Vista Compatible Router

megaton1

March 19, 2007 1:05:01 PM

I looking for a new router but need some help to select a good one that fits my setup and needs (I not a gamer...Email/Internet/BitTorrent downloading/ etc.

I currently have a Linksys BEFSR41 V2 wired router that is connected to my two desktop PCs via Cable Modem (D-Link DCM-202).

I also have a Dell laptop with wireless card and Truemobile 2300 wireless router that is connected to the Linksys BEFSR41. The laptop is not used much - usually when I travel).

I have Vista Ultimate on all 3 PCs (I'll move the Laptop back to Xp as it's 3-4 yrs old and Vista is a bit much for it).

My cable ISP is Suddenlink (formerly COX) and my down speed is 3.5 - 4.0 mbps.

Linksys says my BEFSR41 V2 router is not Vista compatible but I've done some workarounds to make it work ok.

The world has rolled over a few times since I last bought a router as you can tell :lol:

Everything seems to be wireless rather than wired like my old Linksys.

I would really appreciate any suggestions for a good router...I don't want cheap but rather something that will work with Vista Ultimate and last a few years without becoming too obsolete. :lol:

Thanks

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Iceblue

March 19, 2007 1:39:39 PM

How can a router not be "Vista compatible"? It is a router. It shouldn't give a rat's behind what OS is on the client machine as long as the client speaks proper ethernet protocol.

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Madwand

March 19, 2007 7:07:14 PM

If all routers were designed and implemented to published standards, then there would be no problem and all routers would be "Vista compatible". But the implementation of consumer routers, and particularly ancient routers which are no longer supported, is hit & miss regarding compatibility with Vista's dynamic windowing and perhaps other features.

There are workarounds, and some of them are nasty -- e.g. turn off SPI firewall. It is better IMO to look for a router which is free of these issues.

The Linksys WRT54GL / Buffalo WHR-G54S / and other similar ones will certainly be free of this issue when they run a decent third-party firmware such as DD-WRT. They should also be free of this issue if they run a new-enough version of the native firmware -- there are enough of these in the field that if Linksys / Buffalo / etc., don't fix the issues, it's going to be a major PR issue.

The D-Link DGL-4300 is getting a bit dated now, but is still a good and more modern router and is free of such problems. The DIR-655 or another successor should replace it in time.

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megaton1

March 19, 2007 10:42:16 PM

Quote:

If all routers were designed and implemented to published standards, then there would be no problem and all routers would be "Vista compatible". But the implementation of consumer routers, and particularly ancient routers which are no longer supported, is hit & miss regarding compatibility with Vista's dynamic windowing and perhaps other features.

There are workarounds, and some of them are nasty -- e.g. turn off SPI firewall. It is better IMO to look for a router which is free of these issues.

The Linksys WRT54GL / Buffalo WHR-G54S / and other similar ones will certainly be free of this issue when they run a decent third-party firmware such as DD-WRT. They should also be free of this issue if they run a new-enough version of the native firmware -- there are enough of these in the field that if Linksys / Buffalo / etc., don't fix the issues, it's going to be a major PR issue.

The D-Link DGL-4300 is getting a bit dated now, but is still a good and more modern router and is free of such problems. The DIR-655 or another successor should replace it in time.

Thanks for the comments and information Madwand. I'll take a look at the DIR-655.

Thank you

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