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Linksys Wireless-B Notebook Adapter & BEFW11S4 Router
I have been using a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router with the Wireless-B notebook adaptor for about six months. It has had poor to moderate functionality. Suddenly the wireless system stopped working. At first the card appeared to be transmitting, but there was not wireless network connection (I did have a hardline connection through the router, though.) Then a few days later, the card would not connect to the router. I don't know yet whether the router or the card is the problem, but I am interested in trying a different brand. I am leaning towards D-Link, but I have also read happy reports about Netgear. Can anyone recommend one over the other (or yet another brand), and also tell me why? Any suggestions?
Thanks everyone for your input. For those suggesting proximity difficulties, I have tried using the router with my laptop one foot away from it. Also, the system worked for 6 months and then suddenly stopped, after no changes in the environment that might add interference. I have personally spoken with several people who have said that their Wireless-B card or router (usually the card) died after 6-12 months, so I don't think it is all that uncommon. So far, still interested in trying a different product, because right now my Linksys neither functions as a wireless system nor boat anchor.
Message Edited by BeeTee on 03-19-2004 02:39 PM
Update:
After spending 2.5 exhaustive hours with Linksys online tech support yesterday, they came to the conclusion that my Wireless-B notebook adapter is faulty and needs to be replaced. Apparently this is a common problem.
Message Edited by BeeTee on 03-21-2004 01:08 PM
Ay, I have the same setup that you have, and I've had no problem with my connection at all. I have 5 computers connected to my Linksys wireless router and they all work great. You might have an interference problem. Try keeping the router away from other equipment. ESPECIALLY other cordless phones, and microwaves. That say though, when I do get interference from those items, they were very minor. Might be different in your case.
If you do decide to move on to a different brand. D-Link would be the very last brand I'd recommend. I Linksys router I currently have had replaced a D-Link router. The D-Link router was the most worthless item I've ever bought. I'd lose my connection entirely everytime the microwave turned on or when someone called, and the router was NO WHERE CLOSE to any of these!
- There's a remarkably long thread at DSL Reports about problems with the BEFW11S4V4. It's quite unusual for Linksys to release and ship such a troubled product. One of my clients returned a BEFW11S4V4 almost immediately after I pointed out the many reports of problems with this device. The client had reported problems, and when I researched the device and reported the results, back it went!
Jim
jmwills
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Posted March 19th, 2004 06:00
Before you start spending you're hard earned money, make sure it's not the location of the router and not the physical hardware.
Move the router away from any sort of interference such as wireless phones, microwaves, and anyhing else that operates on a 2.4Ghz frequency.
If the router is located on the extreme end of your home, try moving it to a more central location and see if that helps with signal strength. I have the same model and have no problems going thru two floors however I did make sure the router was located in the middle of the floor it transmits from.
Message Edited by jmwills on 03-19-2004 03:47 AM