Yet Another Wireless Network Query

[Halo]

Lotsa wireless network threads on here, so this will be simple:  What's the latest recommendation for an inexpensive home wireless connection between an upstairs XP computer and a downstairs XP computer?

I've had a couple Linksys devices the past several years, but the latest, a WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster, has developed a crippling unfixable memory leak (i.e., sucks up 9 to 99% percent of CPU all the time, no new driver available, latest firmware no help).  

Google searches reveal quite a few with same or similar problem who apparently are just giving up on Linksys. Count me in that crowd.  And I'd rather not drill holes in the walls and floor for wired connection.  

Is there any simple reliable foolproof wireless system now available?

[toiletduck]

this is probably no help to you but i have a netgear mr314 running for about 5 years solid without a single problem.

 I have no clue about modern wifi routers but personally i like devices with actual metal housings not the cheap plastic junk.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

My Telewell TW-513 has served me really well. It has MIMO and 4 cable ports, firewall nat dhcp etc. It's also the only wireless device I've found that can cover my house upstairs to downstairs with single device.

[Pudgie]

Good question, as I'm gonna be looking into a new wireless unit myself.

But I will be looking for an all-in-one solution (modem, router & WAP).

I was at Best Buy just before X-Mas & saw a unit made by Zoom. I know from the past that Zoom made some of the best-if not the best-dialup modems around. Looking at the feature listing on the box it looks awesome & the most important aspect is that my ISP supports them. This unit is an all-in-one setup so I may just pick 1 up & try it out.

Err....sorry for rambling, but as for your situation have u considered D-Link?
They make a good setup that is much like the Linksys--the DI-704 series?

[Boroda]

Originally posted by Pudgie
Err....sorry for rambling, but as for your situation have u considered D-Link?
They make a good setup that is much like the Linksys--the DI-704 series?

Choosing Dlink over Linksys - not a very wise decision.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

D-link had a batch of products that were 100% returned to the shop with bad performance. They got droped from any self respecting hardware vendor and are still gone today.

[Halo]

What is there about posting here that sometimes evokes a solution from avenues already tried?  Must be serendipity or something.  

Finally got lucky last night on Google and found deep in a Q&A thread that the Linksys software is often the problem causing memory leaks.  

Solution was to disable the errant Linksys .exe in Windows opening, and then designate Windows as the wireless connection operator.  

Seems to work.  Only took a couple years.    I lived with a bad situation way too long.

[Fulmar]

Over the last 7 years or so, I've had Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear routers.  

The Netgear being the oldest was just a router, no wireless.  It's interface was garbage and performance was poor with frequent lock ups.  But again this years ago, have not tried anything recent.

The Linksys was my first wireless router.  Can't recall the model number but it served not too bad before the wireless kept dropping the signal and it would lock up as well under heavy traffic. (mainly torrents)

The D-Link is what I have now.  I have replaced it under warranty once as after a reset it did not boot up and could not be recognized.  DI-524 is the model.  Upon replacement it worked fine and has worked fine as a router with wireless.  Never had any problems with lock ups even with torrents.  Currently it serves only as a switch/wireless access point.  I have since moved onto a Linux based router on an old P3 550mhz IBM computer.  The processing power of this CPU and the customizing options with Linux firewalls is much greater than your plug an play store bought routers.  I currently use IPCop, but there is Clark Connect, Monowall, and smoothwall.  If you like to dabble, have a spare computer around, and enjoy not having to worry about your router or want more security/options.  I highly recommend making your own router box out of a spare PC*.

The lock ups and crashes of routers (IMO) generally are due to excessive traffic that the router's processing power can't handle, firmware problems, or hardware failure.  Making your own router is still prone to these problems.

*If you build your own PCs and have a good understanding of networking, I'd recommend it.  Otherwise, don't give yourself a headache.

[TequilaChaser]

I agree with Fumar on the spare pc   server/router option if you are capable....might be a bit pricey though to make it also for wireless use......

we all have our opinions , but I prefer D-Link over Linksys anyday.......

the DI-704 is not for Wireless  use and also has no uplink port.......( can be fixed with a loop cable though )


I use a DI-604 myself and it replaced a linksys that replaced a netgear........

keep your firmware updated and  do a monthly maint. checkup on your stuff  you should be ok.....

if you want to  get a good router pick up  a DI-604 for yourself, still can find them new and used on ebay and other places......the DI-604 is one of the best for gamers.... ( is not wireless router - forgot to add this )

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Originally posted by Halo
What is there about posting here that sometimes evokes a solution from avenues already tried?  Must be serendipity or something.  

Finally got lucky last night on Google and found deep in a Q&A thread that the Linksys software is often the problem causing memory leaks.  

Solution was to disable the errant Linksys .exe in Windows opening, and then designate Windows as the wireless connection operator.  

Seems to work.  Only took a couple years.    I lived with a bad situation way too long.

Lol so you were using the linksys bloatware on your pc? I was wondering how your router can have a memoryleak and how did you detect it!

Yeah I never use those softwares they're completely unnecessary.

[Halo]

(quote)  I was wondering how your router can have a memoryleak and how did you detect it!  (unquote)

When my computer would choke up, I'd control-alt-delete and watch the CPU usage numbers on the Windows Task Manager.  Sometimes I'd get brave and inactivate the hogging exe (something like WRT54GS.exe); things would improve until it reactivated itself.

Finally I found the thread on line that confirmed the problem and recommended inactivating the bloatware on Windows Startup.  That seems to do the trick.

[715]

I'm curious.  What exactly does WRT54GS.exe do?  I have a WRT54G and while there are drivers for the (Motorola) PCI wireless card, there is nothing for the router.  Is it something used for management (i.e. bypassing the normal web page management)?

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Boroda
Choosing Dlink over Linksys - not a very wise decision.

tbh at that end of the market they're all pretty much the same. Although I must say I've heard a few of our resellers complaining at poor linksys quality recently ( I like USRobotics - but I do sell the stuff as a low end product/box mover  ).

[OOZ662]

Wait, why is anyone using software with their routers?

That, and look into the HyperWRT Thibor 15c third-party firmware for the WRT54G series (G, GL, GS)

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Originally posted by Halo
(quote)  I was wondering how your router can have a memoryleak and how did you detect it!  (unquote)

When my computer would choke up, I'd control-alt-delete and watch the CPU usage numbers on the Windows Task Manager.  Sometimes I'd get brave and inactivate the hogging exe (something like WRT54GS.exe); things would improve until it reactivated itself.

Finally I found the thread on line that confirmed the problem and recommended inactivating the bloatware on Windows Startup.  That seems to do the trick.

Yes but you don't see anything that's in your router by control-alt-deleteing. All you see is your computer tasks and resources.