The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    A slight problem + New B/G router suggestions please!

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Johnny T, Mar 15, 2008.

  1. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    First, please have a look at the attached diagram of the appartment I live in, sorry about the not so great drawing :p

    A - My notebook, with Linksys wireless card (WPC54GX) or I could use the 2200BG.

    B- Mum's notebook with WPC54G (4 yrs old notebook with not internal wireless card)

    Blue thingy - D-link B/G router, cant even remember which one it is...

    Problem is that, it is the only place i could put the router. It just is :p As you can see the signal goes striaght into a wall and...not good news...I get 4 bars in my room, and mom only get 1 to 2 bars. Very annoying. Plus the router keeps dropping off whilst playing CSS :(, minor problem.

    OK, I am considering a Linksys router, the good old WRT54G or maybe the 54GX or GS. Since I am using linksys products, i thought it would be better to ''pair'' them up :D I have no need for N as I don't spent much time at home, and obviously my mom have no use for N lol! So I would quite like something simple, and works, performance doesnt need to be amazing, but I want something stable, and just WORKS! hehe :)

    Thanks alot for reading! :cool:



    BUMMER i forgot to upload the pic...sry it will be up in a minute :)
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

    Reputations:
    365
    Messages:
    934
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, those are good choices for routers, I personally have the GL model with dd-wrt firmware and my range goes through 2 floors and reaches to the basement so I would say that you would be good.
     
  3. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    Which one of the choices do you think is the most cost effective? :)

    Thanks

    Johnny T
     
  4. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,020
    Messages:
    3,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    The Original Good WRT54G NO LONGER EXIST. The part number changed and its now WRT54 GL. Cisco/Linksys tried to pull one over on the general public when they changed the orig router config. Took less than a week before the news was out that it (WRT54G) was POS. The out rage made them bring in back as the WRT54GL model.

    If you can move the router over about 2ft to get it out of the corner may be better. Or add an highgain antenna with a coax extension and just move it over. Have the router setup HIGH also helps.
     
  5. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    Cant really move it anywhere as it will get in the way of things :eek: But thanks alot for the info about the GL :) Which one would you pick?
     
  6. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,020
    Messages:
    3,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I normally do not buy combo units (router w/ builtin AP). With 11n in draft I would hunt for a dual band router that was shipped from the factory with v2 FW. What ever I go with MUST be able to run the dd-wrt Linux firmware. The Linksys wrt54gl can run the linux firmware. I think in your case I would go for a MIMO tech router. These have better antenna/receiver specs. Go to www.smallnetbuilder.com and look at their router table. It will give you an idea of which way to go. BUT DO NOT BUY A BELKIN, these are not reliable. But I have no reason to upgrade my current setup. My last router was a Buffalo WHR-HP-54G, running dd-wrt, setup as a AP. It has an extra amp on the receiver side to boost weak signals.
     
  7. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    I am not sure if I will attempt dd-wrt, because it will be my mom using the internet most of the time lol :p But yeah, I shall go research further into MIMO routers. :) Thanks for all your help! +rep
     
  8. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

    Reputations:
    365
    Messages:
    934
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It isn't that hard to flash to DD- WRT,but if your uncomfortable doing it then don't(you can brick your router). Like blue suggested do some research and see what is good for you and within your price range. GL
     
  9. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,092
    Messages:
    12,975
    Likes Received:
    201
    Trophy Points:
    481
    Well I am willing to do it, but the problem is, if while I am away and something goes wrong...there is no way my mom would understand the instruction I tell her...LOL

    I have got the GX or the GL on my mind at the moment, I will go and have a more in-depth look at them two. :)