**HOT** SMC Barricade Wireless Broadband Router w/ Print Server >> only $79.99 (AR)

[treetop]

buyer beware. the SMC wireless router has the die out problems, which after countless firmware upgrades SMC still have not been able to recorrect. for some reasons, the 7004AWBR dies out after certain amount of usage, and the only thing you can do to bring it back to life is through a power reset, which some people have been doing daily, sometimes up to several times a day. I am one of the people who have this problem. However there are people out there with a better luck, and claims no reset or die out problem for them. so buying SMC products is sorta like taking your chances to gamble, just my 2 cents.

 

[Fishmonger]

Some differences between the 2 models:

The A version supports 128bit WEP encrpytion while the old version that I received only supports 64bit.

Cosmetically they are very different. The old version has ports in the front and printer and serial connections in the back. The newer A version has all connections in the back. The newer A version has a "hump" at the top and a hardware reset button as well.

In addition, the print server function in Windows XP doesn't work so well. I first tried following SMC's recommendations and setting up the print server as a standard TCP/IP port in XP, but that didn't work quite right. So then I tried installing the 2000 drivers which didn't work either. The printer would get the print job, but would either print out garbage or would get stuck halfway through printing. My old D-link router w/ print server worked just fine in XP and never gave me problems.

I'm in the process of returning the router. So far the TigerDirect Customer Service has been very helpful, so I'm not going to say anything bad about them.

 

[isekii]

mine is on backorder i will cancel..

 

[iownebay]

Anyone have a copy of the rebate form?

 

[TheFatKid4Life]

I've got the rebate PDF on my site.

Linkeroo

Good luck!

 

[collin]

I got the confirmation email with tracking number from Tiger Direct. As I recall, it was listed as the AWBR model but I didn't save the page and definitely can't find a way to get the info back. On my invoice it only says "S248-1008P SMC Wireless 4 Port DSL Router ".

I recall from when I was researching this model that the older non-A model was considered to have better wireless range; didn't hear about all the die out problem.

I'll post when I receive the item.

 

[Laughalot]

Beleive it or not, I was told by someone else that I was lucky to get the non "A" version due it better range. I set it up last night and it is working great. I didn't have the trouble that fishmonger had with the print server in XP, it prints just fine for me. I am going to keep the router as I really didn't need the 128-bit wep anyway.

(BTW, I did upgrade the firmware before hooking my printer up, maybe that fixed the problem)

 

[telamon]

Argh. Mine just arrived and they are WBRs as well.

Called Tigerdirect, they won't credit for the $20 rebates and are sending me an Airborne label to return them.

Debating what to do.

Anyone get real AWBRs on this deal?

Ted

 

[DuckBlue]

I just received mine today (ordered sunday night) and also got the WBR. The invoice shows S248-1008, but i remember it being S248-1040 when it was listed on the page for 99.99-20 rebate. Just wondering what the rest of you guys are going to do. Still seems like a cheap deal, just not quite as good as before.

 

[Apex]

<< Beleive it or not, I was told by someone else that I was lucky to get the non "A" version due it better range. I set it up last night and it is working great. I didn't have the trouble that fishmonger had with the print server in XP, it prints just fine for me. I am going to keep the router as I really didn't need the 128-bit wep anyway.

(BTW, I did upgrade the firmware before hooking my printer up, maybe that fixed the problem) >>



It's not only a longer range issue. The older WBR also has faster throughput with WEP enabled than the AWBR. You are indeed lucky.

 

[Lore]

So getting the older version is indeed a positive thing?

Mine's on its way - I'm going to have to decide whether to keep this or not.

 

[TheFatKid4Life]

OK, I just got my Barricade today. I was also shipped the WBR instead of the AWBR. I was curious so I called SMC to see what the differences were between the two units. The tech support guy I spoke with told me I was indeed lucky to get the "non-A" version because it had the longer range. He also said that by downloading and flashing it to the newest firmware, I'd also get 128-bit WEP.

Firmware Download

or

Drivers, Manuals, Etc.

I felt like I was on a roll so I called TigerDirect to see if I could still get the rebate. The CSR I spoke with, "Ed", asked me if I ordered the router because of the (his words) "e-mail blast special". I crossed my fingers, guessed and told him yes. I said it was an excellent deal, but wasn't sure if I would be keeping it since it wasn't the exact model I had ordered. He said he understood and that he knew of the error in the rebate and asked me to hold. Within a minute, he was back on the phone and told me that I need not worry about sending in the rebate, that he's credited $20 to the credit card I ordered with. He apologized for any inconvienence I had suffered. Totally painless.

As always, YMMV, but not demanding an RMA right away and being polite worked well for me. Thanks again for the great deal.

 

[Arkane]

Andy Rodriguez from tigerdirect is posting over at FW. Check out the thread and shoot him an email to get your $20 credit if you decide to keep it.

 

[sygyzy]

<<

<< I bought it a few months ago for twice the price. It has been sitting unused since in a box because it dies after 15 mins. I always try to get an RMA but they put you on hold for hours! >>



Who did you try and RMA to? SMC or where you bought it from? >>



I RMA'd to SMC. The 15 day return policy expired from Gateway. The hold was about 2+ hours. After you get them on the line they are very nice.

 

[Arkane]

<< OK, I just got my Barricade today. I was also shipped the WBR instead of the AWBR. I was curious so I called SMC to see what the differences were between the two units. The tech support guy I spoke with told me I was indeed lucky to get the "non-A" version because it had the longer range. He also said that by downloading and flashing it to the newest firmware, I'd also get 128-bit WEP. >>


but it doesnt mention anything about 128-bit WEP in the firmware readme.

 

[InspectorGadget]

I've used both the WBR and AWBR routers. The "die-out" (locking up) problems seem to happen with Win XP clients. I downloaded and applied the firmware upgrade from SMC and it corrected the problem. SMC acknowledged the problem in the most recent firmware upgrade.

Also, for those of you trying to install the printer under XP. The TCP/IP instructions never worked for me. I just took the installation CD and installed the client PC with that instead --- everything worked fine.

 

[Fishmonger]

Flashing to the latest firmware version doesn't upgrade this router to 128bit WEP - at least not when I did it. According the SMC's technical specs this router just can't do 128bit WEP.

I tried installing the drivers off the CD and still got printing problems in XP - I guess I must did something wrong.

I got the D-Link router from Dell and everything is working fine now, including printing. I've heard that SMC and D-Link uses the same chipset in their wireless routers, but for some reason the D-link printer drivers worked better for me.

Still decided to return the router to TigerDirect, although they did offer me $20 off to keep it - The ports in the front of the router really bother me, and I don't feel like the thought that companies can substitute your orders without your consent.

It is a still a good deal, especially with $20 off. Those of you keeping the routers should definitely call up TigerDirect and ask for the credit.

 

[collin]

got mine today. i also got the WBR not the AWBR. I'm still waiting for my 802 card so I can't test the wireless yet. I upgraded the firmware but, like somebody else said, the firmware notes only mention 64 bit WEP. I'm not sure if I care about the lack of WEP enough to bail on this deal, especially if they give me the rebate back on my credit card.

 

[Lore]

I received mine today too but I've called in for an RMA and airbill...

 

[leeb]

yeh, got the 7004wbr instead of 7004awbr. i'll be sending back RMA.
but here is the pdf prinout that i've saved with 7004awbr page.

Tiger SMC7004AWBR