Speed through WRT54G is brutally slow

Question

When I connect my laptop directly to my cable modem (no router), I get blazing fast speed (500 kbps).
When I connect my laptop through my NEW Linksys WRT54G v6 router, the speed drops to about 20-40 kbps. This applies to both wireless (WAN) and wired (LAN) connections.
What is causing this dramatic drop in speed?
Windows XP Pro SP2
WEP 64-bit security
Channel 11MAC filtering enabled: Yes
DHCP Enabled: Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled: Yes
Thanks,
- Shawn

Answer 1

Regarding the "hybernation" problem.  Let's hold off on fixing that until we can get your Internet connection working at full speed.  In the meantime, turn off "hybernation".   There is a dirty little secret in the computer world -- on many computers, hybernation does not work correctly.  It causes all kinds of problems because, when a computer comes out of hybernation, often devices are not properly reinitialized.
The first problem that has to be fixed is getting full Internet speed on a computer that is wired to the router.
I am unable to locate the user guide on your cable modem.  If you could post a link to the user guide for the DCM345, I would appreciate it.
I am confused by what you said about the 192.168.1.5  address.  Where did you set this address?  in the router?  in the computer?  Where exactly?
Do the following procedure:
Go to "Network Connections", right click on your ethernet card (sometimes listed as Local Area Connection) and select "Properties" .   Make sure "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" has a check mark in the box.  Highlight this option, then click on the "Properties" button.   This will open a window labeled "Internet Protocol  (TCP/IP) ...".    In this window, (is this where you set 192.168.1.5 ?)  be sure it is set to "Obtain an IP address automatically" and also set to "Obtain DNS server address automatically".  No other boxes should be selected or filled in on this window.  If you see an "Apply" button, click on it. Then click on "OK" til all windows are closed.  DO NOT close the windows by clicking on the X unless there is no other choice. 
Repeat the above procedure, only this time, in "Network Connections", start by right clicking on your wireless adapter, and select "Properties".  (Note:  I am assumeing that you are using a built in wireless card.  If the card is not built in, you may have to go to the wireless card driver or management software to check these settings.)
Power down your entire system, wait 1 minute, then start it up again.  Test your Internet connection, using a computer that is connected, by wire, to the router.  Are you getting full Internet speed now?
If you still have the same problem (i.e.  you get a very slow Internet connection), then your next step is to reset the router to factory defaults.  The router should work with your system when it is set to factory defaults.
Use the following protocol to reset your router to factory defaults: 
1)  Power down all computers, the router, and the modem, and unplug them from the wall.
2)  Disconnect all wires from the router.
3)  Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
4)  Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds, then release it, then let the router reset and reboot (2-3 minutes).
5)  Power down the router.
6)  Connect one computer by wire to port 1 on the router (NOT to the internet port).
7)  Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
8)  Power up the computer (if the computer has a wireless card, make sure it is off).
9)  Try to ping the router.  To do this, click the "Start" button > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.  A black DOS box will appear.  Enter the following:  "ping 192.168.1.1"  (no quotes), and hit the Enter key.  You will see 3 or 4 lines that start either with "Reply from ... " or "Request timed out."   If you see "Reply from ...", your computer has found your router.
10)  Open your browser and point it to 192.168.1.1.  This will take you to your router's login page.  Leave the user name blank, and in the password field, enter "admin"  (with no quotes).   This will take you to your router setup page.  Note the version number of your firmware (usually listed near upper right corner of screen).  Exit your browser.
If you get this far without problems, power down your entire system and unplug it from the wall.  Connect the ethernet port of your modem to the "Internet" port on the WRT54G.  Power up the modem and allow it to fully boot (1-5 minutes).  Power up the WRT54G and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).  Power up your computer (make sure the wireless card is off).  Now test your Internet connection speed.  It should be working.  If you still have a problem with slow speed, power down the entire system, wait one minute, then power up and try one more time.  Report back with your results.
If you cannot get "Reply from ..." in step 9 above, your router is dead.
If you get a reply in step 9, but cannot complete step 10, then either your router is dead or the firmware is corrupt.  In this case, use the Linksys tftp.exe program to try to reload your router with the latest firmware.  After reloading the firmware, repeat the above procedure starting with step 1.
If you have problems, report back the results of steps 9 and 10.  Also, if you get any error messages, copy them exactly and report back.