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Technical Support will NOT talk to you unless you pay a premium. Customer service has not called me but I did get an email from them issuing another RMA. So why do they need my credit card. After back and forth for a week, Netgear finally issued an RMA number so I could ship the defective unit back (at my expense). The last technician referred me to a supervisor who assured me another replacement would be sent out promptly. With only six months elapsed on a 3 year warranty (I notice that now Netgear only offers a 2 year warranty - interesting) I was not happy.
I am furious as I will NOT ship their defective product back to them (particularly since the supervisor told me I did not have to and could toss it) nor will I give them a credit card (which I am guessing goes to people in a foreign country based on their hard to understand accents). I purchased this router 7 months ago. After 6 months with no problems, the unit suddenly stopped working. Each time I had to repeat my story (always write down your Case ID # so they can find you) so I ended up speaking with 3 different technicians who each had me do something different (which is my complaint with the online support - different people, something else to try [all of which I had done prior to calling]).
That phone call turned into 3 as I was cut off twice and had to keep calling back (too bad they couldn't call me back since they have my phone number-that would have been much better customer service). "As a courtesy" customer service decided to talk to me after verifying that I had just received the new (defective) router. 15 minutes later she called back asking for my credit card information to "authenticate" me. Netgear has lost another customer, my computer is unprotected at the moment but before I unplug my ethernet cable, I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
She refused to let me speak to someone with more authority, telling me my repalcement couldn't be processed without a credit card, although she assured me I would not be charged for a new unit or shipping. The only acceptable service in this whole mess was the turnaround time. I refused stating that she had confirmed all my info prior to hanging up. A call to Netgear produced unsatisfactory results.
She said I could throw the bad unit away. The router worked 1 whole day and died Jan 16th. I did not want to spend any more money so I tried the online support. I mailed it (priority) on Jan 8th and received the replacement Jan 15th.
Click Mac Installation Guide for Mac users and Setup Manual for all others."However THERE IS NO MAC INSTALLATION GUIDE. [.].The Netgear Technical Support person refused to answer my question as to why the information printed on the Resource CD packaging was incorrect.
After looking at the Firmware Update page, I tried calling Netgear Technical Support again to ask some questions about the Firmware Update process, but I got tired of waiting after around ten minutes.I hung up, and printed out the Amazon return labels. The Netgear Technical Support person also seemed to have no idea what an iMac was, or that an iMac does not have a Microsoft Operating System.
This product comes with a CD called "Resource CD Version 3.3". I looked at the page.
This is the first time that I have ever returned anything to Amazon and the last time that I am buying a Netgear product. The following words are printed on the CD package."Setup for Apple Mac and Linux Users" and then "Insert the CD, open index.htm and chose your language.
I called Netgear Technical Support and was told that I had to download a firmware update from the Netgear website and then download it to the router.
If you own an Apple Computer and want a reliable router and you don't need a wireless connection, don't go out and buy an expensive ($179) wireless router from them and save yourself the 140 bucks and get this NetGear Wired Router instead.
If it fails at the router it's the router. Previous netgear router failed after three years( the length of the warranty). You can tell by checking the connection directly to the modem and having done so correctly connecting it back to the router.
I have used one before and found it great for basic NAT/DHCP functionality in a home or small business wireless or wired network environment. This is a good basic router for the SOHO network. Has all the basic functions and seems solid for the price.
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