Wireless router help (WRT54G)

[Quixotic]

Background info: My friend already has a router before purchasing the wireless one, some Netgear (i think) non-wireless router.

So when trying to hook up the wireless router, it shows up as a network, but none of the laptops can connect to it (or if they do, there's no internet connection). I tried different setups to hooking it up, like removing the old router completely, or hooking up the wireless router through the old router, and nothing (also, through this method, any computer connected through the wireless router doesn't get a connection, while connecting through the old one does). This perplexes me because I have the same router and had no problems with setting it up. I have the feeling that I'm overlooking something really dumb, halp bg.

[Cephius]

Does he have a modem or is the router acting as modem and router? If he has a modem you have to disable DHCP on that and put it into bridged mode so the router can handle assigning IP addresses. But yea, more info prz.

[Quixotic]

His current connection is set up like this:

cable outlet > cable modem > (old) router > 4 computers (wired)

I don't think they care about using the old router anymore as long as his brother's computer stays wired.

[spaghetti_monster]

(Wireless only) Check your router settings for the internet, make sure your using "Dynamic connection". It may be necessary to clone the MAC Address of the cable modem on your router.

(Wired+Wireless) If your trying to connect to the internet using the wireless router and having the wireless go through the old router, you might need a crossover cable. There should be instructions in your manual about going this route. Some routers designate Port1 for forwarding to another router through a crossover cable.

So many things can be an issue. More details plz. Are you file sharing? Do you see other computers on the network when browsing your local network on the wireless router only?

Also regarding the previous comment about Bridging the Modem, I have only had to do this on DSL modems, if hes on cable then this shouldn't be an issue. And if this is a DSL modem, then it should already be bridged to support the old router.

[Korietsu]

Haha, man, this router has so many fucking problems. This is the 4th time in a month I've seen someone with a problem with this router, and worst part is, I own one.

Since you're using cable, set the router to automatic configuration - DHCP. Then, scroll down from the front page, make sure the DHCP server is enabled, and make sure that you have a maximum client amount of something other than zero, set it to like 10. Make sure DDNS is turned off in the tab for it, also TURN OFF UPnP for this router, make it work much better and boosts your browsing/gaming speeds.

That should set you up fine.

Now, if you 're adding another router to the list, use a standard cable and connect ports 1 to 1 on each router, and that will allow you to use WIRED only from the second router. Its 4:36 and I cant quite remember how to set up the wireless if you daisy chain the router.

Also, pick up the latest firmware, seemed to fix a few problems similar to the ones I was having with my wireless.

[Quixotic]

I own this router also, and don't really have problems with it haha. I run it on Tomato firmware and its so simple for me, and I more or less have a similar setup of computers at my house (one wired, with like 4-5 wireless), and never had a problem when i switched to it.

Next time I head over to his place I'll see what I can do about getting more info after trying these suggestions out. Thanks for the help so far people.

[Day]

I know this sucks, and you may already be doing this, but just in case you aren't... shut everything completely down before changing the stuff around, then power everything up in order from the cable coming from the wall. Modem > Router > PC. Can't count the times I've been like "fuck it, it will work" and just tried bypassing this step to have things not work... plus by doing this you are ruling it out as an issue.

I think a couple posts up were the other suggestions I had. I hate this fucking router by the way. I have it as home as well. It definately sounds like some of the router settings... let us know how it goes.

[Suterusu]

Don't use 2 routers in your house unless you know what your doing. Most aren't auto configured to route between each other properly. Cheaper routers can only act as a default gateway, and won't route between other routing decives. Some home routers have an option to switch between Dafult Gateway and Router.

[Quixotic]

Thanks for the help guys, got my friend's wireless network setup without any problems with your suggestions.

[Moridam]

I'll chime in with yet another WRT54G issue.

My current ISP is Charter, Motorola Surfboard cable modem, WRT54G v8 router with the stock firmware, purchased in February. Only devices connecting to it are my PS3 and Macbook, typically over ethernet because wireless is even more unstable.

My problem is this: No matter the conditions I subject it to, the router periodically boots the whole network off; the connection completely dies and the router won't respond to ping. Occasionally I'll have a problem-free day, but I usually have to power cycle at least once every couple of hours due to the router apparently going dead. This happens seemingly independent of OS in use, number of devices connected, or the type of traffic passing through.

Further compounding the intermittent connectivity issues, logging into the router via any web browser seems to also produce the problem; sometimes it happens the instant I try to log into it, sometimes I'm able to navigate around a few times before it happens. Given that, I'm reluctant to try anything involving flashing the firmware, as I'm afraid it will kick everything off after beginning the process and in the worst case, result in a brick.

Configuration should be pretty close to what ships from the factory, the only thing offhand I can recall changing is turning on UPnP, but I can take a closer look at anything specific, if anyone has any suggestions in mind.

[Korietsu]

I'll chime in with yet another WRT54G issue.

My current ISP is Charter, Motorola Surfboard cable modem, WRT54G v8 router with the stock firmware, purchased in February. Only devices connecting to it are my PS3 and Macbook, typically over ethernet because wireless is even more unstable.

My problem is this: No matter the conditions I subject it to, the router periodically boots the whole network off; the connection completely dies and the router won't respond to ping. Occasionally I'll have a problem-free day, but I usually have to power cycle at least once every couple of hours due to the router apparently going dead. This happens seemingly independent of OS in use, number of devices connected, or the type of traffic passing through.

Further compounding the intermittent connectivity issues, logging into the router via any web browser seems to also produce the problem; sometimes it happens the instant I try to log into it, sometimes I'm able to navigate around a few times before it happens. Given that, I'm reluctant to try anything involving flashing the firmware, as I'm afraid it will kick everything off after beginning the process and in the worst case, result in a brick.

Configuration should be pretty close to what ships from the factory, the only thing offhand I can recall changing is turning on UPnP, but I can take a closer look at anything specific, if anyone has any suggestions in mind.

1.) Turn off UPnP. It causes too many problems, and actually slows the router down, I noticed a large gain in performance.
2.) Update to the latest manufacturer firmware.
3.) Make sure your router is set to gateway under the advanced routing tab.

That should have you set, it also might be a problem with your modem, and you might want to have it replaced. I know mine did that until I fixed the UPnP And did some firmware updates.