Linksys WRT54G problems

Javen

For about the past four or five days, my internet connection has been in steady decline. Today being the first day that I can actually tool around with it, I'm convinced that it's my router. I'm one of the many sheep with the Linksys WRT54G model, with version 5, the most recent. I have the latest firmware update taken directly from the linksys website, and being the version 5 it is no longer compatible with any kind of third party firmware, so that's out of the question. I've tried renewing my IP and my DHCP, but so far, nada. I haven't tried setting a static IP, yet, but I don't see how that would help. I'm basically pulling my hair out at this point, and while I would just go out and buy a new router if it ever came to that, I'd like to salvage this if possible to save me some money.

Azio

The WRT54G (rev.5 and up) is a pile of shit. Pretty much the only solution is to get a new router. Preferably one that doesn't say "Linksys" on it.

Javen

Any suggestions, then?

AngelHedgie

I'm partial to Netgear, myself.

Javen

At any one time I have three computers hooked up to the router, all through ethernet cables. Should I bother buying a wireless router? Do wireless routers generally have more connection issues because they're wireless, or is it really the same thing as wired ones?

Raere

Try a factory reset. If that doesn't work, I can help you a lot more tomorrow; I know quite a bit about the WRT54G(S)'s.

Bionic Monkey

Raere wrote: »

Try a factory reset. If that doesn't work, I can help you a lot more tomorrow; I know quite a bit about the WRT54G(S)'s.

I'd try the factory reset as well. I've only had one issue where my WRT54G crapped out and dropped my internet connection, and that solved everything. Fortunately (for me, unfortunate for you), I haven't had any of the problems most people on the net seem to have with this router.

Javen

Okay, so I'll hook my router back up and restore factory defaults when I get home, but I think on the way I'll pick up a new router, anyway. If the Linksys still doesn't work, I'll swap it out.

devoir

A good wireless router shouldn't give you worse wired or internet performance just because it is a wireless router.

That said, I recommend connecting via ethernet if it is possible and convenient.

TxdoHawk

I went the route of getting a flashable Linksys and installing HyperWRT. Once everything was set up, zero router problems, and I have been running for about a year and a half now, at least. So, so worth it.

Suds

My wireless Linksys has really started to bite it over the last week.

I have to power cycle the thing every two days or so, where as it had been performing with no issues for months previous to this.

I seemed to notice the problem usually right after playing LOTRO. Perhaps the game was overloading the router in some way once I quit and required a power cycle.

I played last night though (there was a patch with the game) and I haven't had to power cycle the router yet.

Nova_C

I used to have this router and from what I found out when the exact same thing happened to me, Linksys went with a proprietary OS for the more recent versions of that router. The older versions used Linux. I packed up that router and bought a Netgear (Same price) and haven't been happier. The Netgear had more configuration features as well.

wunderbar

you can still buy the linux version of the linksys router, look for the WRT54GL, but they also charge like, $20 more for it, when it's just 2MB more memory and a linux based firmware =/

Javen

Hard reset did nothing, restoring factory defaults did nothing, so I went out and bought a Belkin N1 Wireless Router. As soon as I hooked it up it started working great.

Proto

I had problems with my wrt54g v5 too, until I changed the firmware. You can flash it with a micro version of DD-WRT firmware. Even though it's only "micro", it still has loads of settings and is miles better then the linksys firmware.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/

I did it using this tutorial:
http://www.scorpiontek.org/portal/content/view/27/36

Works great now.

(if you use bittorrent you'll need to adjust the TCP/UDP timeouts: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Router_Slowdown)