User Reviews (1 - 11 of 95)

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Absolutely dreadful

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 9 / 14
Date: March 16, 2004
Author: Amazon User

My first advice to anyone considering purchasing this router would be to go to the Microsoft website and read through the community newsgroups (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/broadbandnetworking/10_Newsgroups.mspx). The number of users experiencing problems with this unit should give you a good idea about the quality of this product.

I bought the MN-700 for use in my home office and my first impression of it was that it seemed very clumsy to set up and use compared to my non-wireless Linksys router I've been using. The documentation was very sparse and somewhat confusing. The setup program also reset my computer's network settings without my permission, which really iritates me. Eventually, though, I was able to get my ethernet clients on the Internet, but I was never able to get my wireless clients connected, nor was I able to get the port forwarding to work. I didn't bother to contact tech support because (as you'll read in the newsgroups) the support for this product has been outsourced to India and appears to be pretty useless.

I get the feeling after using this router that it's designed to be fairly plug-and-play for non-technical home users, but I think that might be its greatest problem. It tries to configure everything itself and does not provide enough control or technical documentation to the end user. So when something doesn't work right, its much more difficult to figure out the problem.

Buggy & seems like a Beta......MS Support has no answers.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: October 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I purchased the MN-700 and found that setup was seamless, however after functioning for a few minutes, the router stopped responding to all machines on the network (wired, wireless, XP, ME and 98) - no internet, no network, no response from router. The only way to correct this was to either go through the setup process again, hard reset the router or unplug and plug the router. And then the router would stop responding again...

I exchanged this for a new one and found I had the same problem. During a 3 hour call with MS support I got an initial response that the problem was software and that I would need to speak to the OS folks (hey isn't that Microsoft). She eventually figured out (after me telling her numerous times) that the problem was hardware as all my machines could not talk to the router. I then asked what are the chances that I get two exact hardware problems on two different routers? She told me this was common and that she has seen it on three routers for some users!!! What does this tell you????

Then when I called for a new one, the MS rep told me that they could not send me a new one because the MN-700 hadn't been released yet. Well then how is it available online and also at major electronics retailers? They said they had to check and get back to me. Not the answer I was looking for.

One last thing, take a look at MS's support site and look at the support page. You'll find that there are many entries on the site with the same problem. The official MS response is to refer you to another email address that deals with bugs.

Bottom line is that MS should not have released this until they got all of the bugs out. Buyer beware.

the one that i bought is being returned soon

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 10
Date: January 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I got this one for my girlfriend for Christmas. She was really excited to get it up and running in her apartment - oops.

The stability of the .g version versus the .b version is inexplicable. I have had my .b up and running for MONTHS - never had a problem. I couldn't get this .g router to be stable for more then 20 minutes at a time. I did all the updates, ran through the setup just like MS said to do - nada, nothin.

After struggling through this on a Wednesday night and Thursday morning I bought her a .b to replace it on Saturday. Got that one running and working fine in about 15 minutes and haven't had a problem since. Sticking this one in the mail in the next few days to return it.

I really don't know what the hell the problem is between these two but MS has a homerun with the first one and this one pretty much blows.

r.

Horrible Horrible Performance

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: June 19, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I bought this router based on some of the good reviews that I'd seen on amazon. My goal was simple - to hook up ONLY my laptop wirelessly so I didn't have to be tethered to the room the internet was in.

I got the wireless to work pretty quickly, but kept losing connection every three to five minutes. It turns out there's a quirk with XP where you need to reset something so it doesn't do that. Ok fine.

I went online found the fix and was able to go online.

Great I thought as I surfed wirelessly in my livingroom.

The next day I turned on my computer. No signal. Weird. So I fiddled, and fiddled for an HOUR still no signal. and not just no signal but the base station couldn't 'find' the internet. I gave up went to bed. Next day turned it on...everything worked perfectly. The day after that nothing. I write this post tethered to my land line and really really annoyed at Microsoft. The base station stops work for NO REASON. I mean I didn't touch the settings, nothing. Sometimes I turn on my computer and it work, sometimes I turn it off and it doesn't work.

Also Micrososft's customer service is HORRIBLE. You have to talk to one person who takes down all your information before transfering you to a tech person who then takes down all your information. I was on the phone FIFTEEN MINUTES before anyone asked what my problem was. Ridiculous.

I'm refunding it and I advise you to all STAY FAR FAR AWAY.

waiting for the third version

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 9
Date: October 22, 2003
Author: Amazon User

the first and second versions of Microsoft stuff sucks, right? I guess we need to wait for the third version, because this one isn't working. Friendly telephone support, though.

nice interface, if only it worked

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 5
Date: October 22, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Everything went smoothly, except that thing where it cuts out every three minutes. Microsoft says they'll send me another. We'll see.

Joining the chorus -- this product has real problems

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: October 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Reading some of these other reviews, I felt like I had written them, given our common experiences: 1. The base station continually disconnects from the internet and drops its connection with the computer; 2. The Microsoft tech service people are very nice (that's worth a star) but don't have a clue what the problem is; 2. They sent me a new unit and that doesn't work either. Linksys, here I come.

So many problems installing on Win ME

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 4
Date: November 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Opened box and attempted install. Software keeps locking up...Internet Extorter won't open when connected to router (works fine when connected to cable modem directly). After much fussing about, got the software to configure and load correctly but requires unplugging network cable from computer first. Also, compared to other router products I've used, the web interface is SLOWWWWWWWW...noticed this device is running WinCE...hmmm.

Works ok with win2k, but can't connect my Orinoco Silver (802.11b) to the router (may be a card issue rather than router).

Highly recommend investigating other choices from established netoworking companies that don't release beta products!

No Me Gusta! Beware and don't waste your cash here!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 7
Date: May 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Don't waste your money, honestly. This thing ruined Microsoft's good reputation with me. It took forever to set up on my Windows Millenium Edition laptop, more than 12 hours I'm sure. Tech support closed so I had to call back before they were able to get it up and runnning. Then when I got a new hard drive and upgraded, I had to re-install it, which I was dreading. This time (after upgrading to XP Home Edition)it actually disabled the web and I had to deal with tech support yet again. That time though it only took like half an hour.

Bad router

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: January 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I've had this router for a while now and have tolerated it for far too long. The firmware is no longer being updated and Microsoft blatantly ignores the large amount of customers who have complained for 2+ years about connectivity problems. Google the model number for yourself to see common complaints.

It boils down to this unit being unstable. Connections will drop frequently. Windows mobile devices in particular have a hard time connecting. And in general the device does not respond nicely when you disconnect/re-connect.

Be sure to read one of the reputable online review sites before you buy (this applies to any computer device)!

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