I bought this router from a local Argos shop at an emergency situation i.e. I want it now and therefore not at the best price - 49.99.
Reason: My all singing and all dancing Dynamode R-ADSL-C4W-EG - wireless router had lost its main function, 'internet connectivity' after a month or so of continuous use (see my other review, now updated, for details). All is left is wireless communication i.e. useless. The return of this router back to Amazon caused me a week (lots of emails + recorded delivery + check that the refund includes the recorded delivery etc)
For Argos, there is an obvious advantage - if there is something wrong with it, I just take it back for a refund/replacement on the same day.
This router comes with detail instructions (step-by-step) for installation however it does not cater for the presence of a firewall. The Dynamode router has no problem with my firewall. At certain stage it executed a script to communicate with 192.168.11.1 via internet explorer and tried to download something. My Comodo firewall stopped it. Eventually I had to disable my firewall to get the installation going. This is not mentioned in the manual.
When you are connected with the site, you are requested to login. The default used ID and password are announced when the first login failed. Once you are in, change the password!
There are a lot of pages online for advanced settings. I recommend you to go through the wizard first and then fine tune it later.
Once you are through with the wizard, click the 'advanced' tab and go to 'wireless management' and enable access list (for all your wireless devices) for extra security even with WPA encryption. Also, if you change you mind about your password, go to admin under the 'tools' tab.
If you want to save your settings, save it to the hard disk under 'tools', system and then press the 'save and reboot' button to reboot the router. If there is something wrong with the internet connection, you can test the router with 'tools', test for a diagnostic.
If you want to change the encryption setting from WPA back to WEP for some reason (nintendo wi-fi connection with the DS lite), you can do so under 'home', wireless, just don't forget to save and reboot.
In comparison, the Dynamode router (when it is working) gave strong signals at 10m. This router gave only reasonable signals at ~65%. At 5m, the signals are clearly stronger 70-80% with quite a bit of fluctuation.
I will keep an eye on this router and see how long it lasts. An update (good or bad) will be in 3-6 months time.
Well. Now it is May 2008 (3 months on) and the router is still functioning.
Now it is November 2008 (9 months on) and the router is still working
Now it is Feb 2009 (1 year on) and the router is still functioning.
Now it is 30th May 2009, the router is still working i.e. last for at least 1 yr 3 months
very helpful by (100%):
