Can someone recommend a good router?

I was using a Linksys wrt160n but for some reason, it no longer recognizes my network. It gave me a lot of problems and although I can probably fix it, im fed up and will likely just toss it.

That said, any recs for a basic wirless router for a 1000 square foot apartment? Any other advice you can offer (including which network "letter" i should be using-my most recent was an "N")

BTW-I have a Dell Latitued E6400 w/an Intel 5150 wifi card. What letter would I use with this?

Thanks!

 

As for yours, have you reset and updated the firmware?

For a cheap, high powered G try the BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54, it runs any aftermarket firmware pretty much, costs about $60 and is a workhorse.

For N speeds, look at the Linksys e3000 and Netgear WNDR3700 (the current king). These both run about $150

There is a new contender though, the TRENDnet TEW-691GR, which has a throughput of 450mbps. You may need a new nic in your notebook though to get that speed and I have yet to see any tests on it. These run around $150

 

Thanks very much Leslie.



I have reset my Linksys but how do I go about getting new firmware? I do I download it if my computer cannot connect to my device?

Lastly, what is the diff between N and G and, do I need dual band?

I went to download the firmware but its telling me I have to access the admin feature of my router by going through its webpage. How am I suppossed to do that if I cant get interenet access via the router (wired)?

 

You don't need dual band, it is nice if you have older G devices that will be connecting so you can separate the bands they connect to and not slow down the N devices.

N is faster than G, that's about all you really need to know.

When connecting wired (and your wireless card is turned off) to your Linksys router, you still cannot get an IP ? If you go to your web browser and type in 192.168.1.1 , you cannot connect?

 

Nope; thats my problem.
During setup it just sits there saying "trying to connect to the internet" but it never does. Then I just hit cancel and an error appears.

I hope im connecting it properly; going from my modem to my router, router to the computer. For some reason, it wont connect.

 

Go to the Linksys site and download the firmware. Never update it through the routers firmware, it's a recipe for disaster. The same applies to the wireless.

Download the newest firmware, reset the router to default settings (write down your settings or make a backup of them first), then connect with a wire to your router (not wireless!), it doesn't need internet access. Once connected to the router, you can upgrade it through the interface, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. When done you can put some of your old settings back in.

 

If you want good solid all around performance and piece of mind get the Netgear WNDR3700 .And don't toss away your old router.Make it your back up policy.

 

Why replace something that may be perfectly workable in a few minutes of work.

You don't need a WNDR3700 to get a nice, stable router. If you want the best, yeah, but others are more than enough for most home users.

 

Hey I couldn't agree more with you.I am just offering an alternative to the OP who seems convinced that his router needs tossing away.

 

Which version of WRT160N is it?

If you have the v1 or v3, i suggest you flash it with DD-WRT or Tomato, makes it a much better router. Might even solve all your problems.

 

I would recommend it as a last resort. Factory firmware on newer routers is faster and contains the features 99.999% of home users need. Having the ability to run DD-WRT is a good feature and can be helpful when problems like this happen, but on newer routers factory firmware should be your first choice. Don't get me wrong, I love aftermarket firmware and I encourage people to try it and only buy routers with the ability to run it. Choice is good.

Tomato will not run on the 160, Tomato pretty much only runs on only a handful of WRT54g variants. It's great firmware, but very limited, yes it could be adapted if you know what you're doing, but that doesn't really ensure a stable router and you are down while you mess with it. Keep in mind that even installing DD-WRT can be risky and the skills necessary to restore or make hardware work is beyond many people.

 

Thanks for all of your help; finally got it to work. I downloaded the latest frimware, honestly not knowing what "version" i have.

Seems to work now so, all good.

The problem I was having was with the installation CD that came with the unit-it kept telling me there was an error. After a couple of tries I installed the Linksys Easy Link Advisor and installed it through there.

 

too bad i joined late...

i highly recommend the one i have: asus RT-N16 loaded with Tomato USB 'teddy-bear'

only bad thing, not dual band. Otherwise, it works nicely.

USB print support, USB HDD(2-7MB/s transfer speeds), I have 5 people connected directly, and 3 more people connected via Netgear WNR834B loaded with dd-wrt connected as a repeater bridge 70 feet away with 3 walls between

broadcasted in mixed, G/N clients, 25mbps comcast, getting 20-25 wired without router, 15 wired on router, and 10 on router with all those clients connected

and it was only $80

 

I have the same router on my bottom floor, then the WRT110n on the 2nd floor. But I most certainly agree... the Asus RT-N16 is a beast. It's also the one I set up in the office where I work. It's never frozen, spontaneously restarted, or malfunctioned in any way. It's routinely got about 30-35 clients, + 8-10 mobile devices connected at any given time. (even without dual band N it's still worth every single penny of $80.)

Edit: But I use DD-Wrt instead of Tomato.