Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

New router with Windows NT

Jun 14, 2012 5:18AM PDT

Hi everyone!

I need to purchase a router for a system running NT.

I've googled extensively and found mixed results. One that I was looking at was the linksys e2500. The data sheet just says "windows or mac", but best buy and other websites claim XP or better, etc.

Also, I noticed on one of them that it didn't list the OS reqs, just which OS the set-up CD worked with.

If its just the configuration software at stake here I can configure it on another computer with the correct OS, but I'm hesitant to make a purchase until I know NT will be able to communicate through it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Discussion is locked

stealthtt has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Sorry but I have NEVER used those setup CDs.
Jun 15, 2012 1:21AM PDT

I point my web browser at the router and set it up the old (?) fashioned way without ANY issue.

In fact I toss the cd into the shredder so it goes to a better place. It's a shame that the makers have invested a dime or penny into those setup CDs as they were never needed. My wish is they would have put that penny or dime into bigger power supplies or heat sinks or whatever is needed to make the product last longer and be more stable.

Hope this clears this up for you.
Bob

- Collapse -
Problem Solved!
Jun 15, 2012 4:27AM PDT

No, that really wasn't what I was asking, I guess I was kind of unclear.

My question was whether there would be compatibility issues with newer routers and Windows NT. All of the datasheets and specs I could find about any current router on the market listed Windows XP or newer as a system requirement. However, most of them contradicted themselves in several places, so I was unsure.

Solution: I called Linksys and Netgear, and both said ALL of their routers support EVERY version of Windows.

This was relieving to learn, but it'd be nice if their datasheets weren't completely misleading.

Anyways, thanks for the input.

Eric

- Collapse -
I'm going with NO.
Jun 15, 2012 4:31AM PDT

It's a similar question folk ask about Apple machines. The network for most of us is IP (usually TCP/IP and UDP/IP) and Windows did that way back when on Windows For Workgroups 3.x.

Routers, gateways, hubs, switches and more are using this standard and I have yet to find a router/gateway/hub/switch that didn't work.
Bob