Up to here with Linksys, what next?
18 November 2007, 07:03 PM
#1
Up to here with Linksys, what next?
So today my Linksys router failed yet again. it does so, requiring a reset, about four times a week.
Tonight they said I needed a firmware upgrade, but their website wouldn't download it.
I got fed up waiting for someone to tell the lass on the phone to me how to solve the problem, that I hung up.
Tomorrow the Linksys goes in the bin.
So...............what works, and is WORTH buying? We have the desktop, which is hardwired, two laptops that require wireless connection, and the eldest's X-Box.
We are on Virgin cable.
TIA, Alcazar
Tonight they said I needed a firmware upgrade, but their website wouldn't download it.
I got fed up waiting for someone to tell the lass on the phone to me how to solve the problem, that I hung up.
Tomorrow the Linksys goes in the bin.
So...............what works, and is WORTH buying? We have the desktop, which is hardwired, two laptops that require wireless connection, and the eldest's X-Box.
We are on Virgin cable.
TIA, Alcazar
18 November 2007, 09:21 PM
#5
The problem isnt with LinkSys, if you could be bothered to spend the time on the phone, you wouldnt have to buy another one. Ive got some LinkSys stuff and had to ring them before.
If i remember, its a 0800 freephone number which is answered in the US. I spent an hour on the phone making sure every setting was correct, all free, and worked a treat.
If i remember, its a 0800 freephone number which is answered in the US. I spent an hour on the phone making sure every setting was correct, all free, and worked a treat.
18 November 2007, 10:39 PM
#6
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Some routers do just crash a lot, especially older ones when you do a lot of file sharing. Newer Netgear models are good, but the older ones crashed as often as once per day. They ended up having to upgrade us to a better model I complained so much, that only crashes once per month 
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19 November 2007, 11:15 AM
#9
Mine's a WRK 54G.
It's not that I object to spending time on the phone, it's just that I DON'T want to have to do it twice, or even three times a week, which either I, or my eldest, have been doing
It's had the settings altered so many times it's unreal.
And if my firmware is currently version 1.56.01, and the new one is version 1.58.03, WHY have I never been offered a firmware upgrade before?
Nope, poor customer care.
It's not that I object to spending time on the phone, it's just that I DON'T want to have to do it twice, or even three times a week, which either I, or my eldest, have been doing
It's had the settings altered so many times it's unreal.
And if my firmware is currently version 1.56.01, and the new one is version 1.58.03, WHY have I never been offered a firmware upgrade before?
Nope, poor customer care.
19 November 2007, 11:38 AM
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Draytek/Vigor are good, but not good with port forwarding to Exchange Servers
Ive had linksys in the past, 4 port switch DSL router, and it was fine for over two years on 24/7 then one day it died, so I got a Cisco badged Linksys it lasted about 4 weeks and then died, then my old 4 port one started working again
Basically the problem was overheating, I since changed to a Netgear one and that has been fine for the last 18 months on 24/7 and hammered
I do have to reboot it once every few months as either the wireless or the internet will just stop working
Oh and my Netgear one was 30 quid factory refurbed, the Linksys were both 99 quid
Ive had linksys in the past, 4 port switch DSL router, and it was fine for over two years on 24/7 then one day it died, so I got a Cisco badged Linksys it lasted about 4 weeks and then died, then my old 4 port one started working again
Basically the problem was overheating, I since changed to a Netgear one and that has been fine for the last 18 months on 24/7 and hammered
I do have to reboot it once every few months as either the wireless or the internet will just stop working
Oh and my Netgear one was 30 quid factory refurbed, the Linksys were both 99 quid
19 November 2007, 01:37 PM
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19 November 2007, 01:48 PM
#13
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Had nothing but trouble with linksys and d-link routers. My current Netgear has been great so far (with virgin cable as well)
19 November 2007, 02:36 PM
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On a budget try this
Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Netgear WGR614 v7 54Mbps Broadband Wireless Router
Or this if you don't mind forking out the extra
Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Draytek Vigor 2910G VPN Dual WAN Wireless Broadband Router
Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Netgear WGR614 v7 54Mbps Broadband Wireless Router
Or this if you don't mind forking out the extra
Broadbandbuyer.co.uk | Draytek Vigor 2910G VPN Dual WAN Wireless Broadband Router
19 November 2007, 05:51 PM
#15
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But don't bother with Draytek firewalls - not a patch on SonicWalls as I found out to my disgust! 
On the subject of Linksys, I remember buying one with a customer just after 54g had come out and what a piece of cr*p they were! I assume they've come on a bit since then.
Even netgear let's you down depending on what model you buy - I recently made the mistake of buying their cable router / gigabit switch and it was sent back within the day.
On the subject of Linksys, I remember buying one with a customer just after 54g had come out and what a piece of cr*p they were! I assume they've come on a bit since then.
Even netgear let's you down depending on what model you buy - I recently made the mistake of buying their cable router / gigabit switch and it was sent back within the day.
20 November 2007, 08:40 AM
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The Linksys kit I've used in the past has been awful, needed factory resetting all the time, firewall very limited in functionality, wireless always bombing out etc. Point is though that all home routers to some extent are hit and miss, some will have great things to say about Netgear for example and some won't.
Then comes the support and firmware updates which can also cause problems. I liked my Draytek 2600G when I had it, have never had a problem with Netgear models (mind you a mate of mine in networks was testing the newer N ones however which bricked after 10 mins of use). I now use a Cisco 877W at home which to be honest is complete overkill for home use but has helped me with my CCNA, hasn't put a foot wrong, and I can access my computers via an SSL-VPN
Then comes the support and firmware updates which can also cause problems. I liked my Draytek 2600G when I had it, have never had a problem with Netgear models (mind you a mate of mine in networks was testing the newer N ones however which bricked after 10 mins of use). I now use a Cisco 877W at home which to be honest is complete overkill for home use but has helped me with my CCNA, hasn't put a foot wrong, and I can access my computers via an SSL-VPN
20 November 2007, 07:38 PM
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Going through the same issues now. Got a Linksys WAG54G ADSL router wireless thingie. The first one I had kept falling over all the time. Loads of stuff on the net about it - seemed to be everything inside the case was sh!te!! Sent it back and got the same again (replacement) but a version 2 one. That's has been mostly fine for the 2 years or so I've had it. BUT .... 3 out of 3 e'net ports are stuffed and the 4 th (used for my main pc - no wireless) now keeps going up and down seemingly at random. And I have to reset it fairly often. So what to go for? I like the sound of the Drayteks, it's just the price that puts me off a little. But that may be a small price to pay for peace of mind ....
Dave
Dave
20 November 2007, 07:43 PM
#18
Local computer shop recommended a Buffalo router, so that's what I got.
Straight on with the wired connection, kid's X-Box connected straight on, but the Acer laptop?
All yesterday afternoon on the phone to Buffalo, Acer and the shop, all blaming each other.
Visit to shop today, it would NOT stop trying to connect to some network with a limited signal, nowt to do with us and this seemed to stop it connecting to anything WE offered it.
The shop guy finally stopped it doing that, but when we got it home, nope, no connection
A bloke at Buffalo finally got us online by designating it an IP address.
Don't anyone mention routers to me for a while please
Alcazar
Straight on with the wired connection, kid's X-Box connected straight on, but the Acer laptop?
All yesterday afternoon on the phone to Buffalo, Acer and the shop, all blaming each other.
Visit to shop today, it would NOT stop trying to connect to some network with a limited signal, nowt to do with us and this seemed to stop it connecting to anything WE offered it.
The shop guy finally stopped it doing that, but when we got it home, nope, no connection
A bloke at Buffalo finally got us online by designating it an IP address.
Don't anyone mention routers to me for a while please
Alcazar
20 November 2007, 08:46 PM
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20 November 2007, 08:58 PM
#21
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While I sympathise with your plight, you did go out and buy a router nobody here recommended. To compound matters you then gave it an Acer to connect to, no wonder your router hates you
P.S. make damn sure you encrypt you connection with WPA or better. WEP is useless and can be hacked in under 20 mins. Hardly any hardware arrives with WPA auto selected, they all leave you badly protected just to save on support calls. This is down the the fact that some older wireless hardware cannot use WPA. If this is the case for you, upgrade the old stuff, don't get caught out.
P.S. make damn sure you encrypt you connection with WPA or better. WEP is useless and can be hacked in under 20 mins. Hardly any hardware arrives with WPA auto selected, they all leave you badly protected just to save on support calls. This is down the the fact that some older wireless hardware cannot use WPA. If this is the case for you, upgrade the old stuff, don't get caught out.
Local computer shop recommended a Buffalo router, so that's what I got.
Straight on with the wired connection, kid's X-Box connected straight on, but the Acer laptop?
All yesterday afternoon on the phone to Buffalo, Acer and the shop, all blaming each other.
Visit to shop today, it would NOT stop trying to connect to some network with a limited signal, nowt to do with us and this seemed to stop it connecting to anything WE offered it.
The shop guy finally stopped it doing that, but when we got it home, nope, no connection
A bloke at Buffalo finally got us online by designating it an IP address.
Don't anyone mention routers to me for a while please
Alcazar
Straight on with the wired connection, kid's X-Box connected straight on, but the Acer laptop?
All yesterday afternoon on the phone to Buffalo, Acer and the shop, all blaming each other.
Visit to shop today, it would NOT stop trying to connect to some network with a limited signal, nowt to do with us and this seemed to stop it connecting to anything WE offered it.
The shop guy finally stopped it doing that, but when we got it home, nope, no connection
A bloke at Buffalo finally got us online by designating it an IP address.
Don't anyone mention routers to me for a while please
Alcazar
21 November 2007, 10:00 PM
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