DEAD:Back Again!! New LINKSYS E3000 59.99 @ Newegg

[donfm]

Agreed. Wireless routers with advanced features are ubiquitous these days, but the average tech level of end users is significantly lower than it should be. Most users would be better off buying something on the cheap with basic functionality, but even feature-packed routers are relatively cheap these days (see this thread, Exhibit A), and everyone likes shiny objects with blinkenlights. As a result, this router, and many other Linksys/Cisco, Netgear, etc. routers with advanced features end up with tons of crappy reviews on major online retailers (especially Newegg and Amazon) left by lazy and/or incompetent users that are annoyed that they can't figure out how to properly use their new toy. In short, PEBKAC.

/rant

I agree with you in a sense but I rather doubt people with little or no knowledge of advanced networking techniques are buying it for advanced features they wouldn't even know how to use anyway. With the new no brainer setup software most companies are using I think most people can at least get the thing up and running with very little knowledge other than knowing how to follow directions. And the fact it drops connections, died, or overheats which is the major complaint is really not a function of their knowledge but rather the routers shortcomings. Just my opinion. What's nice about newegg reviews is you can see who actually owns the item being reviewed not just who wants to troll the reviews sections making comments.

I will say this no matter what router you look at there seems to be a lot of bad reviews along with the 5 star reviews. I guess you just have to make an educated guess when you buy one....

 

[Ryland]

So, no one has used the media server portion? And no one knows if I flash to tomato or DD-wrt will I keep the media server portion of the router?

What does the media server portion do?

 

[ch33zw1z]

What does the media server portion do?

supposed to act as a NAS. you plug in a flash drive, or a usb external drive, and voila....instant NAS. I personally don't use it. I have a computer that is a desktop/server/whatever

 

[ch33zw1z]

So, no one has used the media server portion? And no one knows if I flash to tomato or DD-wrt will I keep the media server portion of the router?

I'll post up eventually...after i flash with Tomato-USB I'll give it a shot.

 

[superHARD]

I'll post up eventually...after i flash with Tomato-USB I'll give it a shot.

That would be most appreciated

 

[Ryland]

Flashing to tomato-USB was simple. The longest part was figuring out where to enter my MAC addresses that I filter by.

 

[Hulk]

Is this the "new" 54g?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Is this the "new" 54g?

i'd call it the new 54GL

 

[Ryland]

I just found a thread in the tomato forums talking about streaming MKV files via a USB hdd so I think that the media server works. http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-444602/problems-streaming-mkv

It seems that the USB port has trouble streaming high bandwidth video.

 

[gorcorps]

I've never used tomato before, is it just another advanced firmware replacement like DD-WRT? What are the differences between the two?

 

[superHARD]

I've never used tomato before, is it just another advanced firmware replacement like DD-WRT? What are the differences between the two?

Yes, exactly. I've used both, both work well.

 

[Dulanic]

I just replaced my Dlink DIR655 with this and this thing makes the Dlink look like a joke. My Dlink would freeze and lag up when I had VPN pass-through and the wireless signal was weak as hell. This thing is working flawlessly.

 

[Alamat]

I've never used tomato before, is it just another advanced firmware replacement like DD-WRT? What are the differences between the two?

I believe the Tomato one is a little less complicated than DD-WRT but still packs a punch. I use it on my old router and plan to flash this here new one with it. I am what some would call a techie wannabe. And I don't post bad reviews coz something don't work. I look for solutions.

 

[wirednuts]

i liked tomato better, but i use ddwrt just because of all the online wikis and guides on how to use it. even if tomato is easier to figure out, ddwrt is just a google search away from anything you want to do with it

 

[warpigeon]

I just ordered this thing for an added level of security (one comp, comcast internet). The stuff you guys are talking about doesn't apply to my needs, does it?

 

[ch33zw1z]

I just ordered this thing for an added level of security (one comp, comcast internet). The stuff you guys are talking about doesn't apply to my needs, does it?

Not really, but if you end up finding the stock firmware/interface cumbersome....then Tomato-USB is just a firmware upgrade away. I have not researched the DDWRT upgrade process for this one...so I cannot attest to it's ease.

 

[ch33zw1z]

So, no one has used the media server portion? And no one knows if I flash to tomato or DD-wrt will I keep the media server portion of the router?

The media server option is available, but I have not tested it yet. I tested the USB Samba sharing portion, seems to work ok. I could view, read, write to it from my wired connection.

I'll post more after testing the media server portion.

 

[Ryland]

Ugh. Come to find out only 1 of my 3 laptops supports 5Ghz connections. Oh well, at least I can switch my VPN to the router from my NAS box.

 

[kalrith]

Ugh. Come to find out only 1 of my 3 laptops supports 5Ghz connections. Oh well, at least I can switch my VPN to the router from my NAS box.

Can you upgrade the wireless cards on those laptops? I've been considering doing this with my wife's laptop since hers doesn't support 5 GHz. She has a Dell XPS 15 L502X. From what I understand, all of those ship with two antennas, so it should just be a matter of installing the new card (Intel 6230).

 

[donfm]

I've got a question for all you guys reflashing with DD-WRT and Tomato. First of all I assume the warranty is void if you do that.

Secondly if you brick the thing with a failed flash of third party software is there a way to reflash back to the original firmware or is your router now a boat anchor?

 

[JBT]

I've got a question for all you guys reflashing with DD-WRT and Tomato. First of all I assume the warranty is void if you do that.

Secondly if you brick the thing with a failed flash of third party software is there a way to reflash back to the original firmware or is your router now a boat anchor?

Typically this is how to unbrick a Linksys. This is posted to many places to count.

Hold down the reset button for at least 30 seconds.
While still holding down the reset button, unplug the device.
While still holding down the reset button, leave the unit unplugged for at least 5 seconds.
While still holding down the reset button, plug the power cord back into the router.
After 5 seconds, you can stop holding down the reset button.
Go to the webpage of the router. It’s usually http://192.168.1.1/ or http://192.168.2.1/
You should see the Special Maintenance Mode.
Upload the firmware you were trying to load up, or try resetting it.
Follow the remainder of the instructions on the admin screens and that’s it.

 

[Ryland]

Does anybody know if there is a way to get the VPN on this router to just accept a username/password vs going through all of the hassle of setting up certificates and having to install OpenVPN?

Edit: Doh, just found this http://tomatousb.org/tut:configuring-a-pptp-vpn

 

[mleejr]

Coupon code EMCNHHF24 takes 10$ off. If this works it's an insane deal. It may only be on the refurb one. I already ordered, and received, mine so I can't check...

 

[donfm]

Yes it's only on the refurbished one. $49.99 shipped after coupon code.....Just snagged one for myself at this price how can you go wrong???...

 

[BudAshes]

Now that I have this thing up and running I realize how old and crappy my other one was.