Thoughts on home WiFi routers

[BobT]

Dell Dimension Desktop PC hard wired to Linksys WRT120N router.

Router wired to BEC DSL modem supplied by ISP this past summer.

Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit OS with 2GB RAM

WiFi components include:

Epson Workforce610 Printer/Fax/Copier/Scanner

Dell Mini with Windows7 Starter OS with 2GB RAM

HP Mini with Windows7 Starter OS with 2GB RAM

ThinkPad W510 laptop with Windows NT OS with 3GB RAM

Wii console

Except for the modem, we've been using this system for the past couple years with little to no trouble at all. This past summer after a nearby lightning strike we began to experience trouble with our internet connection. An ISP technician came out and discovered a faulted filter on the phone line and replaced it. Our problems seemed to go away for a couple weeks but then returned. The WLAN seemed to be functioning just fine. Our ISP came out and installed a the new BEC DSL modem and performed other test but the problems continued.

Eventually when our system became too unstable I rewired our system to bypass the router and connect our desktop directly to the DSL and then ran a continuous ping test for 72 hours. The test results indicated that our network connection was uninterrupted with no packet loss or other problems. This test seemed to point to our router as the source of our problems. I decided to reset the router back to factory defaults one more time and then reinstall the latest firmware one more time (I had done this numerous times already). To our surprise the system began to operate without any more trouble for a few weeks and now the problems have returned.

A couple days ago I searched for reviews for the WRT120N and my research indicates that this is a common problem with this particular router. In fact, virtually every review I read mentioned this problem.

I would like to replace our router. We use it to provide internet access for our laptops, wireless connection to our printer, and access to Netflix via the Wii console. No online gaming or HD data streaming is done at this time. I suppose there is a potential for HD streaming in the future but I do not expect to be doing any online gaming. I do not require high security. We live in the country and our nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away. If someone wanted to connect to the internet they’d have to drive down our 250 yard long driveway to park on our front lawn.

I would like recommendations for a decent reliable wireless router that won’t dump my wallet. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If there is such a thing under $100.00 that would be great.

Thanks,

[upnorth]

I only have had experience with an older linksys that did work good for me. I read a few reviews of the home wireless routers and Linksys and Netgear have the highest ratings.

But it does sound like you got a lemon or that model was a dud.

[Lowblazah]

I have bought 3 of these within the past few months without one single issue.

and for the price you can't go wrong.

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[upnorth]

Ummmm...that is the model he is having issues with.

[Lowblazah]

I know. But like you said...its most likely a lemon.

[BobT]

It's entirely possible that it got damaged when that filter was taken out by the lightning but when I read those reviews it makes me wonder.

I have seen and heard that Linksys usually gets decent reviews. I've been looking at another Linksys model. The E1200 seems to come with good reviews. I don't know anything about other brands though.

[spearchucker]

It's entirely possible that it got damaged when that filter was taken out by the lightning but when I read those reviews it makes me wonder.

I have seen and heard that Linksys usually gets decent reviews. I've been looking at another Linksys model. The E1200 seems to come with good reviews. I don't know anything about other brands though.

Look at Tiger Directs deal of the day today. E1200 for $15 after rebate.

[Macgyver55]

We had similar issues a while back and our (Linksys) wireless router had to be reset often, sometimes multiple times in a day. It was an older model and gave good service for a long time. Since the kids are gone, we dont do a lot of heavy internet use, and for familiarity I chose another Linksys. This one is an E 1000 and in the 2 years I've had it I dont remember having to reset it more than a couple times. So far I've been totally satisfied with it for my type of use.

[delcecchi]

I had a belkin. It got flaky. Bought another Belkin, it was flaky from the git go. Went to wally and got a linksys and it has been great. No problems. Even has the "guest network" feature so you can give someone access to the net without giving them access you YOUR network. It streams netflix and amazon perfectly. (I have charter internet in Rochester)

If you can get that for 15 bucks I would jump on it. I think I paid in the neighborhood of 50 for mine.

[Moose]

I remember reading something about an opensource firmware for these routers that are having connection and reset problems. Seems to me as long as the router is working the problem is in the firmware. I have a net gear WRN something and every time I have to reset it it seems to take a little while for it to settle down as my kids are whining about their Ipods not connecting:) sometimes it's a blessing though:)) I would google opensource firmware for wireless routers and try to stabilize it before I replaced it.

[itchmesir]

I've owned my linksys router for about 5-6years... 3 laptops... 1 comp... 2 wii and my cellphone all use it.. no issues.. beside it occassionally over heating and needing a restart.. but that'll happen when I'm downloading at 500+kb/s and all that other stuff is accessing as well

[marine_man]

I've had a E1000 Cisco Linksys router now for a couple of years and have been very happy with it. Setup is very, very easy and it has been very stable.

marine_man