Should I buy a Linksys Wireless Range Extender?
440566
We did for the very same reason. Everything works great\nfor us. A reputable place will let you take it back if you are not satisfied.
502840
Go to buy.com and you get a wireless card and a router for 150 to 200 buck. \n\nBuy it there and call your local Techie and see how much to install one if you do not know how.\n\nIt would not cost much to get installed.\n\nDB
57190
Not bad, but Linksys and Dlink are generally better for routers.  Most routers have the same features these days so there is not a huge difference in practice.  Where I have found the most issues is on the wireless client side, as some interfaces, like US wifi clients, just will not work properly on some PCs.
1029551
It is.\n\nYou can get a decent router for under $50, and when there's a sale, you can easily find wireless cards (PCI) for under $40.
511579
You can set up a wireless network with ANY internet connection.\n\nHowever, the cost of a few metres of phone extension cable is easily cheaper than the cost of a router and wireless adaptor.
543896
Dunno.  I've got a WiFi bridge connected to a wireless router, and I can share any wireless hardware with any other wireless hardware within 300 ft. +/-
561094
Wireless Networks\nWhat I know\n\nBegin with the high speed DSL or cable service.  As far as I know, wireless networks would need one of these, although it is not certain that a simple wireless network needs a dedicated line; it might work with a dial-up but configuring the wireless router might be impossible since it seems to depend of internet access to do so.\nAssuming broadband is available, the next step would be to install a wireless router, such as a Linksys WRT54G, a device capable of speeds up to 54 Mbs.  The device itself has an internet-like address of 192.168.1.1 and each device attached to or accessing it has an address which converts the last digit to the form 100 or 101 and so forth.  Thus, a laptop with a wireless card might be address 192.168.1.101.     One can access and configure a Linksys router by entering the address 192.168.1.1 into a web browser and is immediately presented the configuration screen. The person doing the configuration change must have the user name and password originally entered at the time the device was installed, assuming the person installing it changed the default factory user name and password.  The Linksys router is installed by first attaching your main computer to the DSL or cable modem, then using the supplied software on the CD accompanying the router, following the steps as directed on the installation CD.  It directs you to attach an Ethernet cable from your computer to the modem, either DSL or cable, then arranging the wires from wall outlet or TV cable to the modem, then from the modem to the router, plugging cables into the jacks as shown.  If one follows this set of instructions, internet access is immediately available through the router.\nA simple wireless network need not be entirely wireless. One or more computers can be wired to the router, usually up to a limit of four, plus other wireless devices.  The Linksys routers are limited to 253 devices and defaulted to 50 total devices, but realistically it is not likely anyone would attach that many to a network.  My original configuration had the desktop wired to the router via Cat 5 ethernet cable and the laptop using a wireless card.  Later I installed a Netgear  USB adapter to the desktop and converted it to wireless.  The advantage of attaching the “main” computer by cable is that the speed is much faster, around 100 Mbs compared to 54 using wireless, although Netgear makes a wireless router capable of 100 Mbs.This higher speed would be an advantage when two devices on the network are exchanging files or accessing a shared printer.\nHaving installed the router, the next step is installing or inserting a wireless adapter in each computer.  This usually implies installing drivers and/or utilities supplied with the device on a CD.  If the main computer is wired to the router, it is only necessary to attach the Cat 5 cable from the back of the computer to one of the available ports on the router.  The computer must have an Ethernet (RJ45) port built in or a network card installed to do this.  At this point, no network exists, but internet access at each computer, wireless or wired,  normally comes on automatically with little trouble by the user.\nNow for setting up a true network.  Assuming each computer is running Windows XP, the next step is allowing Windows to create the network.   On each computer it is necessary to go to the Control Panel and select Network Connections, then select Network Setup Wizard. Windows will construct the network using the names of the computers involved and the name of the network which you gave the wireless router.  Simply follow the windows presented making sure you know the name you have given to that computer and the name you gave the network when you installed the router.   Where are the names to be found?  The computer name is located internally and is accessed by going to the Control Panel and selecting System.  A tab is labeled Computer Name and it also has the workgroup name
78282
Boosters are not as effective as extenders.\n\nFor example there is the linksys\n\nhttp://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1130267578138&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
524488
Linksys has a nice wireless/wired unit that is great, I have been using mine in a big church for some time now, and it works flawlessly, and was easy to set up.
20507
Numerous ways to get extended wireless range and covereage. \n\nFor example: \n\n1) Antennas - these increase gain dB, patch antenna at both ends may suit. Look around some dedicated wifi sites. \n2) Increase transmit power on send and receive end - either via firmware upgrade or use a "booster" (believe Hawking provide a cheap booster). \n3) Use a repeater - generally this is best done with kit from the same manufacturer using WDS.  If WDS/repeater function not available then consider another WAP to push on the signal under another SSID.  For example locate a WiFi/Ethernet bridge (or use powerline networking) in an area with signal to feed the WiFi as ethernet to a new WAP then broadcast that as a different WiFi signal (different channel) to the hard to reach area. \n4) Use a range extender (I know Linksys produce one but not sure if generic applicability)\n5) Powerline (similar to the repeater issues mentioned) - simply push the internet signal out over your power mains electricity network, if you still want the freedom of WiFi in the hard to reach areas and don't want to be tethered to a power point there simply rig up a small new WAP in that area (perhaps one of the little travel WAP routers that are now popular) - that should do the trick.\n6) Make sure you have tuned all the settings on your existing WAP, try changing channel, different threshol rate etc., (do a web search for best config details), maybe transmit for G devices only, etc., \n7) Get a better WAP/Router with better signal coverage, consider something like Linksys WRT54GS that can take third party firmware for power adjustments.  Or one of the new MiMo products (eg. Belkin) should easily do the trick. \n\n+ permutations on all the above. \n\nHope that helps.
617054
Linksys has a toll free help line. I think your best bet is to contact them.
613858
Yes. You can buy a better wifi card. A repeater would work too. What that person meant was there is hardware equimpent you can buy that you hook up, similar to a router. It will allow you to strengthen the signal that is recieved and then 'repeat' it. This will in effect strengthen the signal around the repeater. However, this soulution has its limitations. Your best bet is to buy a better wifi card for the laptop. If that doesnt work. I would ALSO buy a repeater to help things. You would for sure have a better connection then.
371623
Does the signal just die or does it show that you have some percentage of link quality, like excellent or very good. \n\nYou say that you have two other routers hooked up for range increases, but if they are actaully routers instead of just range expanders, then I beleive the problem is what I have here at my house:\n\nThe other routers are thinking that they are the one that is supposed to connect to your computer. How do you have the other routers hooked up? I have two routers in my house do they can combine to be one bigger network. Its tricky to set up and finally get to work right. You have to tell the other routers not to use DHCP to distribute the addresses the the computers on the network.\n\nDO you have a laptop? Is that what you are connecting with the wireless? You said that your PC is hooked up to the router, so that wouldn't need wireless.\n\nThis is a really hard question to answer over 'answers', please let me know some more details.\nJupiterSSJ4
895455
It depends on if this is for home or business use.  For home use, the Linksys access points usually win on most counts in terms of reliability, ease of use, support, and features.  For business use, the best choice is Cisco access points.  Regardless of brand, you must make sure it is "WiFi Certified" and supports the latest encryption standard (WPA2, 802.11i) and beyond that it's mostly marketing hype.  Don't believe everything you read online, pick up a computer shopper or PC magazine, etc and read the reviews.  \n\nFor the Cisco gear (they are the market leader and win hands down and also own Linksys) it further depends on if your WLAN is large or small.  If small, you can use a single IOS-based AP, like the 1130AG or 1230AG access points.  For something a little larger, I'd strongly recommend using a lightweight architecture, with a 2006 WLAN controller and up to 6 access points.  There are larger controllers for larger networks.  This is the ultimate solution for wireless scalability, availability, security, dynamic RF management, rogue detection and containment, guest access, etc.\n\nAlso, if you go with a consumer AP, Linksys for example, don't get sucked into the new 802.11n access points just yet.  These cost more and supposedly give much better range and much higher throughput, but real world tests on Pre-N gear has been disappointing, and when the standard is finalized sometime next year, it may become useless, because the standard is a moving target right now.
868017
I have linksys wrt54g. I love it and so will you. It's pretty easy to install. It will work well with comcast which I have too.
737593
You were told the wrong things when you bought the router.\n\nYes, if you want the entire thing to work wirelessly you'll need to buy a wireless NIC.
846426
Linksys is definitely the way to go to cover the area that you wish to cover.  The new Linksys N series has an incredible range, it also has 108 MB speed which is double what most routers offer.  You can also increase the range even more by adding a set of high gain antennas.