Which wireless router do have and are you happy with it?

[Captain Satellite]

I've had it with my Linksys WRT54G. Are these supposed to be any good? I don't mind spending some money for a good one. My main problem with this is inconsistent upload/download speeds compared to what I get going straight from my modem to my computer. After trying everything I could think of and spending half an hour on the phone with tech support, the tech agrees something is wrong with it. I can see the the note that comes back with the router already, "We have checked your router and it is operating properly, please check your settings and contact us if we can be of further assistance ". So fill me in guys, recommend something.

[CBC]

I've had 3 different D-Link routers, & an Airlink, & they ALL seem to just stop working after a time.
The Dlinks were the worst in my experience, & their tech "support" was useless. Airlink drops connection eveyr once & a while, reset cable modem, replenish DCHP licence (or sometimes not, just plug everything back in) & it will work again...for a while.
I think I live in Router Hell..

[Eyedoctor2]

Perhaps you can use this program to tweak your settings?

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

http://www.dslreports.com/drtcp

[Captain Satellite]

Up until yesterday, the speed would start to die after about 30 minutes. To bring it back up to full speed (Same as going from modem to the computer), all that I would have to do is a soft reset; unplug the power to the router for about 15 seconds or so. Now, no matter what I do, the router won't come back up to speed. I've tried a hard reset, downloading latest firmware, re-starting my computer, etc. I have posted the results that I get from pcpitstop.com. My computer is still fast enough, but to upload files I have to unplug and go straight into my computer if I want any kind of speed. I tried the links, Eyedoctor and it says I'm doing fine. Thanks for the replies and suggestions, keep 'em coming.


Going through the wireless router:

Download Bandwidth Test Results
Download speed: 7066 kilobits per second
Test details: 3354 kilobytes downloaded in 3.797 seconds.
Receive buffer size: default size

Upload Bandwidth Test Results
Upload speed: 150 kilobits per second

Going straight from my Motorola SB5100 to my computer

Upload Bandwidth Test Results
Upload speed: 378 kilobits per second

Download Bandwidth Test Results
Download speed: 8586 kilobits per second
Test details: 3354 kilobytes downloaded in 3.125 seconds.
Receive buffer size: default size

[lordsmurf]

D-Link "B". I use it wired for the most part, just to connect a couple computers on a private network. The wireless is slow and tends to lose signal really easy when I move too far away (which is like 50 feet or more). I wouldn't recommend it, not really. Only cost $20 a few years ago on clearance.

If I had to get a good one, I'd not hesitate to buy a Linksys.

[Eyedoctor2]

As to what brand router to buy, after researching I bought two of these on sale this week:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7666821&type=product&productCategoryId=p...=1134701703049

Waiting to the weekend to install so can't give you any feedback yet.

[INFRATOM]

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/04/19/which_router_for_p2p/page7.html

[Jester700]

I had poor experiences with D-Link (a few units) and Netgear (one cheapo unit, maybe not representative of their better stuff). I've had good luck with midprice SMC and Belkin gear.

[Captain Satellite]

INFRATOM, great read, especially the forum where theguy had to power cycle after 30 minutes just like I do/did. OK, if someone could answer this question it would really help a lot. I don't really need to be wireless, the two rooms with the other computers are only 20 feet and 30 feet away. Are there any wired routers that don't require power? The fact that my router is wireless is not causing my slower speeds because IT is hard wired to my computer. Like a junction box? Is there any way to do this all through wire and ports in the box? Why would power be necessary in a hard wired router? Hope this doesn't sound too dumb.

[Captain Satellite]

Thanks to all for answering my question so far, you're always very helpful.

[Poppa_Meth]

I have a WRT54G running for my girlfriend but using a Gigabyte card, not a linksys and it's been just fine. I'm using slightly older firmware with it though, back before they ditched Linux. I also have a WRT54GS with speedboost and a matching linksys card to go with it at work. it seems to work just fine as well though the Linksys card is not as stable as the Gigabyte (which isn't made anymore) My major compaint with the WRT54 series is that none of them like P2P apps. They've got some issues with lockup after extended filesharing, especially bit torrent. They've always had this issue and there has never been a fix from linksys. You can get around this by flashing 3rd party firmware to it though if you don't mind doing so. I'd recommend to hunt down some alternate firmware and flash your current router with it to see if you can improve your performance before just tossing it and getting a new one. If you are going to ditch it anyway you might as well chance the alternate firmwares.

[Faustus]

I have a Netgear and I wish I could figure out why I have to power cycle it every day for everyone else to be able to connect properly.

[Nelson37]

Have never heard of one that does not require power.

You can set up your existing PC to act as a router, or just enable internet connection sharing.

Have you updated the firmware on the Linksys?

I have used several dozen Linksys, Dlink, and Netgear routers, other than specific features I find no real difference. Some models did have severe problems when running in G mode with security enabled, updating the firmware has usually solved this.

SMC has consistently been good stuff, but Belkin is essentially cheap crap.

[Captain Satellite]

Have never heard of one that does not require power.

You can set up your existing PC to act as a router, or just enable internet connection sharing.

Have you updated the firmware on the Linksys?

I have used several dozen Linksys, Dlink, and Netgear routers, other than specific features I find no real difference. Some models did have severe problems when running in G mode with security enabled, updating the firmware has usually solved this.

SMC has consistently been good stuff, but Belkin is essentially cheap crap.

Do you have a link that would explain how to do this?

[Poppa_Meth]

I agree on SMC. I have a wired SMC I've never had any issues with. Not too familiar with their wireless line though.

[lordsmurf]

I have an SMC hub. Thing never worked right.

[SingSing]

I have a Netgear and I wish I could figure out why I have to power cycle it every day for everyone else to be able to connect properly.

You most likely run into the same problem I had, before I figured it out. TOO MANY people on channel 6 in your neighborhood. So try change to channel 11 or 7. Also turn/change to WEP encryption, so your wireless router figured out who to ignore.

I agree on SMC. I have a wired SMC I've never had any issues with. Not too familiar with their wireless line though.

I have a SMC wireless NIC, and it always work, and it has a nice channel scan feature and let me figured out whose crowded wireless channels to avoid.

D-Link "B". I use it wired for the most part, just to connect a couple computers on a private network. The wireless is slow and tends to lose signal really easy when I move too far away (which is like 50 feet or more).

All PC/laptop I have are all wireless, excepted one. The wirelessG is fast enough for everythings expect video serving. When you get wireless to work, you will never go back. Just like from VCD to DVD.

Note : Actually there are more interest in Wireless network then Blue ray/HD, among techies. maybe we want to rename this site as Wireless-Video-Help.com ?

[classfour]

I've gone to NetGear after losing a Linksys (same model number, version 4): It's been up more or less constantly for the past 4 months - I have had to re-boot maybe once a month during that time. I haven't seen the dropouts with it that I had with the Linksys: It had to be reset on a daily basis, until it just died.

Good Luck

[Denvers Dawgs]

I've got the Linksys WRT54G and haven't had single problem with it. Using three wired ports and the wireless, all workig wonderfully for over 2years now

[Faustus]

SingSing:

I'll give that a shot but I'm petty sure I used channel 9.

[Captain Satellite]

So I go back on pcpitstop tonight and get these results, same as w/o the router. I guess I won't sweat it for now but this is weird, anybody have any idea why this would change and increase again; bad router? Thanks again for everybody's input, you guys NEVER fail me, regardless of what I want to learn.


Upload Bandwidth Test Results
Upload speed: 355 kilobits per second

Download Bandwidth Test Results
Download speed: 7701 kilobits per second
Test details: 3354 kilobytes downloaded in 3.484 seconds.
Receive buffer size: default size

[lacywest]

When I was at my apartment ... I had DSL ... with SBC ... and used the Linksys WRT54G with a Westell modem. No problems

But ... I've moved in with my g/f and we are married now ... and DSL is not available on the edge of town.

So I am using Comcast ... lots of problems ... I keep getting cut off.

Solution ... I went to OSH and found a small electronic timer. I have it set to turn off my modem at 4 AM and at 6 AM ... two minutes each time. It has a battery inside to keep track of the correct time.

At least this way the stuff I'm downloading ... downloads a little sooner. Better than finding out ... I've been downloading nothing for the last 8 hours while at work.

[Faustus]

Sounds like a problem with the modem. Have you tried to get them to replace it?

[Captain Satellite]

Sounds like a problem with the modem. Have you tried to get them to replace it?

I was on the phone with them today and they told me to send it in for repair. I was pretty sure something was wong with it but also wanted to hear about other people's experiences. Since I've had it less than a year, I thought and am still thinking about buying something else. The internet is fast and downloads aren't affected much at all. It's the upload speed and I upload a lot of video files. Until I decide what to do, I'll just go straight in. Thanks for your reply.

[mats.hogberg]

Use a D-Link DWL-G700AP for almost a year, and have never had any problems in that end. Bought it when our household got its first laptop. Just plugged it in in the hub behind my firewall, switched it on, and that was basically it. The occational problems that I've had has 100% been on the computer end. Signal strength "Very High" wherever I am in the flat.

/Mats

[offline]

I have a Netgear and I wish I could figure out why I have to power cycle it every day for everyone else to be able to connect properly.

Hi Faustus.

Some tricks people have tried, and reported success with:

- replacing unit
- changing position of antenna/unit
- changing channel
- placing heat sinks on internal chipset
- cutting hole and soldering fan to unit
- replacing power supply
- removing plastic sides for venting
- uploading new firmware and doing a multiple factory reset

There is not a router on the market that does require rebooting
for some people. Others have no problems. Go figure!

I have a NetGear WGT-624, and had the same problem until I tried
a combination of all the above (except the fan), and it has been fine since.
No idea what worked and what did not - it just seemed to last 2 days,
then 4 and now it just rolls along 24/7 - so far for months.

[Treebeard]

I have a netgear ??614 G speed router. Had it for about 2 years now w/ all 4 ports used and 2 wireless clients. Havent had any issues, works great for me.

[lacywest]

Sounds like a problem with the modem. Have you tried to get them to replace it?

I wish ... the first modem was the Motorola Comcast provided me ... with the Linksys WRT54G connected.

I then replaced the Motorola with the Linksys Cable modem ... didn't help.

I then got the Linksys WCG200 but the one I got at BestBuy only has one antennae ... weird.

I now use the Linksys WCG200 with the WRT54G also included.

My theory is ... Comcast cuts me off ... when I download too much ... in a certain time period. So I use a Timer ... to keep my downloads ... downloading.

[free is better]

i have a linksys BEFW11S4 (wireless) and have been using it for about 2 years and it works great. i am running 2 computers hardwired and a laptop using a D-Link Airplus wireless G card. I used the latest firmware and made an adjustment to the RTS and threshold setting. recently i was having a problem with interference from my neighbors' networks and resolved it by 1) disabling the box "Let windows configure my wireless connection" and 2) using the D-Link wireless card configuration utility. signal strength is excellent with no dropped connections. i have not measured upload speed but wireless downloads match your readings. you can probably pick one up dirt cheap and i personally believe one's choice of a wireless card if it is of a different make from the router is critical to the maximum performance achieved in a wireless configuration.

[Faustus]

lacywest: I've never heard of comcast cutting anyone off. At at a friends house on cable right now and if there is a person on this PLANET that would be cut off by comcast I'm sitting right beside him.

What you are doing isn't p2p is it? I know some routers sometimes have issues and crap out which lots of connections... the name Linksys comes to mind.