I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to computers, but I can usually figure out what to do anytime a real problem arises. However, when I moved into my new home, and tried to set up a home network, I was pushed to the brink of insanity!

I purchased a Lynksis router and signal replicator to ensure that I got a good signal throughout my whole house. But, when I began to set the equipment up, I could not get the router and signal replicator to link up. Now, I was very careful to purchase the same brand of wireless router, and signal replicator, even though I was assured by the Best Buy salesman that it didn't really matter. I even made sure the model numbers matched up between the two units. I followed the instructions for installation to the letter. However, when I was done, the router and replicator would not sync!

After working for a couple of hours on the project without any luck, I finally decided that I was not going to be able to figure out the problem on my own, so I got online and signed in to the Lynksis technical support chat. The agent had several things for me to try, each requiring a reboot of my computer and the router. Of course, this meant that I had to disconnect from the chat client. Each time I would reboot the system, only to find that the equipment still would not work. Each time, I would sign back into the technical support system and request the same agent, since he knew what my problem was already. Finally, after about 2 hours of trying various solutions, I decided to try another agent.

The second tech support agent asked me for the firmware version on both my router and my signal replicator. This agent identified my problem: the firmware did not match, and nothing I could do could make the two units sync up! I asked how I could make sure to buy a replicator that would work with this router, and the answer I got was: you just have to bring it home and try it!

So, I bought the same model number of router and replicator, but they would not work together. And, finding two that would work together was basically going to be a crap shoot.

I finally found the solution to my problem. I returned all the Lynksis equipment and bought a Netgear expanded range router! Problem solved!

Learn more about this author, Kris Brewer.
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