Wireless Router questions...

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Can someone give me a quick course in wireless routers? Other than having picked up a wireless connection on my laptop, I don't have any experience with 'em. Since my aging laptop will only connect to the net through a wireless connection anymore (and it isn't really worth fixing the internal modem I fear), I'd like to get a wireless router for the house. With all the choices though, I think I could use a lil help.

I did find a Linksys Model # WRT54G ver. 6 used for $40, one that looks similar (but older, they claim it has sat in a closet unused for a couple years, has a newer notebook card with it but refuse to let you test it out) for $30, and a Linksys Model # WRT54GS ver. 6 with a USB adapter for $50. I could buy new, though funds are kinda limited at the moment. (The driving force is that my brother needs his wired router back and I can't find the power cable for my router so I might as well upgrade, right?)

I'm not too concerned about the range being far enough for someone to steal the internet connection, the exterior walls of the house are 5" of solid concrete with a brick face (there's also 4" of foam surrounding the concrete, it's a super-energy efficient house), so I'm sure that would likely take a bite out of the range, which would force anyone trying to steal the connection to sit in front of the house in their car, which ought to be easily recognizable since I live out in the country.

Any questions? Feel free to ask...

 

[LearjetMinako]

For staters, you can put a passkey (WPA) on the wireless router. So only you have access to the wireless router. Its how I got mine setup for the PSP, Sony Laptop, HP Printer. My wireless router is a Linksys WRT54G V.5. It has so far worked prefectly, no issues. As for range, my house is brick and I can still get a signal outside.

Other issues: For the laptop, you may want to upgrade the WiFi drivers. I had a problem with the Sony Laptop Intel WiFi trying to find a connection. But after updating the laptop WiFi driver, it works great now.

 

[srteach]

Linksys (now owned by Cisco) is a good brand. Use WPA or WPA2 (whichever your router has) along with MAC address filtering. The wireless G speed will only help if you have a connection higher than 11Mbps speed from your service provider, or a small network in your home. Don't set the router behind other electronics or next to a metal wall / appliance (minimum of 1.5 ft away). The antennae needs to be vertical (pointed at the roof or the floor) for best broadcast range.
Hook up as directed an you should be golden.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

For staters, you can put a passkey (WPA) on the wireless router. So only you have access to the wireless router. Its how I got mine setup for the PSP, Sony Laptop, HP Printer. My wireless router is a Linksys WRT54G V.5. It has so far worked prefectly, no issues. As for range, my house is brick and I can still get a signal outside.

Other issues: For the laptop, you may want to upgrade the WiFi drivers. I had a problem with the Sony Laptop Intel WiFi trying to find a connection. But after updating the laptop WiFi driver, it works great now.

I know that most routers allow the use of passkeys an such, but I'm not too worried about other people using my connection, I'm more interested in trying to decide what router will be best to get for my purposes. I'm in about a 2,000 sf house on 7 acres, not sure I have to worry too much about people stealing the connection. I'm more concerned as to if the wireless will work fine in the house without interference problems and what routers hold up the best and so forth.

My laptop works great with wireless internet. Well, ok, it works reasonably well considering it's about 9 years old and so is the wireless card. I've upgraded the driver for the wireless as much as possible (I was told that Cisco stopped building new drivers for my card awhile ago). My problem is that the laptop only works with wireless connections, near as can be determined my internal NIC card died on my laptop and from what I understand it's around $100 for a new one. Since I can buy a refurbished version of my laptop for $300 or less shipped, and wireless internet still works on it, I see no need to do anything more than buy a wireless modem so I can use my laptop at home when I don't want to be tied to my desktop.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Linksys (now owned by Cisco) is a good brand. Use WPA or WPA2 (whichever your router has) along with MAC address filtering. The wireless G speed will only help if you have a connection higher than 11Mbps speed from your service provider, or a small network in your home. Don't set the router behind other electronics or next to a metal wall / appliance (minimum of 1.5 ft away). The antennae needs to be vertical (pointed at the roof or the floor) for best broadcast range.
Hook up as directed an you should be golden.

According to the connection thing on my computer it says I have a 100mbps connection speed. Currently I have DSL, but I may end up with cable in a few months if the cable company does what they say they will an run us a line down. Currently the router sits with the modem and phone box next to a block wall in the basement.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

I've had good experience with all models of Linksys routers... Just don't go cheap and get a d-link or something... those things are POS.
Check this out http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124284 Not bad for $50 with free shipping.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've had good experience with all models of Linksys routers... Just don't go cheap and get a d-link or something... those things are POS.
Check this out http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124284 Not bad for $50 with free shipping.

That looks pretty good but after reading the specs, it says that it requires XP or Vista... is that going to be a problem since my laptop has 2000 Pro? My desktop has XP Pro, my mom an bro use XP Home.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

I would think if you could hook an x-box, Wii, or PS3 to the thing, it wouldn't be too picky about the OS. It also works with macs, though it doesn't say anything about supporting them in the specs. I would think it would work, but you might give a call to their customer service and ask before you buy. My guess is that you'd have to set the connection up manually instead of using their setup disk.

 

[Kdawg532]

i personally prefer Netgear, as my Linksys WRT54G's have let me down several times

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Actually, I would get this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190
$58 with free shipping, no OS requirements, and a way nicer router than the other one.

 

[Dangeranger3]

I got the cheapest netgear wireless router they had for $37 and am happy with it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Am I better off going with new or does it not really matter if I grab a used one?

 

[DeanMoriarty]

That's up to you, depends on the price difference and whether the thing works or not. If you can save a good deal of money buying used, I'd say go for it.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Haven't seen much of anything that I could save much money on, the only thing would be that I could have it now instead of waiting a week or so to get it.

Alright, thanks for the input, I'll see what I end up with and report back, I might want some further info on setting things up... I saw a thing in one of the comments on a Linksys router on Newegg where it was suggested to flash it to Tomato to unlock some features and get better performance... not really sure what that all means...

 

[Kdawg532]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833150015&Tpk=WPN824
that is the router i have and it has been sweet i got all my friends to get it and they love it too the range is insane on it aswell, it covers 500,000 square feet of uninteruppted service this one is like 30 dollars less then what i paid for mine like 3 years ago plus if you have SuperG wireless cards it can deliver 108MBPS