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jaxsunst

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I think my wireless router is going out. It's a G-band Motorola, I've had it a long time, don't remember how long. I have to reset it almost daily, sometimes twice a day. Is there something else I should check, or just replace it?

If I need to replace it, can anyone recommend a good inexpensive one?
 
Netgear N150

I recently installed a Netgear N150 router for my parents, who wanted it for house guests' convenience (friends and grandchildren bring iPhones or other WiFi devices) and for occasional laptop use---though most of their computer use is on a desktop PC. Their home is two story, about 1800 square feet, and signal is good throughout house. The router was $40, and the price appears unchanged; we bought it at Best Buy. Set up was the easiest of any router I have installed. The installation wizard virtually does it all for you, you simply select security level (e.g. WEP, WPA2, etc.) and your code.

Subsequent to installing this router, they needed a new tv, and bought a Vizio 37" model with built-in WiFi so they could watch Netflix. Although the N150 is not a dual-band router, the streaming performance is excellent when using Netflix. My guess is that if you are currently using a g router, most likely you aren't using streaming applications and are using perhaps basic notebook/laptop functions and perhaps a WiFi-enabled phone.

Give the Netgear N150 a try for $40. If you aren't happy with it, you can always return it. If you think you may eventually add higher bandwidth streaming applications (e.g. Netflix on a WiFi enabled tv, dvd player, or Wii/Playstation, or iPad/iPhone), you may find that this router is all you need, rather than a fancier/pricier dual band model. Although I now use a dual band at home, because I gave my earlier router (don't remember brand) to a friend who had no router, Netflix seemed to work fine with the previous wireless N single band router.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR...itch/9612883.p?id=1218131364790&skuId=9612883
passatdoc++2-7-2012-09-50-3.jpg
 
Ditto on the Netgear N150  works great for us also.

[this post was last edited: 2/7/2012-20:17]
 
Likewise - Netgear

Had a Linksys, worked well for years, but did require re-setting more often in the last couple of years.  Purchased a Netgear at the recommendation of the Wal-Mart salesperson - who said is would be the easiest to install and indeed it was - works perfect.  We run 4 wireless devices, house 3200 sq ft, router in far corner of home - great results.  And forgot to mention, cost less than the Linksys replacement I was originally going to purchase.
 
Get the best

Get a Netgear WNDR4500 ..

These routers / firewalls are amazing. They have excellent throughput rate, decent power consumption, are flexible and are easy to set up and use.

My Second choice would be a Linksys E4200..

These little routers have a lot of capability and are nearly future proof. They'll push through a Gigabit, which is something that no ISP will be offering at least for the next ten years, but you'll be ready when it comes.

Where these little machines shine is when you want to do wireless. Wireless routers need a lot of processor power to push through the bits, because everything is encrypted and decrypted as it enters and leaves your wireless card.

They have the most amount of range and thereby the best throughput.

http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/ultimate-performance/WNDR4500.aspx
 
Oh, I just thought I'd mention, these little boxes cost a bit, but spending the extra cash on them is worth it. Don't compromise on buying another cheap router.

Oh, another thing I would highly suggest is getting a decent UPS to put it on.
Something like a APC Back-UPS 500 would be ideal. Although, a 250 VA is adequate enough to do the job.

I personally run a 1200 VA UPS to run all of my networking equipment. It was cheap enough. I've spent more on just plain batteries...
 
Thank you for your suggestions. I'll describe what I've got doing on right now. When I'm here alone, I have a blu-ray player and wii that uses g-band. and a Mac and iPad that uses N. When my kids are here, add 2 more laptops, that use G, and a tablet that uses (thanks to their mother) that uses N.

Right now, everything is using G, but if that ancient router is going out (had to reset it twice today), I would like to get something that will last a while. I'm thinking about investing in an Airport.
 
Oh God. Don't.. Just take my advice and buy the best. You won't regret it.

Wireless has a big issue where it's a bus topology, not a star topology, so everything is sharing the same amount of bandwidth.

It's one of the reasons why the network engineer at my workplace refuses to put in anything which says "Wireless" on it.

You want to get the fastest wireless capable for the setup you are using.
 
It finished going out this morning. Ended up buying an Apple Airport Express. I'm really happy with it, my devices are working better than I could have imagined.
 
Btw, right now, my bluray player is streaming Netflix, both of my kids laptops, my Mac desktop, 2 iPhones, and I'm typing on my iPad are all hitting it. It works fantastic.
 
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