New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best Wireless Router?

post #1 of 28
7/19/04 at 6:59pm
Thread Starter 
I'm beginning to think that my wireless router (netgear wgr614) is the source of my networking woes. It is one of the first 802.11g routers (wgr614 revision 1 chips are different than the current v2,v3 and v4), and was actually released before the 802.11g standard was finalized. Anyway this means that it has very poor performance with the Intel 2200bg card in my 8050, so I need a new router. I will want one for school in the fall anyway, so its not a big deal getting one now.

What do the experts out there consider the best wireless router on the market? Keep in mind it is communicating with the 2200bg card. All I am really looking for is something that has good range, reliability and speed. Let me know what you think.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:14pm
I have a linksys b/g wireless router ...

it works good w/ my intel pro2200 b/g

although its my only one ive owned, i had no problems with it

i bought it because it had like a 25 dollar rebate and came out to be the cheapest one @ circuit city
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:17pm
i have heard good things about the wgr614 and actually planned to purchase one from newegg once i receive my laptop, it was probably one of the more recent versions however, i hope the newer version works with the intel 2200 or i may have to find a new router to purchase
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:17pm
I just bought the Linksys WRT54GS this past week. Best Buy had it for $79.95 after rebate.

Nice thing about Linksys is their code is open source and there are people who have done some nice mods to it. I'm probably going to give Sveasoft's a whirl as you can boost the wireless signal strength.

Before you go buying, though, have you looked to see if there's newer firmware available? That might help.

Super
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:17pm
I use the Linksys 54G With speedbooster myself. Not sure about the whole "speed booster" thing, probably a gimmack, but i figure extra range couldn't hurt. I had a regular Linksys 54G (both with 4 port switch btw) and gave that to my mom for their house. Both work very well, no complaints on either, range is about the same on both to be honest. I was hoping to get a little better coverage in my living room but it's still just about the same, slightly better with speedbooster, but not enough to be a decision breaker for me. I also bought a wireless antenna extender ($30) and it did add some range to my home, so that was worth it to me. I've only ever owned Linksys products, and now that they are owned by Cisco, you know you can't go wrong.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:19pm
Sucka, this might interest you:

http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/index.php

Some nice mods to the firmware. I'm going to download their latest free one and give it a try. Heard a lot of good things about those guys.

Super
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:20pm
Yeap, it's probably the same I want to buy after getting my notebook.

Linksys Wireless-G Broadband WRT54G Router
- Has good encryption (WAP)
- Has DHCP support (you don't need to worry about IP conflict between computers). This feature is not a must when you have only 2-4 computers, but can save a lot of time when you have more than that
- MAC filtering. If you're in college as I am, you probably want this, and keep "outsiders" away from using your connection.

David.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superguy
Sucka, this might interest you:

http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/index.php

Some nice mods to the firmware. I'm going to download their latest free one and give it a try. Heard a lot of good things about those guys.

Super

Already google'ed it after i read what you put....lol

Let me know what you find please, thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 28
7/19/04 at 7:31pm
Sorry, but only users granted special access can read topics in this forum.

Registering doesn't quite make the cut.....lol

Wonder what you have to do to view the forums.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 28
7/19/04 at 8:11pm
Yes, I saw that. It's a recent change apparently as I was just on there the other night. Apparently he's had some problems with libel.

The "non" GS firmware can be found at www.linksysinfo.org If you need the GS version, I have it and can email it to you if you send me a PM.

I loaded it and it works fine. It opens up a LOT more options, that's for sure. There's some improvement in speeds out in the front part of my apartment. I was able to get anywhere from 18-36Mbps links depending where I was at. I was getting 11Mbps in the kitchen before. I was monitoring the link though and I wasn't seeing any increase in the strength in dB's, though. I'm going to have to play with it some more.

Super
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 28
7/19/04 at 8:44pm
Asus WL-500g
http://usa.asus.com/products/communi...g/overview.htm
It's got an usb port so u can us it as a print/file/webcam server... both locally and over the internet
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 28
7/19/04 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superguy
Yes, I saw that. It's a recent change apparently as I was just on there the other night. Apparently he's had some problems with libel.

The "non" GS firmware can be found at www.linksysinfo.org If you need the GS version, I have it and can email it to you if you send me a PM.

I loaded it and it works fine. It opens up a LOT more options, that's for sure. There's some improvement in speeds out in the front part of my apartment. I was able to get anywhere from 18-36Mbps links depending where I was at. I was getting 11Mbps in the kitchen before. I was monitoring the link though and I wasn't seeing any increase in the strength in dB's, though. I'm going to have to play with it some more.

Super
Thanks! ygpm
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 28
7/19/04 at 8:58pm
Answered.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 28
7/19/04 at 10:08pm
I have a D-Link DI-624 that includes a G speed booster. So far it's worked great for me. Have great reception all over my house. It was quite easy to setup and has tons of options as well. I got it for $40 after rebate.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 28
7/19/04 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
I already tried installing every firmware available for the thing, and they all work about the same. It is really a matter of inconsistency. Right now it is working fine as far as i can tell. Of course I can reach out and touch the router, but last night I was getting about 1 kb/sec max from the same spot.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 28
7/19/04 at 11:55pm
Thread Starter 
****. well right after i posted the above i decided to check how fast of transfer rates i could get between my laptop and desktop (the one i am using right now). Like i said i am 5 feet from the router. The transfer worked at 32% of 54mbps for about 10 seconds then I entirely lost my wireless connection. I can't even get my laptop to see the router. My brother lost his connection at the exact same time on his PB G4 17" which has previously never had a problem with this router.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 28
7/20/04 at 12:16am
I have the revision 4 of the netgear you're talking about. I've had it for a few months and it's run perfectly without a hiccup and has excellent range and speed.Apparently, there was some problems with the revision 1. The one that you have. If you call netgear i'm sure they will replace it for you.
That being said if you had to choose which router to get, I'd stay away from Linksys unless you are a beginner when it comes to wireless. They have had a known security flaw that has been public for a while, and MANY security flaws that are not known to the general public who buy them.
I would stay with D-Link or Netgear, with Netgear being my pick.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 28
7/20/04 at 1:18am
any reviews on the belkin? i heard they had lifetime warranty...
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 28
7/20/04 at 1:30am
I was thinking of getting the normal G from Linksys (not the speedbooster version), but I heard from some peeps that SMC, aside from its poor asthetics, is probably one of the most secure models out there, and has decent range and it also has lifetime warranty if I'm not mistaken.

I'd rank em 1) Linksys, 2) D-Link 3) SMC for now
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 28
7/20/04 at 2:01am
Oh by the way!

Go to Belkins website, and if you enter in the coupon code 12345 you'll get 50% off the total of whatever you buy!
They do have routers there..along with a lot of other stuff!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Forums - General