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As we are at the end of a long, rural, overhead line we swapped last year to a Netgear DGN2000 router with Broadcom chipset?
This improved our ADSL stats significantly however it's fried itself now despite me mounting it vertically after the first two ports went down and I googled the problem. Wireless is still ok.
Trying to return it to Netgear. Should I persevere with a DGN2000 mounted vertically - or is there anything better out there?
Thanks if you can help
The Apprentice
This improved our ADSL stats significantly however it's fried itself now despite me mounting it vertically after the first two ports went down and I googled the problem. Wireless is still ok.
Trying to return it to Netgear. Should I persevere with a DGN2000 mounted vertically - or is there anything better out there?
Thanks if you can help
The Apprentice
...just stumbled across these 'wireless repeaters' Netgear WN2000RPT which might be another option.
Other makes are available - search for Wireless network extender or repeater :¬)
Other makes are available - search for Wireless network extender or repeater :¬)
[s]Hmmm...[/s]
As DL says it could be a simple fix and be sorted by changing wireless channels - worth a shot.
There are a few things that could be going on and there are a number of options to take! The good thing is that it's only your wireless and not your broadband connection :¬)
There are quite a few Apple 'discussions' about wifi dropping - it looks like there have been some s/w issues in the past. But if you are seeing this on a few devices then it's probably unlikely. Shame you only have Apple kit to troubleshoot with!
You mention swapping browsers can fix things - that doesn't sound as if your wireless is actually dropping. That sounds more like a software issue. But perhaps it's just a coincidence and by the time you've switched browsers the connection was back anyway? Do you see the problem when you're working close to your router?
There's a good chance if your router isn't centrally located in your house then it could be just poor signal. Foil backed insulation, or thick walls etc. all helps to knock out the signal. How far away are your wireless 'bits' from your router? The bigger the house the more of a problem this becomes!
You could try Homeplugs to get your wireless signal around your house - I've linked to pb's past review which can work well.
I plug a 'Wireless Access Point' (WAP) into my router (Netgear WG602) - to get better coverage. This uses a CAT5 Network Cable to connect to the router so you have to think about running a cable to where your are going to locate the WAP. For me this works well and gives two WiFi connections in my house - one on my wireless router and another located elsewhere via my WAP.
As for a replacement router if your Netgear is on it's way out - which may or may not change your wireless situation then on my wish list would be a Billion 7800n - another Broadcom based chipset and is getting good reviews. It's also IPv6 ready (as are Freeola!) which is useful. It's a bit more expensive than some of the run of the mill routers (around £125) though.
There are a few things that could be going on and there are a number of options to take! The good thing is that it's only your wireless and not your broadband connection :¬)
There are quite a few Apple 'discussions' about wifi dropping - it looks like there have been some s/w issues in the past. But if you are seeing this on a few devices then it's probably unlikely. Shame you only have Apple kit to troubleshoot with!
You mention swapping browsers can fix things - that doesn't sound as if your wireless is actually dropping. That sounds more like a software issue. But perhaps it's just a coincidence and by the time you've switched browsers the connection was back anyway? Do you see the problem when you're working close to your router?
There's a good chance if your router isn't centrally located in your house then it could be just poor signal. Foil backed insulation, or thick walls etc. all helps to knock out the signal. How far away are your wireless 'bits' from your router? The bigger the house the more of a problem this becomes!
You could try Homeplugs to get your wireless signal around your house - I've linked to pb's past review which can work well.
I plug a 'Wireless Access Point' (WAP) into my router (Netgear WG602) - to get better coverage. This uses a CAT5 Network Cable to connect to the router so you have to think about running a cable to where your are going to locate the WAP. For me this works well and gives two WiFi connections in my house - one on my wireless router and another located elsewhere via my WAP.
As for a replacement router if your Netgear is on it's way out - which may or may not change your wireless situation then on my wish list would be a Billion 7800n - another Broadcom based chipset and is getting good reviews. It's also IPv6 ready (as are Freeola!) which is useful. It's a bit more expensive than some of the run of the mill routers (around £125) though.
[s]Hmmm...[/s] 
The Apprentice wrote:
We suffer periods of 'wireless drop' that last a few seconds and usually cured by waiting or swapping from safari to firefox (all wireless is to apple devices)
Hi The Apprentice, this may or may not be relevant but I have suggested this advice to two clients re: wireless drop recently and all seems to be ok now for them. Accessing your router settings menu and changing the AP channel to channel 7 (the default seems to be 6) ... sounds simple but it seems to have the desired effect :¬)
We suffer periods of 'wireless drop' that last a few seconds and usually cured by waiting or swapping from safari to firefox (all wireless is to apple devices)
Hi The Apprentice, this may or may not be relevant but I have suggested this advice to two clients re: wireless drop recently and all seems to be ok now for them. Accessing your router settings menu and changing the AP channel to channel 7 (the default seems to be 6) ... sounds simple but it seems to have the desired effect :¬)
Our Netgear DGN2000 router was repaired last year after the usual well reported 'overheating' problems.
Give Netgear their due, it was f.o.c. once you swallowed the express carriage charge.
However, a year on, performance is patchy again despite vertical mounting and a slave fanning it 24/7 with a boa feather.
We suffer periods of 'wireless drop' that last a few seconds and usually cured by waiting or swapping from safari to firefox (all wireless is to apple devices)
Is there now a better router out there? We also need more range. Has anyone any experience of a booster or would it be better to route a Cat 5 extension from the RJ45 around the outside of the house and back into the room that has 'no service'
Grateful for an opinion on a router and also a booster.
Thanks
The Apprentice
Give Netgear their due, it was f.o.c. once you swallowed the express carriage charge.
However, a year on, performance is patchy again despite vertical mounting and a slave fanning it 24/7 with a boa feather.
We suffer periods of 'wireless drop' that last a few seconds and usually cured by waiting or swapping from safari to firefox (all wireless is to apple devices)
Is there now a better router out there? We also need more range. Has anyone any experience of a booster or would it be better to route a Cat 5 extension from the RJ45 around the outside of the house and back into the room that has 'no service'
Grateful for an opinion on a router and also a booster.
Thanks
The Apprentice
Hmmm... wrote:
> Hi, I'm away at the moment which is why I've been a bit quiet
> :¬)
>
> Eccles is right, I'm a Broadcom fan!
>
> My day-to-day router is the Speedtouch 585v6. I have a Broadcom
> DG834GT as well that performs about the same.
>
> I'm familiar with the network ports failing on the DGN2000 -
> it's a shame Netgear aren't on the case as there are many reports
> out there.
>
> Otherwise it's a good router and one I recommend to people!
> I would persevere with Netgear especially if it's under
> warranty. A few weeks ago I was following some of the port
> problems reported on the Netgear forum but at the time Netgear
> hadn't responded - have you seen those?
>
> Please let us know how you get on with Netgear.
> ...and if you get a replacement DGN2000 remember to put it on
> it's vertical stand from the start :¬)
>
>
Thanks Hmmm,
kind of you to reply when you're away - half term I guess :)
Talking (at length!! £££) to helpful Netgear support last night it seems they will replace but only after they have 'interrogated it' (?) online and then re-set it. I am a little hesitant to agree to this just now as my boss who is an IT guru is also away and despite me having a record of the broadband log-on details the support bod warned me that resetting it could scupper the remaining working port and the wireless. So will wait until he who knows returns next week to hold my hand.
If all fails I still have my old non-wireless router.
Glad to know that you still have faith in Netgear and let's hope that the replacement when it comes - and I mount it upright - will not have the same issues.
Incidentally - it seems the Netgear routers have a 2yr warranty.
Thanks again for your replies all.
> Hi, I'm away at the moment which is why I've been a bit quiet
> :¬)
>
> Eccles is right, I'm a Broadcom fan!
>
> My day-to-day router is the Speedtouch 585v6. I have a Broadcom
> DG834GT as well that performs about the same.
>
> I'm familiar with the network ports failing on the DGN2000 -
> it's a shame Netgear aren't on the case as there are many reports
> out there.
>
> Otherwise it's a good router and one I recommend to people!
> I would persevere with Netgear especially if it's under
> warranty. A few weeks ago I was following some of the port
> problems reported on the Netgear forum but at the time Netgear
> hadn't responded - have you seen those?
>
> Please let us know how you get on with Netgear.
> ...and if you get a replacement DGN2000 remember to put it on
> it's vertical stand from the start :¬)
>
>
[s]Hmmm...[/s]Thanks Hmmm,
kind of you to reply when you're away - half term I guess :)
Talking (at length!! £££) to helpful Netgear support last night it seems they will replace but only after they have 'interrogated it' (?) online and then re-set it. I am a little hesitant to agree to this just now as my boss who is an IT guru is also away and despite me having a record of the broadband log-on details the support bod warned me that resetting it could scupper the remaining working port and the wireless. So will wait until he who knows returns next week to hold my hand.
If all fails I still have my old non-wireless router.
Glad to know that you still have faith in Netgear and let's hope that the replacement when it comes - and I mount it upright - will not have the same issues.
Incidentally - it seems the Netgear routers have a 2yr warranty.
Thanks again for your replies all.
Hi, I'm away at the moment which is why I've been a bit quiet :¬)
Eccles is right, I'm a Broadcom fan!
My day-to-day router is the Speedtouch 585v6. I have a Broadcom DG834GT as well that performs about the same.
I'm familiar with the network ports failing on the DGN2000 - it's a shame Netgear aren't on the case as there are many reports out there.
Otherwise it's a good router and one I recommend to people!
I would persevere with Netgear especially if it's under warranty. A few weeks ago I was following some of the port problems reported on the Netgear forum but at the time Netgear hadn't responded - have you seen those?
Please let us know how you get on with Netgear.
...and if you get a replacement DGN2000 remember to put it on it's vertical stand from the start :¬)
Eccles is right, I'm a Broadcom fan!
My day-to-day router is the Speedtouch 585v6. I have a Broadcom DG834GT as well that performs about the same.
I'm familiar with the network ports failing on the DGN2000 - it's a shame Netgear aren't on the case as there are many reports out there.
Otherwise it's a good router and one I recommend to people!
I would persevere with Netgear especially if it's under warranty. A few weeks ago I was following some of the port problems reported on the Netgear forum but at the time Netgear hadn't responded - have you seen those?
Please let us know how you get on with Netgear.
...and if you get a replacement DGN2000 remember to put it on it's vertical stand from the start :¬)
[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Eccles, thanks for this info - I'll have a look at these as well. Perhaps Hmmm will have a view too as I agree he seems quite knowledeable on routers.
Netgear seem to be relatively helpful after I talked to them but will not replace until I have rung them back later today (from home where the router is) as they say they need to examine it by 'looking at it' online first.
I'll miss the fact that my office stays warm and that I can have fried eggs, toast and marmalade courtesy of this router.
Seriously though, for such a popular router, you would think Netgear would acknowledge this overheat problem and fix it?
Netgear seem to be relatively helpful after I talked to them but will not replace until I have rung them back later today (from home where the router is) as they say they need to examine it by 'looking at it' online first.
I'll miss the fact that my office stays warm and that I can have fried eggs, toast and marmalade courtesy of this router.
Seriously though, for such a popular router, you would think Netgear would acknowledge this overheat problem and fix it?
There are plenty of routers that use a Broadcom chipset. Go here and type in broadcom and you see.
Here are some ADSL routers using Broadcom I know of:
Thomson 510v6, 536v6, 546v6, 585v6, 585v7 and 780WL.
Netgear DG834Gv4, DG834v4, DM111P, DG834GT, DG834N and DG834PN
D-Link DSL-300B, DSL-2542B, DSL-2640B and DSL-2740B
I'm not a fan of D-Link. Thomson routers are generally good though.
I believe Hmmm, a fellow forum poster, has a line similar to yours and uses a Thomson router or maybe and unlocked BT Business router (2wire). Perhaps he'll be along soon to offer some advice.
Here are some ADSL routers using Broadcom I know of:
Thomson 510v6, 536v6, 546v6, 585v6, 585v7 and 780WL.
Netgear DG834Gv4, DG834v4, DM111P, DG834GT, DG834N and DG834PN
D-Link DSL-300B, DSL-2542B, DSL-2640B and DSL-2740B
I'm not a fan of D-Link. Thomson routers are generally good though.
I believe Hmmm, a fellow forum poster, has a line similar to yours and uses a Thomson router or maybe and unlocked BT Business router (2wire). Perhaps he'll be along soon to offer some advice.
As we are at the end of a long, rural, overhead line we swapped last year to a Netgear DGN2000 router with Broadcom chipset?
This improved our ADSL stats significantly however it's fried itself now despite me mounting it vertically after the first two ports went down and I googled the problem. Wireless is still ok.
Trying to return it to Netgear. Should I persevere with a DGN2000 mounted vertically - or is there anything better out there?
Thanks if you can help
The Apprentice
This improved our ADSL stats significantly however it's fried itself now despite me mounting it vertically after the first two ports went down and I googled the problem. Wireless is still ok.
Trying to return it to Netgear. Should I persevere with a DGN2000 mounted vertically - or is there anything better out there?
Thanks if you can help
The Apprentice