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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject: Wireless router problems

My wireless router (a Linksys WRT54G) has been acting really funky lately.

Now, to begin, I have essentially 3 computers (and sometimes 4) connected via wireless - my wife's computer, my two TiVos, and my work laptop (occasionally).

Today, I noticed that my wife's computer was disconnected from the wireless signal, and couldn't find the signal again. So I rebooted, and it seemed to find the signal. At least for a minute or two (I know it worked initially because it downloaded an Adobe Acrobat update). But then it lost connectivity again, and I couldn't get it back.

Meantime, my TiVos have also lost connectivity, and nothing I do will seem to reconnect them.

Now, as an experiment, I booted my work computer not 4 feet from the wireless router. And it too found the conection, and then lost it again.

I was able to repair the connection (in Windows XP), and we'll see how long it lasts. I can seem to browse the internet, so I've confirmed that it's working.

The odd thing, is that it's set up for mixed mode (which usually would connect at 54Mbps) - but my laptop is reprting it's connected with "Excellent" strength (as it should - it's going a whopping 4 feet), but the Speed is showing up as 1.0 Mbps.

Very strange.

Any ideas/suggestions? What can/should I do to diagnose this, and more importantly, to get it working properly again?

Or is the wireless router about to be decommissioned and replaced with a new one?

Thanks, all!

P.S. I have it set up with a different SSID than the default, and non-broadcasting SSID. I also have it set up with WPA-PSK TKIP encryption. As a test, however, I set it up to broadcast my SSID and with no encryption, and still I couldn't get the TiVos to connect to it.

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Wireless router problems

Alphi wrote:
...

Are you still running the default firmware on the router? Is the unit near any other heat sources (I.E. Sitting on a DSL or Cable Modem or etc)?

If its not near any heat sources, and doesn't seem to be generating an odd amount of heat...I'd give a shot at upgrading the firmware. You can go the manufacturer route...or I'd recommend a stable version of DD-WRT.

[edit]Also, is there anything that may cause interference with the wireless signal? I.E. Cordless Phone w/ same signal...unshielded speakers near the unit...multiple cell phones hanging out with the router or etc. Also, try using another power outlet in the same room, and alternate room for the heck of it. [/edit]

Guide Dog Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 8419 Location: MN

what revision is this wrt54g?

I'm guessing, old. I'm also guessing that you blew the radio... happens on the WRT's... frequently (even more frequently with non-linksys firmware that has the radio running at 125%...) I've had 3-4 callers a month have similar problems with their WRT's all pre-rev 4 (mostly cause that means they are decently old) and all blown wireless on the router... wired still works fine though... and you can still install open-wrt, and maybe hook it up as the brains of a roomba... or maybe just try to replace the wireless card (I think those have mini-pci wireless cards, but probably just cheaper to buy a whole new router)

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:26 am Post subject:

I've had multiple wrt54g's die within the last couple of months, so many that I've switched to a different brand, no more Linksys for me.

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:52 am Post subject:

Well, here's the strange thing... After fighting with it for a long while last night and ultimately giving up and going to bed... This morning everything seems to be working again.

To answer your questions - no, it's not near a heat source. In fact, it's on a metal rack so air can even circulate underneath it, and it's a good 6 inchers from my DSL modem and an entire shelf away from my hub/switch.

I doubt that there's anything on the same frequency as it, as my cordless phone is a 5 GHz digital one, and the wireless is around the 2.4GHz range.

I'm not sure what 'version' of it this, is but checking the settings "page", it says that the firmware is v3.03.6

Oh, and yes, the wired part of it has been working all along (which is how I was able to post in the first place).

Very strange, especially considering it's working again today. Makes me wonder though, when it'll fail next time, and when it'll fail for good.

Weird.

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:10 am Post subject:

How old is the router?

If 3+ years old then buy a new one

If 90 days or newer then rma it for a new one.

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:56 am Post subject:

Alphi wrote:
I'm not sure what 'version' of it this, is but checking the settings "page", it says that the firmware is v3.03.6

You can check this out by looking at the bottom of the router, it will be next to the model # on one of the stickers there.

Guide Dog Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 8419 Location: MN

Alphi wrote:
Well, here's the strange thing... After fighting with it for a long while last night and ultimately giving up and going to bed... This morning everything seems to be working again.

To answer your questions - no, it's not near a heat source. In fact, it's on a metal rack so air can even circulate underneath it, and it's a good 6 inchers from my DSL modem and an entire shelf away from my hub/switch.

I doubt that there's anything on the same frequency as it, as my cordless phone is a 5 GHz digital one, and the wireless is around the 2.4GHz range.

I'm not sure what 'version' of it this, is but checking the settings "page", it says that the firmware is v3.03.6

Oh, and yes, the wired part of it has been working all along (which is how I was able to post in the first place).

Very strange, especially considering it's working again today. Makes me wonder though, when it'll fail next time, and when it'll fail for good.

Weird.

Same parts that burn out on the WRT's can also over heat, (which is why they burn out in the end as I understand it.) might have just been them over heating, with out actually blowing out...

I'd still suggest looking for a replacement, I'm curious to hear what brand ed switched to, I used to like D-links until I got my DI-624M (which was a piece of crap, and D-link wouldn't give me the source (it ran linux) for 2 years (emails being sent to them the whole time) until they lost a law suit over it in germany.)
Right now I have a linksys wrtsl54gs running open WRT and I couldn't be happier with it, fantastic device, and with open-wrt a more fantastic device with real time information about traffic and QoS not to mention complete control over the DHCP server (and enough HorsePower left over that a USB thumb drive can give me the ablity to PXE boot, with a wireless to ethernet adaptor setup for it, install debian, ubuntu, or just boot up to Damn small linux with out any boot media.)

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

Extreme wrote:
Alphi wrote:
I'm not sure what 'version' of it this, is but checking the settings "page", it says that the firmware is v3.03.6

You can check this out by looking at the bottom of the router, it will be next to the model # on one of the stickers there.

Heh, just looked (just for the helluva it), and it's apparently a rev 2... Yup, guess it's definitely on the old side...

Well, maybe I'll shop around for a wireless router, but probably not buy until this thing fails again.

So what brand/model wireless router would you guys recommend, especially considering I need to keep it as cheap as possible?

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:51 am Post subject:

Alphi wrote:
I need to keep it as cheap as possible?

Buy some cat 5? Wink

Guide Dog Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 8419 Location: MN

CheeseMonger The Great wrote:
Alphi wrote:
I need to keep it as cheap as possible?

Buy some cat 5?

your confusing cheap with stable, and secure.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:40 am Post subject:

I'm currently using netgear with no issues at this time.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject:

CheeseMonger The Great wrote:
Alphi wrote:
I need to keep it as cheap as possible?

Buy some cat 5?

Ummm, in a word: no...

Part of the problem is I have no way to run the cat 5 to the upstairs (the house is a two-story, and the main and 2nd stories are completely finished, so the idea of fishing a line all the way from the 2nd story to the basement, well, let's just say it ain't gonna happen).

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Alphi wrote:
CheeseMonger The Great wrote:
Alphi wrote:
I need to keep it as cheap as possible?

Buy some cat 5?

Ummm, in a word: no...

Part of the problem is I have no way to run the cat 5 to the upstairs (the house is a two-story, and the main and 2nd stories are completely finished, so the idea of fishing a line all the way from the 2nd story to the basement, well, let's just say it ain't gonna happen).

I'd stick with Linksys. Your current router gave you at least 3-4 years of services if not more. Just think of what the next one will give ya.

That, or possibly another router that can support v24 (Beta) of DD-WRT so you can enable the wireless repeater (For the needs you specified above). I believe the Buffalo line of products is the among the best for this capability.