Need to get a new router and compatible wireless card

I have a D-Link DI 514 right now that is unreliable. RF link to wifes computer is weak. Router drops connection too often and requires endless tinkering to get back on line ( 50% of the time I have to do a hard reset) Yes I have the tee shirt for 100 hours on the D-Link help desk.

Broadband (1Mbps) is provided by Pegasus Wi-Band from a parabolic (direct TV type) dish that feeds the router via cat 5 and a power adapter (for the radio modem at the dish).

If I go direct from broadband radio modem into my computer I have full 1Mbps connect 24/7 and zero issues. (not quite true, a gully washer very heavy rain can drop the connection just like with Sat TV)

Have enough budget to get the good stuff.

Both computers are separated by 45 feet and several walls. Second CPU has a compatible D-Link PCI card in the back that is blocked from clear path to the router. Do not want to rearrange rooms. Signal strength is mostly 2-3 bars 50%?

The wired side into my computer from the router drops the connection too often (I think it is a heat issue). I am tired of troubleshooting and resetting.

The Wireless (RF) side to my wifes computer suffers from low signal quality and of course is impacted by the router dropping the connection to the WAN. It is her constant griping that has me motivated to get good stuff!

I built both computers 3 years ago and they are still sufficient for our needs. I am just too damned lazy to do the research for best bang for the buck any more. When I built her I did a LOT of research and it made my head hurt with all the options.

In search of better than average router with wired and wireless capability. The two home computers can be on the latest and greatest 802.11XXX but our take home "work laptops" usually have 802.11b so prefer one that is backward capable. Seems to me, last time I checked these out 24 months ago, there were issues with some routers and switches that when falling back to 802.11b from 802.11g they fell back on all ports. That is an obvious disadvantage if you have several devices on the wireless LAN that all have different adapters with the various implementations of WiFi.

 

Not an expert by far, but I have used the Linksys system for about two years. It is 802.11B and does fairly well. Remember, no wireless network is perfect, even when shelling out the big dollars. On mine, I have my main computer and kids desktop hardwired and then two cards in the two laptops. I have seldom seen an area that the laptop doesn't work. On the second desktop, I used a wireless usb and a pci card, and had speratic bandwidth problems, but never, total black out.

The G routers have come a long way. I suggest talking to someone in Office depot or Staples and ask them for their experience. I like linksys because of compatibility and ease of install. Check out their website. They have extenders also for the "hard to reach" areas of your home. They also have cool stuff like game adapters, stereo adapters, etc.

 

I've used several including Linksys at work, Netgear at work/home and Dlink. Have Dlink at the house and it stinks. Same problems you describe. Going to replace it all with Linksys equipment. Make sure you get at least 11g. Everyone advertises "Enhanced" 11g with speeds up to 108Mbit but it's not a standard. You can't get "Enhanced" speed with a Linksys router and Dlink adapter. Netgear's not bad, but I've had nothing but problems with the Dlink equipment. Their tech support stinks too. Spent over an hour on the phone with some over-sea's script reader who was zero help. I'm sure Linksys (a.k.a. Cisco) uses over-sea's call centers too, but I've never had problems with their equipment.

I'm not just some ignorant laymen that can't install and configure a simple home net work either. I've been an IT professional for 20 years and have experience in mainframe, midrange, PC, LAN, WAN and telecom management. Yeah, I know. That and a $1.25 will get a cup of coffee. Just my opinion in lieu of better advice.

 

One thing you might want to think about is moving your router someplace close to the center of the house. Since it's wireless, it doesn't really care where it goes and keeping it away from RF "noise" will help improve the signal. The wireless routers don't have the best shielding and your monitor, printer, computer, lights and wireless mouse can all cause interference. It can be hidden out of the way in a closet. 45 feet is pushing the distance, if you have walls between.

If you have XP w/sp2 you can right click on the wireless icon down in the tray and click on repair. This will do a soft reset and keep you from getting up and unpluging things in order all the time.

 

also consider getting a directional antenna at her pc and on the router.

 

Get a linksys router, AND the 7db gain antennas. With the distance and those obstacles it will help you out quite a bit.

 

PC World magazine has a great article this month. It goes into detail of the new MIMO technology. I just got my copy in the mail, so should hit stands soon. It goes into great detail on each different antennas and has a top ten. I think Linksys was at the top.

 

I've had very good luck with the D-link 802.11g router and pci adapter, but there's only one wall between the router and my computer, in a straight line it's about 12 feet. I've heard nothing but good about Linksys though. -TD

 

Thanks for all the replies

Based on the majority saying good things about LinkSys this morning I purchased the Linksys router and PCI card from Wally World.

The 802.11G with "speedboost" was $59 and the PCI card was $39

Have to do a bunch of work to get wifes computer out of the corner placement location so I can swap the PCI card in.

Again thanks for the input

 

Linksys also has good customer service, although I do believe it's overseas. But everytime I've called I don't have any problems with their accent and hearing what they're saying.

 

I've not had a problem with my linksys equipment that waranted me calling tech support... When in doubt restart the router and start over...

 

This may sound silly, why haven't you run cat-5 cable? I had a hard time making it between two house 10 feet apart. Wireless has it's issues. If you need a chuckle though, check this out:
Poor-man's wi-fi.......

http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

 

I only used their customer support because it wasn't letting me disconnect the host computer, so I had to call them. But when I was on the phone I had a lot of just curiousity questions, and he answered all of them. He taught me how to rename like your router and stuff.. I didn't know that was possible lol.

 

I had the same problems that you described with my 514 D-Link. I sent it back for a refund. Get a Linksys, and then you'll have a real router.