coykiam

So my 2 month old Linksys WRT54GL router with the latest linksys firmware just started to drop packers when pinging. I thought it was a signal issue but it does it even when I'm a couple feet from it with line of sight. Router is located on the 2nd floor bedroom on top of a credenza. The pinging and signal problem is worst when I'm downstairs on the first floor.

I'm thinking of flashing the firmware to DDWRT just to see if it will fix it. If not then I guess I'm in the market for a new one.

I've narrowed it down to these 2 routers. Netgear WNDR4500 and Netgear R6200. They both seem to have good reviews with a $10-$20 price difference. Anyone know what is the major difference between both routers?

Thanks all

Whiskers

Can you return it. Get an Airport Extreme

jupitersolo

Just buy another WRT54GL, swap it out, then within a week, take the old one back and tell them it's screwing up, and get your money back.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

This.

Personally I love my Buffalo unit running WRT...

Whiskers

But thats stealing.

TeknoKing

It really depends what you use most and your actual bandwidth from ISP. Overpaying for something you won't use it's a waste of money.

Do you stream to TV, surf a computer and share a network at the same time? I see you've selected dual band... what in your house supports 5Ghz band?

I personally only rely on routers with high gain antennas for maximum range.
You can flash your current router with the custom firmware and set it up properly, it should increase the boost. You have nothing to lose, so do it.

jupitersolo

It's not stealing, it just making a right, within an acceptable time limit. Should be within manufactures warranty time frame, without the BS of talking to someone in Southwest Asia.


Now I would not suggest this, say, over six months or so.

Whiskers

Or within the 3 months allowed return at the store.

TeknoKing

They wouldn't know anything Buffalo. I'm running N450 @ work, 5 concrete floors, 5,000 sq feet area, no problem.

And Apple products?

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

ddwrt ftw.

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

Hey me too! Ever tried to switch to a higher dbi antenna? Like a 9?

TeknoKing

Nope, but that would be interesting!

Professor

No problems from the Netgear 3700 dual band... sometimes my stuff decides to go to the 5 and sometimes it doesn't. Nevertheless, a solid connection.

coykiam

I've been playing around with the channels and it seemed to be better last night. I didn't flash it to DDWRT yet, their website was down last night. Will do it over this weekend.

I wonder if its ADT's routers that's causing it. Ever since it was installed my signal has gone downhill after it. I also think my neighborhood has alot of interference since I see alot of SSID from the neighbors. I also have a Cisco AP1200 which seemed to help a bit. I have 1 desktop, 2 laptops, xbox, ps3, and ADT router connected to it. Will the WRT54GL be ok with it or will I get better speeds if I upgrade to one of the choices in my previous post?

TeknoKing

You don't have a huge load, but you'd would like a a steady connection.

So you have ADT router, Cisco Bridge and now WRT54GL? All are connected to the same ISP? You are bottle-necking yourself, unless one is set as a router and the rest just setup as wireless repeaters. Unless I just totally screwed up getting a picture of your setup, please explain.

I think once you flash the WRT and remove the rest, you should test it, and see what you need and where... How big is the house?

PS Sorry, just a precaution, after you'd flash the WRT, you'd be able to set it up?

coykiam

It's 1 Cisco Access point and 1 ADT Router (I think it's also an access point for all the other wireless sensor in the house, but ADT calls it router) all connected to the Linksys router to one ISP. The rest are just repeaters. Will do a couple more test this weekend. The house is around 2000sq ft.

TeknoKing

OK, now I get.. You can't touch the ADT. I wonder what frequency it operates... I'd assume 900Mhz for the devices... You need to find a different frequency on your WRT... or a dual band router may solve this issue, you can always purchase one at a store, try it and if does not work better, return it.

Your WRT is connected to your ISP modem? Same for ADT? and CISCO? I just want to find out which device governs the LAN

coykiam

That's what I was thinking. I think it runs on 900Mhz. I'm sorry but I forgot to mention, I have a DVR Wireless surveillance system with 4 wireless cameras. Also in the same room I have a cordless base for the cordless phones that runs on 2.4Ghz and again it ran fine until ADT's router was installed.

Basically my Linksys WRT is connected from the cable modem and the Cisco AP and ADT router is connected from the router.

TeknoKing

Your setup is good. I've just scanned ADT and related sites and they swear not to provide any interference.. Well I bet you can beg to differ. You've noticed a loss / drop in wifi signal the moment ADT was installed? or the cameras?

coykiam

Ive noticed it the moment the ihub was installed, still here playing around with different ch/frequencies. seems a tad better. Whats weird now is my signal would be constantly at "very good" or "excellent" but the speed would be from 11mbps to 1mbps and would stay at that.

coykiam

forgot to mention i already flashed to DDWRT v24 SP2. But signal quality still unstable, might just purchase another router and use this one as back up. Any recommendations? Will N900's help?

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

You flashed to WRT and now the signal is worse!??!?!

Buffalo! Lol

coykiam

No not worst, just unstable but speeds are still slow. For example the speed would drop all the way to 1mbps but signal quality will still be at "very good" or "excellent." At the same time speed would jump from 5.5mbps to 36mbps. Atleast it is not disconnecting me this time.