Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It worked for me!, 21 Nov 2004
Like others I approached this purchase cautiously, especially as where installing new hardware/software is concerned we've learn't not to trust manufacturer's claims. But this installation worked perfectly, first time - and I was impressed with Belkin's installation wizard I downloaded first from their website. In fact I didn't need it, I just followed the few written instructions. I have a desktop connected via a wired network card and a laptop via an inbuilt wireless card.
I've found the range to be very good - all round the house, and about 60 yards in the garden, with the transmitter in the front bedroom of the house.I initially had two problems because I wanted full networking - not just Internet access. Both were down to Windows XP default settings. You have to deselect the inbuilt Windows XP Firewall, and also ensure that 'Enable Network Access Control using IEEE 8021X' - is not selected either. Go to NETWORK CONNECTIONS, click on the LAN connection device being used (ie in wired or wireless card) - rightclick on PROPERTIES. Click on ADVANCED tap to get at Firewall setting, and AUTHENTICATION tab to adjust other setting. Do this on all PCs on your network running XP. Likewise you may need to make setting adjustments if you run any other Firewall software, such as Zone Alarm. They all offer some adjustment for allowing user assigned IP addresses to get through to your computer - enter the IP addresses of all the PCs on your network including your own. To find your IP address click on START on each PC. Click on RUN - and enter CMD press return and when the new window appears type in IPCONFIG. The only other thing you need to ensure is that all the PCs belong to the same WORKGROUP. Rightclick MY COMPUTER SELECT properties and click on COMPUTER NAME tab. Click on CHANGE to change workgroup name if it is not the same as the other PCs.
Although the router has a Firewall I would still recommend one on each PC and of course antivirus software. I got some of my information from Belkin in the States (better than the UK site) using their 'online chat' facility. I may have been lucky but obviously got a very knowledgable operator.
It's early days - but based on my experience so far I can't fault the product or the service - and you won't do much better price wise than buying it from Amazon if you use their free delivery option. Its a pleasant change to find something that actually does do what it says on the box!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent performance, poor information, 30 Dec 2003
By A Customer
This is a very tidy piece of kit, that works well in a 54G environment. I bought the PCI N/W card and am getting excellent signal, with 54M throughput. Connecting to BT Broadband is easy (use PPPoA VPI=0,VCI=38). File & print sharing is easy (I suggest all clients are DHCP). Gaming works.
However, had problems with windows update, hotmail, and academic web addresses. Belkin info useless. I didn't bother with the telephone, but the Microsoft website suggested opening port 443 for windows update. (Set this in Virtual Server). When I did this, it resolved all web problems.
The router's time does not update as it should, and you can't set it, but this is only useful for checking its log - which is a bit on the brief side anyway.
All in all, I am finally delighted.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy installation and configuration, 25 April 2004
I bought this modem to replace my existing ADSL modem from BT (the bluefrog). Box refers to a package deal with Freeserve but it works straightout of the box with BT once your basic data is entered. Only (slight)difficulty was that you do have to type http://192.168.2.1/ contrary towant the quick start sheet says. After that you enter your connection type(PPoA for BT) and then user name and password. I was immediately connectedand everything works, email, browser, msn messenger, yahoo mail and yahoomessenger etc. I didn't bother altering the defaults but essentiallyensure 'IP assigned by ISP' is set to yes, VPI/VCI is set to 0/38,'encapsulation' is VCMUX , dial on demand is checked. Idle time was leftat 5 minutes and MTU at 1454.
I first connected a second computer by cable and this worked straightaway. It had previously been set up with a cross over cable so maybe I wasjust lucky. I then swapped it to a wireless connection and once again itworked fine. Both these PCs are running Windows XP.
I selected 128 WEP data encryption and had 13 hex numbers generated usingthe facility in the router via the web connection. I then copied this tothe second PC and had a fully encrypted connection.
This was repeated with the third PC which was running windows 98. The onlydifficulty here was that the wireless card didn't install properly, whichwas nothing to do with the Belkin kit. I resolved this by manuallyinstalling the drivers. I've used D-link AirPlusXextremeG cards in bothmachines. They seem to work well and I consistently get 54MPs according tothe diagnostic software that comes with them. Both were set for dynamicallocation of the IP addresses
Again I entered in the 13 hex encryption digits using the cards softwareand the connection was made straight away. On top of that I renamed mySSID from the default, entered an optional local domain name and finallyset an administrator password for good measure and that was it. I alsoensured the firewall in the router was on. Essentially the interface ispretty intuitive and there is a basic help feature for most screens. SinceI had set a new SSID I ensured that my cards in the other machines onlyconnected to that one rather than the default 'ANY'.
I checked the Belkin site for a firmware upgrade but mine appears to havethe latest installed.
So far appears to be working reasonably well. The only concern that I haveis that the power adapter to the modem runs quite warm. Gave it a 4 ratherthan 5 star since the documentation is a little light. I was verypleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get up and running. My previousnetworking experience has been restricted to a crossover cable connectionusing ICS between two computers so I'm no expert!
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