NetGear WGR614v3 Wireless Router Review

We have multiple computers here but had only one internet hook up, so I decided a wireless router was in order. Off to Staples I went in search of a router knowing little other than that we could all go online if I hooked up a wireless router.

I was looking at the routers, and the Staples guy offered to help. I was looking at some more expensive ones, but he told me that the only difference was that the signal would go further, so unless I have a really huge house that the low end router would be fine. Since I do not have a mansion to say the least, I went with the inexpensive Netgear Wireless-G router WGR614.

This router does work with Vista (as noted on the box), thank goodness. Sadly, I bought a computer when they put out Vista, and that I do not like nor do many computer add ons which won't work seamlessly like they do with other operating systems.

Netgear must have gone paperless. There are no directions. They have a CD that you stick in which is supposed to guide you, but if you hit a snag, then you are up the creek. And, of course, I hit a snag or several.

The first thing it says is to set up the computer, but they are very unclear as to whether you set up the desktop to send signals or the laptops to pick up signals if that makes sense. So, I wasn't even sure where to stick the disk though had some ideas on that after a couple of days of frustration.

Basically, you do set up the computer that is connected to the modem at home. Then, you put the disk in the laptops or other home computers so that they then recognize the outgoing signal.

The router is hooked between the modem and the computer and done in a certain order in terms of turning on each piece of equipment and also requires a reboot (or mine did) which was not noted.

After much pulling of hair, I got the Netgear router set up and signals to the laptops. So, now we are wireless here at home which I like a lot. We don't have to rotate off the computers now if someone needs net access to look up something. So, in the end, it was worth it, but Netgear really could do a better job in making the router set up easier. It was not really all that hard once figured out, but figuring it out was like walking through the house with the lights off.