[Matius]

I have read some negative things on the v.5 WRT54GS routers in my brief search for an answer to my problem, so that may be the only good answer. However, just in case, here we go.
I bought my first of this router model about 7 weeks ago. Yesterday morning it quit connecting to the net. I could connect my modem directly to my desktop (homebuilt PC w/WinXP...for now) and get on the net fine, but no luck with the router. I tried to access the router's "settings" page and it came up, but only partially. The tabs at the top of the page were gone, much of the letters and numbers that would appear on the page were gone, and some appeared to be jumbled code. After 45 minutes on the phone with Linksys and several unsuccessful attempts to reflash the router with upgraded firmware, I called it a day. This morning I returned the router and exchanged it for the exact same model (also a v.5). It also would not connect to the net. I got Linksys on the phone again and this time they were able to get me online. When I tried to go to the settings page this time I got the "Page cannot be displayed" msg. Through some checking it seems that the modem I have uses the same address, and the router configured to a slightly different address to compensate. So now I get to the settings page for the router, check everything out, and it all looks good. I could get online, change settings, etc...
After a 25 minute break I go back to change the wireless network settings (to WPA from WEP) and once again the settings page is half gone and non responsive. I upgraded the firmware as directed from the Linksys website, and when I tried to reset the modem manually (button on the back) it would not reset. So after this long winded (my apologies) dissertation, I have wired and wireless connectivity through this router, but no way to change settings or reset it if it goes down. I will be returning this one tomorrow, but do I dare get another like it? Is it possible my modem is causing a conflict (Westell modem through Bell South DSL) and thus scrambling the router? Can anyone please help me with this, as I am not the most computer savvy guy on the planet? I have been debating spending the money and getting an Apple AP Extreme Base since the PC is wired and I use my PB wirelessly. Has the time come for that?
Oh, and lastly...

[ghporter]

One reason the V5 has such a bad rep is the kind of problems you've experienced. The thing just doesn't work nearly as well as the previous versions-in part because it has less RAM, and in part because it seems to not be as well built. The net consensus is that the WRT54G V5 is a dog. I would replace it ASAP with any other version or (my preference) a combination of wired router and wireless access point (I have a BEFSR41 router and a WAP54G access point).

I've been using a Westell 516 modem from SBC since I got DSL about 6 years ago. Not a single problem with conflicts-in part, I'm sure, because the modem is configured solely as a modem (all Westell modems that I'm aware of are also single-port routers, but can be configured to "pass through").

It probably is not your modem, and not just because of my experience with mine. The router has a WAN side and a LAN side, and they should remain completely separate - if the router is properly functioning, that is. Any issues caused by the modem presenting the same user-side IP as the router should be very simply handled; it looks like the Linksys tech support folks walked you through that just fine. But that should NOT cause the built-in web pages to fail to render properly!!! That's a hardware failure.

[Matius]

Originally Posted by ghporter

One reason the V5 has such a bad rep is the kind of problems you've experienced. The thing just doesn't work nearly as well as the previous versions-in part because it has less RAM, and in part because it seems to not be as well built. The net consensus is that the WRT54G V5 is a dog. I would replace it ASAP with any other version or (my preference) a combination of wired router and wireless access point (I have a BEFSR41 router and a WAP54G access point).

I've been using a Westell 516 modem from SBC since I got DSL about 6 years ago. Not a single problem with conflicts-in part, I'm sure, because the modem is configured solely as a modem (all Westell modems that I'm aware of are also single-port routers, but can be configured to "pass through").

It probably is not your modem, and not just because of my experience with mine. The router has a WAN side and a LAN side, and they should remain completely separate - if the router is properly functioning, that is. Any issues caused by the modem presenting the same user-side IP as the router should be very simply handled; it looks like the Linksys tech support folks walked you through that just fine. But that should NOT cause the built-in web pages to fail to render properly!!! That's a hardware failure.

Thanks for the reaffirmation on the v5 edition. I saw something on Broadband reports that gave instructions on how to configure the Westell to let the router do the routing (i guess that's a pass through or bridged setup?). At any rate, the interesting thing to me now is the router's webpage won't render on my WinXP desktop, but it WILL on my PB. I sitll think this is a hardware glitch as you stated and am a little gunshy on Linksys now. That said, what is a good brand/model to replace it? I only need one wired connection and would prefer to only have one piece of hardware. Thanks again for helping the networking rookie.

[ghporter]

I've been using Linksys for quite a while-since about 1998. It's not the brand, it's the model, that's all. There are stunning reports of the performance of the WRT54GS, which has both more RAM and ROM, so it's a third party firmware dream.

You can get a single wired connection along with wireless from an Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station. But they're MUCH more expensive. MUCH. I'd still go with a non-Apple manufacturer, just because I could afford it better.

[Matius]

Thanks for the help. I was searching for reviews and heard some good things about Belkin's N1. I realize that the 802.11n is still not finalized but the router sounded decent anyway. Anyway, I was in WalMart earlier tonight, they had one there, and I said screw it and got it. So far, so good and it was much easier to get going than the Linksys. We'll see how this one works out in the long run, but at least it has a lifetime warranty...Again, thanks for the help gh

[ghporter]

Cool! Enjoy.