Hello ladies and gentleman,
 
Im just about to upgrade my old belkin wireless router to something that doesnt freeze all the time and struggle with security features.
 
Im going to be using one laptop running XP and one desktop running vista 64.
 
Anyone have any recomendations and experience, especially on the vista system.
 
Thanks in advance
 
Paul

Or does it not matter which router i use as long as the wireless adapters work on the two different operating systems?
 
Paul

Some older routers have compatibility issues with Vista and/or IE 7.  Newer models or older models with upgraded firmware should be fine.  Some brands specifically advertise "Vista Compatible" for such reasons.
 
A couple of suggestions encompassing budget and higher-end options:
 
Buffalo WHR-G125
D-Link DIR-655

 
Be sure the router you choose is listed as Vista compatible in the specs.

I decided to go for the NetGear RangeMax NEXT DG834N.  We shall see what happens.
 
Thanks for the help
 
Paul

Let us know how it goes... the router brand "shouldn't" make a difference. It is a stand alone box with an embedded OS and it communicates to the host computer through a web browser (pretty standard).
 
Good luck.

I have an older linksys wireless router, and just got a new computer with vista 64.  So far I have had nothing but struggles.  I first tried an internal pci wireless adapter (its a desktop), but after a two hour phone call with support, they finally told me that the sticker on the box that said "vista compatable" was only for 32 bit systems not 64.  Frustrated, I went with a rather pricy netgear usb adapter, which worked for surfing the internet, and even for about a week with games.  For a reason still unknown to me, it would no longer allow me to connect to any games.  I would disconnect the second after the level loaded, then the whole internet to my computer would crap out, and I would have to reboot to get it back.  Finally I said to hell with wireless and I bought a second cable modem to put right in my room and direct connect to that.  Apparently comcast would have to charge twice for that because they cannot split the bandwidth to one home between two modems, so I'm still stuck using my PoS laptop for internet purposes until I can find an adapter that will work, or convince my parents to let me run a 50 foot lan cable from the router to my room.

Whatever you go with, keep track of your receipt, my second try at an adapter only started showing problems after about a week.  If you do find something that does work, I would love to know.  Until then, good luck.

I started a similar topic about adapters specifically, found here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e-adapters

Fraken,
 
Something like this may be a good option for you..........
http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inqu [...] ower-lines
 
Basically, This will get you a "Ethernet" run from your router in the other room up to where your Vista 64 machine in is.
 
So long as the built-in ethernet NIC works you should be set.

That looks really interesting, but I wonder if the performance is really as good as it says.  I have no reason to believe otherwise, however, this is the most unique solution I have come across.  I have ordered one final network adapter, and will try that.  Maybe if it performs like the others I have tried, I will give your latest submission a try.

If your main concern is internet connectivity, speed should not be an issue.  It should easily outperform your Cable or DSL connetion.
 
Now, if you are doing home networking, it's likely not as fast as wired or some of the Pre-N or Super-G setups.

If I understood a co-worker correctly, Vista does not get along with WEP and pretty much requires WPA. However, ANY new router will support some flavor of WPA so I can't imagine this being an issue.
 
About your old router... I take it you upgraded the firmware to the latest version?

Is getting a 802.11n draft router smart or dumb?
My Router just broke.  I find some 11n routers that has features I like. But will it be trash when the final 11n routers/cards come out?
I hope the 11n draft routers are advanced enough so all future changes is just firmware ??
Thanks!
(On Topic, I use Vista 64)

I'm on the same boat as the others. 64 bit Vista hasn't been an issue until this week when I tried setting up a wireless network. I went with a linksys WRT54G which received good reviews, only to bring it home and get a connection that died on me just about every day. After a chat with a Linsys rep I found out they don't support 64 bit OSs. They don't carry a single router that does. At this point I had to return the router and while I was at best buy I spoke with a geek squad member. He said that Belkin might have a solution. So I got on the phone with a belkin rep and asked specifically for a wireless router that would work with Vista 64 bit. This is one that was recommended http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatPro [...] _Id=179477. I'm probably going to order one of these, so if it doesn't work out I have a bone to pick with a Belkin rep. I hope that helps everyone out... if it doesn't then we all have bones to pick with a Belkin rep

Hmmm...   I have a wireless Belkin router on Vista 64.  Don't remember the model number offhand, but it's a plain square box, all white, 802.11n, and has the three grey~ish antennas. Plus the usual blue lights on the front of the panel.   I'm only using the wireless for the rest of the house though.  Stuff like my laptop from work, printers, the wife's Mac and work laptop, etc...  My own comp is plugged in, and for no other reason than I my 'office' is closest to where the cable comes into the house.   {read this as: "The wife long ago banished me and all my crap to the corner of the basement next to the utility panels so she wouldn't have to look at it/me when she didn't feel like it...."   I'm sure you single folks are laughing.  Married guys know *exactly* what I mean.}  Anyways...
 
In my case, Vista 64 successfully configured itself for the router on it's generic drivers and settings.  It literally did it all in the background when I plugged in Lan cable.  I use NetworkMagic for management since I like the pretty pictures and am lazy. Plus it notifies me if I have unwanted guests, and the like.  And that works on the generic Vista drivers too.   Since this combination was humming long without my "help" I applied the old "Don't Screw With What's Working" rule and didn't bother to install any specific drivers.  Quite frankly I was relieved to not have to deal with the potential for endless troubles, and walked away actually thanking Microsoft for a change.   In XP I would have at least had to configure the stuff, you know?
 
I have not tried to use a wireless connection from Vista 64 to the Router.  So that might be the deal here.  So if you can, try plugging into the Router from your V64 box sans manufacturer drivers, and see where that gets you.
 
 
 
enewmen:  My understanding is that the starndard is well enough advanced that it's not (supposed to be) about the hardware any more.  So a firmware flash should see you through.   And to be honest, the N spec is supposed to be backward compatible anyhow.

Ok, so far so good. I received the Belkin router I mentioned before and I have it up and running. So far it's working much better than Linksys router I had to return. I'm actually able to access files on my Vista 64 System from my PS3's wireless connection. I was not able to get that working with the Linksys, so that's a very good sign. Also the connections seems more solid and reliable. Even though I only had it up for a few hours, it still seems better than the Linksys, which would come in and out when it pleased and required plenty of restarts.
 
Update: Another plus! I was also able to network my all in one HP. It works perfectly.