Comments on: Hello NETGEAR, Goodbye Linksys

By: Don T. Bothers

Don T. Bothers — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:23:31 +0000

I’ve also had major issues with Linksys Access Points. Poor signal strength, constant lockups, and extremely poor support are the norm. The problem is not even isolated. Most of my friends who have Linksys products have similar experiences. What I’ve noticed is that once they switch to Netgear products, their signal is a lot better, their internet experience is a lot faster, and their access point does not crash anymore. However, I do have friends who are committed to Linksys for whatever reason, and they just keep buying newer and newer versions hoping that their problems will go away. I feel sorry for them. In the meanwhile, I have switched to Netgear and networking at home has become pure bliss.

By: Jason Kennerly

Jason Kennerly — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 03:36:10 +0000

You can set EITHER of those brands up to work in any subnet you want, as long as said subnet isn't a huge one (no /16 or /8 networks, you can't have 10., but subnets within them such as 10.20.30. are fine too.

For networks with static IPs, its easier to change one computer, configure the router properly, hit save, change that computer back, then verify you can get back into the router... problem solved without leaving your desk.

For truly DHCP based systems, its all sort of silly anyways since every time you reset the router, let alone replace it, you ought to force all the computers to renew their DHCP addresses, or the router will not know that that computer is the true owner of that address, and may reissue it.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 06:02:49 +0000

The subnet wasn't the issue. Either router works fine with whatever subnet I choose. It's just that changing subnets on a router while using DHCP will cause the machines that have leased an address to not be able to get past the router. Expiring their leases forces them to acquire a new address, which will then be assigned in the new subnet.

I ended up giving away the Linksys router, so I don't have it to experiment with (or be tortured by) anymore. I actually have had similar disconnect problems with the Netgear router in the time I have owned it, but overall it has been far more reliable than the Linksys. If only my Earthlink/Covad DSL connection were as relaible as my router.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 05:51:45 +0000

what about changing the linksys to the 192.168.0.x subnet if you like that one sso much or want to be different

By: Kamal

Kamal — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 23:05:32 +0000

I bought a Linksys Wirelss Network router (can’t remember the model name now), or was rather recommeded to buy it it by PC World and was eager to set it up. When it actually came to setting it up, i had some difficulty. Linksys is not compatible with AOL! Thanks for telling me…Anyway, I got a refund and everything and was recommended by AOL that I get a netgear wirless network router and since it’s been set up (was quite easy to set up) it has been working perfectly. However, the only thing that I notice is that sometimes where there are power surges, the router keeps disconnecting me, but these are rare occasions. One other thing is the signal downstairs (it is set up upstairs) is pretty poor (on low to very low in some places.) Can anyone recommend a signal booster that I can buy? Thanks.

By: Jo

Jo — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 15:06:40 +0000

Is your G3′s IP address assigned static or dynamic? Linksys responded a couple days ago saying I should assign a static address for my G3 and see if that fixed the problem.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 08:32:43 +0000

I think the problem is with the Mac G3, not the router.

I started having the same problems with my NetGear router about two weeks ago. After I got back from vacation a couple days ago, I decided to take a look at all the connections on my network. I discovered that I had reconnected the G3 to the NetGear when I was trying to download a new version of some software for the G3. As soon as I disconnected the G3, the problem went away and has not come back.

The bizarre thing is that the G3 didn't even have to be turned on. Just being plugged in was enough to cause the problem. There must be something odd about how the ethernet connection is terminated on the G3's internal network card.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:42:59 +0000

Thank you Thank you Thank you for posting about your problem with the Dell, Mac G3, and Linksys Router! I’ve been going crazy for three days trying to figure out what I did wrong! I’ve had the EXACT same problem – right down to NO response to my email to Linksys. (Which I think is downright bad business) Even a “we don’t know what caused this” answer is better than complete snubbery!

By: Richard Berger

Richard Berger — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Interestingly I have had the opposite experience. I have always used Linksys and been very happy with it - starting with the BFW1154 WAP/Router - which we use both wired and wirelessly (and even from TiVo). We also used the booster and it solved the problem we were having.

On the other hand, Molly has an NT4 laptop (company machine, we are not allowed to upgrade) and we tried a Netgear card for wireless connectivity - and the machine refused to recognize the card. (Although, to be fair, it is probably the machine and Linksys doesn't have any products that support NT4).

Perhaps the key difference is that currently all my machines are Windows (but the next box will be Linux). Interestly, it is usually "Windows machine", but "Linux box".

Enjoy, RB

By: Robert Stewart

Robert Stewart — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wow, Windows NT 4 on a laptop. That brings back nightmares. Not being allowed to use at least Win 2K on a laptop is inhumane torture.

I'd like to upgrade my work laptop from Win 2K to XP Pro, but my past experience with Windows upgrades has been very bad. My Win 2K install is limping along adequately for now, so I don't think the benefit would outweigh the amount of time it would take to reinstall everything.