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"Choosing a router"

Hi All,

I'm fairly sure my current router (Netgear DGN2000) is giving up the ghost. Our household has several devices which are all regularly dropping wireless connection to it. Several restarts of the router get it going again but the problems are getting more and more frequent.

Anyhoo, I think it's time to look for a replacement.

I've seen the Linksys WRT1900AC which looks like a nice router but tbh there are so many choices out there that I may well be chucking good money at a spec I don't really need.

We're not really heavy data users although we do have SKY and fairly regularly use on-demand stuff. There are two laptops and a couple of mobiles too but there's no real need for anything other than to handle normal internet use.

Any advice from the more knowledgeable Freeolarers would be greatly appreciated.

JTD

Had an ongoing problem since late last year with speeds falling through the floor and web pages partially loading or failing to load at all. Tried 4 routers in total now (2 were the same make) all giving slightly different issues??? My network adapters are up to date DL, JTD my new Netgear is also dropping out. My previous router and Freeola test router (both Belkin's) didn't drop out as such but would run very slowly or would appear to be connected but would fail to load web pages (also couldn't log into router or run tests when this occured). Went on XBL last night and it kicked me out 4 times in an hour. Things seem a little better this evening but this issue is very intermittent, can go days being fine or hit periods when it's basically unusable. I've messed about with a few things over the past few days, I've also recently tried standing the router upright as it does seem to get quite warm and wondered if that may help? If things persist may have no option but to move to FTTC but Freeola aren't exactly the cheapest for this at the moment so might have to reluctantly look elsewhere. As I said earlier, tonight it hasn't been so bad and while it not may not be the fastest ADSL 2+ connection on the planet at least it has been usable.

You tried updating your network adapter drivers pete? Worked for me about a year ago.

What problems are you having Pete?

Even after buying my new router I've had to raise a support ticket because my connection is still up and down like a yoyo.

I'm sure my old router was knackered because it also kept dropping the wireless connection. at least the new one only drops the ADSL connection.

pete_21 wrote:
Hasn't been plain sailing with the Netgear so far, still experiencing issues. Will have a mess about with a few things over the next few days and see how I get on.

If you've the same Netgear DGND3300 as me pete, then I can't fault it. From the start it's performed way above expected, with one hard wired pc and multiple wireless pcs. Still we all have different situations and locations, so maybe it's not the router ....

Hasn't been plain sailing with the Netgear so far, still experiencing issues. Will have a mess about with a few things over the next few days and see how I get on.

pete_21 wrote:
Coming at you via the power of one Netgear DGND3300v2 N300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N ADSL2+ Modem Router! Seems OK so far, see if my intermittent issue returns...

Now I'm a 'happy man' pete as this is what I upgraded to and have had no problems with since ... good bit o'kit

@ Hmmm ...

"The model I've been referring to is as JTD said the DGN2200 version 3 or 4 etc. As I mentioned this is a later model of JTD's original DGN2000. DL and you (will) have a slightly different device."

Somewhat Hmmm ... next gen Netgear ... DGN2200 v's DGND3300... spot the difference ;¬)

Coming at you via the power of one Netgear DGND3300v2 N300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N ADSL2+ Modem Router! Seems OK so far, see if my intermittent issue returns...

Confusing all these Netgear names!

I used the description from Amazon when I started calling it N300 which isn't actually the model - I should have been clearer sorry, as this refers to the wireless specs.

The model I've been referring to is as JTD said the DGN2200 version 3 or 4 etc. As I mentioned this is a later model of JTD's original DGN2000. DL and you (will) have a slightly different device.

As Pete says - roll on FTTC - see my other thread :¬)
[s]Hmmm...[/s]

The one I ordered was the model DL mentioned or to give it its full title 'Netgear DGND3300v2 N300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N ADSL2+ Modem Router'. Being v2 presume this is an older model or something? There's a company selling them new on eBay for £26.99, item no. 291151529053. When I get it I'll upgrade to the latest firmware and see how I get on. I will probably upgrade to FTTC when prices drop a bit but for the last 6 months or so my Freeola ADSL 2+ home connection has behaved very erratically, fine one minute, crap the next. I very rarely get dropouts but the speed keeps falling through the floor (occasionally unusable). Thought I would a try a cheap and cheerful basic router (that wasn't a Belkin) to see if that made any difference, thought it was worth punt for that price.

I got mine from PC World (#shudders#) for £49. It's the DGN2200v4.

Not had any problems so far with dropouts/reconnections. I did upgrade the firmware though.