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Trouble with Linksys WRT54G router

Last answer on Sep 19, 2009 11:39:08 pm BST Lucas, on Jun 15, 2008 12:55:17 am BST 
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The only computer I have is a Dell Insprion E1505 laptop and it is connected to a "COMCAST" cable modem. Windows XP, not Vista is installed. I purchased a LINKSYS WRT54G wireless router. I installed the setup disk and connected the modem to the router, and the router to the computer as step one, but when step two had me disconnect the router from the laptop so it could connect via wireless network, it just says "easylink advisor could not establish a wireless connection with the router." Again, i AM able to search the web if the router is hard lined into the laptop, but that defeats the purpose of the router. This very well could be a network configuration issue, but i'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated!
"wireless network connection" shows my laptop has a 1390 wlan mini card.
thanks
Lucas, USA, Michigan

Configuration: Windows XP
Firefox 2.0.0.14

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johnkwit, on Jun 17, 2008 11:09:20 pm BST
  • +15

I have a new Linksys router WRT54gs and a new Dell laptop.
The router works well with the cable attached but when I go to wireless
I get a strong signal but unable to get on the internet with WEP security.
With security disabled the wireless works fine. But will not connect to the
internet with WEP security on. I tried to use the CD install disk that comes
with the router but ir does not help.
Any help would be apreciated

   
Reply to johnkwit

5

Btroisi13, on Jul 26, 2008 2:29:49 am BST
  • +3

Set the secutirty to WPA personal. WEP is the worst for security, as I could hack the password in seconds. This is impossible for WPA.

   
Reply to Btroisi13

26

Vic, on Apr 28, 2009 12:26:32 am BST
  • +3

I had trouble with my set up, did everything on the set up disk many times. Then, I plugged my Linksys into my Comcast cable box (combination phone & Internet), plugged my computer into the Linksys with everything turned "ON". Then I re-booted the cable modem. In the back of the box is a small hole the size a paper clip fits into and pushed the reset button and I made contact with the Internet. Later I set up my WEP key. Hope this works for you.

   
Reply to Vic

24

czar, on Mar 18, 2009 1:07:48 am GMT
  • +2

Driver audio device on high definition audio bus trouble

   
Reply to czar

2

Manamal, on Jul 9, 2008 12:44:58 pm BST

I'm having similar problems as Lucas. It seems that comcast & routers are a big problem, period. Some people speculate that they have security settings against routers that they wont admit to, to deter people from using multiple pcu's on one modem. It sorta makes sense, although i think it sucks. i've reset the router & modem so many times i'm pretty sure i'm gonna fry one of them. Please someone post back here soon.

   
Reply to Manamal

7

An Anonymous Pseudonym, on Sep 10, 2008 8:48:28 pm BST
  • +3

Sorry that you're having issues.

I have almost the same exact setup as Lucas, but I have my own cable modem (Linksys). I also use the WRT54G wireless router. I have used the router both with Comcast cable modems and my own Linksys cable modem, and have never had issues, save provider outages.

I guess there could be "security settings against routers that they won't admit to", but this is definitely not the case with the Linksys WRT54G.

Incidentally, I DO have WPA security enabled on my WAP, but it works fine with no security or WEP, as well.

I've had users complain that, in the past week(s), they have had increasing problems with their Comcast/Linksys setups, and that this procedure general works out some of the issues:

Flush DNS
Start->Run->cmd
'ipconfig /flushdns'

Power-cycle the router.

I know it seems simple, but this has drastically improved maintaining connection to Comcast via a Linksys router for those in my organization.

   
Reply to An Anonymous Pseudonym

3

A, on Jul 10, 2008 5:08:58 pm BST
  • +3

I am using this router with Comcast Cable Modem. At first my router was a little bit troublesome to configure, but it was working pretty flawlessly for about 10 days. then it started just dropping the internet signal, both to the hard wired desk top and to the wireless laptops.
I tried holding down the rear reset button which apparently made it lose its "protected status" but it didn't fix the problem of the signal getting dropped.
I have tried unplugging and plugging everything back in. i have NOT tried to re-configure router using disk. Should I try this or just call linksys??

   
Reply to A

8

An Anonymous Pseudonym, on Sep 10, 2008 8:49:31 pm BST
  • +1

I've had users complain that, in the past week(s), they have had increasing problems with their Comcast/Linksys setups, and that this procedure general works out some of the issues:

Flush DNS
Start->Run->cmd
'ipconfig /flushdns'

Power-cycle the router.

I know it seems simple, but this has drastically improved maintaining connection to Comcast via a Linksys router for those in my organization.

   
Reply to An Anonymous Pseudonym

12

Moneluv, on Nov 13, 2008 12:37:11 pm GMT

What do you mean when you say "Power cycle your router"?

My comcast modem works fine. WRT54G all the sudden (after 5 years) just doesn't work. We called Comcast who troubleshot on their end and it works fine through the Ethernet. My roommate has Vista, I have XP. It will show a strong wireless connection but sometimes it won't connect to the internet, and sometimes it will. I've always used it "Unsecured" but tried securing it. Any "layman's" help you can give is Greatly appreciated.

Moneluv

   
Reply to Moneluv

4

Mark, on Jul 14, 2008 5:19:10 pm BST
  • +25

On the main setup page the ""Internet Connection Type"" should be
on ""Obtain IP Automatically - DHCP “. Click on the Save Settings
button.
Now click on the sub tab ""MAC address clone"".
- Click on enable
Click Clone & click save settings
Check WAN Ip on Status page of router ....
If getting Valid Ip .... try going online
If not ... power cycle for 4-5 minutes & then agian check the WAN Ip address .....

http://forums.linksys.com/...

   
Reply to Mark

9

TechTalk, on Oct 15, 2008 11:09:07 pm BST

Seconding the genius election for Mark ... dude, you saved my bacon! I think comcast is trying to 'gently' restrict router usage, kind of like they did with torrent flow a few months ago.

   
Reply to TechTalk

38

SiNaoia, on Jul 31, 2009 6:24:29 am BST
  • +1

Please help me somebody - I am exhausted with frustration and I want to cry. My password works to get into my channel but it doesn't work to get help or get involved with a group. That is the first probelm. the next probelm is I can't access all my mail. the red star or light is on my envelope but everytime I check to see if I have mail nothing is bold to tell me that I have new messages; yet my envelope says that I have at least 11 messages that i have not read yet. Can you please help me.

I have 2 email address: tapalava@sbcglobal.net and alofa@sbcglobal.net</gras>

   
Reply to SiNaoia

10

sean, on Oct 23, 2008 6:59:05 am BST
  • +1

Perfect solution, thanks!

   
Reply to sean

13

robo, on Dec 7, 2008 11:49:40 pm GMT

I have to also thank Mark. I've been going crazy for about 1 week with Comcast and routers. I bought two new routers thinking that was the issue. I don't really understand what you had me do and I don't really understand what this means, but if what you had me do was something to override some effort by Comcast to restrict usage of routers, I'm going to go ballistic on them. I paid Comcast over $5,000 to bring Comcast out to my house, because I live in a very remote area. If they are now trying to block a simple router on my property, they should be ashamed. Thanks again for the solution. I hope this resolves the problem permanently.

   
Reply to robo

27

ken, on Apr 28, 2009 8:48:53 pm BST
  • +1

I was killing my self all day trying to figure out this Linksys router
and then I read your message on troubleshooting it and it work!!!!

Just wanted to say that your the MAN!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

   
Reply to ken

33

dee, on Jul 3, 2009 8:58:29 pm BST
  • +1

BLESS YOU!!! Mark! I have been trying to resolve this for 2 months. Comcast was NO help. 3 calls!

My wireless finally works which allows me to work from home! Thank u!

   
Reply to dee

44

 TECHONE, on Sep 19, 2009 11:39:08 pm BST

Your instructions were on the money! Thanks!

   
Reply to TECHONE

6

Bootboy07, on Jul 28, 2008 12:12:31 am BST

Mark,

Thanks. You ar Da MAN !! Works like a charm.

   
Reply to Bootboy07

11

thankfulforforums, on Oct 26, 2008 3:09:53 am GMT

The clone feature solved my headache! Thanks a ton! Internet now working again! And yes, I have comcast too.

   
Reply to thankfulforforums

14

Raj, on Dec 20, 2008 12:44:47 pm GMT

Hi lucas,

It is just a case of wireless setting to be properly done on Linksys router or maybe some fine tuning on your laptop (turning off firewall). You can call linksys technical support to fix your issue.

   
Reply to Raj

15

Jackie, on Dec 29, 2008 2:05:45 am GMT
  • +16

These are the steps that I have to use to get the router to function again. It may vary a little bit if you have a different model of router, but the spirit remains the same:

Plug your computer directly into the cable modem.
Use "ipconfig /release" and "ipconfig /renew" from the windows command prompt to get a new IP address from the cable modem.
Unplug your computer from the cable modem.
Plug your computer into the router, leaving the router unplugged from the cable modem.
Use ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew to get an IP address from the router.
Enter the router's configuration with your web browser.
Tell the router to Clone your Mac Address. wait a few seconds.
Plug the router into the cable modem.
In the web interface, tell the router to ask for a new IP address from the cable modem. (This is the "DHCP Renew" Button) The cable modem should think that you are the PC that just spoke with it and will let your router work again. You might have to ask it to renew a couple times.
This whole process takes a couple minutes. If you find

   
Reply to Jackie

16

Robert, on Jan 14, 2009 2:04:33 pm GMT
  • +1

I also have to applaud Mark. This solved my very frustrating problem immediately. Wish I came across his advice earlier. Linksys and TimeWarner Cable sites weren't very helpful at all.

   
Reply to Robert

18

dolphin, on Jan 16, 2009 10:41:32 am GMT
  • +10

Hi Lucas,

You can first of all uninstall the linksys easylink advisor through the add remove program under control panel.
Restart your computer. Open Internet Explorer and in the address bar type 192.168.1.1 and press enter.
Click on wireless tab on top. The network mode should be on mixed. Change the ssid to your preferred name. Leave the wireless channel on 6 (some numbers after that). Wireless Broadcast should be enabled. Now click on save settings. (Click on continue if it ask you or wait till the page refreshes back showing the updated settings).
Now below the wireless tab on top click on the sub tab "wireless security". Click on security mode pulll down menu and select WPA PERSONAL. Select the algorithm from TKIP to AES (this will enhance the wireless security of WPA). In the WPA Shared Key type any password consisting of numbers and letters (minimum 8 charachters length and maximum can be 64 charachters...but do not make a very long password that you would not remember). Now click on save settings (follow the same rule).
Now click on "Advanced wireless settings" (fourth and the last one) sub tab on top and change the Beacon Interval from 100 to 75. Change the Fragmentation Threshold from 2346 to 2306. Change the RTS Threshold from 2347 to 2307. Click on Save Settings (follow the same rule).
Unplug the power from the router for 20 secs approximately and power it back up (also known as powercycle).
Check first connecting your computer hardwired to the router's any number port on back (check if the light comes on on the router front panel). if you are able to go online (if not then unplug the power from modem for a minute and power it back and wait for another minute and check the internet connection).
If you are online through wired connection then unplug the cable from your computer to router and keep a minimum of 3 feets of distance between the router and computer (at times when very much the router there is a dead spot for wireless signal) and try connecting wirelessly on your now secured wireless network. when prompted for network key or wpa shared key box then enter your wireless password you had set on router. click on connect and wait till it shows you that you are connected. you can now close down this screen and check through your internet browser by going to different websites and you should be online.....

Hope the above steps help you to connect wirelessly on your secured wireless network.....

   
Reply to dolphin

20

Schafies, on Feb 21, 2009 4:38:42 pm GMT
  • +1

Happened to stumble onto this site today. I have been trying to connect my new work laptop to my wireless network at home for 6 months with no luck, my last laptop worked fine. Even my company IT people could not figure out the problem. Today I followed your instructions and made the changes in my Lynksys wrt45G router, powered up my work laptop, crossed my fingers and wala I'm connected. Can take back new router I purchased yesterday. Thanks so much.

   
Reply to Schafies

30

ThankYou, on Jun 6, 2009 4:38:19 am BST

Whoever Dolphin is thank you very much. Messing with router and modem and computer for hours. Easylink advisor was apparently putting in the wrong info since your info worked. Was ready to go buy another router. thought this one was toast. Hope you have a great life.

   
Reply to ThankYou

19

ThanhLe, on Feb 15, 2009 7:38:37 pm GMT
  • +1

Try this.

go to your network property. select Protocol (tcp/ip blah blah). then type your network address in manually. that happens to me and i do that and that work. This happen because your network adapter was unable to detect DHCP server automatically. Technical support from comcast is crap -_-.

   
Reply to ThanhLe

21

mdcitrus, on Feb 22, 2009 12:57:54 am GMT
  • +1

Good evening all,
Am on my second linksys router and about ready to toss this one out a 10 story window. Same issue will not connect to internet. Usually a simple power cycle takes care of the issue but not now. The desktop that the router is attached to will not connect via LAN cable from router to computer and no wifi.
To date, I have both power cycled and hard reset the router multiple times. I have also power cycled the modem.
the modem connected to the computer directly works fine (Verizon DSL) connects no problemo
In the dd-wrt program I have:
set it to clone the MAC address
reset the various RTF etc buffers as stated above
reset the Ip to 192.168.2.1 etc then set it back to default
Tried various channel settings
dropped and renewed DNS
I have cmd flushed the dns
I attempted to install the disk from linksys but it will not accept any passwords and fails at that point there is no hardware or program listed for linksys on the computer to uninstall
Laptops connected to this router have valid IP addresses and all have up to date virus scanning software
Don't have reciepts for routers to send back but bought both at BestBuy so could pull records. First one was deemed "bad radio".
I've surfed multiple sites about this and this site seems to have most recent info.
Luckily neighbor has unsecure wifi (same router BTW) so I can post and research to get ours back up.

Thanks
tina

   
Reply to mdcitrus

37

Brian, on Jul 27, 2009 2:26:51 am BST

I had the same problem with my router and AT&T DSL service. Here was my solution:

A DSL modem is not like a cable modem. The DSL modem is like a little computer whose only function is to be a gateway on the larger network. It also performs the function of a DHCP server, assigning a network IP address to the computer connected to it. The problem was that my router had an IP address of 192.168.1.1 and my DSL modem had an IP address of 192.168.1.254

Since they were both on the same subnet, and both were acting as DHCP servers, they kept trying--and failing--to assign each other's IP address. Thus, they couldn't talk to each other as they were too busy fighting over the same IP address range. My solution, change the router IP address to another subnet, in my case it was 10.0.0 but it really could be anything that isn't 192.168.1

As soon as I changed my router's subnet it made a different IP table to match and I could finally connect to the internet.

   
Reply to Brian

40

Jes, on Sep 5, 2009 4:21:08 am BST

Brian,

I'm hoping you can help since you have AT&T DSL. I just moved in with a friend who has the same service, I've tried to hook her Ethernet cable from her Motorola modem (that AT&T provided) to the back of my wireless G WRT54G2 and it doesn't fit. Is there a different modem I should use or a way to connect the Ethernet into the WRT54G? I'm at a loss right now; any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

   
Reply to Jes

41

Brian, on Sep 7, 2009 2:10:20 am BST

Jes, a few questions..

You say that the cable from the DSL modem to the router "doesn't fit." How exactly? Is it too small or too big? I'm guessing it's too small since with that style of plug the router you have only has the largest type (called RJ45). If I'm right, it sounds like you're plugging the wrong cable into the back of the router. The small telephone jack plug (called an RJ12) goes from your DSL modem to a telephone jack in your house. Then another cable should go from your DSL modem to your router, both ends being the larger RJ45 type. The back of your DSL modem should have at least two phone-type jacks: a larger and a smaller. So again, plug the cable with the smaller ends into your DSL modem and your telephone jack, and the cable with the larger ends into your modem and router.

   
Reply to Brian

42

Jes, on Sep 7, 2009 6:28:43 pm BST

Brian,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The cable that is not fitting into the "internet slot" on the router is the ethernet cable (yellow). Doesn't seem to click in properly and stay. At my previously residence I was using comcast cable internet and hooked up the modem and same router just fine, however when I moved it was just financially easier to go with the AT&T dial up/DSL. I'm able to jump online if the ethernet cable is hooked directly into the computer or laptop. I'm just wondering if there's a difference in the Ethernet cable and a Internet cable? Or because I moved and using a different modem is there an issue with the IP address? Again thank you so much for your help.

   
Reply to Jes

43

Brian, on Sep 7, 2009 9:31:29 pm BST

Okay. No there is no difference between an "internet" cable and an ethernet cable. If the cable won't click into the slot then the cable clip itself could be broken. This is usually okay, however, as long as the cable is pushed into the slot as far as it will go and will stay there it should be fine. From what you've described, I doubt the cable is your issue. Try changing the IP address of the router (you can do this by typing 192.168.1.1 in the address field in your browser) and see if that works.

   
Reply to Brian

22

eddie, on Feb 25, 2009 1:25:21 pm GMT

Hi,you cant start with step one, you first have to install easy advisor ,insert your disk scroll down and find easy advisor and install it ,then proceed to install tep one and so on .hope this helps you ,i had a similar problem and it work for me.

   
Reply to eddie

23

mdcitrus, on Feb 25, 2009 11:29:12 pm GMT

Since the linksys software was changed to the dd-wrt program by a "so-called" computer expert (right before he crashed my harddrive)... can't use the original disk. I battled the router for several entire days using every piece of advice from this and other boards to no avail. I'm having a friend of mine who is an actual computer repair guy attempt to re-flash the router and install the original software back on it. I shipped him the router today.
thanks for your help!
Tina

   
Reply to mdcitrus

28

pceasy, on May 5, 2009 4:51:11 am BST

You probably have everything up and running by now, but fyi, most likely it was not the router that was the problem.

If that ever happens to you again, first try connecting ONLY the router to the computer (port 1 to PC) with no modem connected. See if the PC gets an IP. If not, check your NIC card settings to make sure they are set to DHCP, etc. if you *can* get an IP from the router without it connecting to the modem, you know it's not a router issue. 95% of the time it's a configuration error--often caused by DSL modems and routers fighting for DHCP rights. When using a DSL modem/router with a second router (usually for wireless), you need to put the DSL modem in BRIDGED MODE and enter all of the connection information through the router. Otherwise, IP issues ensue, exactly like you are describing. Sometimes, it will work for a while set-up wrong and then one day, just fail and you have no idea why. Most of the time, this is the problem I see.

   
Reply to pceasy

29

mdcitrus, on May 5, 2009 10:14:47 am BST
  • +1

Thanks! Most of the problem was the dd-wrt software that had beed installed with the router and the "expert" who did that also had the modem and router fighting over the DHCP as you said. Was able to reflash the router back to linksys and chenged all the settings. All works now finally.

   
Reply to mdcitrus

31

Tayo, on Jun 23, 2009 2:27:54 am BST

I am going crazy!!! I just bought a Wireless N Linksys Router and am trying to use the old WRT54g v.3 as a bridge. First questions is are these two routers compatible for the bridge trick? secondly mark didn't say anything about going and switching the router to bridge mode...should I be doing this? After all these settings does the wrt54g just automatically bridge the wireless? Do i need to add any DNS numbers? and final questions but most important to me is when I go to the mac clone tab do I click enable and thats it or should I also click the "get current pc mac address?

   
Reply to Tayo

32

wizard, on Jun 29, 2009 5:18:04 pm BST

Perfect! the trick with the cloning MAC address works. Looks like Comcast are treating the users like id..ts , but that is OK - it is fixable and the fix can be found in the Interet. Thanks everybody for cotributing.

Second thing - I replaced the original operating systme of the router with DD-WRT OS that is, I think, linux based. What happened with the original Linksys OS is that my Mac's wifi crashed the system every 5 minutes !!!

Once I put the DD-WRT package, I rebotted the router once (!!!) in 1 year, not every few days.

   
Reply to wizard

34

maverick, on Jul 16, 2009 8:59:19 pm BST

HI THERE HAD MINE A LONG TIME A GO SOO I TRADED UP TOO A BELKIN N-1 ROUTER WICH HAS A DIGITAL DISSPLAY AND HAS PLUG IN PLAY SOFTWARE NOT GOING BACK TOO LINKSYS WRT54G ROUTER I WILL STAY WITH MY BELKIN N-1 ROUTER

   
Reply to maverick

35

whyme?, on Jul 17, 2009 11:49:57 pm BST

This message board is too funny! I read the whole thing and had to laugh (especially about the guy with a neighbor with unsecure wifi! LOL!!) I'm just glad to know I'm not alone! Believe me -- I feel your pain! I've been going stark raving mad for a solid week trying to get this blessed thing to work. My WRT54G has worked great for 5 years except for a few reboots on occasion, and then suddenly last week everything went haywire and nothing I did would make it work (connecting to Comcast via Motorola surf board). I think my issue was a missing or corrupted driver for the LAN manager. So I was dealing with system issues as well and I'm still not quite sure how I accomplished it, but I'm wireless at last! Found this board waaayyy too late! Not sure if the tips would have helped my driver issues, but maybe it would have at least made me laugh! I've copied all the tips and tricks and saved them - just in case! Thanks everyone!!

   
Reply to whyme?

36

Jim G, on Jul 22, 2009 12:44:37 am BST

Jackie is right. Remember to temporarily disable your wireless network connection on your computer first though, to make sure you are using the ethernet connection (wire) while you are jury rigging (cloning the MAC address of your computer onto the wireless router) the router.

And yes this is because the cable ISPs would like to charge you extra for more than one computer connected to the Internet, since they already have some customers paying extra. But in today's world of so many network connected devices, that is not realistic. So your router disguises itself as your computer. (Somehow on the Cable ISP end it would seem they are able to tell the difference between a computer's and a router's MAC address perhaps.)

And then the router shares the internet connection. You could leave one computer running and share it's connection as well, but that would be a waste of a computer and probably more power use also, which would accomplish the same thing (using a computer as a router,) with the wireless router connected to that computer, which would complicate the setup though.

   
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