Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router
by Netgear

List Price: $99.99
Our Price: $16.98
You Save: $83.01 (83%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details

• Connect to a cable/DSL modem and get wired or wireless Internet access for all your computers
• Compatible with most 802.11b wireless networking devices
• Firewall, 128-bit Encryption, Parental controls
• Smart Wizard automatically detects ISP type, Port Range Forwarding, Exposed Host (DMZ), URL Content Filtering, E-mail Alerts.
• Compatible with Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Mac OS, NetWare, UNIX, and Linux

• Windows Live OneCare 2.0 (Up to 3 Users)
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Standard [OLD VERSION]
• Nero 8 Ultra Edition [OLD VERSION]
• Quicken Deluxe 2010 [OLD VERSION]
• Kaspersky Antivirus 2010 1-User [OLD VERSION]

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router

Customer Review: Working superb as Internet connector for second computer
Summary: 5 Stars

Solution: purchase a wireless router to connect to the main PC's cable modem, and a USB antennae adaptor for the second PC to receive the wireless signals.

802.11b vs. (the newer) 802.11g wireless router technology? "b" routers transfer data at a rate of 11 Mbps, and "g" at 54 Mbps. Since the Internet will transfer data via cable/DSL no faster than 2 Mbps, any ability by a router to transfer data faster than that cannot be utilized, regardless. (The faster router data transfer speeds are used for those who have a need to transfer data at high rates of speed between computers within the network.) For me (and most people), the "b" technology is several times faster than what you can receive with any cable or DSL connection. Note: some of the "g" equipment is USB 2.0 technology (not backwards compatible), and will not work on an older PC (like mine) that utilizes USB 1.1 technology.

I purchased two Netgear items: the 802.11b cable/DSL 4-port wireless router (MR814 - small, about the size of your hand), and one 802.11b wireless USB adapter (MA111 - tiny, about the size of your thumb). At the time this writing, the two items can be purchased from Amazon.com at a cost of approximately $60 (US) after a $30 mail-in rebate. I was very surprised at the low cost.

When I received the Netgear items, I did my usual kid at Christmas "Damn the instructions, full speed ahead" routine, hooking up wires, following the well-written wiring chart. I did not read over the instruction booklet, which was my big mistake at first. With all lights blinking green, I tried to connect to the Internet, but got nothing. I was doing a terrific job of avoiding reading the instructions. I spent the next hour talking first to a tech rep with AOL, and then an Internet tech rep with the cable company. Neither was able to figure out the problem. I finally told the cable guy that I would try reading the instructions, and if that did not work, look to see if Netgear had a website with FAQ and troubleshooting tips.

The instruction booklet by Netgear is well thought out, and easy to read for a moron like me. On the second page of the instructions for Windows 98 users, it indicates the settings that need to be set in the configuration utility that is located in the system tray on the lower right part of the monitor, next to the clock. I had to change two settings from the default settings, and I was done. Bingo - a blazing fast Internet connection for the second computer. The total time it took to set up the wireless router and have an Internet connection was only ten minutes (minus the hour I wasted talking on the phone to the tech reps because I avoided reading the instruction booklet).

This was a week ago. Subsequent to that, every night, I have left AOL connected overnight to see if it would remain connected. Each morning when I get up, AOL is still connected. Surfing the Internet is every bit as speedy as if I am using the main PC. Not one bit slower, and no hesitation in launching webpage after webpage.

I have read many of the negative comments about these Netgear products(...). For me, it has been a superb solution to the problem. It works better than what I had expected, it was easier to set up than I had expected, and the price is far less than I had expected. I cannot say enough good about my Netgear wireless LAN. (...)

Description of Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router