Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster WRT54GS - wireless router - 802.11b/g - desktop > Reviews (6)

Introduction
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The linksys router is built to allow a wireless internet connection within three hundred meters by connecting to an internet connection from another computer as well as offering multiple security abilities. Not only is it meant to be able to send a wireless signal but allow for other computers near by connecting to the router through Ethernet cables.

I had this wireless router bought me for Christmas by a family member because I wanted to be able to go on the internet no matter where I was at home without the trouble and hassle of cables being every where therefore I was really happy when I got it until I came across a few problems.

When going to install the router one of my main concerns about using a wireless router was that it would be emitting microwaves which is a scary idea but since I have been using the router since some of these thoughts have passed.

Problems
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Installation
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When attempting to setup the router I came into a number of problems which was much different compared to how the instruction manual said it should have been so to help get the idea I’m going to explain what should have happened and what actually happened.

Should have happened – The instruction manual said to place the router near the computer that you wish to get the connection from, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the back of the computer and insert it into slot provided at the back of the router. From here take the Ethernet cable provided and insert one end into the back of your computer and the other into one of the four slots in the back of the router and connect the power adapter into a power socket. When the computer loads the router should be detected and double click on internet explorer and enter the IP address given where you are taken to the location of the router. Where the router is located I have to set the IP and other settings and it should work. From this point onward I came across a number of problems.

Actually happened – After carrying out what I explained above the internet should work on the computer and a computer using the wireless connection so I attempted to test this by using another computer with a wireless adapter and it worked but the problem was that I couldn’t connect using the computer that I had originally got the internet connection from. I tried everything to fix this such as going through the entire setup again, searching for the solution on the internet, looking at the trouble shooting manual provided with the router and had no luck. After spending hours and hours attempting to fix the problem I came across a tutorial on the internet saying that it could need a firmware upgrade which lead me to download the latest one and try it and to my surprise it worked. No where in any instructions or trouble shooting manuals it said anything about firmware. I was not a happy bunny with linksys because I want the sort of router that I can take out the box and it will work perfectly after saying out loud “one, two, three”.

Since installing the router and having all of those problems it has done a excellent job of keeping me online because all I have to do now is turn on the power at the plug and I have a reliable wireless internet connection.

Design
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The router looks very smart with its foldable antennas and smooth look. It is about the width of a normal ATX case and a couple of inches tall making it very easy to fit it any where whether you want to put it on top of your computer tower or on top of a shelf.

Speed
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The speed of the router is very good allowing for very fast bandwidth. If two or three computers are connected and the bandwidth is divided I am not able to tell that it has slowed down much when viewing pages until I decide to download a file.

Recommendations
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I would recommend this to anyone with a need to have an internet connection multiple computers whether it is wired or wireless at home or at home. This router would make it very easy in an office or a business building where you need to have an internet connection to the computers of a few employees and want to make it look tidy with no cables trailing.