Router recommendations

[no spam]

Hi,
I have a Linksys BEFSR41 router that I use at home for a small 3 X PC
network. Although I have had this device for a couple of years I never been
able to get it to work properly for video calls using MSN Messenger or
Windows Messenger. Sometimes the other person can see or hear me but I
cannot see or hear them. Other times it is the reverse or there is no video
comms on either end.

Anyway, I realise it is probably doing its job very well however are there
any recommendations for other routers that I can use that are a bit more
compromising so as to allow easy two way video communication??

Thanks,
Shane

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Shane,

Before you go out and buy a new router, I'd suggest you first download the latest firmware
release for the BEFSR41:
http://www.linksys.com/download

Also, You may need to remove the current port forwardings. To do so, click Start, All
Programs, Accessories, Communications, Network Connections. Right-click the "Internet
Gateway" (should be under the Internet Gateway heading) and choose Properties. Choose the
Settings button, click each 'msmsgs' or 'msnmsgr' entry and then choose 'Delete' to each one.
Then close Messenger (right-click the Messenger icon, choose Exit), then restart Messenger.

Thirdly, you and your contact might try turning off the QoS Packet Scheduler. To do so,
click Start, then click the Control Panel. If you're in category view click Network and
Internet connections then click Network Connections. Right click your network/internet
connection, then click Properties. Uncheck the QoS Packet Scheduler, then try again.

However, my recommendation (and this is solely based on what works well with Messenger),
would be the Microsoft MN-100 as a replacement to the BEFSR41:
http://microsoft.com/hardware/broadbandnetworking/productdetails.aspx?pid=001

However, there are other routers that I'm sure others will suggest that work fine too,
especially if you want to add wireless support to your network.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"no spam" > wrote in message ...
> Hi,
> I have a Linksys BEFSR41 router that I use at home for a small 3 X PC
> network. Although I have had this device for a couple of years I never been
> able to get it to work properly for video calls using MSN Messenger or
> Windows Messenger. Sometimes the other person can see or hear me but I
> cannot see or hear them. Other times it is the reverse or there is no video
> comms on either end.
>
> Anyway, I realise it is probably doing its job very well however are there
> any recommendations for other routers that I can use that are a bit more
> compromising so as to allow easy two way video communication??
>
> Thanks,
> Shane
>
>