Router Troubles

[sterlingice]

I have a Linksys WRT54G, Ver 2. Lately, every couple of days, I won't be able to connect out to the internet from it. So, I hit the reset button, set up all of my security again (WEP) and I'm back in business.

I've gone in a checked before resetting it and nothing has changed near as I can tell. Router password is still the same, the WEP passkeys haven't changed. I just can't get out past the router to the internet. But once I reset everything, I'm good to go again.

A couple of weeks ago when this started, I updated my router to the latest firmware so it's not that. My computer is plugged into the back and my wife connects wirelessly and it affects both of us so it's not just the wireless.

Anyone seen or heard of anything like this before? Is the router just on its way out or is there something else going on here?

SI

[the_meanstrosity]

Do you do any P2P? If so the Linksys doesn't handle it very well and will eventually stop due to so many connections. My old Linksys did this every few days depending on my P2P use. If you're in the market for a new router gimme a yell. I have researched them backwards and forwards and can point you to the better wireless routers (G or N).

[Rich1033]

Im suprised you have to actually reset it, have you tried just unplugging it for a few seconds? FWIW, my old linksys did the same thing. I replaced it with a D-Link that I love and have yet to have a single problem with.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Paging forum member Router Help...

[the_meanstrosity]

Also, instead of a reset try a reboot from the Admin page of your router. This should keep your settings, but clear out all your connections, etc.

The linksys admin page is usually located at 192.168.1.1. Just type this into your browser and you should access the admin page. The default ID is "admin" and the default password is blank if I recall correctly.

Another option that may be available is a 3rd party firmware. Try Tomato (http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato) ...it should help some, but is only temporary since your router will stay up longer, but will eventually max out on the connections. Be sure to verify that your router and version number are compatible with Tomato. I believe it is, but it doesn't hurt to double check especially given that I haven't used Tomato in over a year.

I have a Linksys WRT54G, Ver 2. Lately, every couple of days, I won't be able to connect out to the internet from it. So, I hit the reset button, set up all of my security again (WEP) and I'm back in business.

I've gone in a checked before resetting it and nothing has changed near as I can tell. Router password is still the same, the WEP passkeys haven't changed. I just can't get out past the router to the internet. But once I reset everything, I'm good to go again.

SI

[rkmsuf]

bump

[the_meanstrosity]

SI,

Did you ever get this issue fixed?

[ThunderingHERD]

Try this:

On the system wired to the router, get to a command prompt and run "ipconfig /all". Your local IP address will be listed under "IP adress", "IPv4 adress" or similar. I'm guessing it's somewhere from 192.168.1.100 - .150. If so, get into your TCP/IP settings in Windows. If you have a default setup then you're obtaining the IP address automatically--change it to manual and use 192.168.1.2 for the IP address. Use the values from ipconfig for subnet mask, default gateway, and dns server (probably 255.255.255.0 and 192.168.1.1). Save you settings and reboot.

[weegeebored]

Not to complicate matters, but WEP is nearly useless. Switch to WPA2 (if the router supports it) or WPA.

[sterlingice]

Sorry, completely forgot about this thread. Which is silly since it solved my problem

meanstrosity, you were completely right in the first post. I had fired up Azureus (BT client for those unaware) right about when that started happening. I had never had this issue before when running it so I had never thought it could be the issue. Stop running Azureus, stopped having the problem on a near daily basis.

Other post mortem details:

ThunderingHERD,
I had already tried releases and renews on ipconfig. But the problem wasn't my NIC card on my PC because everything trying to connect to the router had it- not only my PC but my laptop and my wife's PC.

meanstrosity,
I had already been hitting the router's home page to reset all of this stuff- otherwise, I'd just be a default unsecured linsys router every time I did a reset. And instead I set it up exactly as it was before. I was a little worried there was a packet sniffer in the neighborhood as I just have my router locked down with WEP, but, really, I live in an apartment complex without the most computer savvy people where the majority of wireless networks are unsecured so I didn't think it was a likely possibility.

weegeebored
Unfortunately, my wife connects via a D-Link card that doesn't support WPA (or 2) so we just go with WEP. I'll likely upgrade whenever we move but as it is, I'm safe most likely. Again, my anonymity seems to keep me safer than anything. After all, just remember kids- if people wanted to hack your financial information, it's easy enough to do, but if you're poor, you're not worth the time ;)

SI

[the_meanstrosity]

I still suggest updating your firmware to the 3rd party firmware called Tomato. It should tweak your cable modem's connections for P2P so the router is better able to handle the numerous connections. If I recall correctly, the idea behind your problem is that Linksys' default firmware keeps the connections open for long periods of time (5 days maybe?). This is a problem since torrent apps close and open connections constantly. The Tomato firmware releases the connections in a matter of minutes (seconds even?) and thus doesn't overload the router with connections.

My friend uses Azureus with his WRT54G and had the exact same problem. Tomato has solved all of his connection problems. As I noted before, I had an older WRT54GS and it helped, but didn't solve it entirely until I purchased a new router. The new router also helped improve my pings, but that's a whole other area.

http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

You could also try DDWRT (another 3rd party Linksys firmware), but I've had more luck with Tomato since it comes pre-tweaked for those of us who are less firmware savvy.

PS: The reason there are so many 3rd party firmwares is because Linksys' firmware is open source and thus users can tweak the firmware to their uses. I definitely endorse Tomato as I've had nothing but a great experience with them. Make certain you follow the directions in updating the firmware because you can "brick" your router. It's fairly simple though, but just make sure you follow the directions. Feel free to shoot me an email or reply here if you have any questions.


meanstrosity, you were completely right in the first post. I had fired up Azureus (BT client for those unaware) right about when that started happening. I had never had this issue before when running it so I had never thought it could be the issue. Stop running Azureus, stopped having the problem on a near daily basis.

SI

[Mustang]

Figure I could post this question in an old router trouble thread since I have an issue now.

Went over to a friends house to setup his router (new house, went from DSL to cable).

Almost everything went smoothly on the setup and I was setting up 4 different computers. 3 worked fine and I was able to connect (2 XP, 1 Vista), but there was one laptop with Vista that would find the wireless connection, connect, but would not make it out through to the internet. Network kept refreshing saying 'Not indentified". I tried changing public/private settings, firewall setting, upgrading the drivers, but nothing was working.

Probably something simple I'm missing. I don't think it is something Vista specific given that I have the same Linksys router and my wife's laptop which has Vista connected easily with no issues. (Just found the connection and that was it).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[DanGarion]

Figure I could post this question in an old router trouble thread since I have an issue now.

Went over to a friends house to setup his router (new house, went from DSL to cable).

Almost everything went smoothly on the setup and I was setting up 4 different computers. 3 worked fine and I was able to connect (2 XP, 1 Vista), but there was one laptop with Vista that would find the wireless connection, connect, but would not make it out through to the internet. Network kept refreshing saying 'Not indentified". I tried changing public/private settings, firewall setting, upgrading the drivers, but nothing was working.

Probably something simple I'm missing. I don't think it is something Vista specific given that I have the same Linksys router and my wife's laptop which has Vista connected easily with no issues. (Just found the connection and that was it).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Has the wireless card ever worked? I would think it's the card, especially if you've already updated the drivers. It probably just doesn't play well with the router (it happens from time to time).

[Mustang]

Has the wireless card ever worked? I would think it's the card, especially if you've already updated the drivers. It probably just doesn't play well with the router (it happens from time to time).

Unsure, I'll have to find out. The owner of that laptop has minimal computer skills so, top of the list was on if he possibly installed something or changed a setting.