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Belkin F5D5230-4 Cable/DSL Gateway 4 Port Router

Belkin F5D5230-4 Cable/DSL Gateway 4 Port Router

List Price: $59.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A good little router
Review: I purchased this cable/dsl router locally for a very good price and have found it offers relatively the same features as the Linksys and Netgear equivalents. The device itself is easy to setup, and works well with a standard high speed connection. The reviewer whose kept losing his cable modem connection may have had this problem due to a cable modem that does not support DHCP or possibly his provider uses PPPOE, though I am unsure if cable could. If so he would have to specially configure the router. I have not have any disconnection problems or connection problems whatsoever.

A plus to the browser interface is the direct link to firmware update, a hands off install of them and the ability to configure many options and settings. The browser interface could be set up better, but it not terrible and easily navigated.

The manual is very weak. There is no explanation for the advanced features, such as the VPN for remote management and I have yet to make this work. The DMZ and port filtering is vague and confusing as well, which as limited my success in implementing it. One reviewer thought that if you know how to use these advanced features, then you might know how to set them up. I do know enough to set them up and I still found the lack of information problematic as I cannot tell if I have set THIS particular device up accordingly. Of course these features are not required for a basic setup so I cannot ding them too hard for the lack of documentation

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't bother with this one....
Review: I received this Belkin 4-Port Cable/DSL Router as a gift for Christmas, which is why I gave it two stars--it was free! If I had paid for this, it would have been given less.

The documentation is very inadequate. While you're navigating through the web-based setup, it often refers you to the user manual for detailed help...unfortunately the help in the manual is exactly the same as the web-based setup screens. Belkin needs some major improvement in this area.

The biggest problem I have with this hunk of junk is that it keeps getting disconnected from my cable modem. I currently use a Toshiba PCX1100U cable modem. Before hooking up this router, I had always achieved very high speeds without ever experiencing a single problem. Once I hooked this router up, the problems started. If you're browsing webpages, and ONLY webpages, you should be okay. But it seems that as soon as you start to download a file of decent size, it disconnects you from the cable modem. Naturally, Belkin's website and technical support also leave something to be desired.

So, in a nutshell, save your money and go look for another brand of cable router such as a D-Link or Linksys. I've heard great things about the D-Link!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: I use Verizon DSL and was unable to configure this router to work properly without intervention from Belkin's technical support. The included software repeatedly failed to properly configure the router. The manual was poorly written and Belkin's website was of no use for my particular problems. I will acknowledge that the Belkin technial support representative was knowledgeable and helpful. The day after I had the router set up and running it died on me. After contacting Belkin technical support again and running some diagnostic tests, the tech support representative came to the conclusion that the device was not functioning properly and I should return it to Belkin for a replacement. Instead, I returned the device to the store and purchased a slightly more expensive router from Linksys (model BEFSR41). That router was a snap to set up - no need to contact technical support. In sum, the Belkin router was a disappointment - I can't recommend it at all.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: I use Verizon DSL and was unable to configure this router to work properly without intervention from Belkin's technical support. The included software repeatedly failed to properly configure the router. The manual was poorly written and Belkin's website was of no use for my particular problems. I will acknowledge that the Belkin technial support representative was knowledgeable and helpful. The day after I had the router set up and running it died on me. After contacting Belkin technical support again and running some diagnostic tests, the tech support representative came to the conclusion that the device was not functioning properly and I should return it to Belkin for a replacement. Instead, I returned the device to the store and purchased a slightly more expensive router from Linksys (model BEFSR41). That router was a snap to set up - no need to contact technical support. In sum, the Belkin router was a disappointment - I can't recommend it at all.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I wouldn't recommend it
Review: I wouldn't recommend this product. I have it for about 3 yrs, works as a simple DSL router in 2-3 computers home network. It froze on me on numerous occasion for no apparent reasons andhave to present the reset button on the router in order for it to work again. In 3 yrs, it broke twice. The first time was about 6 months in the ownship. Belkin replace it with a new one and postal cost out of my own pocket. The 2nd time was last week (warrany expired), the same old problem. It just quite working. I won't be replacing my router with the same unit for sure.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Very unpredictable
Review: I'm what would be considered a computer geek and have found this router to be a waste of time.

As with the other's that have had problems, I myself am included with this group. I have earthlink aDSL and after playing with the tcp/ip settings, the PPoeP settings on the router and many more troubleshooting theories....being on the phone for endless hours with my ISP assuming that that was the problem, it was finally concluded that this router was it. It works great when it wants to and when it doesn't...it tells you by not allowing a connection. The info on the website is a joke, since all it tells you is what the settings "should" be for your ISP. It doesn't tell you what to do when the router decides it doesn't want to work.

And now, after having it for a month and a half, I have bought a D-Link router.....and after 72 hrs of un-interrupted service(a 1st)...I think I can finally enjoy what I paid for.....high speed, always on internet service for my home network consisting of 4 computers.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Very unpredictable
Review: I'm what would be considered a computer geek and have found this router to be a waste of time.

As with the other's that have had problems, I myself am included with this group. I have earthlink aDSL and after playing with the tcp/ip settings, the PPoeP settings on the router and many more troubleshooting theories....being on the phone for endless hours with my ISP assuming that that was the problem, it was finally concluded that this router was it. It works great when it wants to and when it doesn't...it tells you by not allowing a connection. The info on the website is a joke, since all it tells you is what the settings "should" be for your ISP. It doesn't tell you what to do when the router decides it doesn't want to work.

And now, after having it for a month and a half, I have bought a D-Link router.....and after 72 hrs of un-interrupted service(a 1st)...I think I can finally enjoy what I paid for.....high speed, always on internet service for my home network consisting of 4 computers.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't buy this router!
Review: If you are looking for a router, do yourself a favor and don't be swayed by the Belkin reputation and cheap price of this product. I have liked Belkin products for years and think that the company has a great reputation for building solid products that don't over-complicate easy tasks. Where networking is concerned, I have a very basic grasp of how it works. Where computers are concerned, I have a very strong knowledge of what it takes to make a great computer and how to build it piece by piece. When I was looking for a router, I came across this Belkin component and thought that thier reputation for building a solid, simple product would mean that this was the router for me. I was wrong. The set up of this router is simple and connecting any router isn't difficult, but this product just simply doesn't work consistantly. One day it works, one day it doesn't. I have a simple need of this unit and that is to connect two computers in my house to my DSL modem. It does this job, but only when it wants to. Let me tell you, there is nothing more frustrating than turning on your computer, opening your browser and seeing the "cannot display page" message because today your router has decided not to let you in. The router worked the day before, but it just doesn't feel like working today. It just does this once in awhile, maybe it will let me in tomorrow... In the meantime, do yourself a favor and don't by this product. Buy the Linksys, Netgear or SMC.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hey i think this is great
Review: it is very easy to setup and very fast and almost as good as linksys and d-link, great for the price. although do have some difficulties with having the voice chatting enabled

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Its great but i do have some minor technical issues
Review: it works great with two laptops hooked upto the dsl, great networking, easy installation. just have some minor technical difficulties with having msn voice chat, even though i have followed the instructions into configuring the dmz to allow me to be outside hte firewall it does not help


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