Recommend to me a good wireless + ethernet router

So a bit of background... my folks have an ancient Pentium 4 desktop, connected to DSL Internet via Ethernet. Problem is, the Ethernet is very flaky, and while sometimes it is the DSL connection, the vast majority of the time the problem is in the router (if the router is bypassed entirely, the connection is considerably more stable, but we use more than one computer on the network often enough that that isn't a realistic solution). So the only apparent solution is getting a different router. And that would also likely mean getting a wireless connection, both due to the fact that we occasionally use Wireless G and N-enabled laptops in the house, and due to the distinct possibility of my parents' next computer being a laptop.

Thus, I'm curious what recommendations are for good routers. It should have both Ethernet and wireless capabilities, as it doesn't make much sense to put a wireless card in a stationary 6.5-year-old desktop. A lower price is also good, ideally $50 or less. Wireless N would be nice, as it would ensure coverage throughout the house (thus ensuring no unreliability due to walking out of range), but Wireless G would probably be sufficient. Our current problematic router is a Linksys (although it also has a Cisco logo on it), so they get negative points to start with.

OS interaction support would be necessary for XP 32-bit and Vista 64-bit. Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit support would be nice too, as those are likely successor system OS'es. Windows 98 First Edition support (on Ethernet) would be nice as well, as the next-best choice for migrating old files is floppy disks. The "host" system on which any necessary router software would be installed would be running XP 32-bit (Home).

 

Most routers work with any OS that can see the wireless card and can connect to networks, so you don't really need to worry about that.

You can probably pick up a Netgear WNR1000 for around $50, Wireless N 150Mbps and 4 100Mbps ethernet ports, although I'm not too sure why mine started acting weird after a month, a few emails to netgear cleared it up and I haven't had issues since.

With any router, you'll probably want it in a high, unobstructed place, and Line of Sight is idea.

 

Wireless G will almost certainly be sufficient, and it's probably almost impossible to get a wireless N router for under $50 that would be more useful than your average brick.

 

I have seen Linksys WRT310N and WRT320N's refurb for $60. These are your best bet if you really want N, keep in mind that N will NOT extend your range. It's a myth.

Otherwise the good old Linksys WRT54GL is your best bet.

 

Linksys has windows software to configure router. I uninstalled it immediately though.

 

Never install router software, find the "advanced" config, otherwise known as the common web interface.

 

You can get a new Linksys WRT160N for <$50. The ethernet ports are capped at 100Mbps but it is the best router for the price, imo.

 

This thread is relevant to my current interest, because my Belkin N wireless router starts acting strange.

Before, network file sharing is very slow, transfer speed is under 1 mb/s most of the time, at max is probably 2 mb/s. I'm already using TeraCopy/FastCopy.

And now, my modem won't detect my wireless router, I changed the cable connecting the router to my modem and it still acting up. At one point the modem unable to detect my router again. Network file sharing is impossible, extremely slow. Accessing the internet is much slower than usual. I tried connecting the cable to my notebook directly without router and my connection is stable. So the problem is with my router.

I'm hoping I can find a good wireless router recommendation, my house has two floors so I need one with good signal strength. Router which has a setting for bandwidth cap per computer is a plus. My budget is about <100 USD. I really hope for a good one because it seems its not that long ago I bought this Belkin router, and before that I bought a Linksys router too. This next one will be my third wireless router.

Or even better, if someone can tell me the fix to my Belkin router problem.

Thank you in advance.

 

That is for a refurb, but still.
A bit more will get you a 310/320 refurb which isn't capped.

 

Hi KarenA
On your Belkin have you reset everything to factory and checked what it does?

I have never had much luck with Belkin and ended up replacing them after a year, every time. I really recommend Netgear and Linksys.

If you don't need N, look into the Linksys WRT54GL, if you need N, you can sometimes catch a new 160 or 31/320 on sale for about $100 or refurbished for about $60. Those are probably your best bet. Asus also makes soem good ones.

 

I would agree with leslieann's assessment of Belkins - I've had two that went belly-up on me in fairly quick succession. I've had much, much better luck with the netgear equipment.

 

Don't waste your money on Belkin. I have yet to have a good experience with one. They require constant reboots and reset back to factory a lot if they work at all.

I've had good luck with Netgear and Buffalo hardware. But I run dd-wrt firmware on my Buffalo router and is setup like a AP.

Here is link to SmallNetBuilder router chart. http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wireless/Itemid,200

 

Buffalo is another good one, I tend to forget them because they are impossible to find here.

 

Thank you for the suggestions all, sorry for the late reply. I was away from my house for almost a week. Seems like my Belkin router is working again now, and I haven't detect any abnormalities yet... If it starts acting up again, I'll be sure to look up the routers you guys suggested. Again, thank you.