Resolved Belkin Wireless N Routers Rating

Not sure, I use a linksys router and a netgear access point. 80211n access points are, imho, overrated. The problem is that a n access point will automatically drop and stick to lower rated g or b speeds as soon as a g or b client connects to it. For example, if your wifi card is a 80211n adapter, you will get n rates on your local network when transferring files. But if have 3 systems and the other has a g or b adapter, then the access point drops and stays at the lower speed.

80211n access points may give a slightly wider connection range, but you can take any g access point and use upgraded antennas and have a far wider range than any n access point.

 

FYI, you do have an access point, it's built into the router.

Are you sure it's version 3? Linksys site does not show a version 3 of that router.

What kind of trouble hooking up the router?

To get the Linksys hooked up and working:

1. pull the power plug on Comcast modem.
2. shut off computer.
3. disconnect network cable from computer to modem.
4. connect network cable from modem to Linksys router WAN (Internet) port. (router not yet powered up)
5. connect second network cable from computer to router.
6. power ON router, wait 20 seconds.
7. power ON comp.
8. open Internet Explorer and go to this address:
http://192.168.1.1
9. Login: username = blank (empty) password = admin (lower case).
10. set up router; enable wifi, etc.
11. turn off comp & router.
12. turn ON modem, wait 30 seconds.
13. turn on router, wait 30 seconds.
14. turn on comp.

Here's a manual for that router:
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/support/WRK54G/download

 

OK, if you had it working previously, then it should be just "plug & play ".

The KEY is to turn OFF modem completely first. You see, the modem synchronizes with the cable company headend and associates itself with the MAC Address of the device it connects to, it this case, the MAC Address of the network adapter in your computer.

If hook up the router, it won't work, because the modem is still associated with the computer adapter. Thus you must turn OFF the modem to disassociate it, connect the router, connect the computer. Then turn them all on in correct sequence:
1. modem, wait until synces with cable company headend.
2. router, wait until synces with modem & modem synces with router.
3. computer, synces with router.

In this sequence, the modem synces with the MAC Address of the router.

A MAC Address is a unique identifying number of a network adapter or other hardware device. All adapters have such a number and are assigned at manufacturing per international standards.

 

Glad it's working!

Tips:

Login to the router > Administration section > change router password. The default = admin and everybody knows that!

Wireless section > change SSID from Linksys to a unique name. example: DEPNET

Use some type of wifi security, either WEP or WPA-TKIP. But don't setup security until verify that daughter can connect without it. If all OK, then setup wifi security & password.