Topic: Router Question

[wspmstm]

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]

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]

thanks!

[OFOTD]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[F.O.Bean]

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]

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]

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