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Belkin N Wireless Router (F5D8233-4) | List Price: $89.99
Discount Price: Too low to display
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Brand: Belkin
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Connect your notebook computer to a wireless network to: Stream Music, Share Photos, Enjoy online gaming, Surf the Web, Email and Chat Online
disliked the setup instructions [Posted on 2008-08-31]
For someone who has set up a router before the directions may be fine. For someone who is new to this, Im doubtful. I expect a quick setup guide that includes a brief on the install CD, what one gets is an empty box with a wiring diagram. I also expect separate section in the install guide on setting up security and an indication when the 'install CD' is finished that this should be configured. Overall the product hasnt given me any problems so far but I feel I should be on guard. Good companies with good products complete all their homework before they start shipping product.
Discouraged [Posted on 2008-08-31]
I bought a Belkin wireless router July 31st from Amazon.com. It arrived promptly and when I installed it it suddenly smelled hot and it worked for 3 seconds and quit. I called the Belkin company because you can't send it back to Amazon. The Belkin company was great and informed that this wireless router had a lifetime warranty so they would replace it. They told me I could send back the faulty router and they would send me a new one. It cost me $11 to UPS the router back to Belkin. It arrived to the Belkin warehouse on August 12th. I called Belkin on August 29th to see how long it would be before I would receive my new router. The gal told me they were out of stock but she could order it from another warehouse. I asked to please do so because I really need my router that I bought 1 month ago. She advised I would receive the router in 5 to 7 days. We shall see.
Works great, no problems [Posted on 2008-09-14]
Not sure what version router the negative reviewers used. Mine is F5D8233-4 V3.01. I'm replacing a Trendnet router which was worthless in my opinion. Long downloads could never be completed and the web seemed sluggish using thar router.
I'm using this Belkin as a wired router with two PCs running WinXP on DSL, the same as the Trendnet router was used. Was able to surf the internet just by powering up the DSL modem and then the router. No driver install was necessary. On power up, the router syncs very quickly and 3 indicators light up, "Wired, Router & Modem". After about 10 seconds, the "Internet" indicator lights up indicating connection to the internet. There are also a "Security" and "Wireless" indicators. I'll check into what the "Security" indicator does and enable it if necessary using the Setup CD.
The installation CD's main purpose was to allow changing the SSID from the factory default to my own which I believe changes the data encryption for secure wireless communication. Setting up of additional computers is part of the setup procedure. The CD did not install any drivers since the router was working right out of the box. The CD also has a Setup function which allows detailed setup of the router, displays router status, and has a user manual.
I powered up my 2nd PC during the setup procedure and it works perfectly with the internet and my first PC. I'm able to transfer data back & forth between PCs with no problems and speed is great.
I downloaded a 500+ MB file as a test and the download completed with no errors or hangs. I'm able to watch youtube or other videos fine and even when streaming multiple videos.
I'm very happy with this Belkin modem and it has met all of my expectations. My DSL connection seems to work faster using this router than even connecting directly from PC to DSL modem. I'm not sure why but it certainly seems that way to me.
I suspect that problems others had with this router may be because of earlier firmware.
Here's a little startup tale... [Posted on 2008-09-19]
Replacing my Linksys was not in question, since even though it was highly rated it locked up and required a restart at inconvenient and odd intervals. The Linksys modem was working good so I kept that and went looking for a more stable router.
I chose the Belkin based on reviews here and other websites and got the mimo version since we have a Powerbook, a desktop PC and an older laptop. I prefer to get the router up and running, then go back and set security.
Going through the basic CD setup was a breeze, but the Belkin wouldn't go the last step and connect. After several tries, I called "support", who seemed more interested in the post-call survey than trying to figure out what needed to be done. Finally they told me to "clone my MAC address" and download the firmware update, which would fix my problem. Well at best they had it half right.
I did the clone via the menu on the 192.168.2.1 page and reset the router; then in order to get the firmware update I disconnected the router cabling and connected the PC directly to the modem, allowing me to open the browser. After downloading and saving the update, on a hunch (with the browser still open) I swapped the ethernet cables into the standard PC > router > modem configuration. Viola! The router connected and hasn't missed a lick since.
Cloning the MAC address may have done the trick, I can't really say. I installed the firmware update as directed (which was much easier and faster than on other equipment I've had) but likewise don't really know what difference it made in my useage, if any.
When I had the modem laying on top of the router as many people do, I did notice the heat issue others have mentioned. After playing with a couple ideas, I settled on scotch-taping a couple thin supports beneath the modem to lift it about 3/4" above the Belkin. Now everything stays barely warm even though it is powered-on 24/7.
Not being a techie, I can't say what I did wrong or right but so far it's all working well. The Belkin's connection symbols are helpful, the setup menu is easy to use, and it is stable with good signal strength. For me, it's a winner.
It should be noted that I agree with a previous reviewer in that the critical security information on 192.168.2.1 should be available for viewing only AFTER login. Currently all the settings are viewable once the page is opened, with log-in permitting access to the edit menu.
Belkin N wireless [Posted on 2008-10-09]
After not having much success getting my new Vista based Dell laptop to talk to my old XP based Dimension 8200 Dell desk-top, using an "ad-hock" wireless network, I purchased the Belkin N wireless router, and did it right.
My basic problem is that I don't have a spare PCI slot in my desktop. Sometime back I swapped out my Ethernet card for an AV/DV card.
The Belkin router connects to the PC via Ethernet, so I also bought a Belkin USB to Ethernet converter (Belkin F5D5050).
Both units work together flawlessly.
Only issue I've had, is the extremely slow file transfer rate between the desk-top and the lap-top. It's not practicable to , let say, transfer gigabyte size files.
I tried to transfer a 10GB file, and was informed by my laptop that it would take 4hrs+.
I don't seem to have any issues downloading files from the WEB--just computer-to-computer.
My original approach (ad-hock wireless) required that I buy a wireless "dongle" for my desk-top, using a USB 2.0 connection. I found setting up the Belkin N wireless USB adapter to be a time consuming failure; however, I'd been advised going the "Ad-hock" route would not be the best choice. That was "understated" advice.
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