Xander: I still don't get why we came here to get info about a killer snot monster. Giles: Because it's a killer snot monster from outer space. I did not say that.

'Never Leave Me'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


Vortex - Nov 12, 2009 5:39:14 am PST #11635 of 25501
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

Why do routers fail so often, anyway? Isn't the entire thing solid state? Shouldn't they last longer than, say, your television?

Well, I've had this one for at least 4 years (possibly longer), and I got it from Ginger, so she'd used it for a while before that.


Ginger - Nov 12, 2009 5:43:50 am PST #11636 of 25501
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda

My router and the CRT monitor that refused to die have been my longest lasting computer-related equipment. I wish I could find a printer that lasted that long.


Gudanov - Nov 12, 2009 5:57:27 am PST #11637 of 25501
Coding and Sleeping

Our Samsung SCX-4521F multifunction printer has been a rock, it works great, though the automatic document feeder can be finicky at times when running a lot of paper through.

My Athlon XP 1700+ and ASUS motherboard have also lasted forever. It was my computer for a couple of years, then a kid's computer for a year or so, and now is our DVR and has been running 24-7 for about 4 years.


Jon B. - Nov 12, 2009 6:43:58 am PST #11638 of 25501
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

Must just be my perception then? It seems like people complain about routers failing a lot.


tommyrot - Nov 12, 2009 6:47:12 am PST #11639 of 25501
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

I dunno. I've had a flaky router or two.


Gudanov - Nov 12, 2009 6:50:38 am PST #11640 of 25501
Coding and Sleeping

I went through three Linksys (returned 2, kept 1) and the one that works was never great. My Dad had a Belkin router than turned into a brick. OTOH, I have an SMC that probably still works fine today, but didn't have wireless and my Netgear one that has never failed. So I've seen unreliable and solid.


Vortex - Nov 12, 2009 6:56:18 am PST #11641 of 25501
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

The cable internet help guy recommended linksys, but he says that's what they used at comcast. I can't help wondering if its because they're good or they got a deal.


Gudanov - Nov 12, 2009 7:16:22 am PST #11642 of 25501
Coding and Sleeping

It looks like Best Buy will be selling a $250 laptop, Probably a Celeron 900, 2GB of RAM, and 160GB HDD. That's getting seriously cheap.

[link]


le nubian - Nov 12, 2009 9:58:50 am PST #11643 of 25501
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

After an earlier discussion, my next router (which might be soon!) will not be a linksys.


megan walker - Nov 12, 2009 10:00:54 am PST #11644 of 25501
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist

Shouldn't they last longer than, say, your television?

My first television lasted me 13 years. And then I gave it away to someone when I moved. The next two TVs I had, including mine now, were used. So that's 3 TVs in 20 years, with 10+ years of use for all of them.