Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Questions...

Is there any way to get version 4? Im on Newegg and Amazon and everyone in the comments is complaining how now they are only shipping version 5 routers, one guy wrote;

From Amazon:
"As of November 2005 Amazon is shipping "Version 5" of the WRT54G. Thing is - it's a completely different product than they've been shipping for the past several years. Whereas Versions 1-4 were incremental tweaks to the hardware, Version 5 is a completely new entry, with far less RAM and running a completely different operating system (VxWorks). All previous versions ran Linux and were known for their high quality and reliability, as well as the ability to use upgraded firmwares. See other comments here and on other linksys-enthusiast sites - this new version is a turkey"

From Newegg:
"This version has 1/2 of the RAM and is NOT Linux based as previous versions were. If you do not care about such things, it is still a good router. If you do, then you know it is now worthless. Worse is that there is no way to tell the version without looking at the bottom of the router, so you are ordering it at your own risk."

...what will having less ram and a different operating system do to my wireless connection? Why did they do this to the routers? Im just trying to set up my home DSL wireless so i can use my laptop and play some games wirelessly.

 

Better luck getting a different router just to make sure you avoid this. I have the WRT54G Router also but the v3.1, which works flawlessly. Maybe look at another linksys router.

 

Any suggestions? I heard the WRT54GS doesnt have this problem, but its also $80 which is pretty pricey for a router

 

Here is always one i have liked. I might even be doing a review on it but not for some time now.
Its the Linksys WRT54GC Router. Same thing has the WRT54G but its a totally new design and doesnt have the problems.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...tCategoryId=pcmcat7000050002&id=1108125259730

 

The only difference is that for the earlier versions of the WRTG54, because it was based on Linux, people could write firmwares for it. There were a load of them who activated hidden settings, etc etc. I dare say that this is still a great product.

 

What do you mean? I heard that the firmware's made the router 10X better

 

What I mean is that even with the standard firmware, this should be a fine product. I am running an earlier version with the standard Firmware and I haven't had any problems with it at all. Half the memory and a non-linux OS only affects you if you want to install 3-rd party firmwares.

 

But doesnt half the memory cripple the speeds? I thought this is why the SpeedBooster model has more memory than the basic 54G model.

 

I haven't seen version 5 here in Canada, but based on my work experience, it may not even be from Broadcom (the chipset that is). The reason LInksys slip in those "secret" version changes is to reduce its own cost (some of the wireless chip vendors are from Taiwan). If you just want to setup a wireless home network, it doesn't matter which version you have. Your bottleneck is at the service provider.

However, if you want to share files within your network, you will see around 5 Mbps difference between different versions. Don't know if that is important to you.

THe memory amount varies according to the CPU on board (this cpu controls the data flow, etc etc). It is possible that Linksys switched to a more powerful CPU (and possiblity from a different vendor as well). Hence the need for less memory. It could also be the new wireless chip uses a cleaner instruction set, therefore reduce the need for extra memory, and can possibly speed up wireless speed.

 

I bit the bullet and went with the WRT54GS - the one with superbooster or whatever. So should i just use the basic software that it comes with?

 

If the sofware gives you trouble when configuring, the only setup is a breeze but has less options. I would try the included software. But then if you have trouble: Try this

 

I have no clue what im doing, im hoping that the installation CD takes care of everything.

 

It should Jeff. I use this router and have set this router up more than enough times. Its a very very nice router. In my mind, the setup goes like this: Do the disconnecting of the modem to the router and the router to your laptop so it can configure it wired. It will check your computer settings so long too. Then manually you have to enter your ip address, DNS Servers, Gateway, Subnet Mask, and DHCP Server. Aftet that you can choose the settings yourself, or press and hold a button on the router for it to set the settings at default. To find the ip address, click on the connectoid in the bottom tray and left click on it. (The Networking Connectoid.) Hit status, then the support tab, then details. That is the setup basically. If you have any more questions just ask me.

 

How do i find these?

 

I personally didnt have to do any of that... I bought mine from Amazon 1 week ago and they shipped the V4...CDFAXXXX <-- serial number. THANKS GOD since i also heard problems with V5. So i went and upgrade the firmware with a 3rd party firmware (DD-WRT) .. more info on www.linksysinfo.org and www.dd-wrt.com

great results...never drop connection and excellent signal...plus couple of stuff i liked and tried with the new firmware...nice...very happy with it. (11/02 version)... waiting for another stable release to update again.

 

You can get the WRT54GS for around $60 like buy has it here . I have just been purchasing the S models within the last year or so, I have been getting a bit more range out of the S verision. I run the S at home and at work and has been rock solid, like all the rest of the Linksys I have had.

 

I told you in that post Jeff.

Seriously, you wont have problems either, i might of have done this because i have the 3.1 version. We will be here to help if you have any problems.

 

GAHHH just as i thought i ended up having problems. Im at the part where it tells me to click the setup button on the router for 1 minute and then click next after it stops blinking. Well, i do this, but when i click next it gives me an error and says "you need to push the quick setup button before you can continue" ..im like what the heck i just did this. I can choose to enter my stuff manualy, but i have no clue what it means, like the security stuff and what number(1,6,11) etc., i dont know where to go from here.

 

Ok, from what i know on this router let me guide you thru manually and if it doesnt work, try the online setup. If you get one problem at the end after doing this like turn on your modem or restart the router or call linksys support, you get any of those, its as easliy has doing the online setup.

So enter your channel as 1, 6, or 11. You can pick what you want. I always use 11 though.

As for the other parts, tell me what they are asking, they usually have slight modifications on different versions of the router. Ill easly answer them.

On the light you are pressing on the router: You have to hold it until it goes off, then it will start rapidly whit flashing, then it slows down, then the normal brown light comes on. Then hit next, doing that sets things at default. It might be more than 1 min too.

But again, try doing the online setup because that really works a lot smoother.

 

I called Linksys and was on the phone for like an hour, i cant even explain all the stuff we did, but i got it all setup now, thank you for your help nickspohn, hopefully i wont have to go through all of this again when i move in a few months.

 

Another quick question, i thought sharing files between my wireless laptop and my desktop was as easy as dropping them in the "Shared Folder". But when i put a file in there i cant see it on my other computer, how do i set this up so that i can transfer files?

 

If it's ok, I'll join in with the questions.

Just received the router today and spent the last 2 hours trying to get it to work. I have come to the conclusion that my BT Voyager 105 modem USB ADSL modem, will not work?

If so, what are the best modems?

 

with every1 off (computer, modem, router)...turn them on with this order...

modem (wait for 3 steady greenlights)
router (wait for steady green lights)
then computer

i am asumming you have all the proper cables well conected...

 

Ok, thanks

But I definitely can't connect the cables in a way that works. I either have a missing cable or the wrong modem . . .

 

Sam: Please search for these discussions, and if you cant find anything, then post a new thread so you can get the help you need.

Jeff: Try the windows network setup first by going in the wireless connections, and off to the sides there is setup a home or small office network. Try doing that first and report if you have more trouble.

Sam: To help ypou out a little and if this doesnt work, post a new thread.
Update the firmware for the router and some drivers for the modem, and the driver for your wireless card.
Your modem is plugged into the wall, ethernet cord from the modem to the router, and a ethernet to the computer if your wired, if your wireless, then no cable.
Disable your security and firewalls too.

 

Hey nickspohn, one thing i have been noticing lately is that my connection will drop every once in a while, sometimes i will be sitting here and the window will pop up in the lower corner and say "Connection Established", someone told me to go into Run>Services.msc>Wireless Zero Configuration>Disable ...will this fix it or is there something else causing this? thanks again man

 

You can try that but also do a firmware upgrade. That really souns like firmware problem. What version router did you get too?

 

I got the WRT54GS, it doesnt happen to often, maybe like every hour or every 2 hours, but if im playing a game it can get anoying. How do i get a firmware upgrade?

 

Go to the linksys site and hit downloads. Then pick your router than firmware. This router does not have that issue unless the firmware is updated. Let me know if you need a link.

 

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...835852&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper

 

How do i figure out what version my router is so i can 'select a product'?

 

There should be a tag with the S/N and another one and they are bar codes and the version number is by those somewhere on there. Im believing you have the v4.

 

Yeah, thats a good thing i guess that you got it, its still a good router even on v3.1

 

That's what I did too--the disk didn't help me at all, but I was really impressed with the folks in the Phillipines doing tech support...

 

Yes i agree totally.

Im believing there software included has issues with the configuration.

 

nick, i have the wrt54g v5. I was on the phone for about 1/2 hr getting it set correctly. Before I would have to reboot the router and my modem a couple times a day. Anyway, if I upgrade the firmware (if its needed), will I be undoing everything I did yesterday with the tech?

Also, if I go thru the Security Steps, will that monkey things up and will I have to redo everything I did yesterday?

 

Hmmm... if ur desparate try ebay.
But weird, why they would change the hardware so much.
Btw, i have version 1

 

Well v5 is pretty different from the previous version.

YES, the firmware needs to be upgraded, everything you did before will not be erased. If you have more questions PM me.