Netgear - the router from hell

[jodansmif]

Being a CS major, every time I come home on break my dad expects me to fix his computer crap around the house. This time, he mentioned that he purchased a Netgear MR814v2 wireless router. I was very pleased until he mentioned that it didn't work and wanted me to fix it.

So here's the scenario:
1 Dell Laptop, XP Pro
1 Dell Desktop, XP Home
1 Cable Modem, Comcast ISP

Both computers can get online from the cable modem with no problems. Also, the router powers up and gets all the appropriate LEDs lit up. So I plug everything up and both computers get connections and IP addresses. My dad and I browse happily.

The next morning, both computers are disconnected (and there's no filesharing or spyware here, that was the first thing I checked). All the LEDs are still lit, but now neither computer can get an IP through either the wired or wireless functions. And of course, the 90-day free support is over, and no way in hell am I paying to talk to minimum-wage outsourced support.

Here are my questions:
1. What the hell happened?
2. Can I salvage this piece of $20 crap? (ie. firmware updates, etc)
3. I need a RELIABLE 802.11b wireless AP/router and I've already gone through a Linksys BEFW11S4 and this Netgear trash. Could anyone recommend a brand or model that is well known for simply working reliably. I don't need any security, encryption or any of that, my dad just wants Internet in the living room.

Any assistance will be rewarded with much gratitude and perhaps leftover Christmas cookies.

[urbancontra]

I would unplug everything for two minutes, disconnect all power to the cable modem and the router for 2 minutes, and do a reset on the router.

Also, check under basic settings on the configuration page that you have get dynamically from isp checked, and that you have get automatically from isp checked.

Also, it might be worth it to see if comcast just has an outage or something...

[Know Nuttin]

have you updated the firmware on the router?

[Slackfumasta]

Being a CS major, every time I come home on break my dad expects me to fix his computer crap around the house. This time, he mentioned that he purchased a Netgear MR814v2 wireless router. I was very pleased until he mentioned that it didn't work and wanted me to fix it

:p Isn't that always the way it is?

Anyway, I had the same Linksys wireless router (BEFW11S4) for two years without a single problem. I have since bumped up to the Linksys WRT54G model, running a hacked firmware from Sourceforge, and have also not had a problem.

My brother runs a Linksys 802.11a wireless router (don't remember the exact model number) that has run perfectly for him for a couple of years.

I guess I'm saying that I am surprised that you had a problem with the Linksys router (I also had another Linksys wired router that is about 4 years old at least, and is currently running on a friend's network; never had a problem with it). If you were going to buy a new router, I would definitely recommend Linksys, probably the WRT54G.

First though, check what version firmware you are running on both of the routers you currently have and update them. It only takes a few minutes and might solve your problem right off the bat.

You didn't say what the problem was with your BEFW11S4, but if you had the same problemw with that router as with the Netgear I'd say that your problem is not your router. One thing to check is to find out if you are trying to clone a MAC address in the router in order to get a connection from your cable. I find that there are fewer problems encountered if you simply call your cable company and tell them that you are installing a router and would like to register it's own MAC address with their network.

[urbancontra]

I once bought a linksys, and will never buy one again. Cheaply made, imo. and not enough advanced options.

[Mr.Guvernment]

If you want advance for $40 - it is unlikely i would think - if you want advance buy a Cisco :D

[Slackfumasta]

Cisco makes Linksys!

[Gabkicks]

I honestly took my old netgear router and beat it to death with my nunchakus office space style. :mad:

I've got a linksys reuter which is quite nice now... though i am currently having horrible connection problems and i am no sure why... (just got disconnected while writing this... oo... there it goes its back up now)

[AMD Phreak]

Cisco just owns linksys. They apply a limited ammount of their technology to their Linksys division. I refuese to agree that their soho wrt54g's. etc are comparable to their Cisco AP's. Likewise, their SMB, Enterprise, and Carrier-class routing and switching equipment is in a different class all-together.

Think of it as similar to GM and Chevrolet, only the two branded products are totally different. :)


As for the router problem, unfortunately there are problems with that router. The only reliable versions of netgear that i have come across are those in the metal blue cases. They are much more reliable.

[Slackfumasta]

Yeah, I know they are in a totally different class. I purchase Cisco products for my company's networks, Linksys stuff for my house (until the company decides to upgrade some of it's networking equipment, muahaha).

My only point was that Cisco owning Linksys can only be viewed as a good thing by me IMO :p