Re: Problem connecting to wireless Linksys WRT54G router

On Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:34:12 GMT, Ikke <ikke@hier.be> wrote:

>I've recently received a Linksys WRT54G wireless router, in order to
>connect a few machines to the internet.

Which hardware version of the WRT54G? Look on the serial number for
the "V something" after the model number. If purchased recently, it's
probably a v8 model.

Once you've determined the hardware version, go unto the Linksys web
site and download the latest firmware version. Install.

>But then I moved the laptop to a room further down the hall (approx. 6
>meters further, two walls in between), and the signal was still
>excellent. Alas, not for long - after a few minutes, I've lost connection
>to the internet.

Two walls made of what? Concrete? Steel? Wire mesh? Aluminum foil
backed insulation? It's difficult to tell if 2.4GHz will go through a
wall without some clue as to what's in the wall.

>Downstairs, it was the same scenario - each time I connected, it would
>work for a few minutes (indicating an excellent signal), ending in a loss
>of connection.
>
>Is there something I need to or can do to change this behaviour? Is there
>a way to increase the signal strength of the router (I haven't found any
>setting indicating so)?

Try a firmware update, but I don't think that's the problem. There
were some WRT54G v5 thru v8 routers that simply didn't work out of the
box. Mostly, they had comatose receivers. You could hear them
anywhere, but trying to stay connected was a challenge. Typically,
they didn't work more than about 10 ft away. Verify the problem with
another known working laptop, and test your laptop with another known
working wireless access point. However, I think you're headed for a
warranty replacement.

>Also, I've changed all the settings of the internal wireless adapter of
>the laptop from energy-safe to power-hungry-give-it-all, but that didn't
>change anything.

Good idea, but not this time.

>As a minor side note - on the box, three types of routers were mentioned,
>with a range of "1x". Only the last one had a range of "4x". Should I
>have bought the "4x", or does this range indicate something entirely
>different?

Mind if I don't comment on what I consider to be marketing hype?

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:12:25 GMT, Ikke <ikke@hier.be> wrote:

>Sorry, I should've mentioned that. It's a brick wall, but there is a huge
>metal wireframe in the floor if you draw a line from the router to the
>laptop downstairs.
>
>But still, I can see the wireless router of my neighbour - and that's
>another two walls and an extra 30 meters away, measured from the router!

That make it certain that there is something wrong with your WRT54G
v7. If you can see the neighbors, but not your own, then the router
is busted.

>I've also tried to change the channel, as a colleague suggested. Didn't
>work - again, I'm out of options, so the device is going back.

Changing channels has only a slight effect on signal strength. The
strongest channel is usually in the middle of the band, such as CH6.
As you get near the band edges, the signal strength tends to drop
because it gets close to the various filter skirts.

Good luck on the replacement and try to get a v8 model. They seem to
be somewhat better than the v5 and v6. I haven't personally seen any
v7 routers, so I can't say much about the change to the Atheros
chipset. See table of chipsets at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g>



--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS