Author Topic: Router Question (Read 7033 times)

wspmstm · « **on:** October 04, 2006, 09:21:01 AM »

Sorry if this is the wrong forum....

need to get a better router for my home-- supports home office computer (upstairs) and laptop(s) downstairs. We've switched it out a few times with Time Warner Cable and still not having luck with a strong signal and speeds on the laptops. Any suggestions for better wireless routers?

Thanks in advance!

Startstop · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2006, 05:19:50 PM »

Saw this on dslreports.com today..."Asus WL-500W "Super Speed N" router, which is promised to work with the final standard come hell or high-water." http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/78556

I've been holding off on the "N" wireless but might give this one a shot.

wspmstm · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2006, 05:58:13 PM »

thanks!

OFOTD · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2006, 06:14:21 PM »

I would tell you to go buy the Linksys WRT54G. Its as close to a standard as you can get. The router/wireless is 802.11 B/G. It is easy to maintain. Rarely has problems. Can be configured for advanced users via firmware updates. Best Buy/ Wal Mart / Circuit City sell them by the palette so they can be found most anywhere. They also go for at or under $50 nowadays.

The pre N features are nice in theory but you'd have to upgrade all of your wireless cards/devices to get the speed benefits of it. You'd end up spending a couple of hundred dollars upgrading everything. Another thing about pre N is that if you have different wireless bands (B, G, Pre N) all running on the router the pre N speeds take a bit hit sharing with B and G.

Remember the latest and greatest is not necessarily the best and smartest.

Here is the link to it on Best Buy's site: http://tinyurl.com/k3uou

wspmstm · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2006, 08:55:20 PM »

thanks guys-- i had the cable company out twice and they can't figure things out-- so we decided to get a better router-- let's hope this works!

phanophish · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:03:49 AM »

What makes you think it is the router. What specific probelms are you having. Pretty much any router you can but will be fast ennough that your internet connection will the the bottleneck. Some ISPs can be very reluctant to admin that the problems are their issue. Are speeds good with a PC plugged directly to the cable modem?

wspmstm · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:16:49 AM »

Might not be router-- that was just suggested to me-- we've tried a few routers and a few laptops and had the same issue-- so it could just be my home -- in which case i guess i should be moving!! we thought we'd try one with a booster to help the signal-- neighbors' are all good-- just hoping it's the router somehow that needs a stronger boost.

dnsacks · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:28:07 AM »

I'm confused -- is this a connectivity issue between laptop computers operating on a wireless network, or a connectivity issue between the internet (only) and computers. If the former, a new router could well help (as could relocating/repositioning your existing router). If the latter, sounds like a problem with your cablemodem and/or cable modem connection.

wspmstm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:44:07 AM »

i'm not 100% sure what the issue is-- I believe it is the router-- hope it's just the router-- as my regular desk top is connecting fine. thanks again for the suggestions and help!!

OFOTD · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:03:12 PM »

Just to clarify a little router confusion. Several companies make wireless routers and advertise speedbooster or something similar. These speed enhancements ONLY work if you also have a speedbooster wireless card as well. Just having the speed enhanced router does nothing if you don't have the matching card.

One of the great things about the Linksys I mentioned above is that you can put 3rd party firmware on it. Truly one of the biggest benefits of 3rd party firmware is the ability to adjust the radio signal of the wireless router. Routers have a signal strength range from like 0-120. By default they are set around 30. Well why not just turn the signal up some. Mine is set around 70 and I get great connectivity all the time. The firmware settings work far better than any of the speed enhancements they all tout as well as working better than the aftermarket antennas they all sell.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2006, 11:22:19 PM »

Quote from: OFOTD on October 05, 2006, 01:03:12 PM

Just to clarify a little router confusion. Several companies make wireless routers and advertise speedbooster or something similar. These speed enhancements ONLY work if you also have a speedbooster wireless card as well. Just having the speed enhanced router does nothing if you don't have the matching card.

One of the great things about the Linksys I mentioned above is that you can put 3rd party firmware on it. Truly one of the biggest benefits of 3rd party firmware is the ability to adjust the radio signal of the wireless router. Routers have a signal strength range from like 0-120. By default they are set around 30. Well why not just turn the signal up some. Mine is set around 70 and I get great connectivity all the time. The firmware settings work far better than any of the speed enhancements they all tout as well as working better than the aftermarket antennas they all sell.

do you have a link for this?

I have the WRT54GS, the one w/ speedbooster, i have my pc near the router w/ ethernet connected and also bought a 50ft cable and ran it thru the house to the PC upstairs, cause it was getting SHITTY wireless action from way down in the basement, the ethernet cured that

got a laptop recently and it works GREAT on the wireless from the WRT54GS, so a good receiving card is also needed.

Id buy the WRT54G mor the GS version w/ speedbooster and be DONE with it. i had about 3 diff routers before this one and i must say, its a huge improvement over anything i owned before it

definitely the standard

Startstop · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2006, 09:57:00 AM »

Plenty of linksys info/mods here >>> http://www.linksysinfo.org/portal/forums/

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #12 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:48:59 AM »

Quote from: Startstop on October 08, 2006, 09:57:00 AM

Plenty of linksys info/mods here >>> http://www.linksysinfo.org/portal/forums/

man, thjat place looks like another language to me

anyone know where to finmd that link to make my router's signal 100%

Gordon · « **Reply #13 on:** October 08, 2006, 02:07:08 PM »

not sure about third party firmware but it's easy to upgrade the firmware. google the router model & firmware. any and all issues I had with my WRT54GS were over when I upgraded the firmware.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #14 on:** October 08, 2006, 05:37:37 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on October 08, 2006, 02:07:08 PM

not sure about third party firmware but it's easy to upgrade the firmware. google the router model & firmware. any and all issues I had with my WRT54GS were over when I upgraded the firmware.

oh i d/l'd and installed the version 5 upgrade awhile back, i was just wondering about 3rd party firmware especially firmware that tweaks your signal and also maybe better password encryption than the WEP i have going

OFOTD · « **Reply #15 on:** October 08, 2006, 10:11:27 PM »

Quote from: Bean on October 07, 2006, 11:22:19 PM

do you have a link for this?

Sorry it took me so long to post back here.

Bean,

I use v23 of the DD-WRT firmware. Here is the direct link to the download page. Make sure you get the correct firmware for your model of Linksys.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads.php

Brian Skalinder · « **Reply #16 on:** October 08, 2006, 10:29:05 PM »

Quote from: Bean on October 08, 2006, 05:37:37 PM

i was just wondering about 3rd party firmware especially firmware that tweaks your signal and also maybe better password encryption than the WEP i have going

There are lots of third-party firmware options. IIRC, I use a Sveasoft firmware on my WAP54G (forget which one, but I think Freya). I really only use it to boost my signal since I was having trouble running 24-bit audio from one end of the house, through 4-5 walls to the other end of the house. Be careful boosting your signal - too high a value, i.e. too strong a broadcast signal, will cause problems, too.

www.sveasoft.com
http://www.linksysinfo.org/portal/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=116

OFOTD · « **Reply #17 on:** October 08, 2006, 10:32:36 PM »

Quote from: Brian Skalinder on October 08, 2006, 10:29:05 PM

Quote from: Bean on October 08, 2006, 05:37:37 PM
i was just wondering about 3rd party firmware especially firmware that tweaks your signal and also maybe better password encryption than the WEP i have going

There are lots of third-party firmware options. IIRC, I use a Sveasoft firmware on my WAP54G (forget which one, but I think Freya). I really only use it to boost my signal since I was having trouble running 24-bit audio from one end of the house, through 4-5 walls to the other end of the house. Be careful boosting your signal - too high a value, i.e. too strong a broadcast signal, will cause problems, too.

www.sveasoft.com
http://www.linksysinfo.org/portal/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=116

Good link Brian. I ran several of the Sveasoft firmware projects and ultimately went with the DD-WRT. Seems to be a step or two faster when sending larger files across a wireless network. Also a good bit of BitTorrent bottlenecks resolved themselves when I switched.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #18 on:** October 08, 2006, 11:09:03 PM »

Unfortuneately, after doing somemore research, my router doesnt have many third-party options because of the version 5 of the WRT54G and the WRT54GS having half the memory than the other models

the dd-drt can be done, but i dont feel confident doing that, it said once you go from vxworks>dd-drt you CANNOT go back

tapeworm48 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 09, 2006, 11:32:22 AM »

OFOTD,

I have a Linksys WRT54G setup at my new place, and it has worked fine via ethernet. I installed a Belkin Wireless card in one of my desktops, and it doesnt seem to pickup the wireless signal properly. it might be picking it up, but its not strong enough. i think its the router itself b/c i do see other connections (neighbors) show up on my Belkin list. any ideas what the issue could be?

Thanks.

OFOTD · « **Reply #20 on:** October 09, 2006, 01:10:30 PM »

Quote from: tapeworm48 on October 09, 2006, 11:32:22 AM

OFOTD,

I have a Linksys WRT54G setup at my new place, and it has worked fine via ethernet. I installed a Belkin Wireless card in one of my desktops, and it doesnt seem to pickup the wireless signal properly. it might be picking it up, but its not strong enough. i think its the router itself b/c i do see other connections (neighbors) show up on my Belkin list. any ideas what the issue could be?

Thanks.

Okay let's see if we can figure it out for ya.

First is your Belkin wireless card a 802.11 B or G card? Second, how far away from your Linksys router are you when you have reception problems? Same room, across the house, etc?

tapeworm48 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2006, 01:28:53 PM »

Quote from: OFOTD on October 09, 2006, 01:10:30 PM

Okay let's see if we can figure it out for ya.

First is your Belkin wireless card a 802.11 B or G card? Second, how far away from your Linksys router are you when you have reception problems? Same room, across the house, etc?

the card is an 802.11G card. the router is in the office, which is right next to the living room, which is where the computer is. so its close by. and i am able to pickup neighbor signals, but havent looked into how strong they are. thanks.

OFOTD · « **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2006, 02:12:08 PM »

Quote from: tapeworm48 on October 09, 2006, 01:28:53 PM

the card is an 802.11G card. the router is in the office, which is right next to the living room, which is where the computer is. so its close by. and i am able to pickup neighbor signals, but havent looked into how strong they are. thanks.

Check to see what kind of signal you are getting from then neighbors boxes then. My first thought would be to check within the router firmware and make sure that you are running in in "G" mode and not "mixed" mode.

Keep supplying some more info and we'll figure this out for ya.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #23 on:** October 09, 2006, 09:16:00 PM »

i would say its DEFINITELY your wireless card

i had this problem buying EVERY cardbut a linksys, and then we got a new lappy and the wireless card it came with is better than anything i bought, except the linksys

if you have a linksys router, buy a linksys card/antenna/whatever and be done with it

tapeworm48 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 10, 2006, 10:21:31 AM »

Quote from: OFOTD on October 09, 2006, 02:12:08 PM

Check to see what kind of signal you are getting from then neighbors boxes then. My first thought would be to check within the router firmware and make sure that you are running in in "G" mode and not "mixed" mode.

Keep supplying some more info and we'll figure this out for ya.

i am running in G mode. it says my signal strength is excellent, 54mbps. but it always reads "acquiring network address" and "invalid IP address". i never assigned it an IP since it is set to be dynamic.

tapeworm48 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:47:22 AM »

Is there any way to test if the issue is with my linksys router or if its the Belkin receiver installed in the PC?

OFOTD · « **Reply #26 on:** October 19, 2006, 12:52:41 PM »

Quote from: tapeworm48 on October 19, 2006, 11:47:22 AM

Is there any way to test if the issue is with my linksys router or if its the Belkin receiver installed in the PC?

Hope we haven't dropped the ball here for you. The easiest way to tell is to take your laptop to a different hotspot and see what kind of speeds/connection you have? I am assuming its a laptop right?

acquiring a network address means that you have set the router to assign IP addresses. Your computer may specify its own or it may have one assigned automatically (usually the default setting).

Try the machine out near a different router first. If you know someone who has a Linksys wireless card or someone who has a built in Intel card (most Dell's) have them try your wireless network.