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Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router

Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router

List Price: $69.99
Your Price: $49.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Router and wired features good, wireless is slow
Review: I recently bought this router new (shrink-wrapped box and all) from someone who's had it for awhile. I've heard a lot about the newest Version 4 of the hardware leaving a lot to be desired, but this Version 2 that I have leaves a lot to be desired, at least on the wireless side, as well. I even applied the latest 1.45 firmware to it today and still the problems. Basically, I only average about one-half to two-thirds of my regular bandwidth with it. I even tried turning WEP encryption completely off (concerned the encryption processing overhead was slowing it down) and that didn't help. I tested several times using the speed tests from DSL Reports and took the average (they were all pretty close anyway). I even changed the channels. Nothing seemed to help. Tech support didn't have any other ideas either.

To put this in perspective, I have been using an older Netgear MR314, and couldn't be happier with it. It provides my full (or at least within 5% or so) bandwidth even with 128-bit WEP on. I have re-installed that and now have an even stronger appreciation for old reliable in that sturdy, quality metal case. I got this for only $30 from someone I knew, so wanted to try it to see it it would increase my range since it has not only two antennas, but both are also longer (the Netgear one I has only has one short antenna).

I've had pretty good experience from Linksys in the past, but have to say I'm VERY VERY dissapointed with the BEFW11S4(v2), and will be more careful about buying products from them in the future.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Junk for many users - buyer beware
Review: This router will loose it's connectivity if your home or office also uses 2.4 ghz remote phones (very common). This is due to a conflict that allocates both devices into the same frequency range. There is absolutely no information or warning about this in the Amazon editorial or tech specs. In addition, Amazon is charging me return shipping for the favor. They say it's my fault. The reps at Linksys are no bargain either and were completely usesless. By accident I put the pieces together through shear luck. I returned this unit but will go to another vendor. Amazon does not deserve the business. I guess I will either have to wait for a standard to come out at another frequency or change my phones out, which are less than a year old.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Causes problems with Windows Media Player
Review: Although the product works, it is known to cause major problems with streaming audio through your Microsoft Windows Media Player. I spoke with one of the Linksys tech support reps who told me their router does indeed cause this problem. After the infinite language problems I encountered with the tech (Linksys farms out their tech support calls to a company in the Phillipines) I was finally transfered to a "specialist" who was able to bring me to a "secret web site" to adjust my router settings. I'll let you in on the address, it's: http://192.168.1.1/ . An "enter Network Password" dialogue box will pop-up. Ignore the User ID field. In the Password field enter the word "admin". Then press okay. From here you can set your router.

However, even after I was guided through the settings, my streaming audio still failed to work.

WHAT EVER YOU DO, DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Slow router, unstable connection, and deception about rebate
Review: Router is not very reliable - unstable and slow connection and downdoading; you have to restart your computer at least twice in hour.
Also, do not trust Linksys's ads about rebates: I have bought 3 items that were eligible for rebates (i.e., 3 weeks before the end of the qualifying period). They deceived me and refused to pay any.
So, next time I will choose another brand

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very good product, just don't call Tech Support
Review: I was a bit apprehensive when I got this product. I'm somewhat computer saavy, but I had never set up a network, let alone a wireless network, and I'll admit...I was scared. But the instructions are fairly clear and anyone that knows how to navigate their wireless card software should have no problem. And that's where I had a problem and had to call Linksys for tech support.

They were no help AT ALL. Becqause my laptop had a Cisco Aironet Client Wireless Adapter and not a Linksys card, they couldn't tell me a thing. Not even where to look for the properties of my card. Granted, I should know this...but they're supposed to be the experts with everything related to their product. They should anticipate an idiot like me calling...but they didn't. Hence, no help and not even a hint on how to get help or to find the right tabs to click. Very frustrating. Eventually, I figured it out and the wireless router works like a champ...not one problem.

I have a fairly large two-story home, and can be upstairs, easily 200 ft. from the router (which is downstairs), with two laptops on the internet, and it still runs at 11 mbps! It's great. The WEP encryption is easy to set-up as well...and while Linksys will warn against slowdown if you use the 128-bit encryption WEP, don't believe the hype. As far as I can tell, there is no slowdown!

In summary, if you're new at wireless network set-up, like I was, be prepared to troubleshoot for a day or two and don't rely on Linksys Tech Support because they're terrible. But once you get it running, you'll wonder why you didn't go wireless sooner.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Lousy
Review: The wireless intermittently cuts out completely (ie, the lights on the front indicate it is no longer providing wireless service), the port-forwarding completely broke in the latest version of the firmware, there are no docs for the updated firmware, even though the web interface has changed and added new features, and the docs have no information for using the router with anything other than Windows.

Rotten, lousy, piece of garbage. The last Linksys product I'll ever own, that's for sure.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Thought all Linksys were good, not so with version 4!
Review: I work as a computer tech, have always had good experience with Linksys products, bought this item without doing any research. Soon after hooking it up I started experiencing the frequent disconnects others have been complaining about. Please note that this only seems to be the case with the current (Sept. 2003) model, listed as ...wireless b, v4. The item pictured on Amazon is the older, working model. The one you will get is a slimmer, smaller, non-working version 4. I started searching the web for answers and found out that everyone with this version is having problems. Please avoid this product until Linksys gets this right. Apparently they tried to cut costs on this model and made a major revision of the hardware, well it DOESN'T work! I finally bought an older version on ebay and it worked right out of the box and it is still working, not one disconnect! The version 4 I bought from Amazon is going back to Linksys, hopefully I will get a fixed, working one in return. This is a non-workingh product, I know what I'm doing and I couldn't keep it connected for more than an hour or two, do not buy this product unless you need the extra aggrevation in your life!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: lousy product, waste of money
Review: the router works but the wireless doesn't. awful manuals so don't buy this junk

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good, but wireless range isn't great
Review: I like this unit a lot. The only thing better would be the Netgear DG824M which has a built in ADSL modem. That said, the Linksys unit does the job as long as you don't expect too much of the wireless range.

You will be able to use the net on your laptop, but take it somewhere where there aren't too many walls between it and the router. I live in a bungalow, and the laptop gets a good signal most anywhere in the house, BUT take it outside and forget it! Each room in my house is only about 12 foot square, so take the lap top more than thirty feet away from the router and it drops the connection.

It's good for the price though.... one more thing. You will need to use an ADSL modem with Ethernet connectivity. I recommend the Eicon Diva 2340 (what I use)

Mark E. Cooper
Warrior Within (ISBN:0-9545122-0-0)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Seamless
Review: This router is great I have it hooked to one computer with the WUSB11, and PS2 with the WET11 (check out my review on that). Anyway the router works great another great Linksys product.


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