WRT54G Firmware 7.00.1 problems

Hi all,

I have the following setup:

Linksys WRT54G running on firmware 7.00.1
Centrino Laptop running XP SP2, and Intel Pro Wireless 8200BG internal Wifi.
Desktop PC running XP SP2 and a standard onboard LAN on an ASUS M/B.

Linksys Configuration:

1. ADSL via PPPOE (disconnect if idle for 10 mins)
2. Other settings are kept at standard.

Problems:

1. Sporadic drop outs (inlcuding disconnection from the net)
2. When connected, Browsing and pop3 email is fine but any form of IM inlcuding mirc, msn and gtalk cannot connect though if I can keep connection (look at point 1) for long enough eg 5-8 minutes, IM will start to work.
3. Is it normal to ping router from Laptop (less than 1metre away) with an average time of 8ms?
4. Ping from desktop to laptop or vice versa above 40ms. Ping from desktop to router seems normal (1-2ms)

Any suggestion of how to solve the above problems?

Thank you for any suggestions / help

Unfortunately this is common with linksys routers, the firmware released with the router is usually buggy and even the updates don't fix all the problems or create new ones.

You could either wait until linksys post a fixed firmware update on their site (could be some time, being that I couldn't find WRT54G v7 on their US site) or you could try a third party firmware.

The latter is probably the best option as there's more likely to be continued updates and a support community. The only problem is it's unsupported by linksys and you could void your warranty or brick your router (when an upgrade fails and you're unable to recover/restore it).

have a look at:
DD-WRT - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WRT54G - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia