Which wireless modem/router? ... under pressure ... heeelp!

semi_artificial

Hi,

I have no broadband and no kit at present, but I want/need to get both sorted this week or my wife is going to do a John Bobbitt. I've managed to avoid the whole subject up till now, so I'm a newbie to it all, though I've tried to do some self help over the past couple of weeks. I think I've got to the stage where a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, hence this rambling post.

For the BB I'm going to go with someone 'decent', such as ADSL24 or Newnet, an up to 8MBps package. My line checks out at up to 6.5MBps.

Obviously, I'd like to save money but I don't want to pay for a good service from them and find that my router (want to go wireless) lets me down through poor range or speed or reliability.

I'm particularly concerned about range or dead spots as my house is slightly larger than average, 100 years old with some reasonably solid walls (I hope!). The router will need to go near the floor ... my wife would not want it visible ... so not an optimum position.

My main needs will be for surfing but I will also be doing some (...cough, edited, dum-de-dum) for films/music.

I have desktop PC (with ethernet card, may consider wireless once set up) and a laptop (no wireless, so will need a PCMCIA card or USB adaptor).

ADSL24 suggest either a Netgear DG834G or the Speedtouch 585v6, but am concerned to read adverse reports (about the Netgear in particular, but also about range of the Speedtouch) and am wondering if something with MIMO or specced to increase range would be better.

I was hoping to find a clear 'best buy' but am struggling. Which makes/models, in your experience, will work well in relation to my needs and environment?

Thanks.

BillScarab

I use the cable equivalent of the Netgear WRG634 and have never had a problem. Most people I know consider Netgear routers to be pretty good. My laptop can pick up a signal form the router in the back garden, the router is in the front room of a twenties semi with all brick walls downstairs. Placing the router on the floor won't do it any favours though.

BTW mentioning P2P is against the rules of the forum, also discussing an illegal activity on an open forum is probably not the best idea anyway!

justgreen

one of the most popular routers is the DG834G although they have released the 'n' version which is faster. I would recommend the DG834 as I have it and it works great. It can be tricky when opening ports and things for torrents but there is a wealth of information online so you should find help pretty easy. 6.5mbps is great.

BillScarab

I forgot to mention earlier that placing the router near to the middle of your house will obviously help the signal reach the everywhere. If you do have problems you could also get a wireless repeater which will extend the range.

One other point is that it is often a good idea to buy all of your wireless kit form one manufacturer to avoid compatibility problems. This is more true when using the faster, less standard, devices.

gorblimeyguvnor

Consider the speedtouch st585v6 or the 2wire 2700 (can be tweaked to allow hi powered wi-fi, see here for reviews.
If thick walls going to be a problem then maybe networking over the mains might be a solution.
I'm on Newnet with the speedtouch and both excellent.

semi_artificial

Ah, hopefully edited the original post to make more acceptable.

The router will have to go next to the PC (in fact right next to the system unit, on the floor), which is next to the BT line input. I know my wife's views and There.Is.No.Alternative, not even putting it on the nearby window ledge - hence why I need something that will definitely cope with this suboptimal position.

My in-laws use the Netgear but they're like me, ie not techies, and they have speed/connectivity problems ... but this might be due to Tiscali as much as the router?

I was going to go with the Speedtouch, as I read that it could be bought for around £20 at DSL Depot, but can't find it? Then I read that range through walls might be an issue?

The 3Com 3CRWDR101A-75 seems to get good reports (broadbandbuyer, ebuyer)? If so, which PCMCIA card or USB adaptor would be good?

cledor

IMHO you should have one PC/Laptop wired to the router and the others by wireless. This saves a lot of bother during configuration and if future changes need to be made. Also don't forget to read the stickies on this forum about using good encryption (WPA preferred).
You might also save some money by using some offers in the referrals forum or Quidco for the adsl connection or for buying the router and other bits.

gorblimeyguvnor

Yes I got my st585v6 from dsldepot for £24 but as you say it's not listed at the moment.

BillScarab

If it must go under the desk there are a couple of options. At the very least put it on top of the base unit. Another option is to fix it tot he underside of the desk, that way it is at a better height and out of sight.

semi_artificial

cledor wrote: »

IMHO you should have one PC/Laptop wired to the router and the others by wireless. This saves a lot of bother during configuration and if future changes need to be made. Also don't forget to read the stickies on this forum about using good encryption (WPA preferred).
You might also save some money by using some offers in the referrals forum or Quidco for the adsl connection or for buying the router and other bits.

Yes, the PC will be wired (pending house reorganisation at my wife's discretion), the laptop will be wireless. My wife's favoured position for the laptop will require the signal to go through three walls. It would be just one wall to the kitchen or 'kids room'. In that respect I received the following reply on another forum:

"All wireless routers are built to the same UK specs which have to adhere to UK radio regulations, so no wireless router is going to be much better than any other. If your house is old, and has solid walls, then you are unlikley to get good wireless coverage. You might be able to go through one solid wall, and maybe another 10 feet beyond, but that's about it. You will probably get lots of dead spots. I know this because I also live in a house that's about 100 years old."

mostly

shame that speedtouch st585v6 is out of stock its great. The netgear i used to have was a right bag of bolts. Adsl24 are great btw