Hello!

My router just died, at least I think it has. It just won't turn on - so I think that's conclusive!

It was a Linksys WAG54G V.2, I liked it although it did fail to verify the connection frequently and did require hard-restarts - so I am not that too downhearted that it has gone but would like to replace with similar, but better.

This was my first ever router, and have no idea which ones are good and which ones to avoid.

I've only been connected to the net for just over 5 minutes now via my old Speedtouch 330 and already I can notice the dip in speed!

Any advice would be great, I asked here because you're a knowledgeable bunch!

Thanks!

when my linksys died I got a cheap $40 Dlink.  it was the cheapest 4port router I could find.  I liked the linksys better because it automatically cloned a MAC adress from my pc and the setup was idiot-proof.  IIRC, for the Dlink, I had to manually find/input a MAC address for it.. but after that I don't think I've even looked at it in about a year *shrug*  I can't even picture in me head what it looks like. (heh)

"set it and forget it"

I had a Linksys burn out last week. I couldn't connect to the net at all on one pc. Thought the other pc could, but it was real slow to connect to any webpage. I had updated the driver for it which I think made it worse. The one I had was a 2001 model. I ended up buying a newer version an everything is working great.

6 of 1, half a dozen of the other.  Consumer-level devices like that are very similar internally, there's not a significant difference between them.

That said, I like the Linksys WRT54G, as people have written alternate firmware for it that's supposed to be more reliable and adds more features.  I have one, but haven't tried reloading it yet.

Not sure how widely available they are in retail stores, but at work we've had pretty good success with 3com OfficeConnect routers (configuring for users for home use, so they don't get our laptops unnecessarily infected ).  Supposed to be a step up from the consumer models.

That's what I have, too. Don't know about the UK. But here in SoCal, they're readily available. And you shouldn't have mentioned the "alternate firmware," mabman. Because I'm just gonna be tinkering with it and screw it all up! LOL!

Excellent, I can always count on you guys!

Looks like I'll be buying a newer version of my Linksys.