Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G
by Linksys
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Our Price: $129.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $35.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G
Customer Review: IT REALLY WORKS ONCE YOU SET IT UP!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
After trying to set up the WRE54G over and over, I GOT IT WORKING PERFECTLY!!! I took it to a friend's house and after PRESSING RESET FOR 10 SECONDS AND RECONFIGURING IT, it worked perfect also. Last, to help my sister in law since she had signal problems, I took it to her house and after RESETTING IT AGAIN, IT WORKED PERFECT (THEY WERE ALL DIFFERENT ROUTERS). After setting the range expander, most computers have a program (like Intel Wireless Pro or Wlan Utility in my case) where you can see where your computer is getting the signal from, that's where you confirm that the expander works great! My brother in law was so happy, he ended up keeping my WRE54G and now I have to buy another one... :( Of course I'll get this one again! It really works! You just have to try!!!!
The best way for setting it up is disabling any security settings in your router, pressing autoconfigure button for 1 second -it took me a max of 3 times)in the WRE54G until both lights are blue, typing 192.168.1.240 in you web browser, and then after setting that up with your info and checking it works, you can enable your security settings FIRST ON YOUR WRE54G, and then on your router. Seriously, it works, you just have to try!!! IT'S WORTH IT!!!!
Customer Review: No problems setting up or using the WRE54G
Summary: 5 Stars
I was worried about ordering this product because of the negative reviews I'd read here, especially concerning setup. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy it was to get the range expander up and working. I followed the directions that came with the expander (the ones that have you disable WEP first, set things up, then reenable it afterward). I was able to get it to pick up my Linksys WRT54G2 no problem by using a Windows XP machine to do the setup. The machine requiring the expander is a box running OpenSolaris with a Linksys WMP55AG card. Before I put in the range expander (which I set on my desk, directly by the OpenSolaris machine), I was getting, if lucky, a signal of 2-3 from my router across the house, and I got frequent disconnections (especially annoying if you're running a VPN connection like I am). With the expander, I get a signal of 14-15 that never varies, and I've had no drops of my connection, either. I've been using it for the past two weeks with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
Now I'll just have to wait and see how long it works. I've seen some reviews that said it doesn't last longer than 6 months to a year. Hope that isn't the case, but for now I'm completely satisfied.
Customer Review: Painless setup, great performance!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had none of the installation problems mentioned by other reviewers (perhaps because of changes Linksys has made?) I simply ran the installation CD in a laptop on my network, followed the instructions, plugged in the extender near my router, waited two minutes and was ready to go! This extender did the job even though I needed to place it behind a couch at the very edge of my existing routers range. I am using it in a three story 2800 square foot cape, and my wireless router is in one corner of the second floor. Reception was spotty on the opposite side of the house once you got beyond the middle,especially the first floor. This extender completely eliminated the problem! There are no dead spots at all now!
I have a Linksys router, and did not even need to enter the control settings for it....the cd took care of it all. (You may need to do this though depending on your security settings)
I am very pleased with this extender, especially after the guy at radio shack told me the only way to do this was to buy a several hundred dollar repeater! Fortunately I had already done my homework on the net! Be sure to check compatibility with your router before ordering....(easy at the linksys site)
Customer Review: Auto-configured on first try with Verizon Fios Actiontec router!
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought it at local Staples store today (with a $25 off coupon!), ready to return it if I experienced difficulties getting it to work with my Verizon Fios Actiontec (MI424-WR) wireless router (based on some of the reviews).
Was pleasantly surprised that it auto-configured on the first try, AND increased the signal strength on our HD Tivo Wireless USB --located in family room "2 walls away" from the Fios router -- from "marginal" (50%) to Excellent (80s and even low 90s!).
It also gave me full wireless bars in that room on my Palm Pre, and "Excellent" signal strength on my Dell D830 laptop.
Worked just as advertised, out-of-the-box, no fuss no muss. I love the design that lets it plug right into an outlet--I just added a little strip of velcro to secure it against the wall plate, in its unobstrusive floor-level location behind a drape. Weak edge-of-wireless range issue solved!
...am wondering if I should add a single-outlet surge protector...
Very pleased! Not let's see if it keeps working reliably--will post updates if anything changes!
PS - One important detail -- the model number of my unit is WRE54g version 3!
Customer Review: Strong Product - Non-Intuitive but Manageble Installation
Summary: 5 Stars
Just finished installing the Linksys Wireless - G Range Expander (model WRE54G)to work with my Linksys WRT54G router and Dell laptop (Latitude D600). From box to working took less than 1 hour but only thanks to previous reviewer tips.
In particular,
1. Disable WEP and MAC filtering
2. Update router and expander firmware to the latest versions. You can download both from the Linksys website and upgrade each component (router and expander) from their web-based consoles (192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.240, respectively). My blue lights lit up right after I updated the Range Expander firmware.
3. Restore WEP and MAC filtering. Be sure all your WEP keys are identical across your router, expander, and laptop.
Our router is upstairs and my laptop is in our 1st floor office where signal reception is marginal. After installing the new expander I get excellent (5 bars) signal strength all the time. Really made a big improvement in download times and no more "The page cannot be displayed" messages. Woo hoo! Definitely worth the effort.
Thanks to everyone for the tips.
Good luck.