Rating: Summary: ...almost gave up Review: I read the reviews... wanted to believe it would work for me, so I ordered it anyway. The short version, it works great once you figure it out. The long version: I had hoped that once hooked up, it would run right away. To my disappointment, it didn't. I spent many hours fussing with it, trying different combination to get it to work. I called my ISP, they couldn't solve it. I finally picked up the phone to call NETGEAR and within minutes the tech was able to troubleshoot the problem and away I went. Turns out, since I have a T1 connection with a static IP address (as opposed to DSL or other standard dial-up and dynamic IP address) the hook-up of the router is not the typical and is not spelled out anywhere in the instructions. Turns out, instead of plugging the cable from the wall into the router's "internet port (A)" like the instruction indicate for a DSL scenario, the tech told me that I needed to plug the cable from the wall into one of the router's "local ports (B)". Also, with a static/private IP address, I needed to make sure both the wireless NIC card and router have the necessary information plugged in that were provided to me by my ISP ie: IP, Gateway Flash, DNS, etc.. This, the tech didn't mention, but after a few more annoying hours of unplugging, and replugging, resetting and cursing, all was figured out and solved. So now, I am up and surfing at 54Mbps and without any problems thus far. You would figure I wouldn't recommend this product, but knowing that my hook-up wasn't the norm, I guess I'm not surprised it took some finagling to get it going. Now that it is going, all is good.
Rating: Summary: Okay Product, But Support is Lacking Review: When I recently purchased a laptop with integrated wireless I grabbed this router off the shelf, excited to setup a wireless network at home right away. The product looked really cool too. I now wish I had done more homework before I purchased it. Getting it set up initially was a bit difficult - my computer said the router was working, but I couldn't access the Internet. I figured my ISP (verizon DSL) was not working with the router, so I called Verizon who told me they only supported Linksys routers, and so I should get help from Netgear. Well, the documentation is written at the level of a professional Sys Admin or someone who has an advanced knowledge of computers - I had a hard time understanding them but finally tweaked my settings enough to get it to work. And some of the advice entailed contacting my ISP. Except my ISP refused to help. I sometimes still have a hard time getting the router to work unless I plug in and then unplug the ethernet cable once I'm accessing the wireless network. Anyway, the point of all this is to tell anyone who is not a computer expert, do your homework first! Had I known my ISP wouldn't help me unless I had a Linksys router, I may not have bought this one.
Rating: Summary: Router broke after 100 days and Cannot be returned Review: My router worked fine for about 3 months and then it suddenly stopped working. Couldn't detect the network at all even though I could find other wireless networks in the area. Be fore warned, Netgear will not let you return a defective product after 90 days unless you PAY 2$ a minute or 30$ total for tech support. So dont depend on the "3 year warantee".
Rating: Summary: Not One Problem Review: Had a Linksys Wireless- B Broadband-802.11b that I couldn't get to opperate on my new computer. When attached to my old one it would drop my internet connection repeatedly. My new Netgear 802.11g wireless installed without any problems and nevry drops a connectio to my server. A great product.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Unit! Review: My home network was the first network that I had ever set up. I have found the Netgear WGR614 802.11g Wireless Router to be a great unit. The "G" standard means that it works much faster than the "B" standard for wireless applications. I have two computers hard wired to this router, and use it's wireless capability for my third computer, a laptop.The only problems I had setting up the network had nothing to do with the router. I have Norton Internet Security installed on my computers, and this caused communication problems until I figured out how to set up the firewalls to allow proper operation. Overall, I think this is an excellent router, and offers excellent performance for a reasonable expense.
Rating: Summary: Support Servise Review: Support service is very slow and takes along time to get through to. I would not recommend netgear based on this problem.
Rating: Summary: High hopes - Disappointing performance Review: I purchased the WGR614 along with a 802.11g NetGear notebook adapter and a 802.11b NetGear adapter for a PDA. What should have been a very easy installation and setup turned into endless frustration. While configuring the router is fairly simple, getting devices to connect to your wireless network is problematic, even when using ONLY NetGear products. Connectivity is spotty, often requiring configuration changes on the remote devices EVERY time you try to connect. The adapters seem to have a hard time finding the wireless network and remembering those settings for later. The Windows XP wirless settings experience the same problem trying to access the network. Attaching 802.11b devices, even when the router was setup to accept them, proved to be even more difficult. In most cases, particularly when using devices from other companies like Linksys or DLink, it was a HUGE headache to get them onto the network, and I am a network engineer. I believe a normal lay person would have thrown the router out the window long ago. My opinion: spend the extra money and purchase a Linksys or Microsoft wireless network equipment (yes, it works very well). You'll have fewer headaches and all the benefits that are present in the NetGear equipment.
Rating: Summary: Still waiting for problems with this thing... it's great. Review: I bought this router from Amazon in Jan 2004 for my home office. Even though some reviews weren't favorable, I bought it anyway since seemed like such a good value (price vs reviews and brand name) and I hadn't had any problems with my Netgear wireless card. I use the router mainly for one laptop and one desktop at home to distribute SBC DSL. So far I haven't had any problems with it at all. One thing I expected from other reviews were for it to hang up every once in a while. It hasn't. Maybe I got a really good one. Who knows. The thing has been a champ for me.
Rating: Summary: Good Router/Great Price Review: I just bought this router to connect a PowerBook G4 and a Toshiba laptop (both 802.11g) to a wireless network. The size is fantastic -- very small and unobtrusive! I literally plugged the router into my DSL modem and recycled the power on both and when I opened my PowerBook my AirPort card had automatically discovered the connection. It was flawless, 5 minutes max! I get good reception at my girlfriend's apartment, which is three apartments down the hall from mine. Her Toshiba laptop took a lot longer to get connected, but it was due to driver issues with Windows XP and her wireless card (what a nightmare), not the router. Now that it's up and running, it works just fine. No drop-outs. Customizing the router for my specific network and security needs was easy due to the simple on-screen instructions. Plus, it has WPA security which is better (and easier to set-up) than WEP. I'd definitely recommend this router, especially with a PowerBook and an AirPort Extreme card.
Rating: Summary: Poor performance and reliability Review: Setup was easy. Works without problems with my Powerbook and desktop PC with 64 bit WEP encryption enabled. However the router sometimes freezes and keeps rebooting itself. I loose connection and have to power down the router and then power it up to make it stable. Also performance is not good. If I connect my 3Mbps Comcast Motorola SurfBoard cable modem directly to my PC I get about 2.2-2.8 Mbps from Speakeasy test. Once I connect it thru the router (wired 100Mbps LAN connection ) I get down to mostly 1.8-2.2 Mbps and sometimes upto 2.5Mbps max. The wireless conection with my Powerbooks 802.11b is worse as i can get about 1.5-1.9 mbps ! Significant drop in bandwidth I will think. Avoid this cheap router and go with Linksys instead.
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