HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9-Inch Netbook - 6 Cell Battery Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Firstly, this review is being written on the 1.6Ghz, HP2133 Mini Note with 2Gb RAM and Vista Home Basic (which was installed at the factory). I have also read the myriad comments in the other reviews about poor CPU performance and warm operation. Therefore, I'll avoid similar statements, only to say that I have also noticed these issues under certain circumstances.

Nevertheless, I have turned off most of the useless bells and whistles in Vista and customised the OS to work adequately for the tasks I perform. And what I do isn't necessarily trivial. I have Office 2007 installed and it works fine to write university assignments and work reports, etc. Word, with the screen set to "page width" view is readable and as functional as my desktop. I also installed Adobe CS3. Yes, it can be slow at times, but it performs well enough to get the job done (using InDesign, Photoshop and occasionally, Dreamweaver). However, I understood when I bought the Mini Note, that it was not designed for multimedia production, but more for multimedia presentation and for basic computing. It is NOT a desktop replacement and was never intended to be.

The more I use my 2133, the more I love it. That doesn't mean I haven't noticed some negative issues (other than those highlighted in other reviews). I'll outline these below.

I won't comment on the touchpad, because I rarely use it. Most of the time, I use the Mini Note on a desk or on my briefcase (placed on my lap), so I plug in a laptop mouse. I would do this with ANY laptop or notebook. However, the Mini Note does allow for more space to use a mouse than a conventional laptop. Once I have finished using the Mini Note, it fits in my briefcase with all my other stuff.

Talking of placing the Mini Note in a briefcase; I am astonished that there isn't a case or bag for it. Most laptop bags are too big and would defeat the purpose of buying the Mini Note. As a result, I use a cloth bag I got with a mixer tap (faucet) I bought for a renovation. It is the perfect size to protect against scratches and marks. This is not to say the nice brushed aluminium (aluminum) case is susceptible to scratches; it's not, I just like to protect my equipment.

The Mini Note's screen hinge and battery design prevents any connectors from being located at the back of the unit (where I'd like them). Hence, all the connections are on the left and right sides of the machine. I usually plug the notebook mouse into the left USB port and run the cable around the back of the Mini Note to the right side. This keeps the cable out of the way and gives me more room on the right for the mouse. This is OK if I am working off the battery. But when the Mini Note is connected to mains power, the huge power plug that sticks out the right side is quite annoying and can get in the way of the mouse. HP, take note; please redesign the next series to have an "L" shaped connector to keep it out of the way.

Some other reviewers mentioned the lack of battery life. I agree with this, too. Nevertheless, there are configuration tweaks you can apply to help maximise battery life. In the BIOS I turn off the hardware I don't regularly use, such as Bluetooth, LAN, Express card, web cam, etc. If I need them, I just turn them back on.

Now, the screen; I love it. At 1280x768, it is bright and sharp, therefore, usable. Yes, it presents some text and menus in tiny fonts, but at the distances most people would use this machine, the screen is readable. Most web sites fit within the browser view port without horizontal scrolling. I'd prefer this over the offerings from other UMPC manufacturers.

I know I said I wouldn't mention the temperature issues, but, I feel compelled to state that after an hour or so spent writing this review (I was distracted by a phone call) the Mini Note is hardly warmer than the ambient room temperature. Of course, this is just running Word 2007. But, as far as I am concerned, this is the sort of thing the Mini Note is designed for; simple productivity tasks.

Additionally, one reviewer stated that the CPU fan runs flat-out all the time. He obviously missed the setting in the BIOS that lets you turn this "feature" off. Normally, the Mini Note runs very quietly, as is the case with mine right now. Although, I must admit that twice now, when waking from "sleep" mode, the fan in my Mini Note seemed to get stuck on full speed. A reboot fixed this, which implies it is an OS problem, not the hardware.

What would make the Mini Note perfect? OK, a faster CPU would definitely be welcome. Secondly, the 225mm (8.9") screen is fine; however, the lid has a lot of wasted real estate. After moving the speakers, it could accommodate a screen 50mm (2") larger (275mm or 11"). Even at the same resolution, this would make the Mini Note considerably better.

That seems to sum up all my main thoughts on the Mini Note. But suffice to say, after another hour using it, I love it even more. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9 Inch Netbook - 6 Cell Battery

Product Description:
Small but mighty, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers you a full-function laptop that weighs just 2.8 pounds. Designed to go where you go without weighing you down, it's perfect for young students in your home, and robust enough to handle demanding business applications for road warriors. Despite its size, it features an 8.9-inch scratch-resistant display with a WXGA resolution and a nearly full-size keyboard (92 percent). A durable all-aluminum case encompasses the top and bottom of the notebook, while an internal magnesium alloy support structure helps protect sensitive components from damage.


The HP Mini-Note features a simple, refined design and anodized aluminum shell that is sleek and sturdy yet lightweight. See a larger view of all the external ports. It's powered by the VIA C7-M ULV processor, which provides a 1.6 GHz clock speed and excellent power management capabilities. Other features include a 120 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), tri-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g), integrated Bluetooth, lightning quick Gigabit Ethernet, VGA webcam built into the screen's bezel for video chats, and up to 4.5 hours of battery life.
It comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics

Processor: The VIA C7-M ULV (ultra-low voltage) processor has a 1.6 GHz speed, 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a 128 KB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
Operating at an average power of less than 1W, the VIA C7-M ULV processor is the embodiment of cool processing and sets the standard for next generation low power mobile and personal electronics systems. It also features VIA PowerSaver technology that further reduces power consumption by dynamically adjusting the frequency and the voltage of the VIA C7-M ULV processor as the system requires. This innovative technology can reduce power consumption by as much as 50 percent while still ensuring seamless mobile operation.

Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0. It also includes HP's 3D DriveGuard, which sends a signal to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement or shock by using a three-axis digital accelerometer chip.

Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB, PC2-5300) maximizes the capacity for this PC. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

DVD/CD Drive: The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC does not include an integrated optical drive, but HP offers optional drives that connect to the Mini-Note using the optional HP External MultiBay II.

Keyboard & Mouse: The spill-resistant keyboard is 92 percent of full size, 101/102-key compatible with isolated inverted-T cursor control keys, both left and right control and alt keys, 12 function keys, and hotkey combinations for audio volume, power conservation, brightness, and other features. It also features HP DuraKeys, which have a clear coating applied over the keyboard to protects the finish and printed letters and characters. The touchpad includes a scroll zone and two soft-touch buttons.

The HP DuraKeys have a clear coating applied over the notebook keyboard to protect the finish and printed letters and characters. See a larger view of the keyboard and internal features. Screen, Video & Audio
The 8.9-inch display has a 1280 x 768-pixel resolution, for native 720p high-resolution clarity, and the Mini-Note includes a VGA output for connecting to an external monitor or projector. Video is powered by the integrated Via Chrome 9 video/graphics card, and it includes an integrated high-definition audio card for crisp sound via the internal 2-watt stereo speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). It's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). With the Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0), you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones. You also get super-fast wired connectivity via the Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).
This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. And it offers a Secure Digital memory card slot for downloading pictures and videos from your digital camera, or filling up a card for your MP3 player. It includes the following ports:

2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
1 Secure Digital memory card slot
1 headphone/line-out and 1 microphone
1 VGA monitor port
1 RJ045 for 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
Microsoft Office Ready 2007, Norton Internet Security, MS Live Messenger, Adobe Flash Player, Roxio Creator Basic, Intervideo WinDVD, HP Backup and Recovery Manager
Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds.
Power
This model is powered by 6-cell high capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which can provide up to 4.5 hours of battery life.
What's in the Box
This package contains the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC (model KX870AT), rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

Want to read more honest consumer review about HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9 Inch Netbook - 6 Cell Battery now ?

D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great camera but it is a bit slow to set-up.
My main issue was that I use Firefox, but the camera will only log in using the Inernet Explorer window. They don't tell you this on the instructions and it still gives you the login panel - but it just says done and won't connect you to the camera.

When you iron out these problems its a great camera a little tricky to focus and the view angle is quite small but it is easy to moveto any location andyou get a great image.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet Camera

Product Description:
The D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet Camera provides the ultimate in full-surveillance security performance and convenience. Using 802.11g wireless technology, the DCS-950G transfers video and audio directly to your computer, allowing you to take snapshots or record audio directly from the Web browser to a local hard drive without installing any software. Security doesn't get any more straightforward or convenient than this.
Using Internet Explorer 6.0, you can watch and listen to what the DCS-950G captures. For more recording flexibility, you can configure the camera to record to a network-attached storage (NAS), eliminating the need to set up a dedicated computer for storing recorded video.
With 0.5 lux light sensitivity, the DCS-950G is capable of capturing video in rooms with minimal lighting, making it ideal for use at night time. The DCS-950G also features a motion detector that sends e-mail alerts and triggers recording to hard drive once motion is detected. By adhering to the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standards, computers running Windows XP/Me will recognize the DCS-950G and automatically add it to your network. The DCS-950G can then be seamlessly accessed and viewed from "My Network Places" just like any other device. A "Site Survey" tool allows users to easily find wireless networks within the range of the camera. And by signing up with one of the many free Dynamic DNS services available on the Internet, you can assign an easy-to-remember name and domain to the camera (e.g., www.mycamera.myddns.com). This allows you to remotely access your camera without having to remember the IP address, even if it has been changed by your Internet Service Provider.
Virtually everything you need to get started is included in this package. Simple installation procedures, along with the built-in Web-based interface, offer easy integration into your network environment. Powerful surveillance software is included to enhance the monitoring and management of the DCS-950G, allowing you to archive video straight to the hard drive, play back video, monitor up to four cameras on a single screen, and set up motion detection to trigger video/audio recording and send e-mail alerts. The DCS-950G is a cost-effective and versatile security solution for any home or business.
What's in the Box
DCS-950G camera, Cat5 Ethernet cable, 802.11g antenna, power adapter, camera stand with mounting hardware, CD-ROM with software and manual, and quick installation guide.

Want to read more honest consumer review about D-Link Securicam Network DCS-950G Wireless Internet Camera now ?

Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are considering this bridge to do video/audio streaming inside your house, think again.This review is based on over 2 months worth of testing this unit and then working with Linksys/Cisco trying to figure why it does not deliver.A saleperson at a local store may have told you that you can stream MP3s over your wireless network, or perhaps you have two DVRs in your house and your want to stream recorded TV shows from one to another. This is not the device you want to use for this purpose.Don't belive me? Ask Linksys level 3 support.Its architecture is not designed to support high levels of network traffic needed for streaming -- it has very small or zero I/O buffers to handle it -- as a result, the device will crash after 2-5 minutes of streaming.You can power cycle it and it will resume for the next 2-5 min.But forget streaming for a moment, WET54G crashed when I was simply working from home VPN'd into my company.Not for that either?!Do you think that WET54G ver 2 is better than WET54G ver 1?Been there, don't waste your time -- the architecture is the same.Alternatives? WET54GS5 might be better, but I'm yet to find that out myself.I know you want to try it yourself.Piece of advice -- buy at a retail store, and if it doesn't work, return within 30 days.Do not get into RMA exchanges with Linksys - unless you enjoy 2 months of 2-3 hours/day trying to get your money back.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge

Product Description:
Connect any Ethernet-equipped device to a high-speed Wireless-G Network The versatile Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge can make any wired Ethernet-equipped device a part of your wireless network. At home, use the Bridge to connect game consoles, set-top boxes, or computers to your Wireless-G network and its shared high-speed Internet connection. In the office, convert your Ethernet-wired printer, scanner, camera, notebook or desktop into a wireless networked device. Its completely driver-free, so it works on any platform and under any operating system Since theres no drivers to load, setup is a snap -- configure the network settings through your PCs web browser, then plug it into your device and go. And physical installation is simplified by support for Power Over Ethernet. With an optional POE Adapter, you can mount the Bridge wherever you want -- power and data are both supplied through the Category 5 Ethernet cable.

Want to read more honest consumer review about Cisco-Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge now ?

HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 9.75 Hours of Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this netbook because of the small size, excellent price, long battery life, and great customer service that HP is known for.

As far as the computer goes...
The computer itself is very light weight and easy to tote around. Not too heavy in a purse or bag and the size it great for concealing what you're carrying, say on a city bus or train.
I'm not a big Winblows fan so I changed the OS to Linux Mint 8 and that gave me back around 8 or 10GB of space that the old OS was eating up. There is plenty of room on the hard drive for a mid-sized music collection, lots of files, and plenty of pictures with room to spare.
The keyboard is great, but lacks a home key, page up, and page down. The touch pad gives you the ability to double click or single click by touch and there is a button on the keyboard for a right-click action.
The AC adapter is plenty long for most tasks and the battery life is excellent.
The webcam is fairly low quality but for basic things, such as using Skype or other conferencing methods, it will do the job. Speakers and mic are great and produce good quality sound for a netbook.

Customer Service...
After having the 210-1030nr for only two weeks, my hard drive went bad. No drops, no spills, no crazy room mates, just went bad. I called HP customer service and they were excellent! They're sending me the shipping materials to send the computer back and are footing the repair bill for me. Great customer service, just like I expected.

The 210-1030nr would have earned that fifth star had the hard drive not gone bad on me. I know, however, that this is a rare occasion for a netbook and sometimes things are not made properly or other issues occur that are beyond my, or any one else's, control.
This HP has performed very well up until the hiccup with the hard drive. My boyfriend was very impressed with the machine, despite his initial aversion to it's small size; he was worried it would be fragile or flimsy. He will be purchasing one for himself very soon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1 Inch Black Netbook - 9.75 Hours of Battery Life

Product Description:
Prepare to be noticed when you take this Netbook out on the town. Small, slim and stylish, the HP Mini 210 lets you surf the web, stay connected, and be entertained wherever you go.Amp up the fun by playing videos and music or showing off your photos.Exclusive, integrated software keeps you in sync with your life by letting you e-mail, chat, and instantly access your files from anywhere.Take just what you need And leave the rest on your primary PC. At less than one inch thin and starting at just 2.69 pounds, this ultra-compact PC won't weigh you down. You'll enjoy a 16:9 10.1" diagonal BrightView Infinity display and nearly full-size keyboard.

Want to read more honest consumer review about HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1 Inch Black Netbook - 9.75 Hours of Battery Life now ?

1PORT Poe Injector Ac Input 802.3AF and Cisco Supported Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although Power over Ethernet (PoE) was once only a term used in IT departments of businesses, this technology is being implemented in more and more consumer electronics and is slowly becoming known in homes with a computer network as well.The concept is quite simple; running data and low voltage power across a single cable.While this may not immediately sound very interesting or important, PoE allows the installation of electronic, networked devices, without the need for an AC power source at the installation site.This is especially useful for products like network security cameras, VoIP telephones, and Wi-Fi amplifiers.There are two primary types of PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE).PoE endspans, which are Ethernet switches with built-in transmission circuitry, and PoE midspans, which are Power over Ethernet products that stand between a regular Ethernet switch and the device needing power.This review is for the PD-3001/AC single port PoE Injector, made by PowerDsine (now owned by Microsemi), which is a PoE midspan device.

I recently found the need to add PoE capabilities to my home network when I decided to install some new network security cameras around the house.I wanted ceiling mounted dome cameras, and most of the units I found were PoE cameras.I knew about PoE technology but had never had any direct involvement with it.I quickly decided that I did not wish to purchase an expensive PoE network switch for my home, so I needed to find a low cost alternative.That is when I found the PowerDsine 3001/AC PoE Injector.This device allows me to run a data cable from my Ethernet switch to the PoE injector, the PoE injector plugs into an AC wall outlet, and then another Ethernet cable comes out of the injector and runs to my PoE camera.This way I only have a single cable running to each of my cameras, rather than having to run separate power and data cables.

The important thing to know, when purchasing a PoE product, is to make sure that it complies with the IEEE 802.3af power distribution standard, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).IEEE802.3af provides for 48 VDC over 2 of the 4 available pairs on Cat 3 and Cat 5 network cables, with a maximum current of 400 mA, for a maximum load power of 15.4W.You shouldn't have to worry much about the actual specifications as long as you make sure that both PoE devices on each end comply with the IEEE 802.3af standard.It is usually noted on the product itself or in the product specifications.And speaking of specifications, here are the technical specs. of the PowerDsine PD-3001/AC PoE Injector:

* No. of Ports=1
*Data Rates=10/100 Mbps
*Output Power Voltage=-48
*User Load Power=15.4W
*AC Input Voltage=90 to 264 Vac (auto switching)
*AC Input Current=0.5A@110-220 Vac
*AC Frequency=47 to 63 Hz
*Dimensions=2.4" (W) x 1.2" (H) x 5.7" (L)
*Weight=1.1 lbs.
*Indicators=AC Power (Green), Channel Power (Green)
*Connectors=Shielded RJ-45, EIA 568A and 568B
* Operating Ambient Temperature=32

Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read the reviews, and I decided to give it a shot anyway since I've had good luck with connectivity in my house. In all honesty, the connectivity wasn't the issue with me. It was the configuration. Below is a detailed account of my experience trying to set this thing up:

When setting up a router, I always use the web-based interface. I don't like installing a program since there's no guarantee it will work with the operating system that I have. So I use the web-based set-up page as the basis for evaluating a router. So the first thing I do is set the administrative password. The default was blank. The next thing I want to do is change the IP address of the router under the LAN settings so that the network portion of the address (i.e. the first three numbers of the IP address) matches all the statically addressed devices on my network. I try to give the router the same IP address as my old router, which is 192.168.1.1. I immediately receive an error that the IP address is being used by the "Guest Access" (or something to that effect). I have no idea what this is, so I click on that setting. It turns out that the feature is turned off already. So what gives?

I try to eliminate some variables by turning off DHCP. Still can't change the IP address. Then I turn off the router features by turning the device into an access point, and doing this gives me a prompt to set the IP address. Ah ha! This could be it. I set the IP address and commit changes. Uh oh. Big mistake! Once the router resets, my browser navigates to page that reads "Guest Access" with a prompt for a password. What? As I said, the Guest Access feature was turned off to begin with. So I enter the administrative password that I set at the beginning, and I receive a message that the password is incorrect. Great, there's a default password for "Guest Access", which I didn't bother checking since THE D@MN THING IS SUPPOSED TO BE TURNED OFF!!!! Now I have no way to get back into the router setup. My only recourse is to stick a pin into the reset button hole to reset it to factory settings.

At this point, I should have packed this sumb1tch up to return it, but I'm a stubborn fool. I start all over, but this time I first set the "Guest Access" password. I get to the point of turning the device into an access point (mind you, I do want to use the router features, but I'm only trying to diagnose my original problem of not being able to set the LAN IP address). After applying the changes, the router resets as expected, and I get the "Guest Access" page again. I enter the password (that I now know since I set it myself), and the response is something like "You are now connected to the Internet". Again, WTF??? It still doesn't allow me to get into the setup page. So I now know that turning off the router features is a no go. I reset it to factory settings again.

I conclude that there's an issue with using the 192.168.1.* network which apparently is completely reserved by the "Guest Access" feature whether or not it's turned on. I decide to change the router's IP address to 192.168.0.1. Success! I know I still have to reconfigure other devices on the network with static IP addresses, but at least I'm able to set the router's IP address now to something other than the default of 192.168.2.1.

I now move on to setting the wireless security settings. I select WPA2-PSK. I notice the AEP is the only available encryption method (no TKIP). No biggie since that's what I was using anyway. At this point the router isn't connected to my cable modem. I want to check the wireless connection speed first. I connect to the router using the 5 GHz band, and check the connection status. While still clicking around the router settings in my browser (still no Internet connection yet), I see that the connection speed reaches the maximum of 300 Mbps, but it doesn't stay there long. It fluctuates quite a bit. It gets as low as 90 Mbps, but it seems to average around 200 Mbps. In contrast, when connected to my old router which only supports the 2.4 GHz band, my connection is capped by my adapter card at 144 Mbps, but it rarely drops below 130 Mbps. I consider this an acceptable trade-off, however.

OK. Now onto connecting the router to the Internet. I connect my cable modem to the WAN port, and I set the connection type to dynamic. The router resets, but no Internet connection. I power cycle the cable modem as well as the router for good measure. Still no Internet connection. Thinking there might be a modem provisioning issue, I change the MAC address of the router to that of my old router. Amazingly, this does the trick. Now I have an Internet connection! I now go all my statically addressed devices (desktop PC, server, and printer) and change the IP addresses.

Everything is looking good so far. I check if I can access a website that I'm hosting on my server. Oops. I forgot to set the virtual server settings. I go back to the router setup page, and set up the virtual servers like on my old router. It's a little bit more cumbersome since you can add servers using a port range. However, I like the fact that you can set the private port number to something other than the external port number. My old router lets you add servers using an external port range, but it doesn't let you set the private port number. Anyway, I set up all the virtual servers, open up a browser window, and navigate to my website. Take a wild guess what renders. That's right. It's the D@MN router setup page! What's going on? I check the settings for remote router configuration, and it's turned off! So why is this page coming up? I change the URL to one that I know doesn't exist on the router's web-based setup, and I get a 404 error. Essentially, my web server isn't receiving the HTTP requests. I check my web server configuration, and every thing is OK. I even remembered to change the IP address that the web server is listening to. I fiddle around with the router some more, and I eventually give up.

Now, I've had problems setting up routers before. Even setting up Netgear business-class routers using Telnet wasn't as frustrating as this experience. Admittedly, the router works OK if you're just using it to access the Internet. But if you want to use it as the router for your own internal network and want to set up your own web server, stay away from this product. I'm warning you.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301)

Product Description:
Belkin's PlayMax Wireless Router with the latest Dual-Band N technology, gives you the fastest, most reliable speeds for streaming video, playing music and gaming online.

Get 23% OFF

Want to read more honest consumer review about Belkin Wireless Play Max Router (F7D4301) now ?

Channel Vision IR-3001 Single IR Emitter with Confirmation LED Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a TiVo Series 2 DVR (can record one-show-at-a-time only) and a Comcast digital adapter box.This items works fine.I purchased my TiVo used, and either lost or didn't receive the IR cable (this is the thing that sends the signal from the TiVo box to the cable box to change the channels).I don't know anything about these things, but this one works, so I'm happy.Simply follow the instructions from TiVo.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Channel Vision IR-3001 Single IR Emitter with Confirmation LED

Product Description:
Single IR Emitter with Confirmation LED

Want to read more honest consumer review about Channel Vision IR-3001 Single IR Emitter with Confirmation LED now ?