[SOLVED] Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL

moc777 · 02-23-2008, 03:31 PM

Hello -

I'm a networking newb, so bear with me

I'm having difficulty connecting consistently to the internet via a Linksys WRT54GL flashed with DD-WRT v23 SP2. I'm on a Dell Inspiron 6400, connecting via secure wireless. I also have an old Emachines desktop connected via cable to the same router, with the same connection problems.

So far I've done the following:
- unplugged the router, restarted both computers
- checked with my ISP - Shaw Cable, Canada - to make sure all is OK on their end
- from both computers, pinged 192.168.1.1 - sometimes all 4 packets transmit beautifully; in other cases, all four requests time out

Many thanks!

**johnwill** · 02-23-2008, 06:15 PM

If this is a cable connection, have you considered the router, cable, or NIC is going bad? Since you have the issue with both machines, I'm guessing it's the router or the ISP. Since you can't ping the default gateway successfully, it seems to have been narrowed down to the router.

Any chance of simply going back to the stock firmware?

moc777 · 02-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Hi johnwill -

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Absolutely, I can do that, if that's what you recommend.

When I was researching routers last year prior to buying, though, I read quite a bit about problems with the WRT54GL related to the stock firmware. The consensus seemed to be that flashing it was the best option for stable performance.

Any thoughts or additional suggestions? I likely have to accept that my router's dying ;)

**johnwill** · 02-25-2008, 07:26 AM

Well, for a diagnostic process, going back to the stock firmware will eliminate one variable. It may indeed be the router on it's last legs, that's what we're trying to determine.

moc777 · 02-25-2008, 07:25 PM

Great - will do. I'll report back.

Thanks again, johnwill.

moc777 · 02-27-2008, 04:34 PM

Hi johnwill -

I reset the router on Monday night - we've had no connection problems, great speed while surfing, all pings are successful, etc.

Many, many thanks

**johnwill** · 02-28-2008, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the feedback.

By "reset", did you return to the stock firmware, or just reset the configuration and reconfigure?

moc777 · 02-28-2008, 03:31 PM

Sorry for the vague response - I returned to the stock firmware. All is OK (still!)

02-23-2008, 03:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
moc777 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Vista Home Premium	[SOLVED] Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Hello - I'm a networking newb, so bear with me I'm having difficulty connecting consistently to the internet via a Linksys WRT54GL flashed with DD-WRT v23 SP2. I'm on a Dell Inspiron 6400, connecting via secure wireless. I also have an old Emachines desktop connected via cable to the same router, with the same connection problems. So far I've done the following: - unplugged the router, restarted both computers - checked with my ISP - Shaw Cable, Canada - to make sure all is OK on their end - from both computers, pinged 192.168.1.1 - sometimes all 4 packets transmit beautifully; in other cases, all four requests time out Many thanks!

02-23-2008, 06:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,718 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL If this is a cable connection, have you considered the router, cable, or NIC is going bad? Since you have the issue with both machines, I'm guessing it's the router or the ISP. Since you can't ping the default gateway successfully, it seems to have been narrowed down to the router. Any chance of simply going back to the stock firmware? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-24-2008, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
moc777 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Hi johnwill - Thanks for taking the time to reply. Absolutely, I can do that, if that's what you recommend. When I was researching routers last year prior to buying, though, I read quite a bit about problems with the WRT54GL related to the stock firmware. The consensus seemed to be that flashing it was the best option for stable performance. Any thoughts or additional suggestions? I likely have to accept that my router's dying ;)

02-25-2008, 07:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,718 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Well, for a diagnostic process, going back to the stock firmware will eliminate one variable. It may indeed be the router on it's last legs, that's what we're trying to determine. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-25-2008, 07:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
moc777 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Great - will do. I'll report back. Thanks again, johnwill.

02-27-2008, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
moc777 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Hi johnwill - I reset the router on Monday night - we've had no connection problems, great speed while surfing, all pings are successful, etc. Many, many thanks

02-28-2008, 07:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,718 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Thanks for the feedback. By "reset", did you return to the stock firmware, or just reset the configuration and reconfigure? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-28-2008, 03:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
moc777 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5 OS: Vista Home Premium	Re: [SOLVED] Internet connection drops -Linksys WRT54GL Sorry for the vague response - I returned to the stock firmware. All is OK (still!)