Which router & where to buy plus a word issue [Archive]

Armaggedon

28/03/2008, 23:36

Hi Folks

I have quickly searched through the ADSL 24 forum to find any information on wireless routers and it seems that the speedtouch 585v6 is popular. I use a desk top computer and I'm about to buy wireless laptop and wondered if this router would be suitable? I read on the thomson-broadband help website that I would also need to buy a SpeedTouch 121G USB wireless adapter....I'm unsure what this is for but presume it connects the router to my desktop computer. I'm afraid I'm only an intermediate when it comes to hardware but sometimes this is the best way to learn. Where is the best site to buy this new router if it's suitable?

Another query....when I'm creating a new document in word it seems to revert to EnglishUS and I have to reset the language in tools to EnglishUK. Also it never opens with a blank document but contains the last document written. Any ideas on how to resolve this issue?

Sorry if these questions have been asked already, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks:)

alisis

29/03/2008, 08:59

Hi there,
can't help you with the Speedtouch question cause I only ever had Netgear routers.
As regards to your other questions -

Here is an article describing how to change default language:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA102517871033.aspx

Regarding open new document by default - it seems to me that your Normal.dot is misbehaving.

(Normal.dot is the default template for Word.)

To replace Normal.dot : close Word, then use rearch to find its location - type in Normal.dot

Search Drive C:

It should find either Normal.dot or Normal in the search results - delete it. and if you see ~ormal.dot, ~$ Normal.dot.doc or ~normal.dot delete those as well

When you start Word again it will create a new normal.dot that is the default Document1.doc.

Hope this helps.

artyman

29/03/2008, 12:12

If you have an ethernet socket on the Desktop you can connect to the router with the supplied cable, physical connection is always more reliable than wireless. dsldepot.com provide a good service to buy from.

Armaggedon

29/03/2008, 13:56

Thanks Alisis for your help. Will try your suggestion to sort out my word issue. Also to artyman, I plan to connect the router to my desktop pc and then with some help from a friend, network a wireless laptop to the pc. There no disguising what you do for a living...very impressive. The only thing I paint are the walls:)

Does anyone have straight forward instructions on how to ensure a wireless laptop is secure?

Thanks

Armaggedon

29/03/2008, 14:59

Hi Alisis

Used your link to sort the default language issue although did it through C drive as I couldn't find some of the folders mentioned in the link. I did change the default in languages to EnglishUK rather than US so hopefully this has worked. I did a normal.dot search which came up under OLD files so deleted it and then rebooted. Unfortunately this has not resolved the issue however I did another search for just "normal" and have had loads of files pop up including BIN, FMT and TEM but no DOC. I can still open word but the previous document is still there.

Thanks for your help with this.

Dae

30/03/2008, 14:21

Does anyone have straight forward instructions on how to ensure a wireless laptop is secure?

Hi Armag,

1/ disable any unnecessary services on the PC [such as remote registry!]
2/ use a software firewall to control what is connecting to the laptop [and block port 135 etc]
3/ run a real-time anti-virus.
4/ use a strong WPA/WPA2 pass phrase (pref. 68 char ASCII)

And yes you'll need a wireless card or USB wireless dongle for the desktop if you want it to be connected wirelessly ;)

Armaggedon

03/04/2008, 00:37

Hi Armag,

1/ disable any unnecessary services on the PC [such as remote registry!]
2/ use a software firewall to control what is connecting to the laptop [and block port 135 etc]
3/ run a real-time anti-virus.
4/ use a strong WPA/WPA2 pass phrase (pref. 68 char ASCII)

And yes you'll need a wireless card or USB wireless dongle for the desktop if you want it to be connected wirelessly ;)

Thanks so much for the info. May be back for more in depth information. Could do with an idiots guide for this kind of thing because I'm a novice. Can do the firewall and antivirus stuff and I think I can manage the pass phrase but any more than that and I'm dead in the water:o

Dae

03/04/2008, 16:53

Thanks so much for the info

No Probs :)

Rather than go through it all here you can read about the various windows Services, what they do and what is safe to disable over at eldergeek (http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm).

If your still unsure, or don't feel confident with this I can always PM you a list of which services I would disable by default.

And I often use the GRC password generator (https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm) for my wireless pass phrases.

tboorman

03/04/2008, 20:14

Armaggedon

06/04/2008, 10:26

No Probs :)

Rather than go through it all here you can read about the various windows Services, what they do and what is safe to disable over at eldergeek (http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm).

If your still unsure, or don't feel confident with this I can always PM you a list of which services I would disable by default.

And I often use the GRC password generator (https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm) for my wireless pass phrases.

Great Dae, this info will come in really handy. Think there's much reading ahead:D

Thanks again!

Armaggedon

06/04/2008, 10:28

The ST585v6 has been superseded by the TG585v7 - http://www.thomson-broadband.co.uk/products/Details.asp?ProductID=544. The functionality is the same, but it runs a newer firmware version, and has been given a facelift.

Does this mean the older model will be going cheap? Must check out reviews on the new model to see if it up to scratch.

Thanks for the info:)

Dae

07/04/2008, 15:17

Does this mean the older model will be going cheap?

Unlikely .. DSL Depot used to have refurbished st585v6 units for £19.99 but they are out of stock now :(
[too many ADSL24'ers buying 'em ;)]

the st585v7 is available in most places for about £38, which is still a good price IMO.

Or you might consider a Netgear dg834g (alot of users here have those too) for about the same price.
Try and find a v4 if you can as those are Broadcom based, the v1-3 are TI AR7 based (the v3 is still a good router tho).

My old dg834GT is still soldiering on reliably and I don't think i'll replace it until router's with proper IPv6 support start to become more widely available.

Armaggedon

12/04/2008, 00:44

Unlikely .. DSL Depot used to have refurbished st585v6 units for £19.99 but they are out of stock now :(
[too many ADSL24'ers buying 'em ;)]

the st585v7 is available in most places for about £38, which is still a good price IMO.

Or you might consider a Netgear dg834g (alot of users here have those too) for about the same price.
Try and find a v4 if you can as those are Broadcom based, the v1-3 are TI AR7 based (the v3 is still a good router tho).

My old dg834GT is still soldiering on reliably and I don't think i'll replace it until router's with proper IPv6 support start to become more widely available.

Thanks Dae for the info you have provided. One of my friends said he had bought a netgear and is very pleased with it. I'll have a look at both and see what deals are on offer. Thanks again for your help;)

Armaggedon

22/04/2008, 21:58

Hi there

Before I buy a new wireless router can someone please tell me what USB wireless adapters are used for? Is is to strengthen the signal or if the wireless router doesn't have an antenna? Have been searching around a few sites including Ebuyer and have noticed people buying wireless routers and USB wireless adapters.....puzzled:)

TimeRider

22/04/2008, 22:16

Armaggedon

23/04/2008, 19:40

USB wireless adapters plug into the computer in order to make the computer itself wireless.. Thus you can have the router across the road, and still be online on your computer in ya bedroom ;)

Hope this helps

Ebuyer currently are selling a wireless ADSL router for under £20 (with 4 port RJ45), I've already set one up, and have another to do, the one I have already done went smooth, though I have heard from one other person that they sync low? Perhaps theirs was faulty, but something to look out for in case you wanna do a prompt return :)

Steve!

Thanks Steve for the info. I thought it strange that people were buying a wireless router and a USB wireless adapter. I suppose this will allow a PC to be used anywhere in the house. I've been looking at the Thomson TG585v7 and the latest netgear. I note that some of the routers have the ability to block certain sites but unsure if either of these ones do. I haven't had the chance yet to read all the reviews but hopefully this weekend;)

Armaggedon

27/04/2008, 22:19

Can someone tell me what the advantages are when buying a new wireless router over one that is approximately 3years old? I presently have a Safecom and I occassional have speed issue problems. When surfing on the internet the computer hangs for about a minute (feel like an eternity) then all of a sudden jumps into action. So I thought it would be worth investing in a new router. I was under the impression that the newer wireless routers had better speed and security but my colleague doesn't think that's the case. Is he right?:confused:

artyman

28/04/2008, 09:49

I would be very suprised if it was anything to do with your router.

Armaggedon

01/05/2008, 21:33

Hi Artyman

I had my computer checked out a couple of months ago and a friend carried out some diagnostic checks and all appears well. I'm practically siting on my exchange and I'm with ADSL24 which hopefully means my speed doesn't drop below 1MB so the router was my next port of call. Tried the main BT socket and it made no difference.

I'm still keen on forum members opinions on what they think would justify a new router... The present one seems to work most of the time but occassionally I need to reboot.

Will a new router give me better security? Will it give me faster speeds? (other forum members have noticed improved speeds). Any comments appreciated:)

artyman

01/05/2008, 22:40

There may be a small difference in speed between routers, I get slightly better from a 2wire 2700HGV than with my Speedtouch 585v6 but nothing significant I would have thought. You will always lose a bit with wireless.