RedM Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Thinking of getting a wi-fi modem/router at last. My laptop is about two years old and has this gubbins inside: • Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (dual-band quad- mode 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N) Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, supporting Acer SignalUpTM with InviLinkTM NplifyTM wireless technology (for selected models), or Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (dual-band tri-mode • 802.11a/b/g) network connection Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® solution, supporting Acer SignalUpTM wireless technology (for selected models) Does that limit which modem/routers I can buy? What should I be looking for before I hand over my hard earned. Oh, I also need it to be able to work with my new (when it chuffin' arrives) mobile. That has: Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g Can someone point me in the direction of a decent router/modem that will work with both, please? I haven't a clue what I'm looking at! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 not really, even the newer 802.11n Wifi Access points are backward compatible with b/g. imi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 You can get pretty much any router you wish with those specs. Wireless N is the fastest available at a reasonable price but I would advise against it to be honest. I got a Wireless-N router and the range is crap. I have gone through 3 different ones all boasting massive range but they have been nothing compared to the Wireless G router I had. As soon as a wall is in the way, it is hopeless. I have been seriously considering going back to a WRT54G-s. With modern modems you have the choice of an all in one, or a DSL router. If the modem you have plugs into the ethernet port of your PC then you can get whatever one you wish. If it plugs into USB then I think you are restricted to ADSL modem/Routers. I always recommend Linksys, other than their Wireless-N routers they have been flawless for me. WRT54G-s is the best on the market as far as budget G routers go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 As above, any router will work. I've always had Netgear, however the other half has a Linksys which has worked very well for the past year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Plethora Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 I'm with the others, linksys and netgear is generally good kit. Avoid Belkin even if PC world tell you its the best and want to sell you an extended warranty from the tech guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 1, 2010 Author Share Posted May 1, 2010 Thanks for the info, chaps. All that B, G and N stuff was making no sense to me. Out of Belkin and Netgear which is the best at dealing with walls that might hinder the signal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Linksys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity14 Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Netgear have been crap for me even the ones for small businesses. Linksys however have been amazing with great range, and you hardly ever need to reboot them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Out of Belkin and Netgear which is the best at dealing with walls that might hinder the signal? Linksys Out of Belkin and Netgear, I'd say Netgear. I'd probably go for a Linksys too if I were going for a new router, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 1, 2010 Author Share Posted May 1, 2010 Linksys Oops! I meant Linksys and Netgear not Belkin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 ive had nothing but problems with my netgear when it comes to gaming after a firmware upgrade, my belkin is fine for all situations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Looking at that Linksys WRT54gs I'm reading that there may be some issues as to whether my ISP will support it. Something to do with PPPOA and PPPOE. I think I need PPPOA as I can't connect with my modem set to PPPOE. Any ideas? Also, is seems to be an old unit that is no longer available from Linksys. So, any recommendations for new models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallshinyant Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Wireless router choices.. Whatever you go for make sure it has an external antena. Makes a huge difference and even allows for certain level upgradebility. any of this lot are pretty good, some have been around for a while now Linksys' WRT54G/GL/GS. The advantage of these is that you can change the firmware to Tomato, which will give you much greater flexibitly and loads more features. Once you have got all that sorted, hopefully all your devices will be 802.11 G complient, in which case make sure the router is set to just this frequency group. Cutting out all the listening and broadcasting on the B will help improve performance. (most devices support the G system by now, but there are still the odd devices around that only support B like the Nintendo wii!. Trial and error is probably quickest way to tell.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Yeah you're right. You can set the modem up as a bridge etc but it can be a bit of a pain and not all modems would be compatible. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Linksys-WAG54GS-Wireless-Router-Speed-Booster-/200467752380?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item2eaccf25bc That would be more suited to what you are after. The router has a built in modem so you can just set it up with your settings and use the one device. This router is basically the same as the WRT model. They are all old routers bud. The reason I am recommending them over the newer ones is that they are all wireless-N routers now. As I say, I find the range terrible. With the WRT54G I get a signal outside my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Interesting thread. I changed over to Virgin Broadband a week or so ago and the output range of the D-link router we now have is awful. I can't get a decent internet signal upstairs very well and unless you are about 10 feet from it, it is never at full strength. We used to have a Netgear router that had great range but we had to keep resetting it every couple of hours...... I wouldn't mind but I changed my broadband provider so I could get a free router and have ended up worse off in some ways. On the other hand, internet gaming is much better through Virgin but the Xbox is hard wired to the router. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallshinyant Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I wouldn't mind but I changed my broadband provider so I could get a free router and have ended up worse off in some ways. On the other hand, internet gaming is much better through Virgin but the Xbox is hard wired to the router. H. Hard wired is always the better option, kinda spoils the whole laptop idea though. I dont know much about the router they give out with virgin. does it have socket on the back that you can attach an antena too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Yeah Havard, will be an N Router. They are hopeless, I have tried all makes. Get a WRT54G, fairly cheap on ebay, and all your problems will be solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Next question: We have tried wi-fi in the past and had very poor signal. I think it is because of the layout of our flat plus we live above a shop with lots of electrical 'interference'. Might a dual-band modem-router work better in this case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Dont forget any of you that if you are using one of those wireless TV in any room type systems to get Sky or Virgin to your bedroom it will have a serious affect on the wifi performance. I had to fix somebodys system the other day where the router was upstairs, working fine, worked all around the house including the kitchen, but as soon as I walked in to the lounge it dropped it completely. Shifted the wifi router channels down to 2 and still had the problem, so turned it up to 13 and it was fine. So worth bearing in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallshinyant Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Just as Branners has said, once you have your router start playing around with your settings until you get the best results. There are a few guides online, but changing the channels through the odd numbers is the norm, until you find the best one for you. As i said before, if it comes with external antenna(s) you will normally get a good signal throughout the house. If your still having trouble, swap the antenna for one with greater gain(or have a go a making one yourself http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-wifi-antenna-hack). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 Another question from me. Dual-band router/modems. Do you need to have a dual-band wifi card or is there no such thing and getting it all wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 Erm... looks like I answered myself in my first post when I listed my specs. What a goof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Goof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 Goof! Thanks for that. Did I answer myself correctly though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Plethora Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I have a linksys WRT-54G also. Its served me well for a couple of years now and I only paid £30 or so for it. I have loaded custom firmware on it http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index Its very useful allowing you to alter how powerful the signal is and such. I would say the signal strength nearly doubled when I tried it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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