Help with Linksys WRT54G setup?

Hi,

I'm trying to help a neighbor get wireless setup working with their
Linksys WRT54G and a Toshiba Satellite M55. They also have a desktop
going into one of the LAN ports, which is working.

The WRT54G has a password set on it, which they can't remember because
someone else set the Linksys up for them awhile ago. I found the
following info for resetting the Linksys to defaults (""/"admin"):

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.i...989387486c98d7

But, before I try that, I wanted to ask about the current behavior that
I saw when I was over there today. I haven't worked with the WRT54G
before, so I'm not that familiar with it.


Ok...

They have the WRT54G in their library, on the 1st floor. The
SSID/network ID is set to "linksys", and according to them, it was setup
with a WEP(?) password.

I enabled the wireless on the Toshiba (there's a small switch on the
front edge that I flipped to 'on', and I enabled the wireless connection
under Windows).

Now, on the laptop, if I go to "View networks", I could OCCASIONALLY
(but not always) see "linksys" appear on the list of networks. The
signal was very weak... something like 1 bar.

I moved the to the library, and even then, I could only see like 1 bar
during those times that I could even see the "linksys" network at all.

As mentioned above, I'm not that familiar with the WRT54G, so I was
wondering if anyone might be able to suggest why the signal seemed so
weak (again, to the point that I the Toshiba couldn't even see the
"linksys" network sometimes)??

With the WRT54G, do you have to configure it to a specific channel? I'm
thinking that there may be several other WIFI access points in the
neighborhood (including mine, which is an old R1000, "B" only), and that
this neighbor's WRT54G may be using the same channel as another way, and
it may be overwhelmed? Is that a possibility?

Thanks,
Jim

ohaya wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm trying to help a neighbor get wireless setup working with their
> Linksys WRT54G and a Toshiba Satellite M55. They also have a desktop
> going into one of the LAN ports, which is working.
>
> The WRT54G has a password set on it, which they can't remember because
> someone else set the Linksys up for them awhile ago. I found the
> following info for resetting the Linksys to defaults (""/"admin"):
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/alt.i...989387486c98d7
>
> But, before I try that, I wanted to ask about the current behavior that
> I saw when I was over there today. I haven't worked with the WRT54G
> before, so I'm not that familiar with it.
>
>
> Ok...
>
> They have the WRT54G in their library, on the 1st floor. The
> SSID/network ID is set to "linksys", and according to them, it was setup
> with a WEP(?) password.
>
> I enabled the wireless on the Toshiba (there's a small switch on the
> front edge that I flipped to 'on', and I enabled the wireless connection
> under Windows).
>
> Now, on the laptop, if I go to "View networks", I could OCCASIONALLY
> (but not always) see "linksys" appear on the list of networks. The
> signal was very weak... something like 1 bar.
>
> I moved the to the library, and even then, I could only see like 1 bar
> during those times that I could even see the "linksys" network at all.
>
> As mentioned above, I'm not that familiar with the WRT54G, so I was
> wondering if anyone might be able to suggest why the signal seemed so
> weak (again, to the point that I the Toshiba couldn't even see the
> "linksys" network sometimes)??
>
> With the WRT54G, do you have to configure it to a specific channel? I'm
> thinking that there may be several other WIFI access points in the
> neighborhood (including mine, which is an old R1000, "B" only), and that
> this neighbor's WRT54G may be using the same channel as another way, and
> it may be overwhelmed? Is that a possibility?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim
That procedure will reset it. Use your browser to go to 192.168.1.1 .
From there you should be able to set up whatever you need.

Jerry Park wrote:
>
> ohaya wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm trying to help a neighbor get wireless setup working with their
> > Linksys WRT54G and a Toshiba Satellite M55. They also have a desktop
> > going into one of the LAN ports, which is working.
> >
> > The WRT54G has a password set on it, which they can't remember because
> > someone else set the Linksys up for them awhile ago. I found the
> > following info for resetting the Linksys to defaults (""/"admin"):
> >
> > http://groups.google.com/group/alt.i...989387486c98d7
> >
> > But, before I try that, I wanted to ask about the current behavior that
> > I saw when I was over there today. I haven't worked with the WRT54G
> > before, so I'm not that familiar with it.
> >
> >
> > Ok...
> >
> > They have the WRT54G in their library, on the 1st floor. The
> > SSID/network ID is set to "linksys", and according to them, it was setup
> > with a WEP(?) password.
> >
> > I enabled the wireless on the Toshiba (there's a small switch on the
> > front edge that I flipped to 'on', and I enabled the wireless connection
> > under Windows).
> >
> > Now, on the laptop, if I go to "View networks", I could OCCASIONALLY
> > (but not always) see "linksys" appear on the list of networks. The
> > signal was very weak... something like 1 bar.
> >
> > I moved the to the library, and even then, I could only see like 1 bar
> > during those times that I could even see the "linksys" network at all.
> >
> > As mentioned above, I'm not that familiar with the WRT54G, so I was
> > wondering if anyone might be able to suggest why the signal seemed so
> > weak (again, to the point that I the Toshiba couldn't even see the
> > "linksys" network sometimes)??
> >
> > With the WRT54G, do you have to configure it to a specific channel? I'm
> > thinking that there may be several other WIFI access points in the
> > neighborhood (including mine, which is an old R1000, "B" only), and that
> > this neighbor's WRT54G may be using the same channel as another way, and
> > it may be overwhelmed? Is that a possibility?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jim
> That procedure will reset it. Use your browser to go to 192.168.1.1 .
> From there you should be able to set up whatever you need.


Jerry,

In their case, it looks like whoever set the Linksys up set it to
10.0.10 subnet.

In any event, I already did point a browser to http://10.0.10.1. I got
the login page, but like I said, they couldn't remember the password
...

I would rather avoid resetting to default, but I may have to if they
can't recall the password.

In the meantime, I am looking for ideas about the problems that I
described above, where I couldn't even detect the network most of the
time.

I've been reading through the router guide, and I suspect a couple of
possibilities:

- They might have set it to "B only"?
- They might be on a channel that has a lot of interference.

I suspect the latter, because several other network IDs showed up, but
the former is also possible, because up until trying the Toshiba M55,
they had only a desktop with a WIFI PCI card working, and that was setup
about 2+ years ago.

Any suggestion/comments?

Thanks,
Jim

ohaya <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Any suggestion/comments?

If they can't remember the password, you really are going to have to
whack it over the head and start over. Make sure you update to the
latest firmware, and look into picking another channel. Use
NetStumbler to look for other networks, or try 1, 6, and 11 and see
which one works best.

The low range sounds strange, but you can't even tell if they are (for
instance) running some alternate firmware with the power turned all
the way down...

"William P.N. Smith" wrote:
>
> ohaya <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >Any suggestion/comments?
>
> If they can't remember the password, you really are going to have to
> whack it over the head and start over. Make sure you update to the
> latest firmware, and look into picking another channel. Use
> NetStumbler to look for other networks, or try 1, 6, and 11 and see
> which one works best.
>
> The low range sounds strange, but you can't even tell if they are (for
> instance) running some alternate firmware with the power turned all
> the way down...


Hi William,

Knowing these people, I doubt very much if they are running any
alternate firmware. I'm pretty sure that the Linksys "out-of-the-box",
other than the settings that were configured (by someone else).

Jim

"ohaya" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>

> Now, on the laptop, if I go to "View networks", I could OCCASIONALLY
> (but not always) see "linksys" appear on the list of networks. The
> signal was very weak... something like 1 bar.
>
> I moved the to the library, and even then, I could only see like 1 bar
> during those times that I could even see the "linksys" network at all.
>
> As mentioned above, I'm not that familiar with the WRT54G, so I was
> wondering if anyone might be able to suggest why the signal seemed so
> weak (again, to the point that I the Toshiba couldn't even see the

For what it is worth, on some laptops I have setup, when connecting to wep
the signal strength reports as weak or non existent until you actully enter
the network key and connect., then the reported signal jumps up to high.

Ian

ok chief i had the same problems you had! as soon as i got more than 20
feet away from the thing i would get no signal. no problems for me
now!! here is what you should do. reset the thing (don't be scared it
only take like 10 seconds to do) most of the default setting are what
you are going to be using anyways. download hyperwrt and upgrade the
firmware with it. as long as it is not a ver 5 you will be fine. this
allows you to select the transmit power to something more your style.
Don't bother with wep as you could be a nice for a change and let
someone else use it, if anything you might get a whole one neihbor on
your net, not a big deal. plus some people can crack wep in 15 mins,
wpa is the way to go if your set on being a dick.. use channels 1, 6 or
11! 802.11b only will probly give you best range. this whole setup
should take you no more than 15 mins probly half the time you spent
asking about it.
if you need a hand you can email me! I will walk you though step by
step by email or aim. i don't mind either way!!!

brain187

ohaya wrote:
>
> "William P.N. Smith" wrote:
>
>>ohaya <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>Any suggestion/comments?
>>
>>If they can't remember the password, you really are going to have to
>>whack it over the head and start over. Make sure you update to the
>>latest firmware, and look into picking another channel. Use
>>NetStumbler to look for other networks, or try 1, 6, and 11 and see
>>which one works best.
>>
>>The low range sounds strange, but you can't even tell if they are (for
>>instance) running some alternate firmware with the power turned all
>>the way down...
>
>
>
> Hi William,
>
> Knowing these people, I doubt very much if they are running any
> alternate firmware. I'm pretty sure that the Linksys "out-of-the-box",
> other than the settings that were configured (by someone else).
>
> Jim
Have they actually had the wireless set up working before as it sounds
as if the Tx is disabled and you are only seeing neighbouring AP's etc?
If you wish to have a little play with the WRT54G web interface try
http://www.linksysdata.com/ui/WRT54G/v1-v4/ (courtesy of Jeff)

brain187 wrote:
Don't bother with wep as you could be a nice for a change and let
> someone else use it, if anything you might get a whole one neihbor on
> your net, not a big deal. plus some people can crack wep in 15 mins,
> wpa is the way to go if your set on being a dick..

I think there are other, more valid reasons for wanting to encrypt your
home network, other than just being a dick. Can you think of any?

optikl wrote:
> brain187 wrote:
> Don't bother with wep as you could be a nice for a change and let
> > someone else use it, if anything you might get a whole one neihbor on
> > your net, not a big deal. plus some people can crack wep in 15 mins,
> > wpa is the way to go if your set on being a dick..
>
> I think there are other, more valid reasons for wanting to encrypt your
> home network, other than just being a dick. Can you think of any?

yes there are sevral reasons you might want to do this. if you have
files from work in your shared folders and have enabled file and
printer sharing this could be considered a good
idea. i am not saying there and not pros and cons to not enable some
sort of protection
at this level. although most routers use nat therefore are on a diffent
subnet on most routers including the one that he will be using. so as
this dosen't always aply! there are pros as well you will get an
increase in bandwith without wep or wpa and fewer droped connections.
also if you ever get a notice from your isp or god forgive them pricks
the cops show up at you house for all those nasty files that your
downloading from them p2p networks (i know what your doing late at
nite) lol! you have a lot of unbasis deniability. simply point a mile
down the road at the neighborhood pervert with the 14 dbi yagi antenna.
and while they are harassing yet another innocent tax paying person.
you have time to whip out dban and wipe your harddrive! remember that
no protect scheme is flawless so i don't want to give you a false
senece of security. no matter how you set that thing up there is alway
going to be some person that can crack it out. an hour with aircrack
and maybe ethercap or etherreal and i would be able to view 90% of your
internet connection including your hardwired computers by arp spoofing
your switched lan ports on your router!

brain187