Before you go spending money, a few basic questions.
Are you certain its the router that is the problem and not your ISP ?
I have a Netgear with usb pods for the computers and although I have not investigate more on this, I would hazard a guess that there is another higher RF power setting that there is available on the Netgear setup, because I get dropouts if I'm in the end bedroom of the house. This may not apply to you as you say all 3 of your machines experience link dropouts.
All at the same time ? May be good to check this if you have not already.
If I'm not telling you how to suck eggs, carry out a half split rule on your faultfinding. What are the conditions for the dropout ? All machines at once or only one ? Any specific areas of the house ? Any shielding around where the dropouts take place ?
Can you get a stable link with a CAT-5 cable between a machine and the router ? (I assume there are some physical link connectors on your modem ?)

I use the Apple Airport Extreme.

It's a little expensive, but, by far the most stable and problem-free wireless N router. Trust me, I've been through a few N routers over the past couple of years. The Apple Airport is by far the most reliable.

It doesn't have a great deal of customizable options, and uses a program instead of web-based interface, but I don't mind this, if it means I don't have to keep resetting, troubleshooting, etc.

Highly recommended.

Hi Deane,

As a few of the others have mentioned, best to check a few other possible causes before spending more $$$.

Try jumping on to the Linksys Online Tech Support Webchat and see if there is anything they can advise.

A few things to look at is if the router or the internet connection is dropping out. You can do this by checking if the network is still linked between the various pc's or if it is the internet which is unreachable.

Via one of your PC's check to see what other wireless networks are broadcast in the local area, and review the frequency channel. If there is any running on the same channel, try changing the channel in which you are broadcasting.

Make sure you are running wireless security such as a TKIP Key Share or the like, as well as MAC Addressing. This will ensure your network is secure and not being hammered by others in the area.

You may also wish to configure the network with static IP addresses, rather then DHCP (if you are not already).

Ensure you are also running the 'KEEP ALIVE' Option on your internet connection, as well as the 'Client Lease Time' is set to 0 (zero).
This will ensure that the connection does not expire and resync every (say) 60 mins etc.

Check your Wireless mode, and ensure this is set to "Mixed" and not 'B Only or G only' this can cause the connection to be lost if the signal drops into a different rate. Double check and make sure it is set to 'Mixed'.

Ensure the wireless Transmission rate is also set to 'Auto'.

As the unit is only 6 months only it will also still be under warranty, and therefore worth sending back if all else fails.

The Linksys is a great piece of gear and therefore should be generally trouble free.
There may be other issues such as a faulty or dead WAN port, general interference from other equipement such as coreless phones, etc. As a guide Linksys are generally considered as one of the best!

Hope this helps!

- Micky.

MB Information Technology Solutions.
www.mbinfotech.com.au
www.parts4pcs.com.au

In my old house I was using a Netgear DG834 together with a WG602 WAP. This was extremely stable with no drop outs. Every night, using syncback, I was able to back up files between 4 computers.

I moved to a bigger new house and needed to extend the wireless range. Three PCs worked perfectly but one was too far away. Instead of buying another WG602 as a repeater I was talked into buying a Belkin N1 Wireless Modem Router as a complete replacement. One of the advantages was to get QOS for internet phone calls.

However I then experienced the same issues you report with constant dropouts on the LAN. Internet connection stood up OK but connectivity between PCs was terrible. None of the overnight back ups worked. Belkin admitted they had an issue and directed me to a firmware update to resolve issue. The firmware was actually older than I was using and did not resolve the issue.

As a workaround I went back to the DG834 and used the Belkin only as a WAP. This is workable with only occasional dropouts.

If I had my time again I would go back to the Netgear with an extra WG602 or try their new N products.

The Netgear is so much more configurable than the Belkin.

Hi Dean,

A couple of things that might help.
1. DROP OUTS. What you don't say is how often the drop out occurs. The solution to the problem may not be hardware, but simply a 'software switch' inside the modem - modems are generally set to 'reset after a given period of time and this will cause drop outs. The solution to to tell the moden to reset once a year (for example). To do this, you will need to do the following, you will need to get into the modem - this is done via your internet browser (doesn't matter which one) using the moden IP address (see the modem documentation for that), and reset the 'reset' option as per above. If not sure how to do this, then call the help desk of your modem supplier - phone number will be in the documentation for the modem.
2. WHICH MODEM IS BEST. I have been in this business for a long time and heard 'all' the comments about this piece of hardware is better than another. My conclucion - it makes not difference. It's like a car, find one with the features you are looking for (generally price is not really an issue - the dearest is not always the best). For any hardware manufacturer to survive inthe computer industry, they have to make good products etc. So I don't think brand is an issue. Yep, you might buy a lemon, that happens with cars too - it does not mean that the product from the manufacturer is in general inferior. For what it is worth I use Netcomm and have been very pleased with it - as do many of my customer.

So, hope this helps and that it fixes your problem. If the automatic reset inthe modem is still a problem after trying my fix, then you probably have a hardware issue in the modem (hard to imagine that all the computers connected to it have a problem), in which case invoke your warranty, and remember the warranty period is no legal. If the item is outside of warranty and is faulty, then the Office of Fair Trading will defend you right to have an item that is 'fit for purpose'. We have a national law in this country that overrides all manufacuters warranty in that regard.

Regards
Willbill

If everything else is OK and your internet is supplied by ADSL then I have been told that you're best to have a Modem and router in one device. If you use a Separate router on top of your modem then you will get dropouts.