Hello all...

I am new here; found the site after searching google for an answer to this question.

I am looking to reconfigure my Linksys WRT54GS wireless router so that it acts as a wireless access point. My Network is set up as follows:

DSL -> Modem -> switch -> Linksys Wireless router
|-> Wired ethernet connections

Eessentially, I need to get the wireless router configured so that any computers that connect to it either by wireless or wired (plugged into the back of the router) will be getting their IP addresses from the modem which has its own DHCP that I wish to be using. I would just use the wireless router as the main DHCP for the network, but that would force me to put the wireless source in a location that gives bad reception for a majority of the house, thus the need to make it an access point.

I have found some how-to's. but they have failed me in some form. Here's generally what I have been trying to do, but unsuccessfully:

1. Reset WRT54GS so that it is in it's base state
2. Plug laptop into router via one of the LAN ports on the back of the router
3. Obtain IP address from the modem
4. Change the admin password and the wireless info so that it's unique for the network
5. Disable DHCP; save
6. Change local IP address to 192.168.254.52 (.50 is the max IP for the modem DHCP and .51 is reserved for my server)
7*. Go into Advanced Routing and change it from Gateway to Router

* Most of the time, before I can get to this step, the laptop will start going nuts, connecting and disconnecting and reporting an IP address of something like 169.254.38.50.

This is about all I know as of right now. If more info is needed about the router itself, I can easily get it. Any and all advice is appreciated!