wireless router advice

BDBohnzie - can you try the wireless card in another laptop, or try another card in your sister's laptop? That should help you narrow down the problem.

I fifth or sixth the Linksys, it really is the best wireless solution. Also, with all the BestBuy links, I'd recommend Circuit City if you have one in the area (shameless plug, I work for Corp.) But also, CC & BestBuy carry the same products, & if BestBuy has it cheaper, CC will match & beat their price so you get the best possible deal.

Just off the subject a little bit, if I have the time I always get my stuff online from newegg.com. I HATE how Best Buy (not sure if Circuit City does this) has "$20 HARD DRIVE!! (with $150 mail-in rebate). I mean that SUCKS.

Just off the subject a little bit, if I have the time I always get my stuff online from newegg.com. I HATE how Best Buy (not sure if Circuit City does this) has "$20 HARD DRIVE!! (with $150 mail-in rebate). I mean that SUCKS.

its a good deal for me... you gotta be religious on the rebate though. But since other people are lazy, I get a much better deal.

You can't get cheaper hard drives, monitors, or complete systems than compusa/best buy/circuit city/staples rebate stuff.

microcenter is much better for actual everyday prices and crap like ethernet cables etc...

I'm feeling pretty good about my linksys purchase, thanks for the advice guys.

On the topic of rebates, I'm a big rebate hater too. Just give me the damn money off when I buy it, I hate having to jump through hoops to get my $50 check 3 months down the road.

I've already tried changing the channel from 6 to 11 to 1 back to 11...that was the first thing I tried. I may try channel 1 again. I know my parents have 2.4ghz wireless phones, but they did when my sister orignally got set up downstairs (split foyer house, with the adapter right below the room with the router in).

Malcolm - I had my folks by new stuff (New G router, then new G USB adapter) same problem still occurs. She has a desktop...I may try to bring my laptop over and see if I have the same problems.

I may try the channels again...then I'll move the computer to another location and see if I can't get it connected.

Try pinging the address of the router to see if the laptop/desktops even see it. If not, you're having some software problems on the Windows XP side that you need to resolve. I also let Windows do all of the managing of my wireless setups. I don't ever run the CD for the adapter installs. I just install the driver and that's it. I DO run the CD for the adapter setup.

And also, this goes for everyone who uses Linksys, I would make sure you change your router password because EVERYONE knows that the default is linksys and anyone in your neighborhood could easily get into your router and a) lock YOU out or b) steal your access and can do a variety of nasty things to you.

I've already tried changing the channel from 6 to 11 to 1 back to 11...that was the first thing I tried. I may try channel 1 again. I know my parents have 2.4ghz wireless phones, but they did when my sister orignally got set up downstairs (split foyer house, with the adapter right below the room with the router in).

Malcolm - I had my folks by new stuff (New G router, then new G USB adapter) same problem still occurs. She has a desktop...I may try to bring my laptop over and see if I have the same problems.

I may try the channels again...then I'll move the computer to another location and see if I can't get it connected.

You also might want to consider some adapters with the "a" ability. I believe the mhz is different and gives you some more stability with phones around.

I've had two linksys wireless routers die within 3 months of getting them...
The cards/usb receivers have been great... i wouldn't buy another linksys router.

A couple of other basics:
1. Change the name of the router.
2. Turn off broadcasting.
3. Enable encryption.

If you want to get more into it, you should also limit the client access list by MAC address.