Wireless Router Recommendation
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Wireless Router Recommendation
Rather than running an ethernet cable all the way across my house and up to the main level from where my office is, I am thinking about wireless. Since my only experience with wireless routers is from when I steal free signals from my neighbors open connection, I figured someone on here could give me some recommendations.
I would like it to have wired connections as well as the wireless and it needs to be able to work XP, Vista, 98 and with a Wii console...(my OL thinks I am doing it so she can watch Netflix movies but I am really doing it so I can play Call of Duty online).
So, any recommendations (for and against). What specs should I look for, etc.
Thanks for the help.
I would like it to have wired connections as well as the wireless and it needs to be able to work XP, Vista, 98 and with a Wii console...(my OL thinks I am doing it so she can watch Netflix movies but I am really doing it so I can play Call of Duty online).
So, any recommendations (for and against). What specs should I look for, etc.
Thanks for the help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I just bought a Buffalo AirStation Wireless-N router. I like it, because it comes with the open source DD-WRT software and it was as reasonably priced as any of the the Linksys routers.
I tried a Linksys E1000 and it didn't work very well.
Edit: This is what I bought.
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Techno...8841671&sr=8-2
There is a more expensive version that has 1GB Ethernet ports, instead of the 100MB ones, and has a USB 2.0 port. You can attach a large USB drive to it and have network attached storage. And there are cheaper versions if you don't need higher power, or 802.11N. I believe the DD-WRT software is available on all of them.
I tried a Linksys E1000 and it didn't work very well.
Edit: This is what I bought.
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Techno...8841671&sr=8-2
There is a more expensive version that has 1GB Ethernet ports, instead of the 100MB ones, and has a USB 2.0 port. You can attach a large USB drive to it and have network attached storage. And there are cheaper versions if you don't need higher power, or 802.11N. I believe the DD-WRT software is available on all of them.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Thanks for the advice.
Are there any I should avoid at any cost?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
I am running my wii and laptop wireless and my xbox 360 is direct connected through a netgear wireless N unit.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 39,979
Likes: 1,512
From: Maine, Virginia
I bought the same thing and I'm very happy with it. I'm using a desk top for my daughter and my wife both have laptops and when family comes, they bring their laptops and have never had a connectivity issue.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
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From: Frederick, MD
I have a westell versa link hard wired to the wall and four to five PC's running wireless from there. Printer is wireless too.
Westell since I have verizon wireless and that is what it came with. Otherwise Linksys would be my choice and if this one ever craps out that is what I will get.
password protect your network.
Westell since I have verizon wireless and that is what it came with. Otherwise Linksys would be my choice and if this one ever craps out that is what I will get.
password protect your network.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: AZ, SSA
You need to upgrade the Win 98. It's not being supported by MS anymore which means if security holes are discovered by hackers, MS will not be updating it to close the holes. XP is the oldest OS being supported by MS and that will be only until April, 2014.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield, IL
Basically I use this router in place of the old one that I was looking to replace anyways and, when I'm not using the bandwidth the router does download/upload speed tests and a bunch of other stuff so the FCC can get a better picture of what sort of service we are actually getting from our ISP's (as opposed to what they SAY they are giving us). So, a free router AND I get to let the feds keep an eye on how often my Comcast connection goes down.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I'd like to highlight this point. I'm just now figuring this stuff out, but I would suggest you also get an external hard drive that plugs into your router or connects to it wirelessly. They are fairly inexpensive and you can set it to automatically back up every computer connected to your network in case one kicks the bucket. You can also use it to store music and videos if you're into that kind of stuff.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Some time ago I bought a 1TB drive (for about $60) and put it in one of my Folding computers in the other room. I have a copy of Acronis True Image and back up my laptop daily. I also subscribe to Acronis Online backup and use it to save a handful of stuff I really don't want to lose.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
We were using a Netgear Rangemax N wireless, but just got AT&T U-verse and they supplied a wireless router.
Netgear worked ok, but the signal was a little weak and slow out in the garage room, only about 60 feet away. (Slow for the Xbox that is, as was the wired connection due to the old slow DSL we had)
Netgear worked ok, but the signal was a little weak and slow out in the garage room, only about 60 feet away. (Slow for the Xbox that is, as was the wired connection due to the old slow DSL we had)
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I just want to mention that the net will be changing to ipv6 in the near future. This is due to the fact that they are essentially out of addresses on the existing scheme. (ipv4).
Your internet provider has the main job but, apparently the router that you use will also have to be compatible ( or so I've read).
Just passing on what little knowedge I have before it disappears from my puny little brain.
hj
Your internet provider has the main job but, apparently the router that you use will also have to be compatible ( or so I've read).
Just passing on what little knowedge I have before it disappears from my puny little brain.
hj
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