Strange wireless router question

Good day all,
I am fairly new to wireless routers, and will try to post this question the best (and least confusing way lol).
I just bought a Linksys wireless router on the G band (WRT54G to be exact) about a month ago, and for the first few weeks I owned it, it was fine. Now all of a sudden, I go down to network connections (on the bottom on my task bar (running Windows Vista) and all of a sudden I'm loosing signal strength, and the bars goes from full coverage (all bars) to one or two. This happens on my T61 (with a wireless card of 11 a/b/g), and on my Dell as well. What seems to work most of the time, is simply unplugging it, and then plugging it back in. Then, about 2 minutes later, the signal strength is excellent (full bars) again. Then, about 4 days to a week later, the same thing happens all over again (the sudden loss of signal strength). I did not change the routers location since we installed it, and both laptops stay in the same room (the rooms are right next to the router). So, any suggestions for this to stop happening ?? Sorry for the long post, but this is really bugging me.

 

Wow, my computer is actually slow today Mod's, can you please remove the other two postings I somehow managed to accidentally hit the "Submit" button 2 times too many, as for it was taking forever to load my thread.

Thanks !

 

I have that router. I have noticed sometimes my usually 100% dv6529tx drops right off down to 2 blocks of signal but most of the time it is excellent. Is there any possible source of interference?

Grand Admiral

 

That's exactly what happens to mine as well. It goes from full bar coverage, down to only two, and sometimes one bar. I have no interference that I can think of (just one wall, but we live in an 800 square foot condo, and the laptops are literally right in the next room from the router). Even the laptop that's sitting right next to the router (with-en 8 inches of it) also goes down to one bar as well. Very strange problem. And, like I said, it's been happening more and more frequently, and is getting very annoying having to keep unplugging, and plugging back in again.

 

Hmm.... I'm afraid I can't put forward a cause or solution. See if anyone else comes up with anything and I'll keep a closer eye on my signal next time i'm using my laptop at a distance. Its 40 degrees Celsius here and has been for about a week so I'm right next to the router under the airconditioner at the moment.

Just out of interest, what wireless card do you have?

Grand Admiral

 

I have the wireless card of 11 a/b/g Wireless LAN mini PCI Express Adapter for my Thinkpad T61. I have no idea what wireless card the Dell has. The Dell is an Inspiron 1521 if that helps.

 

The problem is with the router. It has so little ram to work with and the code it now runs. Make sure you have the latest firmware installed. Sounds like either the radio is over heating and cutting back to cool off or maybe a buffer problem. Reseting the router clears the buffer. I do not recall if that model has a power setting on the radio, if so drop it back 1 notch and see if it last longer. If your on cable, check to see what your lease time is. If 4 days and the router may not be renewing and that is the problem. The only fix is a firmware upgrade, so a call into linksys may be needed if you have the latest firmware.

You should have got the GL model and you would not be having these problem.

 

Hi blue68f100

Remember me? I do have the WRT54GL model. I've only noticed this through occasional observation, it doesn't pose more than a slight interruption.

Grand Admiral

 

The WRT54G can be loaded with the dd-wrt mini version of firmware. This may help the performance. What version of the router do you have v7. The GL can be loaded with the full version. If you have ever run the dd-wrt firmware you will probably never go back. It gives you more options that you can think of.

The after market firmware is the only thing I can suggest to try. But you run the chance of bricking them. I have the firmware loaded on my buffalo and there was a difference. I did not run the factory firmware hardly at all. I generally install the firmware soon as a know the router is not dead.

 

Hi guys

My router just temporarily died. Its never done it before. In the middle of a lan game and the connection dropped out. Couldn't access the control panel even after removing and replugging the power a few times. Everything was running like crap. Installed new firmware from linksys after it got to a reasonable state of functionality and is working ok. Looks like this issue affects the WRT54GL as well.

Grand Admiral

 

Run the dd-wrt firmware, it's better than Linksys firmware. Beside being faster, with more options.

But to completely die may have been an over heating problem though. If thats the case is should have slowed down to allow thing to cool. The sole reason I use seperate hardware device, wired router and AP's.