topic Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?) in Electronics

Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 01:57:11 GMT

I bought a new router, looking for a little more range than my old one.

My old one has 10/100 ethernet ports

I just realized this new router says it has 10/100/1000 gigabit ports.

Will this work with my current modem?

TIA

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:23:09 GMT

Is the question just too dumb to answer?

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

I am still oxox — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:25:14 GMT

I have installed three modems and I do not have a clue what those numbers mean

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

ritasNo1Fan — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:29:08 GMT

wow...I just installed a new modem about an hour ago and my old router works fine with it, but router has only one Ethernet hole. Your new router must be huge to have all those holes. BTW, it took awhile for Comcast to activate this dumb modem. The first rep told me I had to do all the foot work with a cell phone because I had to take apart the old modem. Of course, we were disconnected. I put all the cables back into the old modem, called Comcast again, this rep said she could do everything on her end. And it eventually worked. Took about 2.5 hours. Your new router should have instructions. And it should be pretty easy to activate.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:30:19 GMT

On 7/23/2014 Usedtobeoxox said:
I have installed three modems and I do not have a clue what those numbers mean

Thanks for answering me. I never realized till I read the box that there was anything different. I thought they were all pretty much the same connection wise. Just some more powerful than others?

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

gonnab — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:32:54 GMT

On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:35:03 GMT

On 7/23/2014 ritasNo1Fan said:
wow...I just installed a new modem about an hour ago and my old router works fine with it, but router has only one Ethernet hole. Your new router must be huge to have all those holes. BTW, it took awhile for Comcast to activate this dumb modem. The first rep told me I had to do all the foot work with a cell phone because I had to take apart the old modem. Of course, we were disconnected. I put all the cables back into the old modem, called Comcast again, this rep said she could do everything on her end. And it eventually worked. Took about 2.5 hours. Your new router should have instructions. And it should be pretty easy to activate.

I think with Cox Cable, I shouldn't have to activate a router? Same modem, just want more wireless range at home. The signal has been a little weak at the opposite end of the house.

The new router is a Linksys EA2700 Dual Band Smart Wi-Fi Router. It has 4 ports and it is about 8" X 8".

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:37:11 GMT

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:
On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

LOL, I don't envy you trying to explain. "It just does" doesn't cut it any more does it?

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

Caffeina — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:43:00 GMT

The new router will be fine. It just has extra speed capability.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

ritasNo1Fan — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:50:04 GMT

You are correct. The modem has to be Cable company activated. Router you can do yourself. Comcast wouldn't help me with my router because it is one I bought, not from them. I know you will have to add new password to router and then change your computer p-word. Did a DVD come with new router? Your new router sounds good! I will probably have to change mine soon. Netflix buffers a lot in one room.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:50:52 GMT

On 7/23/2014 Caffeina said:
The new router will be fine. It just has extra speed capability.

Thanks

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:52:11 GMT

On 7/23/2014 ritasNo1Fan said: You are correct. The modem has to be Cable company activated. Router you can do yourself. Comcast wouldn't help me with my router because it is one I bought, not from them. I know you will have to add new password to router and then change your computer p-word. Did a DVD come with new router?

Yes it did. I can get it installed ok. Just the different numbers made me wonder, LOL

Thanks

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

hckynut — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 05:31:30 GMT

On 7/23/2014 betteb said:
I bought a new router, looking for a little more range than my old one.

My old one has 10/100 ethernet ports

I just realized this new router says it has 10/100/1000 gigabit ports.

Will this work with my current modem?

TIA

Hi betteb

Did you get get it working ok? Not familiar with your new router model, but I know that depending on how many wi-fi devices are used it can slow down it immensely. I was having some issues when my DSL speed was only 1.5mbps. After years I finally now have an 8mbps speed so everything is working fine now.

I have only the 2 TV and 2 Blu-ray players that are using the wi-fi but they do not effect it if I have them turned off. My wife has her smart phone and tablet and she has them on most of the time.

If I get a new router it will be one that handles more devices without sacrificing any speed. Hope it is working for you.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

DoneTryin — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 05:47:19 GMT

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:
On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

Boy, can I relate to that!!! Even worse now is trying to grasp the concept of the "cloud." My emails & music downloads are where???

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

betteb — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 05:48:49 GMT

On 7/23/2014 hckynut said:
On 7/23/2014 betteb said:
I bought a new router, looking for a little more range than my old one.

My old one has 10/100 ethernet ports

I just realized this new router says it has 10/100/1000 gigabit ports.

Will this work with my current modem?

TIA

Hi betteb

Did you get get it working ok? Not familiar with your new router model, but I know that depending on how many wi-fi devices are used it can slow down it immensely. I was having some issues when my DSL speed was only 1.5mbps. After years I finally now have an 8mbps speed so everything is working fine now.

I have only the 2 TV and 2 Blu-ray players that are using the wi-fi but they do not effect it if I have them turned off. My wife has her smart phone and tablet and she has them on most of the time.

If I get a new router it will be one that handles more devices without sacrificing any speed. Hope it is working for you.

Hi John-I have not installed it yet. Probably be sometime this weekend. I'm very busy at work and don't have much energy to do much else during the week

I'm just an average computer user and I don't know a whole lot about networking, but the router had good reviews and is supposed to be powerful, which is my main goal. Tired of weak signal when I'm at the other end of the house.

It's supposed to be able to hand multiple devices/users. I got it from Amazon.

I can post back in a few days how it works out.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

Nuttmeg — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:23:07 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mQvPzJOQEI How to install a wireless router for beginners.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7444596_difference-10_-100-1000-gigabits_.html Your first question network switch on a WR or a ethernet port on a device.

If you are still renting a cable modem, you may want to buy. Each cable company has an approved list of products on their site.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

Nuttmeg — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:30:55 GMT

On 7/23/2014 ritasNo1Fan said: You are correct. The modem has to be Cable company activated. Router you can do yourself. Comcast wouldn't help me with my router because it is one I bought, not from them. I know you will have to add new password to router and then change your computer p-word. Did a DVD come with new router? Your new router sounds good! I will probably have to change mine soon. Netflix buffers a lot in one room.

There are some network problems with Netflix. I find out things at http://www.dslreports.com/

I have Hulu Plus and it runs fine. Comcast owns the content.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

VolvoGirl — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 07:40:55 GMT

On 7/23/2014 VCamp2748 said:
On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:
On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

Boy, can I relate to that!!! Even worse now is trying to grasp the concept of the "cloud." My emails & music downloads are where???

Ditto! Remember when computers were new, I was always trying to explain to people memory vs hard drive storage. Haven't needed to tell anyone that lately. I hear you about email. Always trying to explain downloading my email to my computer instead of viewing it online on the Comcast server.

Also now there's cellular vs wireless to explain. Public hotspots, etc.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

ritasNo1Fan — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 07:43:21 GMT

Thanks nutm.! Wish I had gumption to cut Comcast all together.

Re: Wireless Router Question (AKA Help a Dummy?)

glb613 — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 11:06:25 GMT

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:
On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

Confusion about wireless is everywhere. Wireless security is even worse. A wireless router has a name, password and a security number. The password is to get into the wireless settings and make changes. The security number is to keep others off your wireless network.

When I bought a new N router, I gave it the same name and security number as my old router. That way, none of my wireless devices had to be reconnected. It saved a lot of time and aggravation.