Wireless networking and Linsys routers?

Anyone good with wireless networking? I could use some help...

"I am wondering if anyone can provide some insight or help to a problem that has just developed this morning with my WRT54G v8 router.

The router is dropping connections to both wired and wireless connections. The connections for both the internet and the private network are affected (I lose connectivity to the router itself).

I've spent the last couple hours trying and testing to resolve the issue and have come up blank.

I've reset it.

I've reset factory defaults.

I've updated to the latest firmware.

Same results each time. When I reset it, I am able to configure the router, set passwords, MAC tables, etc. When I connect it to my cable modem is when it begins to drop connections. I don't believe this is an issue with my internet provider, as I am connected directly to the cable modem now to seek this help.

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Brad"

"A further update, the issue seems to be related directly to the wireless aspects of the router. With Wireless disabled, the router functions without issue. As soon as I enable wireless, the connection being dropping.

Any help?"

Copied from my submission on Cisco's community site... HERE

Amongst the many things I do for a living, I'm an IT consultant semi-professionally. Trust me, send it back to linksys for a replacement. Some of them are just flakey right out of the box. Linksys is pretty good about getting you a new one within a week, I've had dozens of them replaced under warranty. If you need to "kill" it to get them to give you an RMA use the first few steps of a DDWRT install to wipe out the firmware, gives the same symptoms as a fried board. Use the chat feature on their support website, it's much faster than going through the whole diagnostic script over the phone.

^ +1.

I would try updating it to DDWRT, fixed a number of issues with my Linksys router where it would drop connections, lock up, etc. This is after updating the firmware with Linksys and pouring over their tech support.

If the DDWRT doesn't work for you, then you're only out a few hours at the most and you can wipe it clean and do an RMA on it.

Are there a lot of other wireless routers in your area? You may be getting interference from one of your neighbors.

Both wired and wireless connections? yup, bad hardware, get a replacement.

Oddly enough, my linksys wireless router is doing the exact same thing.

Even did the update thing, too. But I'm just writing it off as age.

So I'm punting and getting a new-free router from the cable company.

I think this is something that has to do with Charter more than the router. With the Cable Modem unplugged, I can connect everything to the router (2 laptops, a PC, 2 PS3s and a Wii) and all work and communicate with each other. The instant the Cable Modem is plugged in, all the connections drop.

More, if I remove all but 1 connection, the remaining device is able to connect to the internet without issue.

It seems that Charter may have changed the way they manage MAC authentication. I've found several others complaining of the same sudden issue. Conspiracy theorists contend that it is a strategy for Charter to sell their wireless networking service. I am starting to believe them....

...problem is still not resolved. I am attempting to use MAC cloning as a workaround.

+1 for DD-WRT

That did the trick... whatever it was!

Thanks for the help!

I found the phone tech support terrible last time I called it. The man I talked to spoke with such an accent that I spent 75% of the phone call asking him to repeat things because I couldn't understand him. His manager was no better.

They did take care of the problem after taking none of the blame, but a new router fixed my similar issues I was having.

Next time I buy a router or other wireless networking gear I will pay more if I have to, but I won't buy Linksys. Is there anyone that still has their call center in the US?

Routers with DD-WRT are the best routers in the world. Corporate Support is for IT workers who want to shift blame, if you want to get help and get stuff done you want community support, and DD-WRT haz it.

Seriously, use the chat feature on their website if you need to talk to someone to get some hardware replaced. It's 10x faster and eliminates the accent barrier.

In have had nothing but good luck with Linksys.. it is all the other brands that fail right out of the box coughBelkincough