Lynksis WRT54 G v.3 Problems

I have received a lot of helpful information from people on this site and trust Major Geeks. I'm having a problem with my router and got some very confusing information from Linksys (Ramadi).

The problem started when I needed to move the router and redo all the messy wires (we've all been there right) and accidentally hit the re-set button.

The long and short of it is that the on-line CS person at Linksys sent me a software update procedure that made things worse and couldn't connect any on my computers. I'll post the procedure they sent me at the bottom if anyone is interested.

I finally got to an automated WRT54G set up recording that walked me throught the process. The only problem is that the connection is unsecured.

I called Linksys back to set the connection up as secured and here is what happened:

1) Ramadi told me that my softwear was corrunted and outdated.
2) That I could update the software through a hihger level of tech support
3) It would cost me $29.95 for that service.
4) That the set up procedure would only last for 2 days and the moem would stop working.

So at present I have a good connection that is unsecured (WEP) and that supposedly will only last through tomorrow.

I understand that there is 3rd party Firmware updates for WRT54G v.3 but I don't know who to trust or whick one to download.

Nor do I know a simple procedure for updating the firmware.


Below is the procedure that LinkSys sent me that really messed things up. The problem was when I went to the uploaded BIN file, while going through the Linksys procedure, I got an "improper image " message.

Thanks for reading and your help


Don



1. Please open this link: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...rapper&lid=3731486492B45&displaypage=download

OR…just log on to www.linksys.com/download

2. Enter the Model # on the white field, located at the left corner of the page and hit Search. After that, select the version number.

3. Click the Firmware (BIN file) and save it on the Desktop directory (so it will be easier for us to locate the file). If it’s a zipped, please unzip it first and look for the BIN file.

4. Connect the computer to port # 1 or any numbered port at the back of the router. (Make sure that this is the same computer where you saved the firmware file). The modem should NOT be hooked up to the router.

5. Access the Setup page of the router.
To access the Setup page, kindly do the following:
5.1 Launch an Internet Explorer browser and type in the Address bar - http://192.168.1.1 and press Enter.
5.2 Skip the User Name field and type in the Password "admin" and click OK.

6. On the Setup page, click on the Administration tab.

7. Then click on the Firmware Upgrade sub tab, below the Administration tab.

8. Click on the Browse button and look for the firmware file and select it.

9. Click on the Upgrade button. Wait until you receive the message "Upgrade is successful".

10. Close the Setup page.

11. Reset the router.
Follow the steps in resetting the router:
11.1 Press and hold the Reset button at the back of the Router by using a pen or paper clip for 30 seconds.
11.2 Release the Reset button after 30 seconds.
11.3 Unplug the power cord for 1 minute. Then plug it back in.
11.4 Make sure the Power light is solid.

12. Reconfigure the router with your modem, based on Cable or DSL Internet configuration.

Virginia C. (10334): Step 1 - RESETTING THE ROUTER:
1. Make sure that the router is turned on.
2. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds. (Please use a pen or a paper clip to do that.)
3. After releasing the reset button, remove the power adapter and wait for another 30 seconds.
4. Turn on the device again.

Step 2 - ACCESSING THE ROUTER'S PAGE:
1. Connect the main PC to port one of the router and restart the computer. Connect the modem to the Internet port.
2. Launch your browser (like Internet Explorer). In the address bar, type http://192.168.1.1 and hit Go. (It's okay that you are not online with the PC since we are just accessing the router's page. If the PC is connected to the router, we would be able to access its page.)
3. It will prompt you to log in, leave the User name blank and type admin for the Password.

Step 3 - SETTING UP THE ROUTER TO WORK WITH YOUR ISP:
1. Under Setup tab, click on MAC address clone sub-tab.
2. Enable MAC Address Clone and click on Clone My PC's MAC.
3. Click the "Save Settings" button.


Step 4 - CUSTOMIZING THE WIRELESS NETWORK OF THE ROUTER:
1. Click on the Wireless tab.
2. Change the Wireless Network Name (SSID) from "linksys" to your preferred name (example: My Network).
3. Change the Wireless Channel from 6 to 11.
4. Click the "Save Settings" button.


Step 5 -SECURING THE WIRELESS NETWORK OF THE ROUTER:
1. Click on the Wireless Security sub-tab just beside Basic Wireless Network.
2. Change the Security Mode to WEP and choose 64-bit Encryption.
3. Type any word (example: Security) on the Passphrase field and click on the Generate button.
4. Copy the Key 1, which is generated. That will be your network key or your security key.
5. Click the "Save Settings" button.

Step 6 - POWER CYCLE. We need to do this for the settings to take effect.
1. Turn off computer and router and the modem.
2. Turn on the modem first, wait for 30 seconds and then turn on the router.
3. Wait for another 30 seconds then turn on the computer.
4. After doing a power cycle, check if the PC that is wired to the router can get online. If it can, connect the wireless PC to the router using your new network key

 

Ploder,

The update did not work so I used an automated set up on their yoll free number to get connected. They are saying that if I don't update the software that it will stop in a day or so ??????


Does anyone have 3rd party firmware for this router ?


Thanks again

D

 

What they said was becasue I followed their automated set up to get it hooked up / working again...that it is temporary until i update the software.

I don't know why they would do that other than they want me to send them $29.99.

Thanks
Don