Using old WRT54GS as a range extender?

Good morning!
I first want to say I "think" I might be posting in the wrong forums for this question, but because I'm not really sure what the proper terminology for this is, I thought it best to ask here.
I have recently upgraded my router for my home network from an old Linksys WRT54GS G router, to a new E2500 N router. I have heard/read that it is possible to reconfiqure my old router to act as a range extender for my network but I am unclear how to do so. I think this may be the same thing as an access point, but all the FAQ's I've found seem to have this work as a solo device, not as a device on existing network. I have my e2500 setup with the modem in my study and broadcasting from there, and would like to use my old G router set up as a range extender to be located in the front living room area and picking up the network signal and rebroadcasting from there without a modem or computer attached.
I would like to know if this is possible, and if so, could someone please post a link to a FAQ that might help me set it up properly? Thank you for any and all help on this and hope everyone has a great day!

Sure it's easy. Have you searched the forum for your information? In the upper right search area type in 'two routers'.

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Never give up!

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I wanted to chime in on this thread with my experince as it came up in a Google search while i had the same problem.
I actually got this working with an e4200v2 but only after hours of headache and dealing with tech support (both chat and phone)
First, I can tell you that support was nearly usless for me...the chat representative actually SIGNED OUT of chat after her intial troubleshooting steps failed to fix my problem. (This was not from lack of politeness or understanding on my end, I know it's just people trying to do their job.)
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G

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Welcome to the discussions!
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Bonjour!
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I suppose I need to assign a fixed IP to the WRT54G within the same network as the other router (that gives out DHCP), turn off DHCP on the WRT54G, setup the wlan connection to use the same SSID and WPA password as the other router. But then what? Is it done then? I see no opitions to use it as a bridge or so...
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I don’t think the Linksys WRT54G can be set-up as a wireless repeater or wireless bridge for the reason that it would need to be physically connected to a modem or another router for it to receive and transmit the internet connection. The best thing that can be done is to cascade your WRT54G behind your gateway device. Through cascading, you can set-up the router as an access point and you can opt to configure the same wireless settings to extend the signal.

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Thank you for any help you can provide.
Arup

This is a problem with a lot of cheap end wifi hotspot like devices.. sometimes you can just swap the sim out to a real 3G wireless router.. that is a better approach IMHO than wireless repeater ever will be.
In the meantime..
Have a go with the suggestion.. place the express as wireless bridge. With a computer connected to the wifi from alcatel unit.. (I am amazed Alcatel still are in domestic market.. I thought they sold out). Set the express to join the wifi.. you do this in the airport utility.. old one is easy.. but in v6 you have to trust to luck so to speak and hope the auto setup works.. tell us if you have trouble.
With the Express bridging.. you can then plug it by ethernet into the TC.. which will be in router bridge..
ie
You can then run the connection from wireless or ethernet on the TC.. and it will relay back to the alcatel for internet.. all a bit dodgy but who knows.. it may give you what you need.
Wireless repeater is never particularly reliable in my experience. I would avoid it if possible.

Can I use an airport express as a range extender to a NON apple router using an internet cable (so not wireless)

can I use an airport express as a range extender to a NON apple router using an internet cable (so not wireless)

Yes, if the AirPort Express is set up to create a wireless network that uses the exact same wireless network name as the other router and the same wireless network password as the other router.

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Are there any disadvanges to doing this (speed, signal strength)?
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You always want to stay with the same manufacturer if possible for your wireless needs to insure compatibility. If you have a recent version AirPort Express now, using another Express to "extend" the wireless signal will usually work well if there are not too many obstructions for the signal to overcome.
We cannot say if the Netgear device might work for you or not.....it was not compatible with Apple when we tried a sample a few months ago.....but with wireless, you never really know.
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If you try the Netgear device, let us know how it works for you.

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I have a airport express that I use as my primary router.
I also have the direct plug in airport express that I'd like to use as a range extender. I'd like to make this one fully wireless so that I can connect in an another room. However, I'm not sure that's possible. Does anyone know how to go about using this as an extender ?

Temporarily, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the older A1264 AirPort Express
Power up the older Express for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button on the side of the Express for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility on your Mac
Click on the Other Wi-Fi Devices button, then click on AirPort Express xxxxxxx
AirPort Setup will open up and take a minute to analyze the network and announce that the A1264 Express will be configured to extend the new AirPort Express network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the older Express and click Next
AirPort Setup will configure the older Express for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
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Using old WRT54GS as a range extender?

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