Ethel, if you`re there please, problem with Virgin router.

[trish432]

My daughter`s had this router from Virgin for a while, WGR614 NETGEAR, but she needs a dongle. Does she need to buy a netgear dongle or will any do?
Also I said I`d have a go at setting it up in my house,as my desktop is wireless enabled.
I`ve managed to set it up, but the longest it`s stayed connected is about 10 mins. most times it goes off when I click to go on another web page.
It connects right away if I do a restart, do you know what the problem could be?
Seems to be ok at the moment, I`m thinking of buying a router myself, but won`t bother if this keeps disconnecting.
Thanks for any help.
Pat.

[Ethel]

Any dongle should do. After all, when you buy a wifi enabled laptop, you don't have to check the wifi adapter within is compatible with your router.

What are you setting up in your house that keeps crashing? Do you mean the Netgear router?

[trish432]

Yes, I`m testing it out for my daughter, but keep losing the connection.
It seems to be ok now though, just clicked on a few favourites, and it`s found them ok.
Can`t understand it as I haven`t moved the router or anything.
I`ll keep my fingers crossed that it stays connected.
If I decide to buy a router myself, am I best to buy from Virgin or could I get a cheaper alternative?

[Ethel]

I'm with Virgin and I bought my own router - a Linksys WRT54G.

It's probably outdated now, as it is 4 years old, but I've not had a minutes trouble with it. Excellent range too.

But if you can blag a free one from Virgin, do so. :)

Fingers crossed.

[trish432]

Thanks Ethel.

[ACtheTROLL]

as ethel says - any dongle SHOULD do ... but like world peace (and a zpen working on a eeepc ;-)
the Ideal isn't always reality.

there is always the chance that you may find there are issues with dissimilar kit.
It's not essential .... but it might be easier if you stick with netgear.... (they tend to be reasonable on price anyway ... )

(now for the soap box bit) - basically wireless should always be the last option - wire is far better in every way - because most computers use electrickery homeplug is just as practical as wire - then there is wifi.
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/MFR/Group .asp?ShopGroupID=61&SupplierID=1

on a desktop you have the added problem of stuffing an aerial behind a big metal box .... never a good idea.

if you must ... your dongle should be connected using a USB extender (male-female) so that you can position the dongle for best reception

[trish432]

Thanks AC, very helpful, I`ve plugged back in now as I kept losing the connection. I think it might have been the position of the router, but I have little choice of where to place it.
I`ll set it up in my daughter`s house, but don`t think it will be much good as she has similar setup to mine.
It mentions in router instructions that cordless phones can effect it, so this could possibly be the problem.
My daughter`s getting a wireless laptop shortly, do you think the router would be ok with that?

[Ethel]

I think it will be fine.

:) Stick with it and it will be tickety boo.