Try Netgear or D-Link. D-Link is a bit easier to set up and run on a day-to-day basis; Netgear is more widespread. I have used both. If you use wireless, be sure to set up either WEP or WAP encryption (WAP is better than WEP) and to permit only the MAC address(es) of your own computer(s) to attach. Oh, and change the admin password as soon as you start the thing.

If all else fails, get a high school or college student to set it up for you. Any Vandy or TSU engineering student will happily set it up and show you how to use it inside an hour for a case of beer and a couple of pizzas; and there must be dozens of thirsty CS (computer science) denizens at Belmont, MTSU, Vol State, ... you pick.

I would recommend switching to a local cable provider if they offer high speed internet (HSI). With comcast, my provider, you can purchase your own equipment. In fact, you can pick it up at any of the several "Computer Stores" at the local strip mall. Want to add wireless or share the connection? Cisco (Linksys) offers a simple to connect and easy to configure router (WRT54G) that will work nicely with you cable modem.

I'd also offer they difference in speeds as a motivating factor in changing over.

In the end, at least you wouldn't have to worry with that nasty little westell box; it can be a bugger to configure if your adding a router of any type to it.

If your are dead set on keeping the bellsouth connection (and the westell modem with a linksys), there is lots of good information over at http://www.dslreports.com/gs/westell+++linksys.

Make sure you are using the latest drivers for your wireless equipment. Take your laptop to a free access point like Ben and Jerry's. Buy some ice cream and see if you have connectivity issues. If you are having problems with other access points then the troubleshooting needs to be narrowed down to the laptop.

To troubleshoot on your access point, turn off WAP and other security so that you can make sure that the security protocols aren't the issue. "hacking" is over hyped. No one is going to jump in and destroy your files in the short time you'll have the security down. If you can connect without problems when the security features turned off then you can focus your troubleshooting on the security settings in the router (ap) and the laptop.

Line of sight: A radio signal travels in a straight line (effectively). If you have something like a filing cabinet or water cooler (bad signal absorber) between your access point and your computer then you could have interference. Mount your router as high as possible. Make the antenneas straight up and parellel to each other and make sure you don't have lots of metal or water between you and your access point.

Good luck! (don't use this as the reason to change Internet providers)

Most problems with WiFi are due to configuration errors rather than hardware incompatibilities. Judging from what you've said, it sounds as though you may have inadvertently turned off a setting called "Broadcast SSID". While it is indeed good for security reasons to disable this feature, what it does is, it makes it so that your Wireless Router isn't actively broadcasting its presence; rather, you have to know the SSID of the router and then manually configure the wireless adapter in your laptop. The setup process can vary depending on the wireless adapter, but it's not difficult at all to set up.

Alternatively, if the Broadcast SSID is still turned on, you may try changing your router to using a different channel. When too many of my neighbors started getting wireless routers, I noticed my performance degrade considerably, so I tried switching to different channels (should be a setting in the router's configuration page) until I found one that seemed to be more stable.

Just a couple tips... don't give up--you'll have the roughest time right before you get it working. Push through! =)

Cheers...

I have a LINKSYS Wireless-G Cable Gateway Model WCG200 that works great. It's a combination modem router so I don't have to pay Comcast's exorbitant monthly rental for a modem.

Bill,

Haven't had a problem with a virtually identical set-up.

In fact, I get four of my neighbors' signals, too.

Dude, how big is your house? ;-)

Hi Bill,

My company sets up on average one wireless network per day in residences in Nashville and surrounding areas. We have had our best luck with the Belkin Pre-N router. They claim 800% better range than standard 802.11g and they certainly seem to deliver. They also seem much more stable than Linksys or D-Link. We installed one in a very large, very old house with stone walls and hardwood floors in Belle Meade, and the router was placed on the second floor. We got 4 out of 5 bars signal strength...with a laptop two floors down in the basement.

I am no fan of Linksys. Within a 2 month period in the summer of 2003, I had 8 clients who had Linksys wireless routers fail on them. Flukish, yes...but we have had 2 Belkins fail in the past six months...and that is the best reliability we have found.

Shameless plug...call us if you need assistance. 615-662-0235. OR...we also provide free help at www.mousecallshelp.com and you are welcome to post on the message board.

I just got a Linksys from BestBuy and it is blocked from use until I pay the $5 ransom - I did type bell south wireless router into Google and the first thing up gives several steps to making it work - but not for me yet - Luck