Anyone here have any clue about what wireless routers are good these days? I got a linksys wrt54gx v2 for free but it drops the wifi connection like crazy, and apparently it's a common issue with this model. I currently have these available to me at a local store:
[*:2yivgmqs]SMC - WBR 14 G V 2 ROUTER DSL WIFI 54 MB
i also have a wrt54g series and really, anything is an improvement over it.
what you could try, if you're feeling adventurous, is reflashing your existing router with DD-WRT. my neighbor's got it on his and absolutely raves about it, been meaning to try that with mine but i've just been too lazy
I already checked: my router model doesn't work with DD-WRT. So the G model sucks? It can't be worse than mine, I can spend literally hours trying to reconnect with no success with the laptop(tried it with two) right next to it). It works rarely, and never for more than 5 minutes at a time, at sluggish speeds.
I hear the wrt54GL series is the best router ever made, the L being for Linux, the firmware it runs on is linux-based so it's very stable(and is easily flashed with dd-wrt, making it a very pro-level router or so I've heard). The problem is I can't find that model locally, but I found an online seller that sells it with DD-WRT already installed. Should I get it?
You should definitely try dd-wrt on your G model if it's compatible with it.
well, iirc all of the WRT54 series (at least all of them that have been in circulation the last 3-4 years probably) use a linux-based firmware. the 54GL was just the earliest revision that used it, the only difference between that and the later ones was they gutted the amount of ram available -- i think it was originally 16MB, down to something like 2-4 in the more recent models. this was done mainly to reduce costs, as well as to prevent people from reflashing with a higher quality 3rd party FW. this is why the full-fledged versions of DDWRT won't work with the WRT54 models that have been circulating over the last few years.
so, you probably can't flash the normal/full-sized DDRWT on your router, but as far as i know, it should be able to fit the micro version, which i believe was tailored to the later-model WRT54's. you lose some functionality compared to the full version, but it's still a net gain over the stock firmware. i'd look into that first, and if it's still a no-go, i'd look into buying that router with it pre-loaded.
as to your wireless troubles in the existing setup, i have no idea. i stopped using wireless on mine about a month after i bought it because i was just too fed up with essentially the same things you describe. ethernet all the way for me, and while it's *better* with this setup, the router still has frequent crashes/hiccups.
Checked the router database at the ddwrt webpage, says my router is unsupported. I think I might get the GL, all I hear are good things about it(lots of awards on newegg too) and it costs the same as all the mid-range routers in my area. Apart from 32-16mb of ram those buggers have a 200mhz processor.
We've had two and both have caused disconnects a lot, I don't know if somehow we've gotten two faulty ones or what.[/quote]
What models? Apparently all the wrt54G models that aren't the GL or sub version 7 G are all shit. My brother had a wrt54GC (C for compact) and it was shitty as well.
yeah but ethernet doesn't change the fact that the routers are still fucking garbage :\
anyway what lavabug said about price is generally correct. if you spend anything less than a lot of money on a router, it is terrible. the earlier G/GL's might be an exception, but i'd make sure whoever you're ordering from has a generous return policy just to be on the safe side
i used to have a 1st gen G way back when and like a retard managed to brick the thing doing a firmware update over wireless. i seem to recall it working very well before that though!
Kind of off-topic but can anyone recommend an internal minPCI(not express) wireless card for an old dell c610 laptop? It has a d-link airplus G card right now but having the thing sticking out is going to result in disaster I'm sure. Anyone have an Intel 2200BG in their laptop? They pop up on ebay often and seem to be used commonly
Keep in mind, if you have a portable phone using 2.4GHz near the WiFi router, especially 802.11n, you will get interference both ways, which can make you lose your signal temporarily.
ANGEL OF DESEASE wrote:the path of whoring is something wicked and grim, and very philosophical.
[quote name="abzu"]Keep in mind, if you have a portable phone using 2.4GHz near the WiFi router, especially 802.11n, you will get interference both ways, which can make you lose your signal temporarily.[/quote]
Nope no cordless phone or microwave, and I'm using wireless G.
We've had two and both have caused disconnects a lot, I don't know if somehow we've gotten two faulty ones or what.[/quote]
What models? Apparently all the wrt54G models that aren't the GL or sub version 7 G are all shit. My brother had a wrt54GC (C for compact) and it was shitty as well.[/quote]
Got the wrt54GL with dd-wrt in the mail today, my network problems = solved. Wireless internet is now stable and fast, and the wired connection to my desktop also seems a bit faster than my old router. Just thought I'd give everyone the heads up, this little secretary of state cube works extremely well.
