Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router - WRT54G $29.99 w/ GCO

[TemjinGold]

Hey guys, this is my first post so I hope I'm obeying all the rules.

The router is $39.99 and GCO brings it to $29.99. No rebates!

Here's the Link.

 

[Googer]

Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance

 

[Googer]

Welcome to the forums, please stick around for a while and enjoy yourself.

 

[TemjinGold]

Thanks!

 

[vortix]

For those that don't know, GCO = Google Checkout. First time Google Checkout users can get $10 off at buy.com. Here's a link to more info about the $10 off deal: http://www.buy.com/corp/promos/google_offer.asp

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: Googer
Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance

how do I figure out if I can run DD-WRT or not on this? There isnt a specific version number or detailed part number of the manufacturer given on the website.

 

[Jeffwo]

Originally posted by: vrbaba
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Googer
Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance</end quote></div>

how do I figure out if I can run DD-WRT or not on this? There isnt a specific version number or detailed part number of the manufacturer given on the website.

I have had 5 different computers since I got my WRT54G and it has run well with all of them.

 

[Delta6Echo]

Originally posted by: Googer
Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance

What is DD-WRT?

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Delta6Echo

Originally posted by: Googer
Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance

What is DD-WRT?

Open source router firmware with more functionality and performance, which these routers can be flashed with.

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: Jeffwo
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: vrbaba
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Googer
Nice price. The stock firmware in Linksys routers can be slightly buggy and the latest versions of the WRT54G have reduced hardware specifications that make it tough to run DD-WRT to improve reliability/performance</end quote></div>

how do I figure out if I can run DD-WRT or not on this? There isnt a specific version number or detailed part number of the manufacturer given on the website.</end quote></div>

I have had 5 different computers since I got my WRT54G and it has run well with all of them.

doesnt quite answer me... I am trying to figure out if what Googer said is true...and if so, how can I differentiate between the different versions?

 

[noping]

Originally posted by: vrbaba
doesnt quite answer me... I am trying to figure out if what Googer said is true...and if so, how can I differentiate between the different versions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g - contains table with S/N prefixes to determine hardware revision.

At this price, you may as well pick up a Buffalo router instead from Circuit City - currently $24 after rebate. The Buffalo units run open source firmwares without any fuss.

 

[BBock727]

i have this router and its terrible. Does not handle P2P services well which includes certain games and also bittorrent. I can't return it and customer service is terrible and wont acknowledge that its a linksys problem.

 

[Mikeman101]

Originally posted by: BBock727
i have this router and its terrible. Does not handle P2P services well which includes certain games and also bittorrent. I can't return it and customer service is terrible and wont acknowledge that its a linksys problem.

Almost all routers have this "problem" as you put it. NAT is what causes those services to have trouble going through a router. You have to setup port forwarding if you expect those services to work to their full potential through a router.

 

[Fallengod]

I have the same router and its been the best router ive owned so far. You can also use custom firmwares as well which will give even more options. Its a great router. Obviously if you are having issues with certain stuff, most likely you dont know what youre doing and need to read up on port forwarding.

 

[Mucker]

If you don't mind rebates, CC has the DD-WRT capable Buffalo WHR-G125 with a Broadcom BCM5354 processor (240 MHz with heatsink) for $24.99 AR.

The slightly older G54 has a 200 MHz BCM5352. Both are excellent routers for the money.....

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have this router, it has a huge modding community.

 

[BBock727]

Originally posted by: Mikeman101

Originally posted by: BBock727
i have this router and its terrible. Does not handle P2P services well which includes certain games and also bittorrent. I can't return it and customer service is terrible and wont acknowledge that its a linksys problem.

Almost all routers have this "problem" as you put it. NAT is what causes those services to have trouble going through a router. You have to setup port forwarding if you expect those services to work to their full potential through a router.

The problem has nothing to do with what your stating. Do a search for Linksys WRT54G,GS etc and Bittorrent problems and you will see that this router is just horrible. The problem is this router cannot handle many p2p connections at the same time with the firmware from Linksys. While you can put a 3rd party firmware on the router, it voids your warranty and there is a chance that you can brick the router. Also, there is no reversion firmware, so you cannot go back from the 3rd party to Linksys.

Im just throwing my 2 cents in trying to stop people from making a big mistake! A simple google search will have you agreeing with me in 30 seconds.

 

[Pardus]

price is now $49.99

 

[STotaro]

Don't worry about warranty stuff. Just say "it doesn't work". Don't bother telling them anything about 3rd party fimware upgrades or anything. Just stick with "I dunno, it doesn't work".

I have opened a few products and used a nail clipper to neatly clip off a transistor, diode, resistor, or whatever so that the device will not even light up. Not much they can do or figure out then.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: STotaro
I have opened a few products and used a nail clipper to neatly clip off a transistor, diode, resistor, or whatever so that the device will not even light up. Not much they can do or figure out then.

Your mother must be proud of you. :roll:

 

[Raider1284]

Originally posted by: STotaro
Don't worry about warranty stuff. Just say "it doesn't work". Don't bother telling them anything about 3rd party fimware upgrades or anything. Just stick with "I dunno, it doesn't work".

I have opened a few products and used a nail clipper to neatly clip off a transistor, diode, resistor, or whatever so that the device will not even light up. Not much they can do or figure out then.

that is seriously messed up man. Purposely destroying something so you can return it?!

Anyways I have this router as well. I recently installed this tomato firmware and setup QoS and this router rules now http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

With QoS setup correctly I can have my downloads use all up all of the network speed, but when someone calls(I have vonage) or a roomate wants to surf the web, the router reduces my speed and give them priority. Works really well. I can post my QoS settings if anyone is interested, I suggest you guys try it out.

 

[gwag]

Originally posted by: BBock727
i have this router and its terrible. Does not handle P2P services well which includes certain games and also bittorrent. I can't return it and customer service is terrible and wont acknowledge that its a linksys problem.

They wrt54g can not handle many connections new revisions continue to suck more.
Doesn't mean its not a decent home router, but there are better buys.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com.../Itemid,189/chart,124/ hint look at the bottom of the list, its just not a good p2p router a GS/GL can can handle 8 times the connections.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

I have one of the earliest revisions for my home network and I'm satisfied with it, however when I recommended that my boss get one at work, it's performance has been lacking. He of course got a later revision.

We both paid around $50 at the time of our purchase, so w/o the Google First timers its $10 off more or less.

 

[gwag]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
I have one of the earliest revisions for my home network and I'm satisfied with it, however when I recommended that my boss get one at work, it's performance has been lacking. He of course got a later revision.

We both paid around $50 at the time of our purchase, so w/o the Google First timers its $10 off more or less.

Yes, I think the earlier ones have the same guts as the better models and are much better performance wise.

 

[BBock727]

Originally posted by: gwag

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
I have one of the earliest revisions for my home network and I'm satisfied with it, however when I recommended that my boss get one at work, it's performance has been lacking. He of course got a later revision.

We both paid around $50 at the time of our purchase, so w/o the Google First timers its $10 off more or less.

Yes, I think the earlier ones have the same guts as the better models and are much better performance wise.

That is true. If you go to the Wiki page for the WRT54G/GS you can see the different revisions. Anything after v4 is pretty much useless. I got v5. From what I have read, you cannot find v4 or earlier at Buy.com.