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    From zero to hero: 2915ABG and the WRT54GS

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by dvanders, Jan 31, 2006.

  1. dvanders

    dvanders Newbie

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    Executive Summary: 2915ABG + WRT54GS w/ DD-WRT v23 works for me.

    I thought I'd share my success story regarding the compatibility of the Intel 2915ABG and the Linksys WRT54GS v1.0. Last week I purchased a Toshiba M50-MX5, which comes with a 2915ABG. Because the laptop arrived just as I was leaving town for the weekend, the first opportunities I had to test the laptop were not at home. I first tried the 2915ABG at a friend's house on a DLink DI-624 -- I had excellent signal strength accompanied with a stable and fast connection. I next tried the 2915ABG at another friends house on a USR wireless router -- again, the connection was stable, fast, and had no problems. With a smile on my face, I returned home to my WRT54GS.

    On the Linksys product I had nothing but trouble. Signal strength was not a problem -- the 2915ABG always connected successfully and showed 54mbps (excellent). However, the throughput was essentially zero... email, web, usenet -- everything was completely unusable. I tried every driver that Intel has ever released... zero. I tried every setting in the 2915ABG configuration: power, preamble... zero. Modifying the Linksys settings also didn't help (of course, I was running the most recent firware from Linksys). One bright moment occured when I forced the 2915ABG to B-Mode only -- the connection worked and was stable, but 11mbps wireless does not fully utilize the connection to my ISP.

    After frustration (including contacting Intel and Linksys to no avail), and planning to purchase a new mini pci card, I decided to try the DD-WRT firmware for the WRT54GS. After installing DD-WRT v23 mini, the problems with the 2915ABG were instantly solved. The card connects at 54mbps, and is fast and rock solid stable. I am now happy with the 2915ABG and need not purchase a new card.

    In the end, I hope this information is helpful to someone who is struggling like I was. I also hope that Linksys learns from DD-WRT and fixes their firmware.

    dv
     
    dvanders, Jan 31, 2006
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  2. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I didn't even know there were conflicts like this with that card.

    But its great you got it working though!
     
    nickspohn, Jan 31, 2006
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  3. dvanders

    dvanders Newbie

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    Awhile ago I also had problems with a 2200BG and the same router. The problem was that transfers would begin fast, but then within a few seconds would stop and the connection would drop.
    I solved that problem by running the old 2200BG driver (version 8 something?).
     
    dvanders, Jan 31, 2006
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  4. daacon

    daacon Notebook Evangelist

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    Good to hear ! I had a similar set up to yours (WRT54GS v1. dd-wrt 2.3 Firmware) and a 2915abg card. Other variables for me were 7dBi High Gain Antenna's and the WRT54GS is slaved off a BEFSX41.

    My throughput was always good - stability was suspect. It could be stable for a couple of days and then go thorugh a flury of disconnects. I decided to replace the card (cheapest alternative) with the Atheros card (see Buy and Sell)

    Almost a week now and (knock on wood) - solid - not buprs whatsoever

    As note I do see quite a few other SSID's which I think was the issue with my 2915abg card - right now I see 6 including mine.
     
    daacon, Jan 31, 2006
    #4