Q regarding Linksys WRT54G setup....

[jpk]

I'm new to setting up a network but the basic configuration seems simple enough. Here's my problem. I just bought a Linksys WRT54G and an Airlink card for my laptop. I have DSL. The router is connected hard wire between the modem and then to my desktop PC using port 1 on the router. After loading the setup software for the router on my PC and trying to connect to the net, I get a page cannot be found from my browser which is IE 5. The Airlink card in my laptop detects the router and has established a link with it. No problems there. My desktop also has no problem connecting to the net when the router is removed from the loop. I've been on line with tech support from both Linksys and my ISP and both have been unable to get the home page established except for the first call to Linksys, a service tech was able to get a connection which when I turned my desktop off, was lost. In addition, according to my ISP, I was connected to the net via the router but just unable to open my home page, or any page for that matter. Between the time spent waiting for a ST to get on the line and then working on the issue, I've easily spent an 8hr day just trying to get this thing working. My OS is XP Home w/SP2 and the router have firmware v5 installed. Are there any know issues with this router and XP, ie: firewalls, setup, etc.? Service tech at Linksys finally gave up and said I must have a bad router and I need to RMA it but it was working, albeit briefly so I really don't think that's the problem. I feel that it's a configuration problem and just needs to be worked out. I have plenty of time before I need to worry about RMAing it so that is not an issue. Any suggestions? Thanks and sorry for the long post but I wanted to give as much info as I can.

Addendum, I also have MS One Care Beta installed on my desktop. A mistake perhaps? I just have a gut feeling it is a firewall issue.

Addendum2, I have also read that v5 firmware for this router is not good. Can the firmware be backdated to an earlier version?

 

[ojai00]

I would try to set it up without using the CD. Press and hold the reset button on the back of the router for about 15 seconds, then release. Wait for the power light to stop blinking.

There should be a CAT5 ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN port on the router. Any desktops/laptops that you want wired should be connected to port 1-4.

From a wired computer, see if you can connect to http://192.168.1.1. If you can, check the Status page to see if you are connected to your ISP. If not, try disconnecting the power from both your modem and your router. Reconnect the power to the modem and wait for all the LEDs to become solid so that you know you have an active connection. Then reconnect the power to the modem and wait for the power LED to stop blinking. Try checking the Status page again.

Depending on your ISP, you can also try a MAC clone. Hope this helps.

 

[Wolfshanze]

I've heard countless reports that the WRT54G v5 is garbage. If that is what you have (check the label on the bottom of the router), that would probably explain why you are having problems.

Off the top of my head, you can't change the firmware to an earlier revision number, but you might be able to use a third-party firmware... I'm not sure if this would solve the problem with the v5, because I haven't heard if it's a firmware issue or a hardware issue.

What I might recomend, since you have the WRT54G v5, is see about getting something else if possible... either a differant-brand router, or a differant model of Linksys. I have the WRT54GS v4 router that I picked-up at Walmart a couple of weeks ago and it's worked with both wired and wireless computers in my house within seconds of installing, no problems at all. The WRT54GS is a little more expensive, but it's a good router and there's been no reports of a faulty series with the "GS" Linksys routers.

If you're stuck with the router you have, you might consider a differant non-linksys firmware update... that might solve the problem... dunno.

 

[jpk]

Issues resolved. After countless hours on the phone with Linksys and my ISP service techs, which proved fruitless and futile, I made one last attempt to get it connected. I went to Linksys' support site and found a little progran tucked away in a sevice bulleten. I down loaded and ran it and it set up the router with the computer in about five minutes.

 

[Rottie]

I am glad I got version 3.0 of WRT54G it works like a charm from the start and in love with Airlink+ cardbus

I wonder why Linksys decided to go with version 5 for linux?