Comments on: BEFSR41 Router-Linksys’ Bigtime Failure! http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/ Helping Business Save Money through New Technology and Services Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:11:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: OldRusty http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-204 OldRusty Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:44:29 +0000 http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-204 I posted this on Linksys' Community Forum: I've owned my befsr41 v.2 for about 7 years and it worked well, however, lately my download speeds have simply nosedived. I've upgraded the router to the most current version of their firmware (1.46 August 2004) and have enabled the MTU setting with a value of 1300. Road Runner tells me that I'm capable of a download speed of 15,000 kbps and if I connect directly from the cable modem to my PC my download speed is around 13,500 kbps. Using the linksys router the download speed drops to 4,500 kbps. I called Linksys tech support and was told by one of their technicians that the only way that I could fix my known problem was to either pay them $29.95 for Premium Support which would entitle me to a new version of the firmware and the router software which is not available to the current befsr41 owners who are currently out of warranty. OR I could purchase a New Linksys Wired Router, which I've seen on sale for $40 to $65. Since I can't justify paying $29.95 for a firmware and software download on a seven year old router, I guess that I'll be shopping for a new router. Maybe it's unfair of me to expect Linksys to continue to support an old out of warranty router, but I'm not pleased by their insistence that I either pay them $29.95 or take a hike either. So the chance that my replacement router will be a Linksys is pretty slim. It appears that my only other choices are Belkin, D-Link and NetGear. I'm leaning towards Belkin and their Lifetime Warranty. **** UPDATE **** I did a lot of review surfing on wired routers today and just completed a purchase on NewEgg for a D-Link DLG4100 GamerLounge Gigabit Router for $99.99,Free Shipping, and a $20 Mail-in Rebate. Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127060 While I did look at some of the Linksys and did have some reservations about D-Link products, the reviews on the DGL-4100 were great, however, it appears that D-Link's Tech Support really sucks. Here's hoping that I don't have any Tech Support problems. I posted this on Linksys’ Community Forum:

I’ve owned my befsr41 v.2 for about 7 years and it worked well, however, lately my download speeds have simply nosedived. I’ve upgraded the router to the most current version of their firmware (1.46 August 2004) and have enabled the MTU setting with a value of 1300. Road Runner tells me that I’m capable of a download speed of 15,000 kbps and if I connect directly from the cable modem to my PC my download speed is around 13,500 kbps. Using the linksys router the download speed drops to 4,500 kbps. I called Linksys tech support and was told by one of their technicians that the only way that I could fix my known problem was to either pay them $29.95 for Premium Support which would entitle me to a new version of the firmware and the router software which is not available to the current befsr41 owners who are currently out of warranty. OR I could purchase a New Linksys Wired Router, which I’ve seen on sale for $40 to $65.

Since I can’t justify paying $29.95 for a firmware and software download on a seven year old router, I guess that I’ll be shopping for a new router. Maybe it’s unfair of me to expect Linksys to continue to support an old out of warranty router, but I’m not pleased by their insistence that I either pay them $29.95 or take a hike either. So the chance that my replacement router will be a Linksys is pretty slim. It appears that my only other choices are Belkin, D-Link and NetGear. I’m leaning towards Belkin and their Lifetime Warranty.

**** UPDATE **** I did a lot of review surfing on wired routers today and just completed a purchase on NewEgg for a D-Link DLG4100 GamerLounge Gigabit Router for $99.99,Free Shipping, and a $20 Mail-in Rebate. Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127060 While I did look at some of the Linksys and did have some reservations about D-Link products, the reviews on the DGL-4100 were great, however, it appears that D-Link’s Tech Support really sucks. Here’s hoping that I don’t have any Tech Support problems.

]]> By: Dave http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-174 Dave Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00:37 +0000 http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-174 My second SEFSR41 died today after two years. Since moving to routers behind a cable modem I've had three Linksys. The first was a 5 port and worked great for three years. Got an early version of the 41 sometime summer of 2003 which lasted till late 2005 or so. I've been through three cable modems in that time as well and while disassembling the spaghetti of wires I noticed a sticky/greasy substance emanating from the cable modem and covering the surface on which it was set. I thought maybe there is some thermal problem but the fluid substance has me puzzled. Either way the router functions for LAN just the WAN function seems to have failed. I can access the router locally but it will not connect to the cable modem. In all three failures the symtoms have been identical except for the fluid from the cable modem (that has me doing some serious head scratching). Usually three is the charm but needing a firewall and wanting to upgrade to gigabit I crossed my fingers and grabbed another model. If I'm still using the linksys in 2012 it would have been a good deal. My second SEFSR41 died today after two years. Since moving to routers behind a cable modem I’ve had three Linksys. The first was a 5 port and worked great for three years. Got an early version of the 41 sometime summer of 2003 which lasted till late 2005 or so. I’ve been through three cable modems in that time as well and while disassembling the spaghetti of wires I noticed a sticky/greasy substance emanating from the cable modem and covering the surface on which it was set. I thought maybe there is some thermal problem but the fluid substance has me puzzled. Either way the router functions for LAN just the WAN function seems to have failed. I can access the router locally but it will not connect to the cable modem. In all three failures the symtoms have been identical except for the fluid from the cable modem (that has me doing some serious head scratching).

Usually three is the charm but needing a firewall and wanting to upgrade to gigabit I crossed my fingers and grabbed another model. If I’m still using the linksys in 2012 it would have been a good deal.

]]> By: Trexper http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-10 Trexper Mon, 24 Dec 2007 08:52:03 +0000 http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-10 definitely I would Mike. I am actually looking into several hardwares and might check them all out and I would make a review on them once I decide on what to choose. Thanks again & Merry Christmas! :) definitely I would Mike. I am actually looking into several hardwares and might check them all out and I would make a review on them once I decide on what to choose. Thanks again & Merry Christmas! :)

]]> By: Mike http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-7 Mike Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:53:07 +0000 http://www.trexreviews.com/archives/befsr41sx-router-linksys-bigtime-failure/#comment-7 I got the same router and I'm having the same problem as you. I hope you can come up with a review of a better replacement. Thanks! I got the same router and I’m having the same problem as you. I hope you can come up with a review of a better replacement. Thanks!

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