| Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander WRE54G |
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Model: WRE54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 0
Platforms: No Operating System
Operating system: Windows
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Dimensions - 1.1 x 7.4 x 6.9 in (H x W x D)
Wireless Standard - IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Security WEP - 64/128 bit WEP |
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| Description: |
| The WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander increases the effective coverage of your wireless network. Unlike other access points, this wireless expander doesn't require connection by a data cable. Just place it within range of your wireless router and bounce the signals off remote wireless devices. It's perfect for any wireless home or business network that requires wider coverage: Multi-story homes, warehouses, outdoor spaces and more. |
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| User Reviews (0 total): |
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Total loser of a device. Far below Linksys' usual standards., July 31, 2008
By S. Stanley (Denver, CO USA)
Well, I didn't read enough of these reviews before purchasing this. I've had good experience with Linksys before, but not now, not with this one. It appears that it's only compatible with certain Linksys systems. Bogus. Nothing in the description when you order says this. I have a great Belkin router that I'm not planning to change. Beyond that, the set up utility is worthless and failed to work properly. (Of course, that could have merely been the compatibility issue but it seemed worse than just that. And even if just that, it should have been smart enough to give me an error message like, "this is not compatible with your setup.)
This sucks. It's getting returned.
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Difficult setup, July 31, 2008
By D. Murata
I've spent several hours trying to get my Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander to work with two different wireless routers (one of them a Linksys router). After scouring the internet for solutions beyond what was provided in the extremely limited manual, I have given up for the time being. I just don't have the time to devote to getting this device to work.
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It works! (Finally...), July 7, 2008
By Super Nerd
I actually blame Vista for most of my frustrations with setting this up. I keep forgetting that you need to right click set up and choose 'run as administrator'. As soon as I did that, the software did it's thing and now I can access my network from anywhere in the house.
So, other than the instructions (not super clear) and MS Vista being a pain, this is a good product and I'm glad i got it.
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It is work fine, June 28, 2008
By Yuri Panshin
It is 3-rd version of the expander. So you can to setup by wires. For setup in secure mode you need set all properties same as in your router. The properties is: Name of network, Pas Key. It is working fine. It is what I was needed to my wireless network. I have two flours flat and my router is on second flour, so if you try to connect to network in first flour, it will failed. So the expander is the solution for my problem.
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A major source of frustration., June 26, 2008
By C. Kellier
When our Linksys ranger expander did work it was great. However, 9 times out of 10 it didn't work, and it became a major source of frustration and disappointment. I've had dozens of "discussions" with my wife about the poor, or lack of wireless coverage in our pre-war co-op. I think the most frustrating part of owning the Linksys range expander has been dealing with my son after he's been playing with his online Webkinz or Nick Jr. online and the expander simply stops working. The look in his eyes when "Daddy can't fix the internet" is truly heart breaking.
Our apartment is about 1300 sq. feet yet its almost impossible to get full wireless coverage from my Linksys wireless 54g router from end to end(forget about videos or large email files). As a result, I went out and got this range expander a couple of years ago and have been sorry I did ever since. Everything that the "1 star rating" reviewers said is true.
The in-box directions are terrible, and the support is horrible. I've spent hours on the phone with their customer service trying to get this thing to work, as well as countless hours on the linksys web site dealing with software updates (which are difficult to install) trying to figure out "what I was doing wrong." Turns out I was wrong for buying this piece-o-junk. I would have dumped this thing a long time ago, but after plunking down over one hundred dollars for it I was stuck, and determined to make it work.
I think the most frustrating part about the whole thing is that although the Linksys router worked fine most of the time, when the Linksys range expander was connected to it and failed, it blocked total access to the router even though the router was broadcasting ok. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop what I was doing to reset that range expander or even completely defer a family activity with our son because the coverage of the expander was so unreliable.
I hope the technology has improved since I purchased this so called range expander, and based on a previous review, I'm going out today to pick up a Netgear WGXB102 54Mbps Wall-Plugged Wireless Range Extender Kit or the latest and greatest, and hope it will work as advertised.
In conclusion, if you're looking to avoid a major source of frustration, DO NOT BUY THE LINKSYS WIRELESS G RANGE EXPANDER!
CK
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Mac buyer beware, June 21, 2008
By profr (Chicago, IL)
If you have a Mac laptop, in my case a Powerbook G4 running OS-X 10.4, I suggest you stay away from this device. I actually have mixed feelings about it. The setup program works well, and the device configured to my wireless network with little difficulty. My G4 saw the device, but was unable to get an IP address using DHCP. I spent over an hour in a chat session with Linksys tech support, and that was followed up by a call from a supervisor there who spent another hour with me. One thing which was (finally) suggested, which also appears in various forums, was to manually configure an IP address in System Preferences --> Network. Apparently this works for some, but it didn't for me. I'm returning the device. So why are my feelings mixed instead of all negative? (1) The level of (attempted) support was outstanding, especially since Linksys doesn't always get good marks. (2) The device does a great job with my wife's PC laptop running Vista. It just doesn't work well with Macs. Linksys knows this and has corrected the same problem with early models of its wireless routers (I use one and the Mac sees and can use it, but with an extremely low signal, thus the need for an expander.) I don't understand why they can't fix this guy! If you're a Mac user you're better off with the Belkin 5FD-7132 Belkin Wireless G Universal Range Extender/Access Point - Wireless access point - 802.11b, 802.11g which you can usually buy for less. It has an annoying tendency to drop its connection to the router occasionally, but at least it works most of the time.
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It works for me!, June 14, 2008
By http://www.flickr.com/photos/koolitz/search/tags:4L/ (Pasay, Metro Manila Philippines)
i have a version 3 of this product...WRT54GL as my router...i just plugged it and press the Auto Config and thats it!
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Environment is Everything, June 13, 2008
By D. Stawinski (Portland, OR, USA)
This product, though very hard to set up, does work. The thing is, it needs to sit in a "sweet spot" between your router and the receiving device so the router signal isn't too weak, and neither is the extender's. If your home will allow for the extender to be within approx. 30 feet of each device, this can be a great asset. Just don't try to set it up yourself. Linksys tech support was wonderful and friendly. Linksys usability and tech docs are for the birds.
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Good range expander for people with WRT54GC router, June 13, 2008
By Ajirael (San Francisco, CA United States)
Since I moved a bigger place, I've been trying to extend the wireless range and this worked pretty well. (I tried Access Point and Wiress-N but none worked.) As many reviewers pointed out, Linksys' instruction isn't sufficient so if security of the router is enabled, you will most likely get stuck middle of the config. But once I configured it right (after spending 30 min with tech support), the signal improved from 1-2 bars to full bar. So if you have WRT54GC router like I do and want to improve wireless range, you might want to consider this product.
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Works but tough setup, June 13, 2008
By Degrees (NJ)
I had to install this work a place I volunteer with. It as first was difficult to setup. Once its setup it works flawlessly. I bought one for home and since I already dealt with it I had it up and running in 15 min. The setup is not for your novice user. I would recommend anyone buying this is to connect the WRE54G directly via ethernet to PC it'll save more time. You'll have to use the combination of the cd and the IP interface to get it up and running. It work and expands the range well.
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Not really worth the money, June 11, 2008
By rstde (D.C.)
I installed this on my existing wireless system hoping to extend the range a short distance to my garage. No such luck. The range expander increased my wireless range by about 10 feet. Not enough to make it worth buying.
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great product, poor instalation instructions, June 3, 2008
By Anthony S. Zorn (San Salvador, El Salvador)
As many others have said this unit is a bear to install. Given that Lynksys cut its teeth on making routers, etc. easy to set up this was a big let down to me personally and will hurt their image with non-expert users who are drawn to them for the easy to set up aspect of dealing with Lynksys products.
The instructions posted by another reviewer are a good start and I too recommend calling for help if you cannot figure this all out on your own (I managed but only after a lot of swearing and mumbled threats). If you are not a "power user" be prepared to look for help.
Once installed the unit works like a charm and really solves a common problem of reach/penetration of Wi-fi in the home and office. My house is of concrete with a lot of re-bar signals simply will not pass from floor to floor, or through many walls, this unit allows me to have virtually full house coverage.
This is a five star idea (no one else really offers this exact type of product) with a four star implementation due to difficult set up. Now get to work Lynksys on making this easy to install!
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Very easy to install, great product, June 2, 2008
By Kevin (Monmouth Oregon)
I had no luck using the CD that shipped with this product. It actually caused me problems by installing a Broadcom Wireless Utility, which is a LAN application that replaces the default Microsoft Windows XP Windows Zero Configuration Service. To fix this problem I had to uninstall that software.
I configured it manually and it is very easy. Here are the steps:
1 Start/Run/CMD
2 At the command prompt enter ipconfig
3 Write down the default gateway. If you have a router this will be your router's IP
4 Connect a LAN cable from your router to the Range Expander. Note: you can connect directly into it from your PC, but then you will need to configure your LAN connection from DHCP to Manual.
5 Open Internet Explorer and enter 192.168.1.240
6 UserName: Leave Blank
7 PassWord: admin
8 In the Gateway section put in the IP address you got on step 3
9 Make sure to enter your network name exactly as it is in SSID. This is what appears when you look for a wireless connection.
10 Enable Security
11 Save Settings
12 Select Edit Security settings tab
13 Select WEP and In Key 1 and enter your WEP
14 Save Settings
15 Disconnect LAN cable, you are done!
To test your connection after completing these steps you can disable Broadcast on your wireless router. When you view the available networks and you see yours, it will be the range expander. I hope this helps.
I bought this for my neighbors and decided to set it up on my Linksys WRT54G to insure it worked. My neighbors have an Actiontek broadband router and I know for a fact it will work. All I need to do to connect it is get the WEP and router IP. Then follow the above mentioned steps. This is in my opinion a great product.
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It's so nice when stuff just works ..., May 29, 2008
By NatCh
... and this just works.
One end of the house is just a bit too far away from the router, unfortunately, that's the end my wife's 'puter is in. We were getting "low" to "very low" signal, at ~18Mbps, with the WRE54G installed, it varies from "very good" to "excellent" at ~54Mbps.
Set up was a snap, except for one, tiny detail: I bought one of the refurbished units, and they didn't reset the thing when they were done doing whatever they did with it, so at first our router didn't "see" the extender. A quick click of the reset button and it's been smooth sailing ever since. So a note to anyone who buys a refurbished unit, do yourself a favor and hit the reset button *first,* just in case. ;)
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WPA and the WRE54G, May 28, 2008
By S. Mcneill (Northern Virgina)
OK this is how I setup the Range Expander:
1. Connected my laptop directly to my Linksys WRT54G router via CAT5.
2. Plugged in the WRE54G extender into the wall and hit the reset button.
3. Log into the WRT54G router, 192.168.1.1, and set wireless security to "disable".
4. Unplugged the WRE54G extender from the wall.
5. Connected the WRE54G extender to the WRT54G router via CAT5.
6. Plugged the WRE54G extender into the wall.
7. Hit the Auto Configuration button on the WRE54G extender; should get two blue lights.
8. Log into the WRE54G extender, 192.168.1.240, (password: admin).
9. From the WRE54G configuration menu select "Edit Security Settings".
10. Select "pre-shared WPA".
11. Create a WPA key; then highlight and copy. Change the group renewal key to 3600.
12. Hit save settings. Should get settings saved reboot required in your browser.
13. Log into the WRT54G router and select wireless security and change the security settings to WPA, paste the WPA key you created in the extender into the router field. Ensure the group renewal key is set to 3600 and save settings.
14. Should have two blue lights on the extender. Unplug and move to the desired final location.
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Horrible, May 8, 2008
By KC (Reno, Nevada)
The only thing that's as bad as this piece of crap is the actual Linksys router.
I bought this because my router would not get signal to my bedroom, and it's only a single level house, 1800 sq ft. The booster is a bear to set up, and I could't get into the system to try to change my security password. I had to call Linksys, and was on hold for 30 minutes before I even got a tech on the line. She treated me like I was 4, and had no computer experience. Total call time: over 1 hour.
After that, I could not sign my laptop onto the Internet. Without the booster, I could sign on but had a weak signal. With the booster I had a very strong signal, but could not sign onto the Internet.
Again with a call to Linksys, this one lasted about 45 minutes. This tech was better than the last, but he couldn't fix it either. And, he admitted he was in Isreal!
This is going back, and I'm buying a whole new system. Don't bother with this router. It's a piece of crap. Just like the whole Linksys company.
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Watch Linksys, May 8, 2008
By photon11111
I have bought Linksys products before and they were not as advertised, but okay. I bought a linksys signal repeater and tried to set it up with the instructions. I have used instructions many times with good results. This time, my laptop wireless was knock out and has yet to work. I called Linksys. They checked the repeater and said that it was bad, but refused to help me with my laptop. I was sent another repeater. Before I tried to install it, I called Linksys. It would not work. They said I could sent it back and get a third one. I would have to pay shipping even though I was out one laptop and 13-14 hours trying to follow their instructions. I had to call 4 or 5 times. Now I have no signal repeater and have lost the ability to get online with my laptop. I am trapped. BEWARE! Do not buy any Linksys product.
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Pretty good, but setup is a bear, May 6, 2008
By A. Davis (Philadelphia, PA USA)
I had an extender once before, and it developed some interface problems with my work computer. So this time, I made sure to buy an extender that was known to be compatible with my particular wireless router, which is also a Linksys. I have a security enabled (WPA) network, and the auto config button does not work if you have security enabled. Keep that in mind. I went through the setup using the software that was enclosed, and one of my computers picked up the repeater signal and the other did not. I will say that Linksys tech support was very helpful, but we had to go through a LOT of steps to get the IP addresses configured so that every component could work with the extender. Once that was accomplished, I discovered that neither of my computers could interface with my network printer anymore. This time, Linksys tech support couldn't offer any help. I ended up solving this problem by turning the printer off and on to reset the IP address. Now everything works fine, and I'm sitting outside enjoying a lovely day while I'm also getting my work done. I don't know if this is what you have to go through with every brand/model of range extender. It was a major hassle. However, with that behind me, the extender works very well, and I'm glad I have it.
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wireless extender, April 30, 2008
By james
this is an amasing product!! It does what it is made to do. one littl problem is that seting it up is sort of a pain. I see some reveiews saying you have to remove the enscription key. I did not have to i just typed in the password and it was done. Overall a great product.
P.S. It boosted my signel from a 0% to a 76%
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This is what makes this thing work!, April 27, 2008
By Turbobuick86 (Whittier, Ca. United States)
Okay, I plagierised Kevin B. on how to make this thing work because his review was buried in the reviews and it should be on the front page. This worked for me after all else failed. I will add to Kevins routine by saying while I had it hooked up, I had to press and hold the reset button with paper clip to get blue lights and able to bring it up in a browser to edit settings. This expander works great once you get it working at all.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Setup needs to be easier., November 16, 2007
By Kevin B (Richmond, IN) - See all my reviews
I played with this thing for hours trying to get it setup to use with encryption. I tried the advice of the other reviews and still couldn't get it to work secured. My network wouldn't access the expander wireless, kept getting page not found when trying to access the the expander at 192.168.1.240
I have a WRT54G router, a laptop and a desktop. The desktop is hardwired into the router via ethernet, this is the computer I used to configure the network. Here's what I did to get it to work.
1) The network was up and running under WPA secure mode when I did this.
2) Plug expander into wall socket, I did not push config button, don't pay attention to the lights on the expander.
3) Run an ethernet cable from your router to the expander via the ethernet port below the lights on the expander.
3) Open up 2 browsers on your hardwired computer, one browser at 192.168.1.1 (router) and the second browser at 192.168.1.240 (expander)
4) Set the SSID and subnet mask on the expander, the same as the router.
5) Go to edit security settings on your expander, type in the security key that is in your router, and save settings on the expander. A couple redlight flashes and you should have two blue ones, your ready to move the expander anywhere to get a signal.
If you get a IP conflict when moving the expander, unplug and plug back in
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