Going to Buy a New Router

HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Suggestions, please!</div>I've been having problems with my router for a month or two. Frequent quick-disconnects happen far too often and being the technologically savvy guy I am I assumed it was a problem with the cable provider. Just recently I've looked into my router, and sure enough, the WRT54GS has problems with dropping connections.

But soon I was happy! Because I found out that they had released a piece of firmware that addressed just that problem. But then another problem set in - I couldn't <i>find</i> the damn thing. It's not even on their official site, and googling across the internet only finds firmware for versions of the router that I do not have. I've even gone as far as to download an 'auto upgrade' tool that assesses my router type, then looks for an upgrade online. How could it go wrong? But nope, it says that there is no upgrade available.

So I've thrown in the towel, and I'm tired of trying. I'm buying a new router, and I would really appreciate some input for what router I should buy. I don't know enough about routers (or anyone in my family) to leave the decision completely up to ourselves, and after trying to find information about it online, I'm only confused even more.

What I need is a router that provides similar to what the WRT54GS gave us: a wireless network to use on, for multiple laptops within the house as well as stationary access points and IP phones, as well as ports/slots in the back of the router to directly wire my computer to the router itself.

Thanks so much for any input.
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Comments

  • CoolCookieCooksCoolCookieCooks Pretty Girl Join Date: 2003-05-18 Member: 16446Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation
    Netgear is a good brand, I've recommended them to everyone and none have gone wrong (touch wood). I currently have a BT HomeHub due to random technical reasons I cannot be bothered to explain, and it tends to cut me out of steam games after about 10 seconds of joining.
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    ive always had d-link and linksys and have never had a problem thus far.
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    I'd reccomend belkin. All their interfaces are very clean and straight-forward, and they are pretty inexpensive as well. Just don't get another linksys, I seriously hate their stuff and have nothing but issues with them.
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  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1666106:date=Jan 3 2008, 03:32 AM:name=CoolCookieCooks)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CoolCookieCooks @ Jan 3 2008, 03:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666106"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Netgear is a good brand, I've recommended them to everyone and none have gone wrong (touch wood). I currently have a BT HomeHub due to random technical reasons I cannot be bothered to explain, and it tends to cut me out of steam games after about 10 seconds of joining.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I'd laugh at you but I have AOL. But saying that, atleast I can use my own router and stay in games <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
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  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    Anything but a Linksys!
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  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    I have been and still am using a "D-Link DI-624+/DE AirPlus ExtremeG" for years now and it is still a great router. At €50 is also also quite reasonable.

    And with 54mbit it is also faster than any normal internet connection.

    If you want something better, I would recommend a "DGL-4300". Buddy of mine has one and he only speaks good of it.
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  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    edited January 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1666106:date=Jan 3 2008, 03:32 AM:name=CoolCookieCooks)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CoolCookieCooks @ Jan 3 2008, 03:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666106"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Netgear is a good brand, I've recommended them to everyone and none have gone wrong (touch wood). I currently have a BT HomeHub due to random technical reasons I cannot be bothered to explain, and it tends to cut me out of steam games after about 10 seconds of joining.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->I recommend NETGEAR, but a word of advice. If you're planning on a wireless modem/router, only do so if your PC can be on the same level or in direct line of sight of the box (or better still, linked via cable). I got a NETGEAR firewall/modem/router box but because I'm in the room upstairs the connection isn't as lfuid as it should be. For high-speed games like NS I warp around a lot, not because the connection is slow, but because the internal wireless connection is dropping packets as it struggles to find my aerial.

    If you get this or a similar product, have it linked into your own PC by network cable and let the rest of your family use the wireless facility for their less-demanding web browsing. It's a piece of piss to set up - I just use the default Windows XP wireless network so I can automatically connect new devices by simply inputting a password.
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  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    I use this <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190" target="_blank">WRT54GL</a> and I like it.
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  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    I'm using a WRT54G and love it. It's definitely the most customizable router out there. Have you taken a look at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g#Third-party_firmware_projects" target="_blank">third-party firmware</a>?
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  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    Billion 7300G. Pretty damn solid router/modem/wifi/popcornmaker/hairstraightener.

    --Scythe--
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  • raz0rraz0r Join Date: 2003-07-24 Member: 18395Members
    I'd recommend against going for Netgear.

    I'm on my third one in the space of a year, they just keep dying on me.
    It never seems to hold a connection, either constantly reboots, or constantly drops my connection.

    Having seen the customer reviews on Newegg, I'm not the only one with this problem.

    If you don't mind RMAing a replacement every few weeks/months, only to be sent one that's faulty on arrival, then you'll probably love Netgear.


    I'm planning on getting a DLink DIR-655 later this week to replace my Netgear (which, unsurprisingly, is failing again)
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  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    the WRT54GL is the best I have seen.

    Drubo recommended it to me and so far I have been happy.

    It also has the best reviews of any wireless router I have seen on NewEgg.
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    If you have problems with signal strength from being too far away from the router I'd recommend spending a day and building a <a href="http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html" target="_blank">cantenna</a>. They are great for boosting signal strength and if you are using a desktop you don't have to worry about moving it after you get it pointed towards your router.
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  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1666145:date=Jan 3 2008, 01:41 PM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Jan 3 2008, 01:41 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666145"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Billion 7300G. Pretty damn solid router/modem/wifi/popcornmaker/hairstraightener.

    --Scythe--<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's that hot? I need a new set of straighteners...
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  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    edited January 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1666147:date=Jan 3 2008, 02:06 PM:name=raz0r)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raz0r @ Jan 3 2008, 02:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666147"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'd recommend against going for Netgear.

    I'm on my third one in the space of a year, they just keep dying on me.
    It never seems to hold a connection, either constantly reboots, or constantly drops my connection.

    Having seen the customer reviews on Newegg, I'm not the only one with this problem.

    If you don't mind RMAing a replacement every few weeks/months, only to be sent one that's faulty on arrival, then you'll probably love Netgear.
    I'm planning on getting a DLink DIR-655 later this week to replace my Netgear (which, unsurprisingly, is failing again)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Which model have you been using? The problems may be limited to a specific model, and not the whole brand (considering when I asked Haze's same question 12 months ago I didn't hear a bad word against Netgear form these forums).
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  • raz0rraz0r Join Date: 2003-07-24 Member: 18395Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1666271:date=Jan 4 2008, 02:50 PM:name=Crispy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crispy @ Jan 4 2008, 02:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666271"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Which model have you been using? The problems may be limited to a specific model, and not the whole brand (considering when I asked Haze's same question 12 months ago I didn't hear a bad word against Netgear form these forums).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    WNR854T
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  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    edited January 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1666397:date=Jan 5 2008, 08:10 PM:name=raz0r)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raz0r @ Jan 5 2008, 08:10 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666397"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->WNR854T<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Yeah, mine's a <a href="http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/GWirelessRouters/DG834G.aspx" target="_blank">DG834G</a>.

    <a href="http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/RangeMaxNEXTWirelessRoutersandGateways/WNR854T.aspx" target="_blank">Yours</a> is a much newer product, so it may be that it's having teething problems.
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