Slow download speeds on your WRT54G V5?

[igowerf]

I recently got a WRT54G only find that it's a v.5 which doesn't allow for any 3rd party firmware. It wasn't a big deal to me since I don't care to mess around with the router too much anyways, but I found that my internet slowed to a crawl if I was downloading anything on bittorrent.

A quick search on Google immediately revealed this thread:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,14638337

Following someone's instructions to set my MTU to 1468 (for cable internet), my slow speeds went away immediately. Bittorrent is fast again and I can surf the internet while I download.

The above number (1468) is for cable. Try 1452 for DSL.

There are other suggestions for MTUs and a couple posts say to test in increments in 10 until you find a value that works for you. 1468 worked right away for me so I'm happy.

 

[John]

FWIW the firmware was Linux-based up until version 5. I have a WRT54G v3 and set the MTU in the router to 1500.

I've always used this as a rule of thumb for MTU:

56K, PPPoA DSL, Cable Modem - 1500
PPPoE DSL - 1492
XP PPPoE DSL - 1480 - With XP and PPPoE DSL your MTU can either be 1492 or 1480, make sure your settings are adjusted for the proper MTU.

 

[igowerf]

Yep. The v5 is actually entirely different from the previous routers with weaker specifications overall. I think it has half the amount of RAM and memory compared to the previous versions. Linksys is supposed to release a WRT54GL where the L stands for Linux so if you can't find an older version of the WRT54G, then the GL might be something worth waiting for.

As for the MTU, I think mine was set to 1500 by default and it didn't work for me at all. Downloading on bittorrent would practically lock up the router. At one point, I couldn't even log into the interface anymore and had to manually reboot it.

 

[ProviaFan]

I am extremely disappointed in the Linksys WRT54G; it is connected to a very fast network in my dorm room, but it makes that feel slower than the DSL I had at home. The wireless range also sucks, and it seems to lock up and require reboots several times per day. Is there any hope, or should I send it back and get something else?

 

[Rottie]

I remembered i spoke to Linksys rep and the rep asked me what state and city I live and what my DSL provider is and I was told to set it to 1492 that is because my DSL provider only work that way.

 

[rodneyxiii]

If this doesn't work for me I'm going to try to exchange for a previous version.

 

[Nocturnal]

If you guys really want the older version, Linksys actually makes them still yet. It's branded under a new model#, it's the Linksys WRT54GL (L stands for Linux) and you can flash the firmware to whatever one you want. It's basically a v4 router. It's been confirmed over at linksysinfo.org.