Router Troubles (Help?)

[ac]

I've had a linksys router four about 2 years now. Thing cost me about 70 bucks (and that was "on sale"). Was a wireless one but now I think its fucking up. For a few hours today... Okay, since 2PM, my net dropped unexplained and it wouldn't give me a reason through the diagnostics scan of my LAN. So, I figured it would fix itself so I just turned the stuff off and took off for a while.

Though, about 40-45 minutes ago I turned my computer back on and still no internet. So, I ran another diagnostics, and it said a network cable was unplugged. I checked this, they were all in tightly, no loose plug-ins or anything. I also gave my internet modem and router a reset/turned them off for a couple of minutes to see if that would work, as it usually does.

It didn't though, so, after some fiddling around I unhooked my internet cable from the router, thus cutting off all other computers and my PS3 from it (about 3 other computers in the house and about 6 people live here...), so, my question is: Is my router fucked? Is it time for a replacement? Or is there a way to fix the expensive piece of plastic?

[gallas]

70 Bucks is actually cheap as far as routers go. I have had a $100 Linksys router for the better part of 2 years now, and it constantly disconnects at random intervals. (More recently and rather conveniently during ranked SSF4 matches. I'd probably by over 3000 PPs by now if it weren't for disconnects robbing me of points.) We have three devices that connect to it, my PC, my PS3 and 3X's PS3. However, having 3 PCs and a PS3 connecting to a $70 router, it was bound conk out eventually. The problem is your router is not meant to carry that heavy a load. Think of it like trying to haul a Horse Trailor with a Mini Cooper. After a while, the router slowly loses it's ability to connect to because there's to many devices connecting through it. Keep in mind, ours cost $100 and it's doing the same thing, though not as drastic. But eventually our router will conk out just like yours has.

Bottom line, there's two ways you can fix the problem. Have as little devices connected as possible, (Example, when playing your PS3, disable the PCs from being able to connect so that you have a clean connection, and vice versa) or knuckle up and get a better router. A high end router is going to run you $150-200 to start. One such router is the Cisco Linksys E3000, which has so many bells and whistles I won't even bother blowing your skull up with the tech talk. Let's just say, it's worth the money. Problem is the money is about $180. But if you want an efficient router that can handle the connection load of a household that runs multiple devices, you have to spend the bills. Just no avoiding it.