Problems with Linksys WRT54G router

This router is the most stubborn piece of shit I have ever seen in my
life. To start with, it doesn't seem like it recognizes the dhcp on my
ISP. Either that, or my computer doesn't seem to be recognizing the dns
addresses my router uses, even though it has "dhcp server" set to on.
Third, when my laptop tries to connect to it, it displays it, opens the
dialog box to connect, and the box closes like it's supposed to,
without an error. But then, on the "Network Connections" or whatever on
it, it says "Not connected" next to the router's name--and the only
button is to "Disconnect!" However, before that started happening my
laptop did connect, and it actually said "Connected." But then, the
only site it would go on were pages on Google! I mean, I could go to
google.com, type in a search, press "Google Search" and it worked, but
when I clicked on a link off of Google or just typed it in in the
address bar, the page didn't load. I turned the laptop off and the next
time I came back, the "Not connected" thing happened, and that's what's
been happening ever since.

"Pickleman" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> This router is the most stubborn piece of shit I have ever seen in my
> life. To start with, it doesn't seem like it recognizes the dhcp on my
> ISP. Either that, or my computer doesn't seem to be recognizing the dns
> addresses my router uses, even though it has "dhcp server" set to on.
> Third, when my laptop tries to connect to it, it displays it, opens the
> dialog box to connect, and the box closes like it's supposed to,
> without an error. But then, on the "Network Connections" or whatever on
> it, it says "Not connected" next to the router's name--and the only
> button is to "Disconnect!" However, before that started happening my
> laptop did connect, and it actually said "Connected." But then, the
> only site it would go on were pages on Google! I mean, I could go to
> google.com, type in a search, press "Google Search" and it worked, but
> when I clicked on a link off of Google or just typed it in in the
> address bar, the page didn't load. I turned the laptop off and the next
> time I came back, the "Not connected" thing happened, and that's what's
> been happening ever since.

What version router (a s/n sticker on the base will have a s/n starting CD
or CG - see here for your version:
http://www.wrt54g.net/pages.php?p=guide_version )

You don't say if the setup works via a CAT5 cable - always get your router
working wired first, then go wireless. You don't say if you have encryption
enabled (WEP or WPA). Do you? Does it work without encryption? Are you
entering the correct key?

WRT54Gs tend to be among the most reliable and easy-to-use routers,
according to the posts on this forum...

"Pickleman" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

Let's take these one at a time:

>This router is the most stubborn piece of shit I have ever seen in my
>life.

Hmmm... I have three of my own. Most of the local coffee shops use
WRT54G routers (with alternative firmware). Two of the local hot spot
installers use nothing but WRT54G routers. Sales figures show that
the WRT54G (mixed in with similar Linksys mutations) is a best seller.
However, you're entitled to an opinion.

Could I trouble you for the hardware version number V1 -> V5 and the
firmware version (upper right corner of the initial setup screen)?

>To start with, it doesn't seem like it recognizes the dhcp on my
>ISP. Either that, or my computer doesn't seem to be recognizing the dns
>addresses my router uses, even though it has "dhcp server" set to on.

DHCP from your ISP would be on the WAN side. I'll assume that you're
*NOT* trying to configure this with a wireless connection. That
always causes problems, especially after a router restart. It has
nothing to do with DNS because DNS does not work until AFTER you get
an IP address from the ISP. What does the status page show? Does it
show valid IP addresses (including DNS) from the ISP? If so, that
part is working.

Also, your computer does not recognize the router using DNS (although
it can be setup to do so). If you use:
http://192.168.1.1
can you see the setup pages? If so, DHCP is working. We can tinker
with DNS after you determine if your problem is on the WAN side DHCP
client, or the LAN side DHCP server.

>Third,

What happended to problem number two?

>when my laptop tries to connect to it, it displays it, opens the
>dialog box to connect, and the box closes like it's supposed to,
>without an error. But then, on the "Network Connections" or whatever on
>it, it says "Not connected" next to the router's name--and the only
>button is to "Disconnect!" However, before that started happening my
>laptop did connect, and it actually said "Connected." But then, the
>only site it would go on were pages on Google! I mean, I could go to
>google.com, type in a search, press "Google Search" and it worked, but
>when I clicked on a link off of Google or just typed it in in the
>address bar, the page didn't load. I turned the laptop off and the next
>time I came back, the "Not connected" thing happened, and that's what's
>been happening ever since.

It takes two to tango. Sounds more like a client side problem. First,
I suggest you get it working with a wired connection and ignore the
wireless features for now.
Third, after the wired version is working, setup the wireless. It
will be helpful if you would disclose some information on what you're
using as a wireless computer and client. I don't recall any software
that has boxes popping up and down for connections, so could you
kindly supply what program is displaying the boxes?

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Don't get me wrong--I don't hate WRT54G routers. Before I got this one,
I had another one that was also a WRT54G. But it stopped working (I
don't know why) after a very long time that it worked perfectly for. So
I bought this one instead, and now it doesn't work. They were both
exactly the same model. The "program" that displays the boxes is
Windows XP. It has a Network Connections panel that handles all
connections, and when it opens up a wireless one sometimes a little
dialog box comes up with a progress bar, that just says
"Connecting...". It doesn't stay on the screen all the time when I'm
connected. And, no I'm not using any encryption at all.

And, I did try to get it working with a wired connection. The
only-connected-to-Google problem happened on our main computer, then
also on my laptop when I connected it wirelessly, before the Windows XP
"Not Connected" problem. But if I tried to use the wired connection
again, I'll bet you the Google bug will start up again.

I think I might have figured out what's wrong. I don't know if I
entered the correct host name and domain name for the wireless setup.
That still doesn't explain how I got access to pages on Google, but I
sent a message to RoadRunner asking for help.

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 10:04:51 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Could I trouble you for the hardware version number V1 -> V5 and the
>firmware version (upper right corner of the initial setup screen)?

How do you get to the initial setup screen?

What does the status page show?

How do you get to the status page?

>First, I suggest you get it working with a wired connection and ignore the
>wireless features for now.
>Third, after the wired version is working, setup the wireless. It
>will be helpful if you would disclose some information on what you're
>using as a wireless computer and client. I don't recall any software
>that has boxes popping up and down for connections, so could you
>kindly supply what program is displaying the boxes?


XP Pro
Linksys Router–WRT54G, Linksys Adapter–WUSB54G

Three weeks ago today a tech person (young college student) came to my
home to switch my regular Linksys router to a wireless one ($101).
Each day Linksys said: "Access violation at address 004075E5 in module
"WUSB54Gv4.exe: Read of address 00000368"
After hours on the phone with Linksys, Gateway, Comcast plus another
$100 remote assistance from same tech person, neither my wireless NOR
now my network (desktop/laptop) is working properly. The tech person
downloaded the latest firmware and drivers.

I am connected directly to the computer right now. It seems as if
when the wireless is connected, the 1394 (?) connection and Local Area
Connection are not connected, and vice versa. These connections seem
to connect and disconnect at random. I don't know where or how to
begin to straighten it out.

"Pickleman" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Don't get me wrong--I don't hate WRT54G routers. Before I got this one,
>I had another one that was also a WRT54G. But it stopped working (I
>don't know why) after a very long time that it worked perfectly for.

I've seen *THREE* WRT54G routers that act dead (no light) that have
exactly the same problem. Someone plugged in the wrong wall wart
(power adapter) or got the wall wart polarity wired backwards. The
first two were the result of me telling the customer to power cycle
the router and DSL modem. Instead of removing the power connector one
box at a time, they unplugged the power to both the router and modem.
What are the odds that they would plug the wrong power supply into the
router? With my customers, it's about 100%. The DSL modem survived,
but the WRT54G didn't. The 3rd one was blown when I was playing with
PoE (power over ethernet) and got the power wires reversed (oops).

Since all the aformentioned were deemed to be my fault, I decided to
try and fix the problem. Power supply issues are usually quite easy.
In this case, there was a large surface mount diode across the power
input that is intended to protect against reverse power problems.
However, due to the lack of a series connected fuse, the diode
protects the rest of the router by shorting out. I replaced the diode
with whatever I had laying around, which fixed the problem in all
three boxes.

>So
>I bought this one instead, and now it doesn't work. They were both
>exactly the same model.

I'll bet you three shorted and dead diodes that they're NOT exactly
the same. There are a bunch of different hardware version of the
WRT54G. The latest, version 5, sucks and has some nasty bugs. Look
on the serial number tag on the bottom of the router and kindly
disclose the hardware version.

>The "program" that displays the boxes is
>Windows XP.

XP is an operating system, not a program. You have a wireless card or
device of some sorts in your wireless computer. What is it?

>It has a Network Connections panel that handles all
>connections, and when it opens up a wireless one sometimes a little
>dialog box comes up with a progress bar, that just says
>"Connecting...". It doesn't stay on the screen all the time when I'm
>connected. And, no I'm not using any encryption at all.

That sounds like any one of a dozen "client manager" programs designed
to handle wireless connectivity. It certainly doesn't sound like XP
SP2 Windoze Wireless Zero Config. Does it have an associated wireless
utility program that you can use to "discover" your access point? If
you can "see" your WRT54G, you should be able to connect to it. Leave
encryption off until you get a connection.

>And, I did try to get it working with a wired connection. The
>only-connected-to-Google problem happened on our main computer, then
>also on my laptop when I connected it wirelessly, before the Windows XP
>"Not Connected" problem. But if I tried to use the wired connection
>again, I'll bet you the Google bug will start up again.

That's normal. The Google web page was in the browser cache. If it
can't download a fresh copy of the page, it just displays what's in
the cache. You could have zero connectivity and Google will still
show up. Try hitting "Google News" tab, which is refreshed every 15
minutes. That should have expired in the cache.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

> Look on the serial number tag on the bottom of the router and kindly
> disclose the hardware version.

The serial number is 6002-81414251.

> XP is an operating system, not a program.

I knew that already. And the "Wireless Connections" panel that was
displaying the messages definitely came with XP, because it was in the
Control Panel and it was already installed with my laptop.

Also, when I was at the local Starbucks with my laptop, the same thing
happened, where Wireless Connections said "Not connected" next to the
network name, but there was only a "Disconnect" button at the bottom.
When I opened up my browser, it went to the router page, where I signed
up for the free day pass or whatever it is, and I got on the Internet
just fine. But at home, it's not like I need to go on one of those
router access points to order a day pass. At least, I didn't with the
old Linksys router.

On 2 Feb 2006 15:09:01 -0800, "Pickleman"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> Look on the serial number tag on the bottom of the router and kindly
>> disclose the hardware version.
>
>The serial number is 6002-81414251.

Bottom of the WRT54G router, not the computer. I'm trying to
determine the hardware version of the router.

>> XP is an operating system, not a program.
>
>I knew that already. And the "Wireless Connections" panel that was
>displaying the messages definitely came with XP, because it was in the
>Control Panel and it was already installed with my laptop.

Depending on the maker of your laptop, there might be some software
running on top of Wireless Zero Config. IBM has something (name
forgotten). Toshiba has Config-Free. I'm trying to determine which
program is complaining.

>Also, when I was at the local Starbucks with my laptop, the same thing
>happened, where Wireless Connections said "Not connected" next to the
>network name, but there was only a "Disconnect" button at the bottom.
>When I opened up my browser, it went to the router page, where I signed
>up for the free day pass or whatever it is, and I got on the Internet
>just fine.

Were you able to stay connected for an extended period? If so, then
the problem is mostly likely not your unspecified model laptop.

>But at home, it's not like I need to go on one of those
>router access points to order a day pass. At least, I didn't with the
>old Linksys router.

Sorry, I can't help you with this problem. There's probably something
wrong with either the WRT54G configuration or firmware version.



--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <(E-Mail Removed)> on Thu, 02 Feb 2006 23:48:27
GMT, Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On 2 Feb 2006 15:09:01 -0800, "Pickleman"
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>>I knew that already. And the "Wireless Connections" panel that was
>>displaying the messages definitely came with XP, because it was in the
>>Control Panel and it was already installed with my laptop.
>
>Depending on the maker of your laptop, there might be some software
>running on top of Wireless Zero Config. IBM has something (name
>forgotten). ...

ThinkVantage Access Connections

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Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
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