Looking for WiFi suggestions

[WIP]

Dell Dimension Desktop PC hard wired to Linksys WRT120N router.
Router wired to BEC DSL modem.
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit OS with 2GB RAM
WiFi components include:
Epson Workforce610 Printer/Fax/Copier/Scanner
Dell Mini with Windows7 Starter OS and 2GB RAM
HP Mini with Windows7 Starter OS and 2GB RAM
ThinkPad W510 laptop with Windows NT OS and 3GB RAM
Wii console

Except for the modem, we've been using this system for the past couple years with little to no trouble at all. This past summer after a nearby lightning strike we began to experience trouble with our internet connection. An ISP technician came out and discovered a faulted filter on the phone line and replaced it. Our problems seemed to go away for a couple weeks but then returned. The WLAN seemed to be functioning just fine. Our ISP came out and installed a the new BEC DSL modem and performed other tests. The problem seemed to be cleared up but eventually returned.

Eventually when our system became too unstable I rewired our system to bypass the router and connect our desktop directly to the DSL and then ran a continuous ping test for 72 hours. The test results indicated that our network connection was uninterrupted with no packet loss or other problems. This test seemed to point to our router as the source of our problems. I decided to reset the router back to factory defaults one more time and then reinstall the latest firmware one more time (I had done this numerous times already). To our surprise the system began to operate without any more trouble for a few weeks and now the problems have returned.

A couple days ago I searched for reviews for the WRT120N and my research indicates that this is a common problem with this particular router. In fact, virtually every review I read mentioned this problem. I am now convinced the router is the source of our woes.

I would like to replace our router. We use it to provide wireless internet access for our laptops, wireless connection to our printer, and access to Netflix via the Wii console. No online gaming or HD data streaming is done at this time. I suppose there is a potential for HD streaming in the future but I do not expect to be doing any online gaming. I do not require high security. We live in the country and our nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away. If someone wanted to connect to the internet using our system they’d have to drive down our 250 yard long driveway to park on our front lawn.

I would like recommendations for a decent reliable wireless router that won’t dump my wallet. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If there is such a thing under $100.00 that would be great.

Thanks,

Almost forgot. Tim, I know it’s the Windows OS so please don’t waste your time on selling Linux.

 

[tim-from-pa]

I had some issues with Linksys not only with the router, but the Ethernet cards I installed in our computers when I built them. Turns out I'm using something cheap and works better.

I'm not as much of a pro on networking or wireless, but we had our luck with NetGear wireless for a few years now. I updated the firmware just once. The reason I did that was because our kids' macs kept dropping. When I updated it it fixed everything, then this laptop which once ran Vista started dropping with the update. No surprise to me, anyhow, the only Microsoft computer in the house now (my wife's work computer) is directly connected and the rest are mostly wireless working quite fine. So that's my pick is the netgear.

As for security, It is easy to put in a password if you know your router's IP address they have a set-up page. I used to think i was too far away, also until my wife got me my nook last year. That software is phenomenal. I did not realize these wireless had the range they did until that thing picked up all the networks and displayed them. One is a name of some neighbor I do not even know. Doesn't live around here within half a mile that's for sure. I instantly password protected my wireless because if I could pick up their signal, they can pick up mine (on the nook my range is at least 300 feet, close enough for passerbys to pick up).