HELP WITH MY PC World's Cheapy Router

[DarrenSV650S]

I need a router for my laptop and this one from PC world seems the cheapest:
Click here (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2038775097.116743239 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciaddjkgiimljcflgceggdhhmdfho.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=459034&category_oid=-28359/url)
But it says on the site that its only compatible with Windows 2000 (I've got XP Pro) ...but surely that can't be right :?: :roll:

Also, am I able to plug in USB things into the router for them to work on my laptop? :?: It's an external hard-drive that I need to access.

[weazelz]

it'll work fine with XP. more details here (http://linksys-sales.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000000.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2flinksys%2dsales%2 eco%2euk%2fcgi%2dbin%2fss000000%2epl%3fSS%3d354G%2 6ACTION%2ex%3d0%26ACTION%2ey%3d0%26PR%3d%2d1%26TB% 3dA%26SHOP%3d&WD=wgkpc354g&SHOP=%20&PN=WKPC54G%2ehtml%23aWKPC54G#aWKPC54G)

you won't be able to plug usb things into the router, only ethernet. plug your usb things into your laptop

[mysteryjimbo]

I dont know of any routers that'll take USB storage devices.

There are storage servers around such as Snap Appliances (http://www.snapappliance.com/). These are essentially a harddisk with a network connection

[DarrenSV650S]

Thanks for that weazelz. Another question though :oops:
It would be good if I could also have my old desktop PC connected too. Would I be able to just put the router next to it and plug it in with a wire, then have the laptop wireless :?:
And if I did that, would I then be able to access the files on the PC from the laptop? And kind of use it as a back-up instead of the external hard-drive :?:

[chazzyb]

Check out Misco too. I bought one for my daughter in November. Approx £41 delivered.

http://www.misco.co.uk/productinformation/~Q66517~WW~/index.htm

£34.99 + P&P

[rictus01]

Thanks for that weazelz. Another question though :oops:
It would be good if I could also have my old desktop PC connected too. Would I be able to just put the router next to it and plug it in with a wire, then have the laptop wireless :?:
And if I did that, would I then be able to access the files on the PC from the laptop? And kind of use it as a back-up instead of the external hard-drive :?:

Viney is doing this now have a look here (http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?p=722098#722098).

Cheers Mark.

[weazelz]

Thanks for that weazelz. Another question though :oops:
It would be good if I could also have my old desktop PC connected too. Would I be able to just put the router next to it and plug it in with a wire, then have the laptop wireless :?:
And if I did that, would I then be able to access the files on the PC from the laptop? And kind of use it as a back-up instead of the external hard-drive :?:

the router has some wired ethernet ports, so long as you have an ethernet (network) card in the desktop PC then you can do what you describe pretty easily

[kwak zzr]

i dont know much about this subject but whats the security issues with a wireless laptop connection? my aunt had £2800 removed from her bank last month by a guy in london who had hacked her details :? this concerns me as my dad is on about doing the wireless thing with his new laptop :?

[DarrenSV650S]

the router has some wired ethernet ports, so long as you have an ethernet (network) card in the desktop PC then you can do what you describe pretty easily
It doesn't seem to have an ethernet card, just a dial-up internet port. Is there any other way around this, like using a USB port or something :?:

[fizzwheel]

iwhats the security issues with a wireless laptop connection?

The security issues are that most people don't bother to encrypt their wireless connection with a WEP key and restrict what MAC address' can connect to it so they leave it wide open for anybody to use / hack into.

It takes 5 minutes to do and I'm amazed by the number of people who don't bother to do it.

[fizzwheel]

the router has some wired ethernet ports, so long as you have an ethernet (network) card in the desktop PC then you can do what you describe pretty easily
It doesn't seem to have an ethernet card, just a dial-up internet port. Is there any other way around this, like using a USB port or something :?:

Are you talking about your PC if so go to PC world and buy a PCI ethernet card for it. You can buy a wireless PCI card for your PCI as well so that saves having to muck about with cables.

If your talking about your laptop then buy a PCMCIA wireless network card for it.

Try and get a decent brand such as a DLINK one.

[james160987]

the security thing only generally happens to people that dont follow instructions, it normally advisees you to set a wep key, infact it even does it for you on my one, you type a word and it makes a wep key up to match that word or something,

mac addressing can go a bit far, i avent bothered with that as we have the occasional mate come over and he connects to are network for games etc so cant be assed with mac addresses, a 256 wep key should be good enough

[Well Oiled]

Having gone through three routers before I found the right one I would say don't buy cheap as you'll regret it in the amount of hassle in dropped signals / connection problems etc.

I had an ebuyers own brand (useless) and a Belkin (rubbish) before getting a Netgear WGR614, which works fine with three PC's and a laptop connected.

Dunno about the one you mention, though I believe linksys has a good reputation.

HTH Keith

[K]

With regard to using and unsecured wireless connection and security details etc - as far as I've been told you details should be safe as long as your PC/Laptop is spyware clear/protected and you have logged onto a secure site - which lets face it all banks on line services are, including Paypal/eBay and the like.

So you should be safe...

... at least that's what II've been told by friends - but they're not what I call 'techies'. Nerds - yes, geeks - no. :wink:

Can someone confirm whether the above is true or not please.

[fizzwheel]

With regard to using and unsecured wireless connection and security details etc - as far as I've been told you details should be safe as long as your PC/Laptop is spyware clear/protected and you have logged onto a secure site - which lets face it all banks on line services are, including Paypal/eBay and the like.

So you should be safe...

... at least that's what II've been told by friends - but they're not what I call 'techies'. Nerds - yes, geeks - no. :wink:

Can someone confirm whether the above is true or not please.

Yep thats right, also Anti-Virus is a good idea to. Again I'm amazed by the number of people who dont have it. With websites the thing to check for is a padlock in the bottom right hand corner and that it says https instead of http in the URL then its about a secure as its going to be.

[timwilky]

Unfortunately trust is a strange thing.

I know of people who will not accept a self signed certificate as they get a security warning that the certificate originates from an untrusted authority. However, they accept Microsoft's word that because certificate authorities have paid them. That they are authority that issued the certificate is trusted and by virtue of that trust any site that then uses that authority is implicitly trusted as well.

People, because you get no warnings and a padlock exists in the corner, please think do I still wish to give these people I have never met/dealt with before etc my credit card details, home address etc.

[Heed]

I would also reccomend against a Belkin router. I had no end of trouble setting mine up. I work in IT and deal with network faults almost daily and it still took me almost 3 hours to get the router working correctly. Netgear stuff is meant to be good.

[timwilky]

I would also reccomend against a Belkin router. I had no end of trouble setting mine up. I work in IT and deal with network faults almost daily and it still took me almost 3 hours to get the router working correctly. Netgear stuff is meant to be good.


Yes I would recommend Netgear. My own router is a FVS338. The nice thing about Netgear is they actually publish on their web site the throughput of their routers. My old Netgear router only supported a 11mb throughput and when my provider started their 20mb trial last month I did not notice any improvement. But once I had upgraded it was nice until the trial stopped. At least if the rumoured free upgrade arrives I will be in a position to exploit the available bandwidth.

My wireless is a Motorola access point. Works very well with reasonable range. I would however never use a combined accesspoint/firewall. In my case the access point is installed outside of my home network to ensure any breach would only provide the same access as any other internet user to my servers

[Heed]

That's a bit extreme for a normal home user surely Tim? I have a Belkin router that's off to eBay and a nice shiny netgear router courtesy of Sky Broadband going in on the 4th of next month.

AOL = £25 for 1Mb line
Sky = £10 for 7.5Mb line plus up to 16Mb if my line can manage it.

:D :D :D

[fizzwheel]

Ah but Tim isnt a normal home user :wink:

Another vote here for Netgear stuff as well. I've got one. We supply all our staff at work with the a Netgear router so they can dial in from home if they need to. Nice and easy to setup and reliable to.

[kwak zzr]

my mate got a netgear today from pc world @ £55 set up no probs and hes well happy with it.

[DarrenSV650S]

my mate got a netgear today from pc world @ £55 set up no probs and hes well happy with it.
I got a wireless-g today from pc world @ £39.99 didn't set up at all and I'm totally unhappy with it. Its going back tomorrow

[DarrenSV650S]

Does anyone know how to update the firmware on a router ?
When I try to install the router the power light just keeps blinking and on the help site it says that this mean the firmware it corrupt. But to fix it they say to download the firmware and reinstall it. Only problem is that when I run the routers installation program, it searches to see my pc configuration or something, gets half way through then crashes and has to restart! :evil:

Please help

[Grinch]

Does anyone know how to update the firmware on a router ?
When I try to install the router the power light just keeps blinking and on the help site it says that this mean the firmware it corrupt. But to fix it they say to download the firmware and reinstall it. Only problem is that when I run the routers installation program, it searches to see my pc configuration or something, gets half way through then crashes and has to restart! :evil:

Please help

Updating firmware can be risky... you might have buggered it, did the website give you any warning? I'd take it back and deny all knowledge of the firmware update, remember 2 years replacement on faulty electrical goods regardless of what the shop says. Its your consumer rights.

If they start getting funny, ask them to prove to you that the router works. They are bound to have a PC they can test it with, then you can watch them do it and maybe get some clues.

Don't be afraid to assert yourself, make sure there are lots of people about if they are being un-helpful.

[Grinch]

I'll give you a example...

A few years ago just when windows XP was only just out, and most people had windows 98 or ME (argh) my Dad bought a fishing game. It said on the box suitable for XP, ME and 98, so he though cool that will do me.
Couldn't get it to work... would install but kept crashing, so I had ago... Same thing... I tried everything. Still didn't work, so we took it back. Bloke in the shop was like, "we don't take software back once its been opened". So I said I'm not stupid, it don't work (didn't mention once I worked for IBM and installed and setup assorts). He argued that if it was the software then that would mean the whole batch would be useless, so I said yep... that would be true. Have you a ME machine you could try it on? He said yes, and after a few huffs installed it. Low and behold it didn't work. A rather embarrassed assistant gave my Dad his money back.

Not once did I mention I worked in the IT industry so he just thought I was average joe, give it a go.

[DarrenSV650S]

Cheers Grinch
Yeh I think I will just take it back, I've only had it a few hours :lol: :lol:
They're bloody useless in there. I went in today and asked for a router I saw on their site for £40 and she said that they didn't have that one in the shop so I would have to buy it off the net and then pick it up in store. Strange I thought, because if they could get it in stock from the net then why couldn't I just buy it. :scratch: So had a wee looky at the shelves anyway because I also needed a ethernet card for my desktop. Then what do I see on the shelf? The £40 router I was asking about :!:
Couldn't see any ethernet cards for desktops so asked another guy and after searching he said they were out of stock and I should try along the road at currys. So I buy the router, go along to currys, ask the guy and what does he say........."we don't have any in stock, best bet is to try at PC world" :!: :!:
I just laughed and walked away :smt042

[Heed]

PC World, Currys, Dixons , Comet etc. are all robbing barstuds. They would sell their granny to a salt mine if it meant an in store sale for them. I work in IT and have a keen interest in electronics (alright I'm a geek!) and they amount they try to fob people off is unbelievable. I saw some poor guy a while back pay £280 for office then pay £15 to have some monkey in PC world install it for him!

[furrybean]

PC World according to Weebl and Bob (http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/upgrade-pt2/url)

[jenni]

PC World according to Weebl and Bob (http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/upgrade-pt2/url)

:lol: :lol: :lol: man that is strangly true

[kwak zzr]

PC World, Currys, Dixons , Comet etc. are all robbing barstuds. They would sell their granny to a salt mine if it meant an in store sale for them. I work in IT and have a keen interest in electronics (alright I'm a geek!) and they amount they try to fob people off is unbelievable. I saw some poor guy a while back pay £280 for office then pay £15 to have some monkey in PC world install it for him!

got to agree :wink:

[fizzwheel]

Thats because the majority of staff in PC World and Currys etc are "salespeople" they are not proper technicians and you should'nt regard them as such. I will buy stuff from PC world but thats only because I work in I.T. and installing hardware etc doesnt phase me. If you don't know what your doing find yourself a local small computer shop and use them instead.

I normally find that if you take stuff back and can explain what you've done and why it doesnt work, and be assertive like Grinch, you'll find them pretty reasonable and you'll get your money back.

If its not working take it back, you shouldnt be expected to f*ck about with firmware upgrades on a product you've just bought and fails to work the first time you try to use it.

[Grinch]

Did you get this sorted?

[northwind]

I think I'd rather eat my own nuts than deal with PC World for anything other than consumables... Which, conveniently enough, seems to be what some routers are considered, we never had a Belkin last for more than 4 months...

[DarrenSV650S]

Did you get this sorted?
I took it back and they gave me a replacement. The net works fine on both computers but I can't share files between them. Someone is giving me a hand now to set it up. But the amount of work you have to put in to get these things running is disgraceful. The instructions make it out to be plug and play, but its nothing like that. If I didn't get a hand with it I would have no clue how to do it, and I considered myself quite technically minded :lol:
I actually went on Linksys' website where you can have an online chat with an adviser who talks you through it when it doesn't work. So its good that they have that, but you shouldn't really need to in the first place.

[Baph]

If a basic router setup has as many problems as I've quickly read in this thread, there is something wrong.

Even the most complex beasts I've setup, you plug it in, and you get SOME functionality. The rest is down to personal configuration.

I'd put money on it that you can't do file sharing because of Windows XP, not the router. If it is the router, it may have some sort of grouping system (ala the Linksys ones) which denies file sharing between groups. Again, configuration, and if not clearly stated in the instructions, the manufacturers deserve to be shot! Twice (just for good measure!)

At the end of the day, you're an end user, a consumer. If you can't get it to work without outside help, it should go back, and you should either get your money back OR the shop (whoever it is) should provide you with something that actually obeys the Trade Descriptions Act (A router that doesn't route, isn't legal to sell!)

Sorry for the ranting post, but I work in IT, and I've worked in Retail, I know both sides of the coin so to speak, and to have sales staff argue with a customer over ANYTHING (as many stories in this thread) is about the worst service they can offer. If it's a manager then fair play, they're thinking of targets etc, but I've not met a sales person yet that thinks their paid enough to argue the toss over something they personally don't have to pay for.

The rule of retail I was taught (by my store manager - it wasn't the companies idea at all) was that you NEVER win an argument with a customer. Period.

If, after someone gives you a hand setting it up, you're still having problems, either take it back & demand a refund, or drop me a message. One thing I used to do to avoid returns is visit the customers house to set it up for them ;) (but no, I would never apply for any job at PC World).