On Virgin: Dynamode or other brand router for network?

DB_SamX · 25 Mar 2007 at 16:49

Solved - On Virgin: Dynamode or other brand router for network?

Hi all,

Currently on Virgin 2mb connection with NTL home:120 cable modem.

3 questions:

Anywhere I can find some facts on my current modem above, more especially, what sort of speeds it can handle, considering it dates back from 2003 I believe.

Next, I want to share that connection wirelessly. Is it ok to get the Dynamode wireless router Virgin sell themselves for £30 for the sake of 'endorsement' or is it better to get something like Netgear WGT624 (£54) or WGR614 (£40)

Alternatively, is getting a cable modem/wireless router combined any better as it is all inclusive? If so, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance?

/edit - that bit solved, thanks guys. Related problem below.

DB_SamX · 25 Mar 2007 at 20:47

Not sure but looks like that. ^

DB_SamX · 25 Mar 2007 at 23:06

dbmzk1 said:
You can't get a cable modem and router combined. You have to use the NTL modem supplied.

As for the NTL120, it is made by Ambit and is not capable of 20mb but should work fine at 10mb and below.

Virgin will replace your modem if it is not capable of the speeds you subscribe too. It's free and it is a simple 5 minute job.

As for the router I recommend this with this

Cheers! I'll get a router then, but I might get a Netgear one though instead, as I have used one of theirs before and have a Netgear wireless card. And look sleeker too, lol.

DB_SamX · 5 Apr 2007 at 23:50

To revive this thread, I have now bought the recommended Linksys WRT54GL but having another modem issue prior to installation.

Trying to install the router has proved unsuccessful as it keeps getting DNS and key ports errors. I think it may have something to do with this :-

Ever since I have had the NTL cable modem, it has been connected to my PC via USB(!), not ethernet, because the quickstart guide had said it was simpler and indeed it has been.

Could it be that the PC/modem is only set up for USB currently and not ethernet be the cause for the problems?

I have tried
(i) connecting using ethernet wired modem to pc (no router involved) but still get a "limited connectivity" msg in the systray and live messenger says "dns errors".
(iii) tried connecting my laptop direct to the modem via ethernet, similar to (i), but get same messages.
(ii) then tried using the old "ntl broadband installer" to reconfigure the modem to use ethernet connection but it refuses to do so. It says that I currently have a wireless network adapter and usb cable modem plugged in, when they are really not (they are installed on the pc though).

Anything you suggest as to how I can reconfigure my modem to use ethernet instead of usb, with the eventual hope that the linksys router will then work? SOlved

Please help, it is really annoying me.

DB_SamX · 9 Apr 2007 at 17:19

CHeers Tolien,

I have managed to set up the modem to work with ethernet after its uninstallation and reinstallation and a few good old pc/modem/router reboots (which I have come to realise is underestimated).

I have also managed to install the router 95%. It is working wired to the main PC and have got wireless set up with WEP128 security.

My laptop saw the ssid of the network a couple of times but as soon as I tried connecting, it told me the network was out of range. Considering the router and laptop are 1m apart, this is baffling. I somehow need to know if it is braodcasting ok...

I'll keep at it for now, but any advice on that last issue is welcome.

DB_SamX · 9 Apr 2007 at 20:35

tolien said:
No idea about the range problem other than it might be worth trying a different adaptor or the adaptor you're using with a different wireless device, but 128-bit WEP is a waste of time. If you can, use WPA/WPA2.

Is it worth trying it without any protection first to see if it persists?

I actually tried with 2 laptops which I know have working network adapters. I have a third one. One doesn't see it at all. Mine is the one that sees it then disappears. I'll try it with a third one laptop/network adapter.

DB_SamX · 11 Apr 2007 at 16:44

Well, an update:

Wireless worked fine without any security on for a whole day. My brother tried the laptop round the house etc...seems ok.

Adding any sort of security is still a problem...tbc.

/edit - he's got it working with 128bit wep but not wpa. We'll stick to that for now and beef it up at some later stage with mac filtering too.