Linksys WRT350n Wireless-N & DD-WRT Help

first and foremost, i would like to say hi =)
i just joined recently.

i recently upgraded my router to a Linksys WRT350n cuz i have a xps m1530, with the intel wireless-n card on the way. i haven't had a chance to test out any wireless-n connections yet. i have it hooked up (wired connection) to my desktop, and a laptop (wireless-g) for now. everythin seems to be workin pretty good.

here's my question. lately its been raining a bit so my cable would go off once in a while. everytime i turn off the router...i have to mess with the router's ip page and all that, just for my comp to recognize the router again. then have to detect it again with my laptop. sometimes i have to even connect the laptop back up with a wire ~> then go thru a process ~> then i'll have wireless connection back up. could this be a firmware issue?

i am seriously lookin into DD-WRT right now. i'm a novice when it comes to routers. i have never had any personal experience with DD-WRT or router reflashes. any help or tips on how to optimize my wireless' performance would be greatly appreciated.

it also seems i have a small "dead/weak spot." are there any remedies and tips for gettin rid of those?

thanks in advance

 

Do you have a satellite connection? I'm asking because that's the only thing it would affect your reception in case of heavy rain.

I would not blame the firmware for your intermittent system performance, it could be because you don't have the latest driver for your nic.

Small"dead/weak spot", do you mean a low antenna power level? Try to move the router around, the antenna pattern will change correcting that low spot.

PS: I have heard bad comments about DD-WRT.

 

I use dd-wrt on my Buffalo setup as a AP, better than the def with a lot of features.

Flashing can be difficult to do and risky on some routers. I always wait on flashing till I know the router is working correctly. Your problems indicates you may be having a driver problem as Wirelessman suggested. Check for firmware updates for your router. Also since this is a rather new router you need to report the problems back to the Linksys. This is the only way to know what kind of problems your are experiencing.

It does sound like you do not have the WAN/internet side set correctly. All that I have have always reconnect when service is restored.

 

i dont have any satelite connections. i actually dont have many things in my house, to even, interfere with my signal.

and i noticed the dead spot one time after my internet went out. i had to "borrow" a neighbor's connection for a few days. the laptop would pick up 1-2 bars from downstairs. when i tried in this spot in my room...i couldn't get anything. AFTER my internet came back on, i usually have 5 bars (excellent) connection through out my house. but i just recently noticed when i was in that same area, i had about 2 bars (low). i decided to move my router around, so i'll see if that works out better.

i really dont have any personal experience with routers, but i'm a quick learner and just need to get pointed in the right direction. i did alot of research online, and most of the ppl that had bad things to say about this router, were ppl with the stock firmware. the ones that reflashed with DD-WRT swore greater range/performance, none to rare connection drops, etc.

i would really like some feedback from guys with any personal experience with DD-WRT. and the router is about 1-2 weeks. i've checked thru the router's IP page and i dont think there were any updates.

 

I have had no problem with dd-wrt but do need to reboot the router from time to time with my old NB. I would check out the dd-wrt forum. I have used it and there are some very knowledgable people there. I ended up with a newer release than the std one for my Buffalo. One thing I know on some it's very risky to do. But normally works if you follow the direction for flashing to a tea. I do know it helps a lot on the models that Sisco/Linksys tried to prevent user from switching over to linux by reducing the ram to work with. But those routers were so bad most anything would be an improvement.

 

It is possible to have a null point, but no equipment will help you with that, that's physics, just moving the router will helps as the null moves in a location of no interest.

Rain should not affect your reception neither, unless the signal feeding of the cable provider is satellite. Rain affect radio waves, and higher the frequency greater the attenuation. In other words, no matter what you do it won't help because the issue is at the ISP.

So it seems you have two issues and may be more, the ISP feeding and the radiation null.

Call your ISP and ask them about their signal feeding, if it is satellite, and if I'm right then the only solution is to change the ISP.

With regards the null spot, just move the router around.

 

really appreciate the replies guys. my brain has turned into a giant sponge since joinin this forum

and i just moved my router around a bit so hopefully that'll help a bit.

i will probably try the DD-WRT reflash within the next few days. i have never had any experience with it. could u provide me with a link to the latest/best version? or a website/forum?

dunno if this will help but i forgot to tell u what i had:
- linksys WRT350n (oem firmware)
- comcast cable
- 1 desktop connected via e-net cable
- 1 wireless-g laptop
- 1 wireless-n laptop

i'm also thinkin about just gettin a wireless-n adapter for my other laptop. i'll just leave my band on 5ghz channel. do u think this would be a good choice?

 

I thought the frequency for that router was 2.4GHz?????

 

damn u'r right. i forgot i didn't get the dual band. i guess i'll try the wireless-n detect only lol.

man...i'm honestly lookin at the d-link wireless-n router right now...read nothin but good reviews straight out the box. and i searched online and found that its one of the fastest draft routers tested to day. got up to 25x-27x mps.

edit: i knew i rep'd u for a reason =P

 

Link for dd-wrt install http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation#Is_your_router_supported.3F

There are 2 different radios used on the 350. If you have the Broadcom radio v1.0 (ser#:CNQ) they support it. If you have the v2 Atheros (cardbus) AR5008 it is not supported yet. You must flash with the mini firmware first then you can do the full version. When you do this disable AV, FW and screen savers. The last thing you want is an hickup during the flashing.

 

Just be very careful with flashing, you could brick your router.

 

damn i really appreciated this post.

few nub questions =P
AV = anti virus ; FW = ??? ??? ; ok so basically turn everythin off and devote 100% to the process? and should i do it on my laptop (wireless) or my desktop (wired to router - port 1)?

rep'd u guys

 

Use wired only (desktop on NB), any interference during a wireless dump could brick it. Makes no difference to which port you use. FW = firewall.

Disable your screen saver and NO sleep, Full speed ahead.

 

Drumbeats, sweating and hearing the heart beating on your ears......

Do it carefully, or you will brick your router.

 

lol i'm not like super super scared i'ma brick it...

i'm more excited/anxious cuz this will be my first time messin with a router @ this technical level. so its cool to me =) sorry i'm a nub =P

but if it does brick (i sure friggin hope not) i'll just get go with the d-link extreme somethin somethin. i heard alot of great things about it

thanks again guys

 

And remember, make sure your batteries are fully charged so you have no power interruption as you go along the flashing process.

 

so how did it go?

 

hey i tried goin to the link u gave me, and i read up on alot of what they had to say. when i clicked the download page...i was overwhelmed by how many choices they had...

could u please help and link me to what i SPECIFIC files i need to download and install?

i have a linksys 350n - v1 - CNQ serial number ; vista home 32-bit OS

 

For the mini http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/v24/Broadcom/Linksys/WRT350N/dd-wrt.v24_mini_wrt350n.bin

once that is flashed you can flash the router with a full version http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/v24/Broadcom/Linksys/WRT350N/dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin

 

thanks alot =)

u'r a life save

 

Let us know how it works out.