Adsl Wireless Modem Router

pool182 · 20 November 2005 at 10:53PM

Can anyone recommed a wirless router so I can link my dell inspiron 6000 laptop up to my intel p4 2.8ghz desktop pc running windows xp. I use tiscali 1mb adsl brodband and want a router with a modem built in.

I live in a 3 bed semi house and want to use my desktop machine upstairs in the study and my laptop downstairs in the lounge, I need something fast and reliable would I be ok using 802.11g routers or going for 108mbps or even mimo routers.

I have been looking at the ozenda 11g wireless adsl firewall router from https://www.ozenda.com does anyone know if this is any good or can you recommend a better one for my needs.

hollie.weimeraner · 20 November 2005 at 11:38PM

There are a number of reviews here http://www.adslguide.org.uk/reviews/Personally I would stick with a branded router. Has your laptop got built in wireless networking or will you need a wireless card? Have a search around as some manufacturers bundle routers and cards cheaper than you can get them as separates.

I have the BT 2100 which has been very reliable for the last 15 months - the only drawback is signal strength diminishes through walls. If you are considering using the laptop any significant distance from your desk top I would have a look at the Belkin Pre-N router which gets good reviews. Decent price here http://www.transparentcommunications.com/cgi-bin/rs000001.pl?SOURCE=GoogleBelkinPreN&DESTINATION=SpecialOffersPreN%2ehtml&PATH=%2e%2e%2facatalog&BASEURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2etransparentcommunications%2ecom%2facatalog%2f with a laptop card as well! Available also at ebuyer for £80 on its own.

pool182 · 21 November 2005 at 12:35PM

My dell laptop has intel centrino and has wifi built in as 802.11g do I need a seperate card to work with this belkin router you recommended

pool182 · 21 November 2005 at 12:37PM

That modem is for cable at that price adsl one is £106 plus deliverey which seems quite expensive

Tharweb · 21 November 2005 at 1:13PM

Get yourself a Netgear DG834G. Amazon are doing them with a
FREE USB adapter at the moment which would be useful if you need one for your desktop. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/qid=1132574953/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-9807361-5678827

IMHO you don't need the 108mbps unless you intend to do lots of file sharing across your home network.

I have this one, dead easy to set up and it's been great.

Chippy_Minton · 21 November 2005 at 1:25PM

pool182 wrote:

My dell laptop has intel centrino and has wifi built in as 802.11g do I need a seperate card to work with this belkin router you recommended

No, your laptop won't require anything else to work with a wireless router. Pre-N routers are backwards compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b.

wolfman · 21 November 2005 at 1:39PM

Tharweb wrote:

Get yourself a Netgear DG834G. Amazon are doing them with a
FREE USB adapter at the moment which would be useful if you need one for your desktop. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/qid=1132574953/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-9807361-5678827

IMHO you don't need the 108mbps unless you intend to do lots of file sharing across your home network.

I have this one, dead easy to set up and it's been great.

Checkout the Netgear forums before buying one. Make sure you won't fall victim to any problems.

The DG834G v1 is a solid router, although the DG834G v2 and DG834GT use a newer chipset and can be quite problematic. I personally found Netgear support unhelpful (call center in India where they're just reading steps off a screen) and in the end was sent an unreleased, unofficial beta of the latest firmware for my DG834GT. Didn't fill me with confidence that they'd do that, but it's been ok(ish) since.

The WG111T USB Adapter is awful too. I couldn't actually narrow down where it had a problem. It crashed on AMD and Intel systems, and on 3 variants of chipset, and 3 different routers I tried it with. Sold mine on eBay.

Something like:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006Z8JZW/kelkoo-2004-ce-21/ref%3Dnosim/202-7756304-6883829
Would be a good choice, Belkin are quite solid. Ideally I'd go for the Pre-N model though if you can afford it at around £90. It was highly rated in a recent PC Pro labs review.

Tharweb · 21 November 2005 at 2:10PM

wolfman wrote:

Checkout the Netgear forums before buying one. Make sure you won't fall victim to any problems.

The DG834G v1 is a solid router, although the DG834G v2 and DG834GT use a newer chipset and can be quite problematic. I personally found Netgear support unhelpful (call center in India where they're just reading steps off a screen) and in the end was sent an unreleased, unofficial beta of the latest firmware for my DG834GT. Didn't fill me with confidence that they'd do that, but it's been ok(ish) since.

Something like:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006Z8JZW/kelkoo-2004-ce-21/ref%3Dnosim/202-7756304-6883829
Would be a good choice, Belkin are quite solid. Ideally I'd go for the Pre-N model though if you can afford it at around £90. It was highly rated in a recent PC Pro labs review.

It can be difficult choosing a router. I narrowed my choice down to the Linksys WAG54G or the Netgear from reading reviews, but the more reviews you read the more confused you get. I have the Netgear V2 and although I did upgrade the firmware, I have had no problems with it. I know lots of people have had problems with the DG834GT.

I chose the Netgear in the end as my ISP recommend them, but as for Belkin, they actually state, "Do not go near this companies equipment....period" on their support pages.

The choice is yours...:o

wolfman · 21 November 2005 at 3:09PM

Tharweb wrote:

It can be difficult choosing a router. I narrowed my choice down to the Linksys WAG54G or the Netgear from reading reviews, but the more reviews you read the more confused you get. I have the Netgear V2 and although I did upgrade the firmware, I have had no problems with it. I know lots of people have had problems with the DG834GT.

I chose the Netgear in the end as my ISP recommend them, but as for Belkin, they actually state, "Do not go near this companies equipment....period" on their support pages.

The choice is yours...:o

True, the Netgear will be fine for a lot of people. You just have to check and/or hope you aren't one of them. The official Netgear forums will always give a good overview.

I've not had a Belkin so can't really back them up personally. From looking around though, they seem very solid, and do well in reviews. Also, I've heard of ISP's recommending products/makes, but not discouraging them?!?

I was previously a big fan of Netgear before switching to my Draytek. Having sampled a few of their latest products though I do think they have slipped slightly.

greyster · 21 November 2005 at 9:15PM

I use belkin or linksys. I would probably recommend linksys the best.

You may want to check play.com, they seem to be doing good prices at the moment and everything is free delivery. Otherwise yet another recommendation for ebuyer.com.

Tharweb · 21 November 2005 at 9:51PM

wolfman wrote:

Also, I've heard of ISP's recommending products/makes, but not discouraging them?!?

Yes, my ISP is quite unique!

Adsl Wireless Modem Router

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