product promises they can't live up to.
User Rating: 3/10
A good idea... too bad its just a good idea.
Pros: Easy user Interface.
Cons: Poor programming.
Network magic, continuously used 99% of my CPU, which is a 2.0Ghz Centrino processor... that is simply unacceptable. I contacted NWM about this and they had me upgrade to the next version, still, 98%CPU usage. This means my system was slowed down, brought to its knees, by this program. I play many high memory and high graphics games, nothing puts a toll on my system like NWM does.
If they could fix the program from completely using all of my system resources it would be an excellent program... but its not worth having if you cant even use it to "network".
Also, the trial version SUCKS. It won't let you transfer files. So I bought NWM... and the above problems a happened.
3/10 Great design, user friendly, kills your pc!
User Rating: 8/10
Basic software that works
Pros: Works as advertised
Cons: Sometimes show that network not connected when it is.
User Rating: 2/10
Should Be Called "Network Junk"
Pros: Features, User Interface
Cons: Loses connection constantly
The only problem is I needed NM to share folders between my computers. I finally discovered a solution. If I kept NM installed but not running, my connected stayed and I could still share my folders. In other words, I can use NM for everything EXCEPT ACTUALLY MAINTAINING A NETWORK CONNECTION!
For this reason I cannot recommend this product. It just doesn't do what it's supposed to do.
User Rating: 2/10
minor league product, not worth the price
Pros: not many, useful in a limited sort of way
Cons: minor league tech support, keeps printers from hibernating
User Rating: 3/10
Loses Wireless connection to often
Pros: easy to use
Cons: slow to upgrade, loses wireless networks and have to manually reconnect.
User Rating: 2/10
Net2Go has gone and left
Pros: In home networking is only alright
Cons: Net2Go is false advertising ? An unfulfilled enticement.
User Rating: 2/10
Magically disconnects the network
Pros: Simple interface, Decent Tech Support
Cons: Great Idea but is unstable
Network Magic?s ?fix? was to reboot the router, something I already knew to do without the help of Network Magic. After rebooting, some of my devices would come back online, some not, but the HP Officejet refused to print wirelessly. Network Magic showed it online, as did my router, but it was still a no go. I checked the online tech support area, and one suggestion was to let windows manage the network instead of the Network Magic program. Once I did this, things improved slightly, but never worked 100%.
If you are going to let windows manage your network, and manually reboot your router when things go awry, why do you need Network Magic?
After cursing the program for a week, I cancelled my purchase and uninstalled the product. After getting rid of Network Magic, all my devices are connected to the network with no problems. My HP wireless is happy once again, and all machines are communicating with no glitches.
User Rating: 10/10
Best Product I've Tried
Pros: Easy to set up, very good at repairing connection, very good step by step guides, easy to understand, no techie language
Cons: None for my four computer home
I bought a D-Link this time, due to positive reviews. This product came with it. What a great experience! Everything worked (almost) without a hitch. WOW.
The Network Magic took me step by step through the whole thing. It worked me around my Symantec firewall (probably unnecessary, I know) and my wife's McAfee product (ditto). It gave me a very understandable map of my network, complete with suggested tasks to make things better, and even correctly diagnosed a network problem, and repaired it.
The Network Magic set up the router and network. I did not have to use the instructions that came with the router (thank goodness, since I don't know a DCIP from a subnet mask!)
A review said Network Magic can't print a network map, but why does someone with three or four computers need to print a map to find them?
I am a picky person that always blames the computer when I don't follow instructions. With Network Magic, even I got good results. I give it a ten.
I love this product! I never gave a ten before, but I'd give Network Magic a 12. It came with a D-Link router I bought. The directions were far better than what I got with a Linksys router I used to have. (And better than D-Link's own)
I was able to set up my network myself and diagnose and fix a problem that had never been resolved on the Linksys, (even after paying for a service call). They have somehow gotten rid of all the techie language without making the user feel stupid (I thought I knew a subnet mask from DCIP, but maybe I didn't!)
Network Magic has a very user friendly interface. For example, the button to fix something that shows up broken on the network map is large and right where you would expect it to be. The instructions for clearing away conflicts with security programs actually work (We have three different brands on our four computers). Finally, they have a free web site where you can post files you want to be able to access from the internet, so I can access home files easily from work. Killer App!
User Rating: 3/10
Iffy product
Pros: Easy to install, configures pretty good
Cons: regularly "loses" network mapping
User Rating: 3/10
waste of time
Pros: looks pretty, easy to uninstall
Cons: does not work as expected. issues false alerts
- Does many things without you approval
If you are serious about your network (and knows how things work) don't install this thing: it's pretty useless
If you don't know anything about networking: ask somebody who does or don't setup a network.
User Rating: 3/10
not impressed at all
Pros: free option
Cons: Free option nothing but trouble, poor phone support
User Rating: 9/10
Makes Creating Home Network Easy
Pros: Simple to use and convenient
Cons: Network size is limited
User Rating: 2/10
Could not connect to network after I uninstaled.
Pros: Very simple to understand.
Cons: Rubbish, avoide.
User Rating: 4/10
Resource grabbing Spyware!
Pros: Pretty network picture,Notification as to who is online
Cons: Spies on your activity,Uses resources,doesn't work with popular routers.
Actually does nothing more than the standard MS wireless manager that is free.
User Rating: 10/10
Excellent Utility
Pros: Absolutely The Best
Cons: None At All
User Rating: 10/10
Nothing Easier to Set Up Network
Pros: Extremely easy to use; includes many features for small home network
Cons: The only way that this product could be improved is if it could connect more than five computers to the network. For home use, five is enough.
User Rating: 9/10
Subscription No longer required
Pros: Worked great for me, quick and simple setup!
Cons: None thus far.
subscription is no longer required fo NM, purchasing it is now a one time fee. The following is quoted from the NM Knowledge Base "FAQ" page:
Question
Does Network Magic require a subscription?
Answer
Network Magic no longer requires a subscription.
Network Magic is a one-time purchase and all Network Magic product keys have been converted to permenant.
(http://support.networkmagic.com/cgi-bin/pure.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=31&p_created=1139347390&p_sid=sGz7vAti&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9c3Vic2NyaXB0aW9u&p_li=&p_topview=1)
I just recently purchased and installed NM version 4.0 and so far it has worked great. I have 2 desktop PC's and 1 laptop, and networking all 3 of them was as simple as installing NM on each computer. Now I can easily share Internet, files and print with just one printer from all 3 PC's.
You can download and use NM Premium for 30 days, after that it will revert to the "free" version and lose some of its more robust features unless you purchase it. But at least you can try it out to be sure you dont have any compatability issues before actually buying it.
User Rating: 8/10
Excellent product...BUT
Pros: Easy to work with
Cons: Need to uninstall after trial period
User Rating: 3/10
Appears to be a great solution for network!?!
Pros: Shows intruders.
Cons: NO TECH SUPPORT!!
User Rating: 2/10
Terribly, intrusive, don't bother
Pros: none - just simply none
Cons: too numerous to list
It installed, and then on the first opportunity to run, it goes through a network check. It found that it wasn't going to be able to do anything with my network connections - apparently it can't handle a commercial network, or anything of the sort.
Fine, it was the wrong product, I should've known better than to try an mess with my network setttings anyway... but now, after uninstalling via "add/remove programs" (Network Magic does not come with an uninstall). I'm finding bits and pieces of it all over my system. Including every 'share' from folders to printers... have a comment that they were configured by Network Magic!!!! This program is a waste of time, and I regret having had it on my system in any form....
User Rating: 9/10
Thank god for Network Magic!!!
Pros: 1000 times easier than Windows networking wizard
Cons: Haven't found any yet
User Rating: 2/10
draconian copy protect ruins the program!
Pros: very easy to set up, great functionality
Cons: "phones home" and disables all kinds of things!
As a result the program not only shut itself down (including my office network!), but screwed up the registry on 2 of my computers!
NEVER AGAIN - Windows is easier than THIS mess!
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent Home Networking software!
Pros: Very easy to setup sharing of printers and files; detects most routers and adapters
Cons: Shows a router offline at times but not so but reboot solves problem.
Installing on all computers in the network allows everyone to see who is connected so files or printers can be shared. Detailed information about each user connection, IP address, speed, along with the brand of wireless adapter being used is a simple click on a computer icon within Network Magic.
I have two laptops and three desktops on my network. Network Magic shows them as such ? different icons for desktop and laptop. I?m using a Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router between my cable router and computer, which Network Magic correctly noted, as it did the two older 11 Mbps Microsoft wireless adapters used on the other two desktops and the 54 Mbps wireless adapters in the laptops.
I like Microsoft software for the most part, but their use of wizards for setting up the sharing of printers and files is less than user friendly ? you almost get the feeling you need to work for Microsoft to understand ?what they were thinking? when they created these wizards! Network Magic has filled a hole between Microsoft?s Geeky wizards and the end user. And this software is very inexpensive for enabling the user to control his/her wireless home network.
I highly recommend Network Magic and would suggest those interested in taking control of their wireless network try the free 14 day trial. I did and bought it with 1 day left!
User Rating: 10/10
Does what Microsoft is supposed to do
Pros: easily share files and printers
Cons: none that I can find
User Rating: 9/10
Pure Networks offers toll-free phone support at 1-888-812-9402
Pros: Pure Networks offers toll-free phone support at 1-888-812-9402
Cons: I don't have any cons
Most of our customers have not experienced any problems, and that makes us even more interested in speaking with you about your problem. We would really like to hear from you so we can try to help you diagnose and fix the problem.
User Rating: 1/10
Don't know which is worse, the software or the support
Pros: None I could discover.
Cons: Doesn't work, no support
I attempted to find a troubleshooting or FAQ section on the company's website but was unsuccessful. It seems that it either works or it doesn't and if it doesn't the company doesn't want to know about it.
User Rating: 8/10
Great way to monitor and fix networks
Pros: Intuitive software. Interface well-thought out, it's almost unnoticable how easy this is.
Cons: Wish that I could change the option to have the Network Magic folder appear on my desktop or not.
User Rating: 9/10
Great network app
Pros: Efficient and easy-to-use
Cons: None... really
