Belkin Wireless G Universal Range Extender - F5D7132

Use the utility software with it to setup...if you use the manual way of having to change the address on your own card to navigate to the management screen is pretty tedious to change and then change back to auto is time consuming and could have been done better. Make sure you keep the utility handy because of this. The management screen often times freezes as well on refreshing the status.It gave good coverage but dropped the signal once a week. It auto resets so not that bad unless you're doing some gaming or something that has to maintain the streaming. Doesn't work that well with a signal booster so don't buy one of those if you want to boost the signal...just get a better antenna and it does better. To get a repeater for around $30 is nice though and it does what it is suppose to do. I'm getting great reception from about 700 feet away.
 
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Works as advertised. I purchased this item when on deep discount making it an excellent value for the money. If you use wireless encryption in your network, I recommend going directly to the online Belkin manual and not wasting your time with the supplied materials. Online manual is comprehensive, but might seem daunting to the unprepared. I'm using WPA2 with multiple laptops. Range is significantly improved. Signal penetrates 12" exterior wall with 4" brick. During first few weeks unit lost wireless connectivity (red lite on) about 1x/week. No disconnects in last 3 months.
 
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Install went fine (after reading caveats about installation in a security-enabled network), but the signal strength from this extender at two nearby computers was weaker than the mediocre signal strength from the Access Point at the other end of the house. Tried changing channels and it didn't help. Belkin Tech Support couldn't figure out anything else to try. Bottom line, it didn't work to extend my network and I missed the 30 day return window so I was stuck with it. I ended up getting a NetGear HomePlug Network Extender and it worked great (but was quite a bit more expensive).
 
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once you read the past reviews on the extender... I was prepared to change my local network to match the default from the factory. Once I did that I was able to configure the extender to match my main access point. After that I moved the extender to my main floor and plugged in an Ethernet cable and then I had successfully added network capability to a machine had to be wired via cable. Works just like I thought it would. Now to find my old network switch to plug it into and then I'll be able to plug several other wired appliances and get those on the net.
 
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I have had this since Jan 2009 it has worked perfect so far!!
 
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I read all the harsh statements made about this item. In particular, the configuration of the item. I am IT admin so I was up to the challenge. The Belkin unit was a piece of cake to configure. I was preping for major work to get this thing running, but is was unbeliveably simple. I don't know why others are saying not to use the utility software on the CD. The CD software is what made it so easy to configure. There must be alot of clueless people out there. They are making this thing sound far harder than it really is to get it up and running. I am running it with 128bit WEP and it has been working flawlessly for the last twenty days I have owned it. I cannot beleive how much my signal strength has been boosted. My Acer netbook reads 95-100% signal strength throughout my entire two story house. Well worth the money and definately a better choice than the more well known $100.00 Linksys unit.
 
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This unit is a great value. Setup is not as simple as described if you have wireless security enabled, as you have to manually configure the settings. Otherwise, the unit works great.
 
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This unit works pretty well. However, if you're counting on the "auto" setup - don't. I could not get that to work in the least as I have an encrypted network. I'm using this as a wireless extension to a wired hub. It works well for that purpose. Belkin spent as little as possible on the instructions - download the real ones at their site.
 
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The quick guide manual in the box is useless, if you have your Wifi encrypted, download the full manual from the www.belkin.com. If you use WPA2 TKIP,it does not support it, use WPA2 AES instead. Or change it to WPA TKIP. It will broadcast its own SSID, you will need to reconfigure your laptop and PC's WiFi configuration to use it. It will instantly increase the signal strength. Very good product, highly recommanded.
 
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The extender took some time to configure. You will need to have some computer savy to configure it. Connect a host computer to the extender via the ethernet port. Open a browser on the host computer and type its default address (192.168.2.254) to connect to the extender. Once connected, you can input the appropriate settings. It works great for my desktop pc, but I'm still having some trouble with my laptop. However, I believe my wireless laptop card is causing the trouble and not the extender. Overall, I recommend this product.
 
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My laptop had difficulty in getting a good signal from my second floor to the first floor at the opposite end of my house. I installed the range extender and the signal was doubled! A cheap and easy way to increase my network's range. I would recommend it.
 
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bought 2 of these.they are not worth anything.because i had to open them to try them they would not refund money.will not buy from buy.com again.don't waste your time and money.....
 
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The set up was not as easy as advertised. In fact, it was much more difficult, especially considering they don't cover accessing the router itself or trouble shooting. That said, once I figured out how to make the relay work, it does what it is supposed to do just fine.
 
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The Belkin did exectly as it was described. Fits our needs perfectly at a very small price.
 
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I have a D-Link Di-624 "G" router in the back bedroom. In the living room I was getting 2 bars of signal strength. I installed this repeater in the living room, set it up and now get 5 bars on my HP laptop. I read setup may be a problem. I first removed the WEP encryption from the D-Link, setup the Belkin and then re-installed encryption on both. No problems. P.S. I NEVER install the software that comes with ANY wireless router or repeater. The device already has ALL the software you need to set it up. Many times the software on the CD has compatibility problems with Windows. Windows has it's own software that it wants to use and many times it conflicts with the software on the CD creating connection problems. You DO NOT need to install any software to install and setup ANY wireless router, repeater. Hook it up (I recommend using an ethernet cable at first), open a browser and type the default address of the device (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). A box will open (user name "admin" and password is blank) that has ALL the settings you need (including encryption) to operate the router. Read the manual to make the settings.
 
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The quick setup instructions that came in the box are only good if you have a non-secure wireless setup and do not plan on using encryption. I downloaded the full manual on-line from Belkin and reviewed it after reading other comments to make sure it would do what I wanted. I have a wireless network with WPA protection. The instructions are fairly straight forward, but make sure you have a little time for trial and error. You have to drop your security in order to program the extender. I then connected the extender to my Microsoft MN-700 router. Programming was as per the manual, but I had to turn off my extender and reset my router upon completion to get the network back up and running. Testing shows I can receive at least a good signal now throughout my two-story ~3500sf house.
 
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I did my assignment by going through the reviews and instructions posted by those who've learned before me. In this way, I didn't end up "re-inventing the wheel". For no security setup it's a walk in the park. And this is exactly where you want to start even if you plan on setting up some kind of security. There is a post with all the instruction on how to do it. Otherwise, the unit works well and performs as advertised.
 
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This is the second of these units I have bought. Only advice is don't leaving it sitting in a "Greenhouse" type window in South Carolina in July. I think the heat was a little too much for it. Other than that the configuration was no problem. Even hooking it up to a secure network was no problem if you know how to read. I have it running to a netgear wireless router in another room, so I can pick up a signal with a directional antenna, then rebroadcast non-directional in a better part of the house.
 
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Quick and easy. So easy in fact I wasn't sure it was really working. Plugged it in synced it to the router, put it where I wanted it and I was done. End of process. Has never lost or dropped the signal, been two weeks. Great product. It also works with my T-Mobile Hot-SpotsHome wireless phone.
 
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Single button setup did work, although I have to repeat it each time move to a different electrical outlet. I can now operate my laptop wirelessly anywhere in the old 2-story house. I thought I had a problem after a couple of days, but it turned out to be the cable modem, not the range expander. I have always used mac address filtering for wireless security. I do not really know if using the range extender should be configured in any way. It seems to pick up the laptop's mac address and pass it on.
 
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I was a little apprehensive about buying this item after reading some of the other reviews, but I had no problem setting this up and it has worked flawlessly ever since. I first installed the software on my laptop and downloaded the firmware update. Then I connected it to my laptop by cable and updated the firmware. I installed a Belkin F5D7001 Wireless-G 125Mbps PCI Desktop Adapter into the PC and installed the software. I few clicks in the software and entered my WEP and was connected. One thing I did find out is that you have to allow the Belkin software to control the connection, not Windows. My router is a Belkin F5D8233-4 Wireless-N Broadband Router and my daughter uses the wireless PC in her house next door, approx. 125 ft. away. The Range Extender sits in her house, in a window closest to my house. My Wireless Router is located on the opposite side of my house and the signal goes through at least 3 walls. Considering all this I would say this is a pretty great item.
 
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Not using encryption, as we're in a fairly isolated rural area. Push button on back to do the "Search", and it connects very easily. Trouble is that is looses that connection occasionally and my computer will connect to the weak signal of the router instead, as the extender is not passing the IP address to my computer. Thus I have to start over again with extender setup by pushing button for search on back of extender and then disconnect my computer from router and reconnect to the extender. Ok for me to do, but when I'm not there, my wife gets upset. Since we're only at the cabin a few weeks a year, it's worth it to me to use.
 
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and rebooting the repeater everyday after to keep it working. It was a struggle to get it to work with security enabled, even for an IT guy living in the Silicon Valley with 20 years of technical infrastructure experience. That said I do not recommend this product to anybody especially for everyday average consumers.
 
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Does what it's supposed to but you get what you pay for. So if you looking for a cheap way to extend you network and don't mind a little flakiness then this is you product. I would buy another one if I had a use for it.
 
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The product was packaged well and received on time. The instructions were easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, it didn't work. I am connecting this to another Belkin wireless router, but it did not see the information automatically after I powered it up and pushed the white button. It took a 45 minute phone call to their technical support to get it resolved. Basically, it couldn't see through my security settings on the router to auto configure my SSID and password. I had to connect it to another laptop and configure it manually. As for performance, I put it in my family room (the wireless router is in the fourth bedroom) which is about 30 feet away. I didn't see an appreciable difference in connection strength. I finally added a TrendNet antenna that boosts the output an additional 9db.
 
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This device took me 4 hours to figure out why it didn't work. It turned out that it does not work with WAP security (Does not state on package that it does not work with this function). This bothered me for a while; the idea that I should go to a weaker form of secuity just for the extender peaved me. However, I broke down and decided to do it. But, even with the WEP security I was having big problems with confusion within the network. It kept reading a double on the network (because it was being broadcat twice. Well the point to all of this is the device is terrible.
 
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The Auto-Setup feature on this device does not always seem to work. Often you it will not seem to find the wireless signal you programmed it to extend. But after the device is connected for about 20 minutes, it will light up with your network, and works great. Often connecting the device to your computer does help, in that you can access the settings via LAN. I use it to extend the wireless signal at a hotel from the main building to two exterior buildings.
 
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The auto-connect feature (where the extender automatically connects to the strongest signal) is nearly impossible to use if your neighborhood has multiple wireless networks. But, once you use the supplied network cable to configure through the web-based interface to the product; the extender works great.
 
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It simply does nothing to extend the range of my modem.
 
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This is a great product except that it was difficult to get started. But that was only because the instructions are not that good. I talked to Belkin support for about 3 hours before getting mine to work. The lower level workers didn't know the problem and simply read to me the things I already tried. The problem with mine was that I was using a WPA-2 Personal password but the range extender didn't support that encryption. I was told to use a WEP encryption and then everything worked great. I use it to repeat the signal for my PS3. My router is in my basement while my PS3 is on the main floor. I used to get about 60%. Now I get 100% signal strength. Overall, great value, good product. Just a little difficult to get it up and running. But I think the slight headache is worth the savings.
 
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I am using it as a range extender to grab my main wireless (internet connection) from upstairs to downstairs. It works great, but about every day or so, I have to unplug and replug in the belkin. I don't have to do that with my linksys. Once it reboots, it works flawlessly for the next 24-36 hours.
 
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The range could be better, and the configuration instructions were useless, but the price was right. If you can't use a DD-WRT "upgraded" box to act as a repeater, this unit will connect to any wireless network to extend your reach. To configure it, toss the instructions in the trash and connect to the unit's default IP address with your web browser using a network cable: 192.168.2.254.
 
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I have bought 2 of these range extenders for about $30.00 apiece. It took less than 1/2 hour to config and set both up. They work perfectly. What a piece of cake. You can call Belkin if you need help. My network is secure.
 
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It took a little time to set up. I do have a secure network. Total price $30.00 twenty minutes of my time. I got a bargain. Belkin techs will help if you need them.
 
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I should have listened to the other purchasers who complained of having problems getting it to work. I am technical and experienced at configuring networks and I can't get it to do what it supposed to do, extend my network. Look for a better product even if you have to spend more. It has been over the 2 weeks since I bought it and Buy.com will not even take it back.
 
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Was just looking for a tool to boost a wireless signal I'm getting through my window from the street. It works, and now my house has a clear signal all over.
 
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As other reviewers have said, there is some configuration to be done if you have a secure network, but after that it works great. I had an additional problem that I have not seen mentioned. To make configuration changes, you need to wire the Extender to your computer and login (password is the empty string). When I wired it to my Thinkpad laptop and hit "Submit" to login, the "LAN" light on the Extender went out and it froze up! The solution was to use a different machine (my desktop and my wife's Mac both worked fine). To this day, I cannot connect my Thinkpad to my Belkin Extender and login without crashing.
 
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This item works well once you get it installed. The set up process did not go well. The documentation left off an important, but otherwise simple, step needed for some typical configurations. Technical support was also without a clue and made a ridiculous recommendation which I chose not to follow. Once I figured it out, I got it working. It has increased signal strength from "very low" to "good".
 
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Yes, this range extender takes a little patience to set up but once it's going IT WORKS GREAT. Forget about the Auto-Setup if your running a secure wireless network. You have to go through the web-based utility program. Took less than 30 mins and it supports WPA. A guy on Amazon reviewed this item and posted a great setup guide. I live in a high-rise apartment building with steel framing, no signal gets through the walls. This repeater, strategically placed (and in an apartment this is very important), quadrupled the signal strength and quality. Saved me from buying a $200+ draft-N wireless setup. Just a little patience goes a long way.
 
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I got this because my house is quite tall and the main wireless station is on the lowest level. This device is fabulous if all you want to do is boost the wi-fi signal for an open network. If you have a secure network, things get more complicated, though there is a pretty good user's guide to help. But I could not get my wireless printer to work at all. And there was nothing in the user's guide about that (or other devices on the network). I called customer support (free, answered pretty quickly), but the explanation was too convoluted (something about changing the IP address of my printer). So now it sits unused. Not a big investment, but not quite what I hoped for either.
 
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This unit works as advertised (for me anyway). The documentation is easy to follow, and states that it doesn't work with Vista and to disable security before installing. This unit extended the range of my wireless network throughout my house, even outside. Not sure if I can re-enable security again, though. Well worth the $25 net price I paid.
 
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This is a wireless RANGE EXTENDER that you hook up to your wireless router to have better signal strength. It is not a wireless router. It works pretty good but if you want just one wireless router I suggest getting an N ROUTER instead of two G products. They cost around the same.
 
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This range extender works great! I have a garage on the back of my property where I like to work on old computers. My router is well inside the house. I could not connect to the internet from the garage before but now I get a great signal and it works fine.
 
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It took a little while to set up as you must follow the detailed instructions to set this up as an access point. It works very well and I have never had to reboot it.
 
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I was able to setup the extender with no problems in less than the time it took me to unpack the device. Able to cover the the rest of the house with the device.
 
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I did set up last night. There is only a few steps: 1. Disconnect any kind of network, including wireless; 2. Turn on this range extender; 3. Connect to your computer with the cable which the Belkin provide. Specify the TCP/IP: IP address: 192.168.2.xxx ( xxx is anything except 254, I use 105) Subnet mask:255.255.255.0 Default gateway:192.168.2.254 Please do not do nothing about DNS 4. The rang extender and your computer is in the same LAN. The LAN light from Rang Extender should be green. I think it is ready to set up when the Search light doesn't flash. 5. Type 192.168.2.154 on your browser Now you are facing the setup page. Enjoy it!
 
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It took about 2 hrs to get this setup with a security enabled wireless network. Belkin tech support had me doing things over and over. On the 5 call or so I finally spoke with someone who knew how to fix it correctly it took less than ten minutes to get it set up and running great. In the old area I use to get about 5Mbps and a good signal, now I'm back to 54Mbps and an excellent signal. It's well worth the little hassle to get it set up.
 
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I didn't notice any improvment in signal range with this device when used as an wireless extender. The indicator light is green, so I assume it's trying to work, but at the far locations in my modest-sized house, the signal strength didn't increase any noticable amount.
 
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I purchased a WAP 54G and needed a range booster to help out on the fringes of my home. The performance on the fringe seems to have increased marginally, although the indicated signal strenght is the essentially the same as before. I tried the easy set up button, but that only works when you're not using any security, so i had to set it up manually with the cable. The included instructions aren't that great, but i managed to get through it. I'm beginning to wonder if i should have spent the extra money and purchased the Linksys range extender, too late though. You can't beat the price though.
 
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This unit was purchased to improve signal strength in my basement. Configuring the unit to work with my WPA secured network was easy using the PC interface. Make sure to position the extender where you receive 2-3 bars signal strength from your wireless router to ensure good extender performance, and also use a unique SSID for the extender so that you can differentiate it from your main network signal. If the extender is positioned where router signal strength is low, extender performance will be poor. Once I found the best position for the extender, signal strength is excellent everywhere in my basement and communication speed is very good.
 
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I installed this product right out of the package following the directions, but it didn't work. After doing some reading of other reviews and digging in the additional instructions I figured out that with a WEP enabled network, you have to manually configure the router. That went pretty smooth, but I wish they stated this as a potential problem upfront. It is now working fine but only added 1 "bar" to the reception. I guess that is good enough.
 
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