linksys router

[eurolarva]

I am on my third router now in 5 years. They seem to quit working. My newest one is about 2 years old and the problem is no matter what we do one or more computer will lose connection to the router including the computer that is hard wired to it via cat 5 cable. Two wireless computer will work fine but the third one will not. The only solution is to remove power from the router for 30 seconds then everything is fine again. Is this common? Would doing a complete reset and starting over improve this? I uploaded and installed the newest firm ware a couple of weeks ago and that did not improve the situation. The router is WRT54G it is a 2.4 gig and our internet is comcast.

 

[j_martin]

Re: linksys router

I am on my third router now in 5 years. They seem to quit working. My newest one is about 2 years old and the problem is no matter what we do one or more computer will lose connection to the router including the computer that is hard wired to it via cat 5 cable. Two wireless computer will work fine but the third one will not. The only solution is to remove power from the router for 30 seconds then everything is fine again. Is this common? Would doing a complete reset and starting over improve this? I uploaded and installed the newest firm ware a couple of weeks ago and that did not improve the situation. The router is WRT54G it is a 2.4 gig and our internet is comcast.

Junk it, it's getting hacked. You can replace the firmware, but it'll just get hacked again.

Get a netgear router.

hope it helps
john

 

[mscher]

Re: linksys router

I have had that same router for over 5 years. I might have to reset it once a month, but sometimes not sure if the DSL modem is hanging. Just reset everything. We have 5 wifi and no cable connections. These are not the highest qulity routers made, as you already know.

Are you using a surge suppressor?

 

[Cofe]

Re: linksys router

Wireless G has modern hack issues. I use a wireless N ....even a old one, and have had no problems. It is a shame that we have to keep up-to-date with the newest and greatest gadgets to keep secure.
I do recommend a new router from Lynksys, they keep up to date. I also recommend to study the newest router technology before you make a purchase.

 

[Tig]

Re: linksys router

To answer your question, no it's not common unless the router is dying.
My SMC faded away as a pair of caps got fat and failed. $1 fix but I still replaced it with a $30 Netgear I found on sale (pretty good range).
If you want to try the WRT54G one more time, check to see if it will run "tomato" firmware.
What happened to the first two routers? Did they do the same thing?
What security do you use on the Wi-Fi? WEP? WPA?

 

[642mx]

Re: linksys router

I have a Linksys thats 5 or 6 years old (can't remember). I only have to reset it when we get a power outage or surge. We have 3 laptops and 2 Droids that use the router with no problems.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: linksys router

I have a Linksys thats 5 or 6 years old (can't remember). I only have to reset it when we get a power outage or surge. We have 3 laptops and 2 Droids that use the router with no problems.

Ditto, here!....and even the few times I have to reset it, I can't be sure it's not the modem that is at fault.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: linksys router

We are using WEP encryption. Our XP is too old for WPA/WPA2 or at least I think it is. Had the same issues with the last two routers. I tried firmware updates, channel changes but the only thing that worked was unplugging the router and then it would be fine for a day or two. Usually it was the compters that are wireless but now it is mainly happening to the hard wired computer. Cant even talk to the router through an internet browser. I just bought a new cheap one. Money is real tight so I hope this one lasts for a year or so. It is an N router by Belkin. Having trouble getting the old computer to talk to it. I am using tech support. Hopefully will have this resolved soon

 

[j_martin]

Re: linksys router

I have personal experience with that exact modem getting hacked. In my installation I had it e-mail me logs. First indication that it had been hacked is the logs would either cease, or cease to log intrusion attempts. Then it would go "goofy". Replacing the firmware would fix it, for awhile.

Cheap netgear routers have been reasonably secure in my experience.

You can also completely replace the firmware on some of the older WRT routers with a secure linux build. Google it for information. The main reason for doing it was to meter usage for neighborhood access and bill the neighbors.

 

[i386]

Re: linksys router

We are using WEP encryption. Our XP is too old for WPA/WPA2 or at least I think it is.

It's the wireless card and drivers that determines which level/type of encryption. You can find newer cards for XP that support WPA/WPA2. I've used Linksys and Netgear over the years and I've had problems with both over the years. I'm currently using Netgear at home but we're looking into upgrading to wireless N soon so I'll be in the market as well. I have ran the Linksys routers with the Tomato firmware and like it but that was a couple years ago.

BTW, not to scare you or anything but WEP is considered pretty weak security these days.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: linksys router

I have two out of three working and reset them to WPA2. Not sure what to do about the older system. It is in my daughters room and may just have her use the neighbors internet until they set up security on it. Hopefully it is an adapter issue. My wifes wireless is the most important for security reasons and that is why I set them back to WPA2.

 

[Mark42]

Re: linksys router

I used the WRT54G for years and only reset it a hand full of times. It now is in my Dads house, and still works fine, with only needing a reset once every 4-6 months, and I think the problem is the cheap DSL modem plugged into it, not the router its self.

So if you experience routers dying at the rate you do, I would agree its more of a hack issue than a hardware or firmware issue.

BTW, if you live where neighbors are within a few hundred feet of you, they will easily pick up the wireless N signal because it covers a much larger area than wireless G does. That means the window of hacking opportunity is increasing with wireless N over wireless G because so many more people have a good signal from your router. Just something to keep in mind with wireless N.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: linksys router

I had the same experience with linksys and finally switched to netgear and have no troubles and can actually get signal about twice as far away. I also hooked my router and cable modem to a battery back up so I dont lose internet on the laptops if the power goes out during a storm. The radar comes in handy in the closet

 

[eurolarva]

Re: linksys router

I used the WRT54G for years and only reset it a hand full of times. It now is in my Dads house, and still works fine, with only needing a reset once every 4-6 months, and I think the problem is the cheap DSL modem plugged into it, not the router its self.

If it were the modem I should still be able to open a browser window and communicate with the router which I can not do. Sometimes it is just the internet I lose but usually it is total communication with the router including the computer hard wired to the router

 

[dolluper]

Re: linksys router

Make sure the security password you are using is longer than 14 numbers ,symbols,letters, upper and lower case.....programs hack up to 14 easy over 14 takes hours

 

[bruceb58]

Re: linksys router

The linksys wrt54g routers are susceptible to overheating. Make sure you have them in a well ventilated area.