Time for a new router?
 

I have been using my linksys router for aobut a good 4+ years now It is the wireless G version of Linksys Wireless N Router (WRT120N). What's happening is that right now if any of the computer in the network that's watching some stuff online (PBS, Netflix...) the whole network gets really slow to a point sometimes when loading a website it would get a Eror404. Doing a power cycle will fix the issue for 5mins or so till the network is slow again.

The router does have QoS function so I try to set other programs (WoW) to have top pority but is still doesn't help. O and also I am using a VoIP and sometimes the phone would not work. This can be solve again by doing a power cycle on the router.

I haven't done any firmware update on the router since it was running till about a month ago. When no one is using any sort of video streaming the network is fine. There are no speed issue or lags and the wireless is really great. We usually have 4 to 5 computers connected to it. Now my sister is comming back so that will add another laptop to the network. Both my parents and my sister love watching TV shows and Movies online so this is going to be an issue.

So should I get a new router and is there any settings on the router to force equal traffic going to each device on the network (like actually manually input the speed each computer can get through the router). I was thinking of manually assigning each computer an IP from the router and then manually set the speed limit but I can't see to find those setting on the router. Thanks a lot!

if you use custom firmware it might help with the QoS

and i found out that if the internet is not fast enough VoIP sometimes wont work.

since ppl in your house are streaming alot you might want to up the speed of the net if possible as it will bottle down the down speed

^^ thx I will give that a try. I am on SHAW's extreme which I think is pretty decent.

So I just purchase the Belkin F5D8236-4 N Wireless N Router from NCIX for $25(it was on sale). Should upgrade to firmware to a custom firmware once I have it? Because from reading reviews it seems that the firmware that came with the router doesn't have a really QoS setup.

Custom firmware is always > stock. I would flash it right outta the box.

which custom firmware should I use and can I just use any? Thx a lot!

Could you please explain why this is?

Custom firmware, typically, allows for a lot more functionality over stock firmware. It's like a jailbreak for your router.

you have to see how much support there is for custom firmware for your router though... for example, i just got the Netgear 3700, and the DD-WRT firmware for it is only a beta, and there are bugs on it, so the stock firmware is still better...

I can't seem to find any costume firwamre for my router (Belking F5D8236-4_WW_3.00.02) sigh is happening again right now -_- getting horrible lag in WoW (over 1k) while my parents are watching online TV. I wonder is there a way to force an IP on their computer and set a upload limit on it.

best way is to return that router and get a linksys/dlink product. search up dd-wrt to see if the router that you are thinking of getting has custom firmware first

by forcing an IP, do you mean give it a static address so its always the same IP?
set a upload limit on it or download limit, QoS is your best bet for that.

watching online TV boggles down the download speed of the internet