Any experts on Networks out there?

[Seismica]

I've become more and more frustrated in recent months that I haven't been able to connect devices to my old Netgear router. Ipod touch, smartphones, PSP, PS3, wii etc. all fail to connect for one reason or another.

I usually don't have any problems at all when it comes to technology, but Networks are a particular problem for me it seems.

What I want to do is to discontinue the old router we currently have (Netgear D834G I think) and install a new one. I had a look around and found that Linksys seem to be quite reliable and have good reviews across the board, so i'll go with them.

So, to the point:

I have an ADSL connection, not a cable connection. I want a new wireless network modem/router thingy, but i'm very confused;

Why is this so much more expensive than this? It's baffling, they seem almost identical.

I have a feeling that because ADSL connections are the most common in the UK, prices of ADSL compatible hardware is higher accordingly, I doubt it's £60 more expensive to manufacture.

I heard somewhere that I can get the cable one and bridge the connection through my netgear one that i have now, so we'd get all the benefits of the better wireless connection for significantly less cost. Is this feasible/doable?

 

[TB]

Is your Netgear the only piece of equipment you have (ie phone line goes in and then it broadcasts the wireless signal) or do you have a modem and a separate router?

 

[Casio]

Personally I think Linksys are junk, but everyone has their own personal opinion on routers.

But with what you're saying. It's a little more complicated than you may think, cause in reality you're connecting 2 routers together. Which is a pain cause you end up with two DCHP servers, 2 NATs, twice the port forwarding work, etc, etc. What you really want is a Wireless Access Point rather than a wireless router. Connect it to your ADSL modem LAN port, configure access, and away you go. However, if you can fully bridge your Netgear, in theory you should be able to add a wireless router too it.

 

[DQuaN]

Have you tried changing the Channel on your wireless? Apple devices struggle if it's on 10 or 11, not sure about Sony devices though. Try channel 7 and see what happens.

Otherwise, as Casio says, a half decent Wireless AP should do the trick for you.

 

[Famine]

I've become more and more frustrated in recent months that I haven't been able to connect devices to my old Netgear router. Ipod touch, smartphones, PSP, PS3, wii etc. all fail to connect for one reason or another.

I usually don't have any problems at all when it comes to technology, but Networks are a particular problem for me it seems.

What I want to do is to discontinue the old router we currently have (Netgear D834G I think) and install a new one.

We have that exact router - the Netgear DG834GT, as given to Sky Broadbean customers in 2004ish. I find mine to be almost flawless - and it's just come through a UKGTP event unscathed...

Starting with the premise that it's not broken - it might be - there's a few things for you to try.

First, assuming it was used for Sky Broadbean originally, has it been reflashed correctly? Assuming that it has, have you tried updating with the latest Netgear firmware?

Second, is it plugged into the Master Socket (the first point of access for the phoneline in the house) rather than an extension? This shouldn't affect your wirelessness, but it's good practice.

Moving on, download NetStumbler onto a wireless-enabled PC or laptop. Use NetStumbler to detect other local WAPs which may be interfering with the signal from yours - anything broadcasting a similar signal on the same channel will interfere and if it's close enough to you it'll play havoc. Change the channel in your router's control panel so it's numerically as far away from the closest (NetStumbler displays proximity as noise - the noisiest connection is the "closest") possible WAPs that may interfere, but stay away from the edges. I have a bunch of default 1s and 11s nearby and a couple of 5s, so mine's on 7.

The next thing you can try is assigning static IPs to everything. This is a bit of a pain to do - it's easy in the router but a trial in your devices depending on how easy they've made it for you. When devices add themselves to your network, they can trample all over each other trying to get an IP assigned automatically.

• With a device connected, go to router control panel
• Go to LAN IP Setup (under "Advanced")
• Go to "add"
• Find the MAC Address of the device (it should be the only one, if you've only connected one thing). Click the radio button.
• Type in the IP address you want to assign - your router will be #1 (and probably 192.168.0.1), so start adding devices at #2 (I did it in order of importance originally, and then chronologically as new devices are added - my big PC is 192.168.0.2). Assign a name to it too, so you can remember.
• Click "Add"
• On your device, do whatever is necessary to assign this IP address to it - on PS3s it's under Network Settings/Internet Connection Settings, Custom, Wired/Wireless Connection, Auto-Detect, Manual (under "IP Address Settings") and put in the IP address, the subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), the default router IP (probably 192.168.0.1) and primary/secondary DNS (I use 208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222 - for OpenDNS). Then Automatic, Do Not Use, Enable, Enter, Test/Enter, job jobbed. On a Windows XP device, go to Network Connections (Network and Sharing Center, then "Manage Adapter Settings" on Windows 7 - I have no Vista, but it'll be similar to 7), right-click the connection (ethernet/wireless), Properties, Internet Protocol Version 4/IPv4, Properties and tap in the same numbers above for "Use the following IP address" and "Use the following DNS server addresses".

You now have the same network settings as I do. And if it still doesn't work, it's broken.

 

[David]

Why is this so much more expensive than this? It's baffling, they seem almost identical.

The more expensive one has an ADSL modem built right into it so its an all in one solution (like what you currently have from my understanding), while the cheaper one is just a wireless router and switch.

 

[Seismica]

Is your Netgear the only piece of equipment you have (ie phone line goes in and then it broadcasts the wireless signal) or do you have a modem and a separate router?

I believe the router is plugged straight into the phone line, there is no seperate modem.

But with what you're saying. It's a little more complicated than you may think, cause in reality you're connecting 2 routers together. Which is a pain cause you end up with two DCHP servers, 2 NATs, twice the port forwarding work, etc, etc. What you really want is a Wireless Access Point rather than a wireless router. Connect it to your ADSL modem LAN port, configure access, and away you go. However, if you can fully bridge your Netgear, in theory you should be able to add a wireless router too it.

Is it not possible to turn off some functions (Such as wireless) of the Netgear router so it just acts as a modem?

Have you tried changing the Channel on your wireless? Apple devices struggle if it's on 10 or 11, not sure about Sony devices though. Try channel 7 and see what happens.

Otherwise, as Casio says, a half decent Wireless AP should do the trick for you.

A half decent Wireless AP is expensive. Unless I can get this existing one to work properly...

We have that exact router - the Netgear DG834GT, as given to Sky Broadbean customers in 2004ish. I find mine to be almost flawless - and it's just come through a UKGTP event unscathed...

Starting with the premise that it's not broken - it might be - there's a few things for you to try.

First, assuming it was used for Sky Broadbean originally, has it been reflashed correctly? Assuming that it has, have you tried updating with the latest Netgear firmware?

Second, is it plugged into the Master Socket (the first point of access for the phoneline in the house) rather than an extension? This shouldn't affect your wirelessness, but it's good practice.

Moving on, download NetStumbler onto a wireless-enabled PC or laptop. Use NetStumbler to detect other local WAPs which may be interfering with the signal from yours - anything broadcasting a similar signal on the same channel will interfere and if it's close enough to you it'll play havoc. Change the channel in your router's control panel so it's numerically as far away from the closest (NetStumbler displays proximity as noise - the noisiest connection is the "closest") possible WAPs that may interfere, but stay away from the edges. I have a bunch of default 1s and 11s nearby and a couple of 5s, so mine's on 7.

The next thing you can try is assigning static IPs to everything. This is a bit of a pain to do - it's easy in the router but a trial in your devices depending on how easy they've made it for you. When devices add themselves to your network, they can trample all over each other trying to get an IP assigned automatically.

• With a device connected, go to router control panel
• Go to LAN IP Setup (under "Advanced")
• Go to "add"
• Find the MAC Address of the device (it should be the only one, if you've only connected one thing). Click the radio button.
• Type in the IP address you want to assign - your router will be #1 (and probably 192.168.0.1), so start adding devices at #2 (I did it in order of importance originally, and then chronologically as new devices are added - my big PC is 192.168.0.2). Assign a name to it too, so you can remember.
• Click "Add"
• On your device, do whatever is necessary to assign this IP address to it - on PS3s it's under Network Settings/Internet Connection Settings, Custom, Wired/Wireless Connection, Auto-Detect, Manual (under "IP Address Settings") and put in the IP address, the subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), the default router IP (probably 192.168.0.1) and primary/secondary DNS (I use 208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222 - for OpenDNS). Then Automatic, Do Not Use, Enable, Enter, Test/Enter, job jobbed. On a Windows XP device, go to Network Connections (Network and Sharing Center, then "Manage Adapter Settings" on Windows 7 - I have no Vista, but it'll be similar to 7), right-click the connection (ethernet/wireless), Properties, Internet Protocol Version 4/IPv4, Properties and tap in the same numbers above for "Use the following IP address" and "Use the following DNS server addresses".

You now have the same network settings as I do. And if it still doesn't work, it's broken.

The one we have is the D834G v3 router. It was bought at a car boot sale a few years back for about a tenner by my uncle, so I don't know it's origins. We use it with AOL broadband.

If this was my house, i'd simply change ISP to BT, 02 or BE which would not only improve our speed, but we'd get a better router with it too. I want a cheap/temporary solution as it's only really for this summer whilst i'm at my mam's. It had occured to me that maybe it wasn't set up correctly, so i'll try what you've said and see if that works.

The more expensive one has an ADSL modem built right into it so its an all in one solution (like what you currently have from my understanding), while the cheaper one is just a wireless router and switch.

So a built in modem is an extra £60? I find that hard to believe, they must be ripping us off.

 

[Jondot]

Contrary to Famine's experience, we've got a DG834G in our flat (bought to replace one of the woeful Thompson things O2/be hand out) and while the ADSL connection is pretty reliable, we have a lot of issues with it dropping wireless connections to devices and then just disappearing from sight altogether.

The way we've got around this is by, as you mention, buying a 'cable' router and plugging it into the back of the Netgear with an ethernet cable. Works very nicely. So yes, essentially buy a 'cable' router of your choice, plug it in and you're good to go.

Our second router of choice is a bought-for-£15-in-the-PCWorld-bargain-bin Linksys WRT54G (which I flashed with DD-WRT for... some reason I can't remember), and I must say it's been excellent. It's coming up to 3 years old now and still going strong - I don't think it's ever missed a beat. Unfortunately, from what I can see review-wise, Linksys' newer routers don't seem to be so fantastic. Personally I'd hunt around on eBay for a '54G like mine - there are plenty lurking around for not too high a price.

EDIT

Since your Netgear is of mysterious origins and unknown age, if you haven't tried so already it wouldn't be a bad idea to see how it runs with a computer wired straight into the back. Y'know, just so you can see how it runs when you're bypassing the WiFi. Obviously if it's still a bit rubbish then it's probably time for a new ADSL router, but if you're getting a reasonable connection through an ethernet connection then buying a second router would work very nicely.

 

[TB]

So a built in modem is an extra £60? I find that hard to believe, they must be ripping us off.

Keep in mind that for some people, the convenience of having everything in one box so you know there are no communication issues like you could have with a separate modem and router is worth the extra price. For others it comes down to simplicity - one and done. Myself, I wanted to use Tomato, so I opted for separate components - a modem from the phone company and a Linksys WRT54GL. Everyone's needs are different and, for once, a company isn't offering only a one size fits all solution. It's then your call to decide the best route for you and purchase accordingly.

 

[Sureboss]

Like Jon I use an old WRT54G as my Access Point, as the Sky Sagem router is dodgier than Del Boy. From the signal struggling to reach Laptop/PS3, I now have superb signal strength on both, it was flawless for three years as a Virgin Media/Cable & Wireless router and does the job as a WAP. There's an easy to setup guide here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Linksys-WRT54G-to-Be-an-Access-Point

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cisco-Linksys...K_Computing_Networking_SM&hash=item2c5d199793

To start on the eBay malarkey.

 

[Seismica]

Well, hats off to Famine I've managed to connect my PSP, my phone and my Brother's netbook using the settings he has recommended (Automatic IP and DNS settings seemed to be the problem I guess). I will soon attempt to connect the Wii, two PS3s and my iPod touch. My phone was tricky because the MAC address isn't stated anywhere in the menus or in the case like you'd expect it to be, but the router recognised it when I tried to connect.

The signal strength and reliability aren't bad at all, it was just connection issues with new devices that was my problem. Now I don't have to buy a new router . The speed problem I have is down to the ISP and our outdated internet package (Which isn't down to me to resolve unfortunately).