Need new router, but don't know what to buy. Was using Linksys WRT54G2 router on home network, but it has stopped working - did troubleshooting - could not fix. I use Arris SURFboard modem SB6121 to connect laptop computer (used as main computer) to cable internet & router. My computer specs say it meets IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g standards for wireless radio technology. It has an RJ-45 network port. What kind of router can I buy in 2015 that is compatible with my network? Once router kind is determined, I need to find 1 priced as far under $100 as possible?
Need to replace router, don't know what type is compatible with computer
- Thread starter Newver
- Start date
SB6121 is modem-only, it does not have WiFi capabilities or router. If you connect your laptop directly to the modem, it is exposed to all online danger around, so make sure you have properly configured firewall.
Any router these days will work with your desktop. You plug the WAN port of the router into the modem, and connect your computers either over WiFi or cable. The router will have to be configured before use, don't expect it to work immediately out of the box.
If your computer is physically close to the modem (and future router), I would recommend using Ethernet cable (Cat5e, or Cat6) to for connection (and you will need it anyway for initial configuration).
If you have only a laptop and desktop, you can halve your budget for router.
Any router these days will work with your desktop. You plug the WAN port of the router into the modem, and connect your computers either over WiFi or cable. The router will have to be configured before use, don't expect it to work immediately out of the box.
If your computer is physically close to the modem (and future router), I would recommend using Ethernet cable (Cat5e, or Cat6) to for connection (and you will need it anyway for initial configuration).
If you have only a laptop and desktop, you can halve your budget for router.
Alabalcho, thanks so much for fast response! I do know my SB6121 is only a modem, not a router. I normally have modem connected to router (with WPA security) & then router connected to laptop thru ethernet cable. But right now, having modem directly connected to laptop is only way I can get on internet. I have Kaspersky security on laptop with strong firewall. If router is connected in home network, I can't access internet. I do not have desktop anymore it had XP on it, so stopped using due to no support or security updates. Laptop running Windows 7 is only computer now in home network.
Maybe some background info will help you, help me. My problem started after thunderstorm a few days ago. A few hours after storm passed, I tried to check email & couldn't get on line. Firefox would not work at all. Tried IE & it connected, but would only reliably connect to home page after swirling for awhile. If I clicked a link from home page, or tried to open a 2nd tab for another website, it would give me "page not available", or simply do nothing. I rebooted computer, problem still there. Then husband said his tablet couldn't get online; it kept showing message it was "finding IP address", but without success. Same thing with smart phone. We tried several times, & usually tablet did not connect, but 1 out of maybe 10 time it would connect, but only for a few seconds, then disconnected. I rebooted everything - trying to reset whatever was not working. I disconnected and re-connected computer, modem & router several times,& in different orders of re-connecting, but nothing reset the network. I took almost a whole day "troubleshooting" all of the network components with support people, trying to find out if it was a problem with my ISP, the modem, the router, or the computer. Diagnostics on computer indicated internal adapters were working, but I had no internet access. Support people with the ISP, the modem mfg & the router mfg. - all said problem was caused by 1 of the other components (big surprise there, huh?).
My ISP said weak signal on modem, & since I owned the modem, not them, I needed to fix or replace it. Modem mfg. support person helped me most - after about 45 min. of connects/re-connects, pings, etc., then repeating those steps in different order, all to no avail, we finally got lucky & was able to get online briefly to Arris website just long enough to do factory reset on modem. Rebooted modem & computer again & modem started working - but only if connected directly to computer. The minute I hooked up router again I could not get internet access.
Then called Linksys to troubleshoot router. Went thru the connect/disconnect power, same with cable connections from modem to router & computer, also tried plugging Ethernet cable into different ports on router (had 4 ports), but nothing worked. Support person & I even went thru steps to set up new network, but that didn't work either, so she said I needed a new router.
Worth mentioning is a weird thing that happened during all this - after connecting & disconnecting ethernet cable many times during trouble shooting sessions, I noticed the port light on router display area (that showed which port the ethernet cable was plugged into) stayed ON in port #2 even though cable had been taken out of that port! If I plugged ethernet cable into another port of router, both port # lights came on & blinked. I was occasionally able to briefly connect to internet (probably due to fewer users on ISP lines since it was 2 AM at this point), but connection was weak & would not open more than 1 tab, etc. & would then disconnect again. Finally gave up on router & totally disconnected it from network. I plugged modem directly into computer again & have had no problems connecting to internet. Thus, my conclusion that I need a new router. Do you concur?
Linksys support person tried a fairly hard sell to get me to buy a new EA6500 router at "special price" while I was on phone with them. I declined offer until I could do research. Research found there are now AC routers as well as N routers to choose from, & then I got into compatiblity research about which type would work with my laptop...and here I am. I'm trying to figure which router to buy that is compatible with laptop & that I can afford.
Maybe some background info will help you, help me. My problem started after thunderstorm a few days ago. A few hours after storm passed, I tried to check email & couldn't get on line. Firefox would not work at all. Tried IE & it connected, but would only reliably connect to home page after swirling for awhile. If I clicked a link from home page, or tried to open a 2nd tab for another website, it would give me "page not available", or simply do nothing. I rebooted computer, problem still there. Then husband said his tablet couldn't get online; it kept showing message it was "finding IP address", but without success. Same thing with smart phone. We tried several times, & usually tablet did not connect, but 1 out of maybe 10 time it would connect, but only for a few seconds, then disconnected. I rebooted everything - trying to reset whatever was not working. I disconnected and re-connected computer, modem & router several times,& in different orders of re-connecting, but nothing reset the network. I took almost a whole day "troubleshooting" all of the network components with support people, trying to find out if it was a problem with my ISP, the modem, the router, or the computer. Diagnostics on computer indicated internal adapters were working, but I had no internet access. Support people with the ISP, the modem mfg & the router mfg. - all said problem was caused by 1 of the other components (big surprise there, huh?).
My ISP said weak signal on modem, & since I owned the modem, not them, I needed to fix or replace it. Modem mfg. support person helped me most - after about 45 min. of connects/re-connects, pings, etc., then repeating those steps in different order, all to no avail, we finally got lucky & was able to get online briefly to Arris website just long enough to do factory reset on modem. Rebooted modem & computer again & modem started working - but only if connected directly to computer. The minute I hooked up router again I could not get internet access.
Then called Linksys to troubleshoot router. Went thru the connect/disconnect power, same with cable connections from modem to router & computer, also tried plugging Ethernet cable into different ports on router (had 4 ports), but nothing worked. Support person & I even went thru steps to set up new network, but that didn't work either, so she said I needed a new router.
Worth mentioning is a weird thing that happened during all this - after connecting & disconnecting ethernet cable many times during trouble shooting sessions, I noticed the port light on router display area (that showed which port the ethernet cable was plugged into) stayed ON in port #2 even though cable had been taken out of that port! If I plugged ethernet cable into another port of router, both port # lights came on & blinked. I was occasionally able to briefly connect to internet (probably due to fewer users on ISP lines since it was 2 AM at this point), but connection was weak & would not open more than 1 tab, etc. & would then disconnect again. Finally gave up on router & totally disconnected it from network. I plugged modem directly into computer again & have had no problems connecting to internet. Thus, my conclusion that I need a new router. Do you concur?
Linksys support person tried a fairly hard sell to get me to buy a new EA6500 router at "special price" while I was on phone with them. I declined offer until I could do research. Research found there are now AC routers as well as N routers to choose from, & then I got into compatiblity research about which type would work with my laptop...and here I am. I'm trying to figure which router to buy that is compatible with laptop & that I can afford.
Get a $50 bill. Go to Bestbuy/Fry's/Walmart/etc. Get a router you like - just make sure it is just a WiFi router (with WAN port, and LAN ports), not a combo modem/router or DSL/router. For just a desktop and a laptop, you need nothing more.
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