Question about routers

[tcory]

My desktop is hooked directly into the modem and a Linksys 2.4 Ghz router that is about seven years old. We have five wireless components in the house. If I have problems the techsupport has run out and we have been having connection issues lately. I was needing to know what is the best router with the best techsupport. This Linksys has really been a good one.... I just was wondering if someone thought of a better kind.

[mrswla]

The Cisco Linksys E2000 was rated by c/net as the fastest wireless router. http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/linksys-e2000-advanced-wireless/4505-3319_7-34103434.h...contentBody;1r Also bestbuy has it on sale this week for $69.99. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+E2000+Advanced+Wireless-N+Router/9770333.p...&skuId=9770333

[budwzr]

Connection issues has to do with signal strength and interference. It's more effective to boost the signal with a repeater.

You can add wifi repeaters to any router, and place them at various points so that users will "roam" automatically when the signal weakens. A good one is http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=105&ProdID=394

I have two of these and they work flawlessly. In my case, I end up with three SSID's (Home1, Home2, Home3) that I can switch between.

[TooLFooL]

if a lot of your neighbors have wifi, interference is a likely cause. you can change the 'channel' your router is operating on and see if the problem goes away.

[lordsmurf]

Honestly, you'd do better to run wires wherever possible.
Leave wireless for laptops -- plug everything else in. Long-term, it's less of a nuisance AND cost.

[edDV]

Honestly, you'd do better to run wires wherever possible.
Leave wireless for laptops -- plug everything else in. Long-term, it's less of a nuisance AND cost.

I'm currentlly drilling holes to add the basement/garage to my wired CAT6
The main advantage of home ownership.

When I rented a condo, trick was to run Ethernet cables under the carpet (google fish tape) then pull it out when exiting the lease.

[edDV]

dup

[redwudz]

I was lucky with my new place. It was wired for telephone, but they used CAT6 cable for that. I use a cell phone so I just changed out the connectors at the sockets and replaced the punch down terminal strip in my wiring box with a LAN switch. I do use wireless for this laptop, but it's a 'N' router and laptop and reports 150Mb/s connection speed.

Still, it doesn't work too well for HD MKV from my servers to my wireless laptop, though I can watch it with MPC-HC as the laptop has a decent video card. If your computers are all 'G' wireless, don't expect miracles, even with a new router. Wired is a lot better. I use a Netgear WNR3500 gigabit router and it does help with 'N' wireless and gigabit speeds over my LAN.

If you are having generally poor connections to all wireless PCs, then I would definitely upgrade the router. I would place it centrally about 4' - 5' off the floor and away from any large metal objects. Some have antennas you can orient and you might even try different positions around the room to see if the signal improves any.