Author Topic: Linksys WRT54G is driving me nuts (Read 461 times)

LePaul · « **on:** September 22, 2007, 08:03:47 PM »

This router works fine for a few days, then we have days where it seems to lock up all day long for hours at a time.

Done the usual tweaks I've found via Google and Linksys website.

Is it time to trash this thing in favor of something newer? I've only had the few things a few weeks!

Irwink! · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2007, 08:27:39 PM »

I've used one for about two years without any problem. How have you determined that it is the router that is flakey vs. something upstream?

DerHelm · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2007, 10:20:28 PM »

Can you explains what is happening when it's not working and what you see?

LePaul · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2007, 10:30:52 PM »

I have flashed this to the latest available drivers on Linksys's site.

I thought my cordless phones were the culprit, since they were 2.4 ghz as well. Those are now powered off.

But it wasnt just wireless connections that would time out and go back on. I put my PC directly on the ethernet port of the cable modem and get 5.7 mbps. Put the router back on there and its 4.87 and steadily drops to 1.5mbps.

The router has been the source of my bandwidth drops.

Now its simply "napping out". If we are in the room its in, we power cycle it and its good for a while.

I've set the MTU to 1400, one suggestion I saw posted.

I also reduced the beacon and other wirless settings.

But again, its both sides, wired and non wired, seeing the pauses.

Its the router, that much is certain. And a search of this issue on Google shows a lot of hits.

Which leads me to beleive its a bad router. My previous 2 Linksys's were quite good. I replaced the previous oen because of bandwidth drops using it. For a while, this one was doing ok.

Frustrating!

DerHelm · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2007, 02:34:36 AM »

It does sound router related.
First thing you shoudl do it set the MTU back to 1500 or Auto.
1500 is a gernal standard (Not including encap transmittion like PPPOE)
If you can't get anything on 1500 put it to Auto so it will train to the correct value (or you can contact your ISP for this value)

Now you need to set to see if the problem is somehtign from you to the router or the router to the net.

Q. Does this happen with more than one computer?
At the same time?
Q. How do you connect to the router, wireless or cat 5?
If wireless does this happen when connected using cat 5 to it?

Here is a small test to try.

Bring up to command windows. in one of them do a continuous ping to the router " ping 192.168.1.1 -t" (Asuming that is your routes IP.) In the other Window do the same thign but to http://www.google.com.

When the problem start happening again see if you get packet loss or latency issues. THis will help figure out where the problem is occuring and help you narrow down your search on the net for a fix as well.

LePaul · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2007, 02:49:58 AM »

Done all that testing, the same kinds of things I'd do at work to test connectivity.

Its all 4 systems. All my debugging and flowcharting brings be back to the router.

I noticed on the BestBuy website, as I was looking at reviews of new routers, many 54G users chimed in. The Netgear router (model name eludes me) had a lot of positive reviews, several from disgruntled Linksys owners of the 54G!

I dont want nor need anything extravagant. There are some pretty fancy models out there. At this point, I just want to fly once or twice a week

My girlfriend does a lot of research online for her work (teacher at a preschool) and the time outs are driving her nuts. When the router works, we get great speed...for a while.

The plan is to buy a Netgear model tomorrow. Then have a smash party for a certain Linksys

Fulmar · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2007, 02:00:26 PM »

Find an old computer lying around, install an linux based firewall and allow your router to function as a switch.

I've had probelms in the past with a linksys router and focused the problem to that router failing under heavy traffic load, especially torrent related as it could not handle the numerous peer activity. Googled a bit after a friend recommend the above. Had an old micro atx ibm aptiva 550 mhz lying around, installed a linux based firewall (there are several, I used IPCop). Need two NICs in the firewall computer (one from the modem to the firewall, one from the firewall to your router that now functions as a switch, or use a switch).

Long story short, traffic problem fixed. I have a easy to use, very customizeable, secure firewall. Total cost $0 from parts lying around. I've never been happy with Linksys products. Just because Cisco owns them, doesn't mean Cisco quality. I've always been a fan of D-Link.

Anyways, lock ups on a router are very frustrating. I'd shop around, read some reviews if the above does not tickle your fancy.

DerHelm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2007, 04:06:51 PM »

Some times these things don't go down so easily

Meatwad · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2007, 05:53:58 PM »

Id trash the router and go buy a new one

WTF happened to that Sun unit?

OOZ662 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2007, 06:52:55 PM »

They shot it.

Vulcan · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2007, 06:53:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
IPut the router back on there and its 4.87 and steadily drops to 1.5mbps.

Whats upstream of the router? Mismatched port negotiation can cause this, Cisco is notorious from crappy negotiation.

Have you done a MTU test to see what your Max MTU is, also make sure your not configured to use fragmented packets (not sure if your router does this but I've seen frag'd packets cause slowdowns when an upstream device doesn't support them).

Do you use P2P applications? Some of these are notorious from opening to many concurrent TCP connections with long timeouts. Entry level home routers such as linksys do not deal well with this. This can cause slowdownads as well.

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2007, 06:56:20 PM »

Guess I have been lucky with the same 54G. Have been using it for years with no problems. I am using 3 wired ports and connect to a couple notebooks via wireless. I have also used a Netgear in Guam with no issues for a couple years.

llama · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2007, 10:19:32 PM »

Throw it away and buy another brand.

In addition to writing for a major computer magazine, I service about 40 small businesess for their computer needs. Though I myself have a linksys router in my home, and indeed used one to split a T-1 line for the 2001 and 2002 Warbirds Cons, EVERY SINGLE LINKSYS ROUTER I purchased for clients between 18 months ago to 6 months ago has failed. Every. Single. One.

Older ones seem fine. It's just the ones I've bought lately that are all failing.

Symptoms: They usually work fine for a week and then require a reset after freezing up and blocking internet access. Later, rinse, repeat. Flashing the firmware never helps.

I've been using Netgear, 3com, and even Fry's house brand "AirSet" without problems as replacements.

I have no idea what the problem is, but the pattern I'm seeing is undenyable.

-Llama