~Dead~ Belkin Wireless 802.11G Router for Free + Make $3.01 Shipped After Rebate

You can still get one from Circuit City for the $46.99 price by going through Amazon.com if you don't mind paying about $6.00 in shipping. Circuit City is a partner and many of their products are available from them. When you check your local store using their locator it says it's not available for store pickup, just home delivery.

Also you'll still be eligible for the rebates.
 
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In store Price is 69.99+tax - $50 rebates which print at the register.

therefore the final price is $20 AR

Not free after rebates.





they have loads of these in stock but the price is 69.99
 
If i buy through Amazon>circuitcity, will my purchase still be eligible for rebates from circuitcity.?????




although for everyone's info, it won't be FAR, there's tax and shipping that has to be paid.
 
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Also!

I'm also wondering if the rebates would be valid then if we got it from Amazon....

Also, watch out because on the Amazon website the same Belkin Wireless 54 G Router is being sold both as:

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 bus. days J&R Music and Computer World

and

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 bus. days Circuit City
 
i was just trying to find if the wireless can be turned off at will on this router?


for example: if you are using a wired computer and not using wireless at a given moment, can you turn off the wireless for security on this router???







oh and somebody was asking about rebates printing at the register.
yes, both rebates print out at the register at checkout. make sure to ask the CSR so you get both rebates.
 
go to amazon
print out shopping cart
take to cc
they will pricematch as long as it is shipped from CC

enjoy
 
benwin said:
In store Price is 69.99+tax - $50 rebates which print at the register.
therefore the final price is $20 AR
Not free after rebates.
they have loads of these in stock but the price is 69.99
Click to expand...
Benwin,

I called the CC mgr and told him that their Website was advertising the special price, and try as I did, I couldn't purchase it b/c of "technical difficulties" on the CC Web site. And how I called the store to make sure it was even in stock (to see if I should keep trying), and how frustrating it was that their Web site wasn't working. I also told him how "interesting" I thought it was that they'd advertise something, not make it available online, yet have it available at the store for a higher price. I also told him how I'd have to drive over 15 miles, (update: actually make that 20), instead of having free shipping to even get this item.

The mgr told me he'd do a price match (@$46.99), which I think is fair (but ultimately, I still have to drive there). Anyway, maybe you could ask your local CC mgr to do the same.
 
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This deal was in and out so fast, it was, for all intents and purposes, no deal at all. Heck, if you blinked, you missed it. I assume some knucklehead at CC simply forgot to jack up the price before offering the rebates.

That said, as someone who owns this model (several actually), and the faster F5D7231-4, this router is VERY basic. Doesn't have a lot of the features of say a Netgear, Linksys or D-Link. The list of "missing" features or deficiencies is lengthy, but a few that come to mind: NO, you can't disable the wireless (unbelievable if you ask me), antenna is NON-detachable (so forget about adding a range extender), no static DHCP assignments (does support FOREVER leases, but that's not quite the same, that means that on a soft reset, IP assignments *could* change, not nice when you have firewall configurations that depends on FIXED IP assignments), no email alerts or emailed logs (so if someone's bustin' in, you'll find out about it ONLY if you happen to visit the log), performance is not as good as my D-Link DI-624 (my DI-624 gets 18-20mbps in "G" mode, this router, under EXACTLY the same conditions, gets 14-18mbps in "G" mode), no DDNS (so if you would like your router to keep your dynamic DNS name(s) updated at no-ip.org, or dyndns.org, or similar service, you'll need a client service for that support), no xmit power adjustments, parental controls require additional $$$ for add-on service, very few options to tweak wireless performance (beacon interval, RTS threshold, fragmentation, etc., none of this stuff is available), and on and on.

Don't get me wrong, for a basic router, for someone that just wants a "I don't want to think about it, just plug in and go, and maybe all I need to configure is a password and wireless security key", it will suffice. But feature set wise, and performance wise, it's VERY middle of the road, nothing to write home about.

So perhaps you're wondering why I have several! Simple, unlike the high-performance, feature rich models of D-Link, the Belkin models support WDS (wireless bridging). VERY, VERY convenient. So I simply kept my D-Link DI-624, turned off its wireless, then configure one of these Belkin's in AP mode, and patched it to the DI-624. So now I have best of both worlds, the DI-624 handles DHCP, NAT, firewall, etc., while the Belkin provides wireless connectivity. The Belkin simply drops wireless clients on the DI-624 for all network services. Now I take the other Belkin routers, convert them to APs as well, and use them as bridges on my other client PCs, including my Tivo's! So now my Tivo is running wireless "G" (pretty nice when you consider the Tivo recommended wireless adapters are all "B" models). And now, every client in my house using these wireless bridges is also a wireless extender. So anyone wishing to get on the wireless network simply picks the AP that provides best range and performance.

All in all, very cool and cost effective. This deal is not impressive w/ the $20 net price, considering CC and OM had this very router available on BF for $7.99 and $9.99, respectively. I bought BOTH deals on BF (PM'd OM to CC too), and now have yet two more APs (currently extending wireless into far reachs of premises). Have gotten several FAR as well.

As AP's, these Belkins are a steal, cheaper than any dedicated AP will cost you (at least $80 and up typically). As routers, eh, OK, but for FREE, worth trying I suppose.

Spoofed
 
well i guess i'll return it then coz if i can't turn off the wireless then it doesn't relly serves the purpose.


i would've tried to pricematch if it let me do so, but i guess i will just get rid of it.
 
Spoofed said:
NO, you can't disable the wireless (unbelievable if you ask me)
Click to expand...
Could someone verify the info I just got from the Belkin tech support guy (1-800-223-5546, ext 2263 (available 24/7)):

He says you CAN turn off the wireless capability for this router.

1) type in 192.168.2.1 in the address bar
2) log on for your router
3) on the left side of the Web page, you'll see the word "WIRELESS", underneath which will be the words "CHANNEL & SSID". Click on "CHANNEL & SSID".
4) You'll see the words "BROADCAST SSID" and a check box. UNCHECK this box to turn OFF the wireless capability.
5) Click on "APPLY CHANGES"

to turn the wireless back on, repeat steps 1-3, but this time, CHECK OFF the box next to "BROADCAST SSID", then click "APPLY CHANGES"

If this works for you, pls post a msg! THANKS!
 
penpen said:
Could someone verify the info I just got from the Belkin tech support guy (1-800-223-5546, ext 2263 (available 24/7)):

He says you CAN turn off the wireless capability for this router.

1) type in 192.168.2.1 in the address bar
2) log on for your router
3) on the left side of the Web page, you'll see the word "WIRELESS", underneath which will be the words "CHANNEL & SSID". Click on "CHANNEL & SSID".
4) You'll see the words "BROADCAST SSID" and a check box. UNCHECK this box to turn OFF the wireless capability.
5) Click on "APPLY CHANGES"

to turn the wireless back on, repeat steps 1-3, but this time, CHECK OFF the box next to "BROADCAST SSID", then click "APPLY CHANGES"

If this works for you, pls post a msg! THANKS!
Click to expand...

Don't always depend on what these guys say. Most of the time, when there's a feature to NOT BROADCAST the SSID, it means only that the SSID is not broadcasting its identifier. That typically does NOT mean the wireless is disabled, off, or otherwise inaccessible. It just means that you can't simply depend on catching that broadcast to detect wireless networks in your range. Thus, you need to KNOW the broadcast SSID in order to connect to that wireless network. It's similar to NetBIOS broadcasts, you could disable these on a network, but that doesn't in and of itself mean you can't connect to a NetBIOS service. As long as you KNOW the name, you can simply specify it in your request. That's why routers like D-Link's offer a feature to turn the wireless OFF (completely!), *and* disable the SSID broadcasts, separate features. By definition, if the wireless is OFF, no SSID is being broadcast. However, it's not reciprocal. Just because the SSID is NOT broadcasting, doesn't mean the wireless is OFF!

Now, is it possible that Belkin has implemented the feature to NOT broadcast the SSID to be interpreted as turning the wireless OFF? I suppose so, its their product, they can implement any way they want. But, it is NOT TYPICAL! Turning the wireless OFF (completely) is typically different from simply disabling the SSID broadcasts.

That's why I'm suspicious about what Belkin TS is reporting. It could be he simply misunderstood your intentions, OR, he's in error, OR, indeed, this is how it works. But I'm 99.99% sure he's wrong. Why? I checked my Belkin F5D7231-4 router, and here's the Help screen description from that router, word for word:

"It is possible to make your wireless network nearly invisible. By turning off the broadcast of the SSID, your network will not appear in a site survey. Site Survey is a feature of many wireless network adapters on the market today. It will scan the "air" for any available network and allow the computer to select the network from the site survey. Turning off the broadcast of the SSID will help increase security."

Notice is does NOT say it will turn OFF the wireless, just makes it "invisible". Yeah! No broadcasts means noone will be aware of the wireless unless they KNOW the SSID which they must specify, BUT if they DO, they can sure as heck connect to it!

As a service to Spoofee customers :), I turned my own SSID broadcasts off temporarily and checked w/ my wife's wireless PC. Works just fine! Of course, a site survey doesn't show the router anymore, but that's to be expected.

So this Belkin TS person is simply misinformed, or misunderstood your question. You can NOT turn off the wireless on these belkin routers unless there's some other hidden feature, which I've yet to discover.

Spoofed
 
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Spoofed said:
Don't always depend on what these guys say. Most of the time, when there's a feature to NOT BROADCAST the SSID, it means only that the SSID is not broadcasting its identifier. That typically does NOT mean the wireless is disabled, off, or otherwise inaccessible. It just means that you can't simply depend on catching that broadcast to detect wireless networks in your range...

As a service to Spoofee customers :), I turned my own SSID broadcasts off temporarily and checked w/ my wife's wireless PC. Works just fine! Of course, a site survey doesn't show the router anymore, but that's to be expected.

So this Belkin TS person is simply misinformed, or misunderstood your question. You can NOT turn off the wireless on these belkin routers unless there's some other hidden feature, which I've yet to discover.

Spoofed
Click to expand...
WOW! Thanks for checking up on the tech guy's info and for going though all the steps that you did !! Going above and beyond the "call of duty" for your fellow Spoofee members! Now THAT deserves a hand! :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps:
Spoofed, can I ask you this, how difficult would it be for someone to figure out someone else's SSID? :confused:
 
penpen said:
WOW! Thanks for checking up on the tech guy's info and for going though all the steps that you did !! Going above and beyond the "call of duty" for your fellow Spoofee members! Now THAT deserves a hand! :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps:
Spoofed, can I ask you this, how difficult would it be for someone to figure out someone else's SSID? :confused:
Click to expand...

That's hard to say, certainly not too tough if you leave it at the default setting (you'd be amazed how many times I see the SSID of "default" broadcast in my own neighborhood!).

I assume that if the SSID is NOT broadcast, then the SSID will at least be "sniffable" off the wireless radio waves, so it's probably *as* suseptible to detection as any encrypted stream. Of course, we're talking about someone w/ more than a casual interest. With enough hardware, determination, and knowledge, I'm sure it could be "sniffed" out in no time. That's why it's not really a good avenue to security. Just assume that turning OFF the SSID broadcasts is not going to prevent a determine hacker, never has, broadcasts or no broadcasts.

If you can't turn off the wireless, and still want the router, then there's certainly no *harm* in turning off the SSID broadcasts, esp. if you do not intend to use the wireless anyway. But I would definitely take further precautions, like disabling DHCP, using static IPs, using a more obsure scope (e.g., instead of 192.168.2.x, maybe 10.0.199.x or something), enable WPA, MAC filters, IP filters, etc., all the precautions you would expect. It would even be nice if you could remove the antenna too, but they appear permanently attached (tried twisting them, but afraid they'll break w/ too much force). It's really inexcusable that you should have to go through all this, what could be more secure than simply turning it OFF. Truly baffled, how much effort would adding this feature have required?

Spoofed
 
:claps: :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps: :claps:
all for penpen for trying to help me so much.

spoofed i can't disable all other features as the network requires them, but even without broadcasting ssid, i am assuming there's significant security risk since my network will be still available on wireless. right?


which means i better get rid of it now than be worried and set so many options etc...
 
I'm no techie, so sorry if I can't help in that dept.
But for anyone who's planning on keeping their Belkin router, who wants to pricematch w/ the Amazon/CC price of $46.87, and who might be having a tough time finding their price, I've attached a zip file w/ the Web page showing the $46.87 CC price.

update: ad removed to upload another attachment. if anyone needs this ad to pricematch, pm me.
 
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benwin said:
it seems you know a lot about it.
my intention is simple, to get a router where i can enable/disable wireless easily. not hide it as per you explained it. so you said it can't be disabled on this belkin router.

i am going to return it on your word for it. can i trust you?

however i am going to do one last step, i'll try and call belkin support and see if they have a different reply for that.
Click to expand...

NOTE: Would have PM'd you, but the stupid system limits me to 1000 chars, not about to start breaking up messages and sending multiples.

Well, what can I say, I'm a 20 yr software developer, have built all my own PCs and maintain a network of quite afew machines, Tivo's, and been through 4-5 different routers, "B", "G", and "super G", so I'm very familiar w/ the topic. Have yet to find a router until the Belkin that kept its ability to turn OFF the wireless so well hidden, if it exists.

Do yourself a favor, review the Belkin manual online:

http://web.belkin.com/support/download/downloaddetails.asp?file_id=1291

If you can find ANYWHERE were it says or demonstrates HOW to turn off the wireless, you're a better man than I. I scoured that thing pretty thoroughly, makes no mention of it.

Interestingly, if you check page 6, notice it talks about the wireless network LED (#2) and that there are three states, OFF means wireless is OFF, solid green means wireless ready, blinking means wireless activity. It *implies* there is an OFF state, BUT, I suspect there isn't an OFF switch or configuration option. Rather, it's OFF on power up ONLY, until the wireless is established. But nothing short of powering down the router will turn the #2 LED OFF. Also, just out of curiousity, I disabled the SSID again, then checked the status of the #2 LED, it remained steady GREEN! So even, if by some remote misunderstanding on our part, disabling the SSID somehow disabled wireless completely, that claim does NOT match up w/ the status lights, as indicated in their own manual!

I'd be THRILLED to find a way to disable the wireless, it was one of the first deficiencies I noticed (having always been able to disable wireless in all previous routers from other vendors, so it got my attention immediately). If it's there, it's well hidden (or I need better contacts). The only reason I've kept the router is that I don't use it as a router, only as an AP. So wireless always needs to be on for me anyway. But if I ever did need a router and didn't need wireless, I'd be pretty uncomfortable w/ a device that REQUIRED wireless to be ON when I didn't even need it (for security reasons, why leave a door open if you don't need to).

Frankly, this is NOT the worlds best *router* (yeah, great as an AP, very niche purpose), but personally I would recommend a LOT of other brands and models before this one. If you got in on the FREE deal early this morning, its not much of a loss should you decide its not for you (could certainly resell it for $25-30 w/o too much effort, dumped a few myself on Pricegrabber.com). But this router has lots of deficiencies beyond this wireless ON/OFF issue, which I mentioned previously. It's not a bargain, even if FREE, if it makes you uncomfortable and dissatisfied. Better to spend a few bucks more and get the features you want.

I'm still using my D-Link DI-624, which is really nice, feature packed, super "G", wireless ON/OFF, DDNS, tons of features. Heck, Outpost.com was selling it for about $20 AR only a few days ago (think it's $40 AR now). But it pops up here and there, little more, little less. Only deficiency is, it doesn't support WDS (wireless bridging), which is why I merged the wired features of the DI-624 w/ the wireless features of the Belkin F5D7230-4. I get the best of both worlds, gives me DI-624 feature set + WDS, the one thing the DI-624 lacks. And since the Belkin was so cheap, it was a simply decision to pick it up (whatever its other deficiencies).

Or try the Netgear or Linksys line. As routers, these and the D-Link are simply better products. Well worth paying another $10-20 bucks for. I would NEVER have bought this Belkin *purely* as a router knowing what I know now, no way, much too limited and feature-poor for my tastes.

HTH

Spoofed
 
great.


thanks

first thing tomorrow...........err..........today in day
i am getting rid of this thing called router. and then i will hunt for a good one. i will bug you a lot when i am hunting since i want something that has all i need and i don't want to spend money again for a new feature in future.


thank you everybody here for your help. i cannot fully appreciate all you guys help and penpen's extra mile efforts in two lines here but thank you all for your help in an area of expertise where i sure ain't no expert.

even for free i don't think i should buy a router that keeps wireless open.

oh i read through the whole belkin support site and product manual and i couldn' t find it anywhere to disable wireless on it.
 
What about the $30 deal AR posted couple of days ago.

D-Link DWL-923 802.11g

Is this a good deal?
 
penpen said:
Could someone verify the info I just got from the Belkin tech support guy (1-800-223-5546, ext 2263 (available 24/7)):

He says you CAN turn off the wireless capability for this router.

1) type in 192.168.2.1 in the address bar
2) log on for your router
3) on the left side of the Web page, you'll see the word "WIRELESS", underneath which will be the words "CHANNEL & SSID". Click on "CHANNEL & SSID".
4) You'll see the words "BROADCAST SSID" and a check box. UNCHECK this box to turn OFF the wireless capability.
5) Click on "APPLY CHANGES"

to turn the wireless back on, repeat steps 1-3, but this time, CHECK OFF the box next to "BROADCAST SSID", then click "APPLY CHANGES"

If this works for you, pls post a msg! THANKS!
Click to expand...

See this thread:
http://www.spoofee.com/forums/showthread.php?p=47810

The disable SSID doesn't stop your wireless router from providing wireless functionality, it just helps hide your router from average Joe user.

If you want to disable your wireless router, unplug it or disconnect the antenna. Works every time!
 
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