It would "ping" just fine, but would not be accessible through IE-6. The problem would have been caught if they had just plugged it in before packaging.

Tech Support was OK, but they were very disorganized and seemed to be working on an extremely slow "network" - each one asked for the case#, but couldn't find it - and after stating my name and number they would tell me that I am calling regarding"DI-514" but would not pull-up rest of the info.

Bottom Line: My time is way too expensive to deal with D-Link. Never again.

(1) After changing settings at the router's admin page (...) AND clicking the apply and continue buttons, frequently the settings would not take effect until after the DI-514 had been powered off and on again. This looked like bad firmware to me. (...)

(2) I could not get 64-bit or 128-bit encryption to work with two known good notebooks that work on other encrypted, wireless networks. Encryption is essential for security!

(...) If you didn't change any of the settings, you are not using encryption! Anyone that strolls or drives nearby with a Pocket PC can use your wireless connection. If they monitor your network long enough, they can get your computer's MAC # then use your connection to do bad stuff while making it look like it came from you! Be careful! Also, if you don't change your admin password, a cracker can surf in through your cable/DSL broadband connection and do the same bad stuff I listed above from far away!

(3) Resorting to MAC address filtering, I went to the router's page to set that up. I entered the MAC # and clicked the "apply" button. The screen filled with error messages, and I could not log back onto the router until I pulled the power and turned it on again.

This was a "hardware version: B firmware version 1.00" brand:D-Link model:DI-514 . The release date for this firmware is Oct. 2003. (...). Tech support was squirrelly about commenting on that as well (Although I did get a *BIG guffaw* from the 877 number support rep when I said I was trying to get encryption to work on this model. Was he trying to tell me something his boss didn't want him to tell?).

I do have to give a good rating for the 877 tech support line's *short* wait time. After punching in the last digit before being put in the queue, it was only 7 minutes before the rep was on the phone with me.

(...)

BOTTOM LINE: I could only get it to work in unencrypted mode. The bargain is tempting, but the firmware design is poor and plagued with problems, and it doesn't really do all it says it does on the box. Spend a little more money and get a good wireless router. As they say "YGWYPF" and "The cheapskate pays the most in the end!"

Absolute crap. My guess is that I got a bad one. Seems there a lot of bad ones out there.

I then turned on WEP, and it also intially
worked, but then it really started getting flakey,
disconnecting every couple minutes.

I felt the top of the unit, it was hot enough
to cook an egg.

Even after I disabled WEP it did not work any better.

I eventually replaced the unit with a netgear 802.11g
unit and wow, so much better.

I did have a rev B unit, maybe they fixed things
for the rev C unit.

I actually used this unit without the wireless port
for several months and it worked great. Just never worked
right on the wireless port, when I got my laptop.

I finally found an obscure post on a forum for APPLE users, which hinted about a preamble setting in the performance section of the config utility -- SET THIS TO LONG (Short is the default). Connection dropping went from a matter of minutes to a matter of hours and both laptops were able to connect. I was unable to find information on this matter ANYWHERE on D-Link's site.

Overall, I got what I paid for. The DI-514 works marginally well, considering I got it for around $30. Still, I wish I'd spent the money for a Linksys.

Was able to get wireless connection but unable to get internet access.

D-Link support was helpful. did not wait long the 2nd time i call ed but had to hang up first time cause i could not wait longer. Support was helpful but at end of 15 min they said the unit was defective and to send it back and get new one. So that's what i am doing now. If it works when i get the new unit then i would up this review to 3 or 4 but given it hasnt worked yet ....

It is a great product for the price since you really do not need 802.11g routers for two reasons:

1) The standrad is new and still being finalized
2) 11 Mbits/s is all you EVER need unless you are streaming HDTV signal over your home wireless network which I am sure you are not

I also called D-Link customer service about my airplus 802.11b card and as somebody else already wrote hold time was short and I got professional help from an AMERICAN rep.

I'll save the performance review for the D-Link USB adapter write up, here I'll just say I'm pretty happy.

Just remember - YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. On the plus side, the tech support guys are helpful once you get through to them.

The DI-514 is also shorter and smaller than its 614+ brother and works just as well. (Supposedly the 614+ can have higher bandwidth when combined with a matching PC card but if you want higher bandwidth nowadays, you might as well go with 802.11G anyway).

Meanwhile, this router seems to work very easily. In some applications (like at a hotel) you just plug in the cables and you are on-line wirelessly without any setup at all.