Why are Netgear routers so damn rubbish??

Yas786 · 31 Jul 2010 at 18:50

Right ive always used Netgear routers...i had one a few yrs ago which decided to pack up within a yr so had it replaced by netgear...then that went boom a few mths later.

I then decided to buy the DGN2000 router which for about a yr worked perfect then it went boom just before the yr was up so again had it replaced and now im finding it overheating...sometimes the connection on the number 1 port just goes off then i have to reset the router in order to get it back up then after a few hrs off it goes again. Spoke to netgear, my warranty on it expired a few mths ago so they want another £100 or so off me to replace the one i have now.

So why is it that netgear routers are so utter utter crap...been reading around and it seems like im not the only one who suffers from the led lights not working and then they go red as well.

And does anyone have any other decent recommendations...looking for an adsl2 modem with built in N wifi.

Coolasmoo · 31 Jul 2010 at 19:01

I think the Billion 7800n will be my next router when my Netgear DG834n bites the dust.

I have used a Linksys WAG160n which for the most part worked well, but after recently adding a wireless printer, I soon found out the DHCP was problematic and gave up on it.

The Billion seems to tick all the right boxes.

benftl · 31 Jul 2010 at 19:02

It does seem that most Netgear modems have a heat issue :/ Might be worth buying a simple ADSL2 modem/router and running wireless N through a separate router? Either that or the Billion range have good reviews, you get what you pay for though!

DJMK4 · 31 Jul 2010 at 23:56

I really can't believe people are choosing billion??? Iv used an older dg834gt for the last 2 years I think and the previous model before that. Never had a problem, unless it is the newer units

Lonz · 31 Jul 2010 at 23:59

Try buying a Belkin. I've had problems with both Belkin routers I've used.

Snapshot · 1 Aug 2010 at 06:38

Must be something you're doing to 'em.

My DG834PN is still going strong after three years and I've only replaced it (with a Netgear DGN3500) because I wanted 802.11n.

Scooby_WR1 · 1 Aug 2010 at 16:39

The wired connection stoped working on my dgn2000 yesterday but the wireless works fine. I wont be buying a netgear router again.

Bint Box · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:23

Hmmm, I was thinking of buying a Netgear DG834GT as a replacement for my BT HomeHub2, not so sure now?

Are there any reasons to steer clear of the Netgear DG834GT?

Rgds
Binty

DJMK4 · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:26

Nothing wrong at all, iv been using DG834GT for years, and the DG834G for years before that, ask anyone on here they will back me up, if there is anything wrong with the netgears like peope are suggesting, then it must be newer models

My DG834GT hasnt missed a single heartbeat

Plus if you get a sky branded one and debrand it back to netgear, then "if" and thats a very big "if" something goes wrong, your looking at a £5-£10 replacement from the bay for a new one. Cant go wrong IMHO

Bint Box · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:39

DJMK4 said:
Nothing wrong at all, iv been using DG834GT for years, and the DG834G for years before that, ask anyone on here they will back me up, if there is anything wrong with the netgears like peope are suggesting, then it must be newer models

My DG834GT hasnt missed a single heartbeat

Plus if you get a sky branded one and debrand it back to netgear, then "if" and thats a very big "if" something goes wrong, your looking at a £5-£10 replacement from the bay for a new one. Cant go wrong IMHO

Thx for the reassurance.

Would you happen to know if I can flash the "Sky" one with the DGTeam firmware or would I have to flash it with Netgear firmware first to get it back to "Netgear status" then flash it again with the DGTeam firmware.

I assume that you are referring to flashing the firmware when you say "debrand it back to netgear" ?

Rgds
Binty

deadite66 · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:43

if you took everyones advice on which router not to buy you'd never buy any of them, so many people have broadband now they are made too cheaply.
buy an expensive cisco if you want quality.

personally i really like my netgear dgnd3300 and won't buy draytek or dlink again.

Bint Box · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:44

DJMK4 said:
...if you get a sky branded one and debrand it back to netgear,.....

Is the Sky version locked somehow to only process a Sky broadband signal from the telephone socket? My internet provider is BT so would it be mandatory to "rebrand" the Sky version of the Netgear DG834GT in order to be able to use the broadband?

Or, will the Sky version process any telephone line broadband signal without flashing etc?

Rgds
Binty

Bint Box · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:47

deadite66 said:
if you took everyones advice on which router not to buy you'd never buy any of them, so many people have broadband now they are made too cheaply.
buy an expensive cisco if you want quality.

personally i really like my netgear dgnd3300 and won't buy draytek or dlink again.

All I really want is a decent integrated modem/router with decent WiFi range. The Netgear DG834GT has been recommended by quite a few people however, I am open to options.

I had not thought about Cisco as they are not often mentioned for the domestic market. Would anyone happen to know if there is a Cisco integrated modem/router with WiFi that will work on a BT broadband service?

Rgds
Binty

pooley · 1 Aug 2010 at 19:08

DJMK4 said:
Nothing wrong at all, iv been using DG834GT for years, and the DG834G for years before that, ask anyone on here they will back me up, if there is anything wrong with the netgears like peope are suggesting, then it must be newer models

My DG834GT hasnt missed a single heartbeat

Plus if you get a sky branded one and debrand it back to netgear, then "if" and thats a very big "if" something goes wrong, your looking at a £5-£10 replacement from the bay for a new one. Cant go wrong IMHO

+1 i've used one for 3 yrs with sky, flashed with dgteam fw and i have no problems with it. i even bought one cheap on the bay in case my broke, not needed it yet.

DJMK4 · 1 Aug 2010 at 19:09

Bint Box said:
Is the Sky version locked somehow to only process a Sky broadband signal from the telephone socket? My internet provider is BT so would it be mandatory to "rebrand" the Sky version of the Netgear DG834GT in order to be able to use the broadband?

Or, will the Sky version process any telephone line broadband signal without flashing etc?

Rgds
Binty

If you dont debrand it back to Netgears firmware then I think it is locked down, but debranding it is very very simple a 10 year old could do it. Then you have either the option of sticking with the netgear firmware, or upgrading to the DGTeam custom firmware which is what im running.

chuffnut · 1 Aug 2010 at 20:00

Dg834gt work's fine for me.
Got a sky branded one and flashed it with the DGteam firmware .
Works a treat .
Any router with a Broadcom chipset is a winner .

DJDaz · 1 Aug 2010 at 20:03

i've got an old dg834g that still works fine and a sky dg834gt that has been rock solid

Bint Box · 1 Aug 2010 at 22:11

OK, Sky branded one and a reflash of the firmware it is then.

Rgds
Binty

Zarf · 1 Aug 2010 at 22:34

I've had quite a few routers fail over the years - Belkin, Linksys, 2Wire off the top of my head. Running a Netgear 834GT at the moment with the DGTeam firmware, and it's been good to me so far.

Yas786 · 1 Aug 2010 at 22:54

Well still having the overheating issue with the dgn2000...rung up netgear and they say its the first time they have heard of this issue...to which i said really seeing as my first one kept overheating then would drop the connection ie lan port 1 led light would go off until i re-started the router.

Anyhow they were of no help..today i must restarted the router at least 6 times...the router gets very hot which isnt quite right....in fact having a look round the net it seems like this is an inherent problem.

Anyhow have ordered another router from ocuk...going to stick with netgear as im used to setting them up...ordered the dgn2200 router...hopefully this will be better.