| Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender |
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Model: F5D7132
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 173
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Offers one-touch setup for wireless repeater mode
Adds wireless-enabled PCs to your wired network in access-point mode
Works seamlessly with the majority of routers and access points available
Ensures data and network security
Works with PCs and Macintosh computers |
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| Description: |
| The 802.11g Wireless Universal Range Extender/ access point (WURE) connects to your network switch and lets you join your wireless-equipped PCs to your wired network in Access Point Mode, or lets increase the coverage of your existing wireless network in Range Extender Mode. Once you've done the simple setup, you can share data and peripherals, as well as a single Internet account among all your computers. It is based on standard 802.11g technology for fast wireless file transfers and downloads. |
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| User Reviews (173 total): |
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Great for the money, but not for the beginner, September 7, 2007
By user (East Coast USA)
I want to thank everyone for the reviews on this extender.
I have been searching for this for a while now and I have to say, it's fantastic. Especially for the money.
Now, having lauded it with praise, let me say that after reading the reviews and noticing the problems folks have had with it, I want to share what I did straight foward to make mine work. I set this up to work as a range extender.
First, as everyone else who has successfully set it up has said, you must turn off all encryption for your connections. Drop them all for all your computers. It's easier to do it first. Also, if you have other security settings like MAC address connections set, disable them too. You can add them back in later. I'll go into more detail about that in a moment.
Before you plug the extender in, first connect to your router or access point hard wired. Let me emphasize that you cannot make this work wirelessly.
Once you connect via hard wire, browse to your access point.
Then change it's IP address, save the settings then restart it and make sure you can connect. Ex. Mine was running 192.168.2.254 so I changed it to 192.168.2.244.
Once I restarted it, I unplugged my laptop and reset my wireless connection and made sure I could connect.
Next. Drop the wireless connection to your setup machine and connect again with the hard wire.
Now plug in the extender to your router or access point, plug it in and wait for all the lights to come on. Don't plug it to your computer. That's not necessary.
Once the extender is running, open a browser and go to 192.168.2.254 and you will be connected to the extender.
The setup is pretty straight forward from there. Make sure it's set to run as a range extender, save the settings and watch the lights. They should flash as the settings are saved.
Now, leaving the extender hard wired to your router, go ahead and reboot the extender.
Once it comes back up, make sure you can connect to it through the IP address in your browser.
If it comes back up, you're good to go so far.
Next, shut the extender down by unplugging the power. Then disconnect the hard cable from it.
Once that is done, disconnect your configuration computer from the hard wire connection too.
Now start the extender without plugging in the hard wire.
It should come up and the searching light should stop flashing after 20 seconds or so. Just be patient and give it time.
Once it's up and running, enable your wireless connection on your configuration computer and see if you can search for the extender.
You should be able to see it and connect.
When you're done, you can unplug the extender and move it to where you like.
Once you've done that, connect and restore your security settings.
Just be sure to do it from the parent first, then the extender.
Also, if you plan on using MAC address connections, be sure you put the MAC address for both parent and extender into each others setup page or they won't connect.
Let me finish by saying that I also changed the antenna on this unit to a larger one. That alone will be an option I doubt many folks will take advantage of. By using a larger antenna I am able to extend my range from my parent wirless system located in my basment of my BRICK house to my extender located on the upper floor and at the opposite end of my place. This let's me take my wireless laptop well into my large back yard with great connectivity!
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Best of all and the cheapest with lifetime Guarantee, August 29, 2007
By user (Florida)
Belkin Range Extender
I have seen so many negative reviews about this product. I really don't understand why. But one thing I figured out was that everyone who wrote a negative review was not able to set it up properly, or missed a clue or two somewhere in the setup.
This is the best extender I have seen so far. Moreover, it is the cheapest, Universal(it can be used with any router) and with life time guarantee..... What more you can ask. I am using this Extender in a radius of 300 - 400 feet. and I am getting all 5 bars or 100% connectivity.
I advise all those who had problem with setting up this router to take time and read the reviews as well as the manual. Let me tell you the cd is not of much help so get ready to set it manually.
Let me give you some easy steps.
A) If you don't have security set on your wireless router then setting up the belkin is a piece of cake.
But if you have security then follow the following steps and enjoy the excellent range and continuous connection.
1) remove the security setup of your wireless router (WR)
2) Connect Range extender (RE)using the auto button (press for 10 to 15 sec).
3) Connect the RE directly to your computer using the cable provided. open internet explorer and at address write 192.168.2.254 and hit enter
Now you are inside the RE.
4) Change the SSID name (I kept BRE ---- Must be different from your WR name). Type the name of your WR at PARENT AP SSID. Hit apply changes. Disconnect the power cable and reconnect after the router reboots.
5) Now set the security of RE the same way as you are about to set in WR.
I will advice wpa-psk. After clicking apply, unplug the current cable as well as internet cable.
6) Now set the security of your WR. Make sure you are doing the same in your WR. If needed unplug the current cable as well as internet cable.
7) Plug the WR and RE and let RE search the WR. You are good to go now. In your computer's view wireless connection. Choose BRE and Connect to the BRE (instead of WR) from the selection of wireless connections.
After using it for more than two weeks. There has been some problems with my LAN but I have faced no problem with RE.
If you think you can follow the above steps then ,, trust me you will not repent this purchase.
Note: It also converts your wireless connection to a wired connection, that means that you can connect your Vonage (or any other similar service) wirelessly.
Edited April 6th, 2008
Thank GOD I bought this great router. I am more than satisfied.
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Not quite "press the button", August 27, 2007
By user
The Belkin F5D7132 advertises "one button" automatic configuration to extend a detected wireless signal. Not quite. First attempt ended in failure. Second attempt once we had found the IP address of the wireless server still did not work. Mysteriously, two days later a press of the button did do the trick. Afterwards, the Belkin seemed to boost whatever wireless it seemed to randomly select. Still trying to figure it out.
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Works, But not easy to set up, August 25, 2007
By user (Bethlehem, Pa USA)
I bought this to extend my wireless signal to the back of my yard, approx 300 ft, to my pool and deck. I have a Belkin N router for most wireless tasks but it couldn't reach the pool. It took the greater part of a day to configure this extender, but I did it. The key is to follow the insturctions in the manual and hardwire to a pc or laptop. Set up your NIC card to point to the router. Know the native IP addresses of your current infrasturcture and plan on changing the native of the extender if a conflict. Do not try to configure the extender while it is in extender mode. Switch to AP and do all your configurations that way. You can even set up a secure network. I use WEP. When you have everything configured, flip back to extender mode. Reposition and you're set. I have some IT experience. If you are computer savy you should not have a problem. If you don't, call a friend who does. My husband, who does not understand these things, could not have done this. Another review wrote that you should write down your steps. I agree. I did. I won't remember what I did in 2 weeks. All in all, the product works. It works with a Belkin N router. I'm sitting at the pool typing this right now!!
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Great Product and Inexpensive, August 25, 2007
By user (New Jersey)
Before I set up my range extender, I absorbed as much as I could from everyone's reviews. My overall consensus was to be patient and carefully read the instructions. I chose the auto setup for the range extender. First step in setup, disable your wireless security. This means accessing your wireless router web page and disabling WEP settings. I also disabled my WEP settings on my laptop (wireless device). I placed the extender device (as per directions) next to my wireless router and pressed the button for 10 seconds. After a few seconds, the light stopped blinking. I relocated the device 2 floors down near my laptop. As per the directions, I plugged it in and within 10-15 seconds the light stopped again. I searched for the wireless connections on my laptop. I noticed the extender took on my router's name. I could easily figure out that the extender had a much improved signal over my router. I secured my wireless connection by enabling my WEP settings on both my wireless router and laptop. I noticed that the extender was operating unsecure even though I was connected. I called tech support. Alot of the reviews indicated that tech support was worthless. I must have been lucky because the gentleman knew what steps needed to be taken and followed me through them. I had to connect the extender to my laptop with a ethernet cable. Next, I connected via the internet to the belkin website for the extender (192.168.2.245). I performed the same steps as I did for my router to set up the WEP security. Once set, He recommended unplugging the extender and waiting 20 minutes to power up and connect. When searching for wireless connection, both router and extender showed up secure. I connected and have a 40% improvement in signal. It is maxed out at 100%. I also what to mention that the instructions for setting up the security for the extender were in the manual. I probably did not have to call tech support at all.
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EASY!!!!, August 23, 2007
By user (Louisiana)
Extended range to a free-standing pool house on property within five minutes and it has worked perfectly since! I was very worried after reading the mixed reviews for this product, but since I already had a Belkin router I figured using the same brand for the extender would be the best bet. The only issue (a very small one) is that if the electricity goes out, you have to go and press the "search" button on the back of the extender for about 10 seconds. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PRODUCT AS A RANGE EXTENDER!
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Greatest thing since sliced bread, August 18, 2007
By user (Mascot, TN USA)
My DSL connection is in my office in a separate building about 60 feet from my house. I use a wireless network to connect from my PC and laptop in the house. The PC is located in the kitchen and the laptop is whereever. The PC wireless connection worked OK with about an 18% signal, and the laptop signal where I like to work while watching TV was between 5 and 7% (not usable as I would have to hold the laptop in the air, go to a page and bring it back to the lap to read it). The signal anywhere in my home is now 100%!!
As for setup, UPS brought the unit just before I was heading to the house for lunch. I started to wait, but thought I would at least open the box and take a look at it. It looked simple enough, so I plugged it in, hit the auto setup button in the back for 10 seconds and it gave me the light that it was connected. I unplugged it, took it to the house and plugged it into an outlet in the room closest to the office. Viola...100% coverage. I'm talking about 30 seconds to be up and running. I don't know how they could make it any simpler.
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Solved my Dead Spot Problem, August 13, 2007
By user (Washington, DC Metro)
I tried to solve the problem of a weak connection in my basement, using a Homegear Powerline adapter. This did not work well in our home. I then considered having Verizon move my FIOS ethernet socket to the basement, but this was more than $100.
In the end I solved the problem by getting one of these range extenders - cheaper than the other solutions, and it works well.
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Good cheap way to extend your existing wifi, August 12, 2007
By user (San Jose, CA USA)
I bought this product mainly to expand my wifi. It works really well if and only if you set it up through the web management. Dont use the Auto connect button. Within the web management, you can have it list all the wifi signal and you can choose one to connect to. From here you can also set security for your network too.
This device has a devil side. Somebody can actually use this with an antenna to bring wifi connection from somebody else into their home.
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Wireless range extender, August 6, 2007
By user (CA USA)
I now receive very good reception in my backyard where I received poor reception before installing the Belkin F5D7132. I setup the router using 128 WEP secured network. I would have given a review of 5 stars, but like the other reviews stated.... setup was difficult and the 50 pages of instructions were vague, but after several hours I managed to connect...Good buy, fast shipping/Happy now.
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This thing is great, August 1, 2007
By user
I bought this thing to strenghen my wireless signal in my house and out on my back porch.
All I had to do was plug it in and set it next to my router. Push a button and that's it. I moved it to a place upstairs near my porch and my wireless signal worked better everywhere including for the first time on porch.
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It Works!, August 1, 2007
By user (MN)
This unit does exactly what it is suppose to do. I would recommend this item to anyone uses wifi.
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Does the job, August 1, 2007
By user (Wellesley, MA USA)
I had trouble keeping a usable signal at a computer in a room one floor above where the router is located. I tried using a high gain antenna on the router, but the signal was still weak, so I tried this extender. While it took a little diddling to get it going, once I did, I placed it on the same floor with the computer, and it does do the trick. So consider me a satisfied customer.
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Poor execution and performance...too bad., July 25, 2007
By user (Hamden CT, USA)
I'm a big fan of Belkin and bought this for my place of work, unfortunately the bad reviews here are right.
When you try to save info in the gui, half the time it returns a "page cannot be displayed" message. When this happens you can't get back into the gui and you have to pull the power to reset it. Other times when you save a setting it erases ones in other fields. Not sure what Belkin was thinking on this product as their other ones are so bulletproof, but I have to give this 1 star, sorry.
I replaced it with a Netgear WPN802 repeater which turned out to be flawless in operation.
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If you can get it to work, you will be happy, July 19, 2007
By user (Atlanta, GA)
Referring to Belkin's support department as "support" is a joke. I would have been provided equally useful information had I just dialed 411. Multiple calls to Belkin "Bangalore" support just wasted time. I was told three nights in a row that I would be getting a call back from someone in their priority support group and each time, I didn't get a call back until the next day while I was at work. Each time growing more frustrated as they constantly asked for my name, OS, part #, firmware version, home phone, etc., etc...
Finally, I came across a past review from L. Friedersdorf entered Nov 16, 2006. Just as I was going to ship it back to Belkin, I followed the steps from Friedersdorf's review and it worked!!! It was not easy to configure the WURE from the IE interface but it finally worked after multiple failed attempts. Thanks to you L. Friedersforf... Your simple and strait forward review was able to do what many Belkin support analysts and the 57 page User Manual couldn't.
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works well but, July 18, 2007
By user
Belkin F5D7132 Wireless-G Universal Range Extender
Works well but you really need to be a computer wireless teckie to install this unit and to get working properly. I made three calls to Belkin and they were of no help. I was always put off to a more senior tech who was suppose to call back. We never talked. He did try at least once but his timing was off. I wasn't home. I finally used local resources and after about two hours everything was installed properly, works well and I have about thirty-five more feet of signal out from three floors up where the router is located. This suits my needs.
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Doesn't work to extend secure router, July 16, 2007
By user (Fresno CA)
We had no luck getting this to extend the range of our Belkin G router. What they didn't tell you is that the password security on the router must be turned off. However, I gave up rather easily and perhaps if I spent a couple of hours with Belkin help I might have figured it out. Or not.
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Works most of the time., July 10, 2007
By user (Texas, USA)
First, thanks to all the other reviewers for their input. Their info helped a lot. My 1st extender didn't work. The company sent a new one and I sent the defective one back. It took several hours of tech support help to get it to work. It doesn't work all the time but now my TIVO is able to download data [most of the time]. The price on this product is great. Also, the tech support is helpful. They display their phone number prominently. I will still continue to buy Belkin products.
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Great product but configuration a little tricky if sec. encripted, June 17, 2007
By user
Used in repeater mode.Wasted hours with installation CD and various tech support people. Can't use the auto config mode if have web encription which most people do. I have an Actiontec MI424WR which is what Verizon uses for their Fios (fiberoptic) internet. My advise: Get all the router settings eg laptop ip address, router web encription code etc. Call up Belkin tech support and pray you will get someone who knows what they are doing and can be understood.I finally got that person and within 5 minutes I was up and running. My sons gaming computer is up stairs and in a far corner. His signal went from poor/very poor to excellent. Would have given 5 stars if installion was easier for limited networking persons
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Takes a bit of doing, but worth it., June 12, 2007
By user (Memphis, TN USA)
The Belkin did not work as promised (or I hoped for) straight out of the box, as it would only get the signal on Auto-Search mode when it was practically right next to the wireless router. Moving it just across the room, it would lose the signal! The manual (and a helpful tech support person) suggests changing the wireless channel the router is transmitting, from the usually default channel 11 to something else. So I went online, got into my Netgear router config, and changed the channel to 9. After that, I reset the Belkin and did the auto-configure search again, pressing the button for 10 seconds each time I moved it. Voila'! The thing now works clear across a two-story house in what was a very weak spot, boosting the wi-fi signal significantly. For all those frustrated users, it just took a little research, and changing the router broadcast channel, at least in my case.
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