Router problems

[Philllter]

Hey guys, I found this website on google when I was browsing for solutions to router and internet related problems and it seems that the contributors on this site actually know what they are talking about. I have a couple issues with my internet set up and I was wondering if you could shed some light on them.

I am not very skilled with internet connections or routers, but I know my way around a computer.

Here are my problems:
I have a linksys 802.11b router with cox communications as my cable provider that will randomly time out and I will have to manually reset it by pulling the power chord out and putting it back in. This will occur if I play games online or simply just search the internet. Because this happened so often when playing games online, I wired an ethernet cable to my desktop through the router so that it would not rely on the broadcasting power of the router. This worked for a long time, but I gave my desktop to my father (it is still wired in) and purchased a laptop. It is a new dell xps but the internet speed is slower when using the router than my brother's ancient toshiba. (For example he can buffer netflix "watch now" movies in 5 seconds while it takes me 10 minutes and it will re-buffer after 10 seconds into the movie.

The speed is not as big of a concern as the timing out issue. The router is kinda old but this has been going on for over 3 years.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out

[YeOldeStonecat]

A Linksys "B" router...that puts it as one of their early models...very old compared to todays more current generation routers which are several generations newer. The very first routers had very slow CPUs and a small amount of RAM, as well as early versions of wireless chipsets.

First recommendation would be to replace it with a current generation router. Almost any of todays models will be able to handle the faster throughput of todays faster broadband connections, longer wireless range, heavier loads and concurrent connections, better QoS, and much better compatibility with the wireless network cards of newer computers.

If you can't get a new one, you can try updating the firmware on the router. It may help out with some compatibility issues between it and whatever wireless NIC is in your new laptop.

[mccoffee]

Another tip this one sounds crazy but it did help me allot If you are using flash.

Uninstall Adobe flash ,and reinstall it also when the movie is playing right click on the video ,and options try increasing the cache size.

One more thing if you feel comfortable doing it I know my laptop which is Toshiba had and bios update that fixed the same issue about video on the net. If there is new bios read carefully ,and see if it addresses performance issues.

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html

[mccoffee]

delete wrong thread

[Philllter]

Thank you stonecat, I had a bad feeling it was the age of the router what would you recommend for a replacement?

[YARDofSTUF]

Both Linksys and Dlink make good routers for the home.

Do you do anything with torrents?

[Philllter]

Yes I do use torrents is there specification which i should look for?

[YARDofSTUF]

Torrents can keep a router real busy, probably gives that old linksys mini strokes.

I would look into a Dlink DIR 655, 855, or DGL 4500. All have good power to deal with the heavy demands or torrents.