Best wireless BG router for TP's?

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mpcook · #1 Post by **mpcook** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:39 am

I have several X3*'s and T23's with internal wireless. I have yet to get the X32 w/ Intel 2200BG to work with my older Linksys wireless router BEF11S4 with WEP. Does anyone have a suggestion for a wireless BG router that will work well with these laptops? I would buy new (although I don't expect to use "N" any time soon) or used is fine of course. I need to be able to connect with both "B" and with "G". Seems like I don't see good comments about Linksys, what about some other brands and/or models?

Thanks

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:58 am

I currently use a Dell TrueMobile 2300 wireless router with Sparklan firmware applied. Does an excellent b/g job.
Lots of people like Netgear and D-link. Linksys would not be anyone's favorite.

Dodge DeBoulet · #3 Post by **Dodge DeBoulet** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 3:13 pm

While I'm not using it with a ThinkPad just yet (it's on order!), I'm very pleased with my Buffalo WHR-HP-G54, using dd-wrt firmware. Range is excellent, and the firmware offers a tremendous feature set.

Paul Unger · #4 Post by **Paul Unger** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:03 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:Linksys would not be anyone's favorite.

Aw, shucks . . . And here I was enjoying my Linksys WRT54GS (v4) with Tomato firmware. (I tried dd-wrt for a while, but Tomato is just so much more stable.) Really, Linksys is not that bad--some would even say close to ideal--with 3rd party firmware (does anyone still use factory firmware?!). Folks here http://www.linksysinfo.org/forums/index.php have some good things to say about the Linksys family of routers. I've heard good things about the Buffalo there, too (again, w/ 3rd party firmware), so they're not all rabid Linksys fans.

I've got both an IBM a/b/g I and the Intel 2200 b/g card in my T42s. Both stable with WPA2-PSK TKIP. You've got the latest driver package for your 2200 b/g card? That has been an issue for some . . .

mpcook · #5 Post by **mpcook** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:24 pm

Paul Unger wrote:
RealBlackStuff wrote:Linksys would not be anyone's favorite.
Aw, shucks . . . And here I was enjoying my Linksys WRT54GS (v4) with Tomato firmware. (I tried dd-wrt for a while, but Tomato is just so much more stable.) Really, Linksys is not that bad--some would even say close to ideal--with 3rd party firmware (does anyone still use factory firmware?!). Folks here http://www.linksysinfo.org/forums/index.php have some good things to say about the Linksys family of routers. I've heard good things about the Buffalo there, too (again, w/ 3rd party firmware), so they're not all rabid Linksys fans.

I've got both an IBM a/b/g I and the Intel 2200 b/g card in my T42s. Both stable with WPA2-PSK TKIP. You've got the latest driver package for your 2200 b/g card? That has been an issue for some . . .

Yes I have tried the latest drivers from Lenovo, ans also the latest drivers from Intel, I have installed/uninstalled numerous times. That's why at this point I am thinking it will be worth it to buy a new one rather than spend hours trying to get the old one working.

#6 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:06 pm

I had the 2200BG in my t30 and had not problems connecting to just about anything, it was better than my intel card in my T60 when I first got it, now I'm running an atheros card. But to comment to your opinion of the 2200BG I thought it was pretty good. Is there a firmware update for that particular model router or maybe some third party firmware available as mentioned above that might fix your problem.?

mpcook · #7 Post by **mpcook** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:24 pm

Kyocera wrote:I had the 2200BG in my t30 and had not problems connecting to just about anything, it was better than my intel card in my T60 when I first got it, now I'm running an atheros card. But to comment to your opinion of the 2200BG I thought it was pretty good. Is there a firmware update for that particular model router or maybe some third party firmware available as mentioned above that might fix your problem.?

The router is a pretty old model, and I have the latest firmware available.

#8 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:24 pm

Go to this forum, and select your brand of router, then check if they have a solution for your specific problem.
http://www.dslreports.com/forums/6

bill bolton · #9 Post by **bill bolton** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:49 pm

Paul Unger wrote:(does anyone still use factory firmware)

My WRT54G works splendidly with factory firmware.

Cheers,

Bill

#10 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:51 pm

I had trouble with a BEFW11S4 too but I have no problems now with my WRT54g V3 running DD-WRT. I connect using WPA-PSK all the time.

Paul Unger · #11 Post by **Paul Unger** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:21 pm

bill bolton wrote:
Paul Unger wrote:(does anyone still use factory firmware)
My WRT54G works splendidly with factory firmware.

Cheers,

Bill

Didn't mean to drub those who do use factory firmware--just trying to make the case that Linksys is some people's favourite (and can be made just as robust--and maybe even more--as anything else out there).

#12 Post by **dr_st** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:11 pm

Yeah, I've always been always under the impression that Linksys is pretty good, among the best, if not the best. I myself use Edimax routers, cause they have been working just fine for me.

#13 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:03 am

Didn't mean to drub those who do use factory firmware--just trying to make the case that Linksys is some people's favourite (and can be made just as robust--and maybe even more--as anything else out there).

The reality is only about %20 of the average linksys router users know what firmware is and, about %10 know there is such a thing as third party firmware to run these. And even still, your taking a chance on voiding any warranty when using it and a botched firmware update could toast your router.

#14 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:35 am

Paul Unger wrote:
bill bolton wrote:My WRT54G works splendidly with factory firmware.
Didn't mean to drub those who do use factory firmware--just trying to make the case that Linksys is some people's favourite (and can be made just as robust--and maybe even more--as anything else out there).

In my experience (WRT54AG, 2x WRT54G, 2x WAP54G) Linksys generally works well out of the box. It's not as robust as, say, Proxim or Cisco, but then it has a far lower price tag, too.

And it's not flaky like D-Link, or Atheros-unfriendly like Apple Airport.

zahir · #15 Post by **zahir** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:50 am

I'm using the netgear 54mbps one... pretty good but it took a while to set up.... sometimes the connection drops but overall nice

mpcook · #16 Post by **mpcook** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:53 am

Kyocera wrote:
Didn't mean to drub those who do use factory firmware--just trying to make the case that Linksys is some people's favourite (and can be made just as robust--and maybe even more--as anything else out there).
The reality is only about %20 of the average linksys router users know what firmware is and, about %10 know there is such a thing as third party firmware to run these. And even still, your taking a chance on voiding any warranty when using it and a botched firmware update could toast your router.

Well I have updated to the latest firmware for the Linksys. However, I haven't seen any evidence of third party firmware for this model, it is quite old.
Mike

Manarius · #17 Post by **Manarius** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:20 pm

I'll put in another vote for Linksys. Seeing as they're owned by Cisco Systems now anyways, it's just a badge change.

#18 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:51 pm

I'll put in another vote for Linksys. Seeing as they're owned by Cisco Systems now anyways, it's just a badge change

Yes, and it is right on the front where you can see it *CISCO SYSTEMS*, the setup button.

mpcook · #19 Post by **mpcook** » Fri May 04, 2007 6:18 am

Manarius wrote:I'll put in another vote for Linksys. Seeing as they're owned by Cisco Systems now anyways, it's just a badge change.

Well maybe my problem is more of a problem with the 2200BG rather than Linksys. My wireless has been up and running continuously with a variety of laptops connected for 1.5 years. Only since I got the X32 has it been giving me trouble. Even witht he X32 connected ot the router with a wire, my connections with all laptops sometimes go down now.

To sell the X32, or buy another router, that is the question??

Paul Unger · #20 Post by **Paul Unger** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:23 am

Is that really a question?! Routers are ~$50 . . . Computers tend to be a bit more . . .

mpcook · #21 Post by **mpcook** » Fri May 04, 2007 1:41 pm

Paul Unger wrote:Is that really a question?! Routers are ~$50 . . . Computers tend to be a bit more . . .

Yes I understand your point of view. However, I have a number of Thinkpads, so selling one is not such a big deal.

On the other hand, I think I'll give a new router a try. I can always return it.

Mike

#22 Post by **jdhurst** » Fri May 04, 2007 3:46 pm

Always know what you are going to do with it.

1. Netopia routers are not cheap, but nearly bomb-proof. It is what I use and like.
2. Linksys: I have had and used a number. Usually good. However, the Linksys WRT54G with version 5 and 6 firmware does NOT support some VPN's. Pain in the butt for business people. Version 4 and earlier are fine.
3. Belkin: known good in a business environment.

Others are fine as well and go with what you think you will like. Just know that it will work for everything know and on a one - two year horizon (like getting a job).
... JDH

mpcook · #23 Post by **mpcook** » Thu May 17, 2007 4:28 pm

Well I solved my router problem installing an older version of the 2200BG driver - 9.0.4.17. This was suggested by a Dell owner who ran across my other post asking for troubleshooting advice.

So for now, I can stick with my current equipment, X32, 2200BG, and BEF11S4.

Mike

efrant · #24 Post by **efrant** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:53 am

I like using high-power routers/PCMCIA cards. Engenius/Senao makes great products. They have excellent signal strength with external antenas.

Routers: http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/pro ... aspx?id=39

PCMCIA cards: http://www.engeniustech.com/datacom/pro ... aspx?id=40

I have the EL-2511CD+ EXT2 card ($50) myself, and depending on what antena you buy for it, you can pick up a signal thousands of yards away...

I plan on buying either the ECB-3220 b/g or ECB-8610 a/b/g router soon. They are a little pricey ($130 and $160) but...

Best wireless BG router for TP's?

Best wireless BG router for TP's?

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