WRT54G Ver 6 Constant Need To Reset!

Question

I purchased a WRT54G Ver 6.0 Router in April to bring to Iraq with me.  I have it connected to my iDirect 3000 Satellite Modem, with the static IP config input into the WRT54G.
I have two computers on my desk, my personnal XPS 1710 with Vista and my Work D600 Latitude with XP.  Both computers exhibit the same problems at the same time.  I have even had other computers connected and have had the same problem.
My problem seems to be a constant need to reset the WRT54G Router.  I was connecting wirelessly.  The system seemed to operate fine for a day or two.  I started to have problems with the connection to the internet dropping.  When it did this, I could not connect to the WRT54G setup page either.  I figured something locally here at the Camp in Iraq might have been interfering with the wireless, so I ditched the wireless and have been using wired connections.  The problems have not stopped.  I am constantly having to unplug and reset the router to reconnect.  When it hangs up, I cannot even connect to the setup page.  Occasionally, it will find itself without reseting the router, but most times, I have to reset.
I have tried factory default reseting and manually reentering my settings.  I have just updated the firmware, but it didn't seem to solve anything.  In the past few minutes while trying to search for this problem here on this forum, the router dropped the connection twice.  The networking icon on the computer still indicates a connection, on the Vista is shows that a local connection is available only (during the problem).
I have read a little online and this seems to be a common problem for Linksys.  I have 2 more of these routers, one at home and one at my office in the States.  Both have had the problems, just not as severe.  This router requires reseting at least 15 times a day during my 12 hour shift.
I bought the Linksys Routers because they did have a reputation for reliability and quality.  Boy, I guess I should have researched this one a bit more.
I have 5 IP addresses from my Satellite ISP, so I am considering configuring the Router as a Switch or HUB, but I am unsure on how to do this, or of it will even solve my problems.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Vincent

Answer 1

I am having the almost exactly the same problem. It started about a week ago, (just like alot of others I have read on here recently) and I too will have no access to the set up page once it drops the net. I can still acess other computers on the router, but no net and no router set-up page until I reset it. I'm running the same router, without the firmware update. I have 4 desktops directly into the router..and one laptop wireless. Most of the time, the net will stay on for all the computers for surfing and email. Maybe once or twice a day it will drop access to the internet. a simple unplugging of the power cord resets it and everything is peachy. BUT....try to start a download.(usind DAP *download accelerator plus* or a bit torrent)...WHOA! it's anywhere from an instant drop to maybe ten minutes then drop. Most assuredly it will drop. we have had this router since January, and until a week ago, it worked just fine. no problems. Last week, our ISP upgraded their equipment and increased the bandwidth. (we have to use a cellular connection with a static IP being out in the boonies far enough that cable and DSL are still not available) The problems started at the same time and I thought it might be a problem with them. After testing one of the computers with a direct connection to the internet modem, everything, including a major download, worked just fine. It is definately a router problem. I spent quite a lengthy time on the phone with Linksys tech support, and the nice lady had me change the MTU rate from 1500 to 1300. It seemed to work, but about an hour after being done with the support call, things started to go wonky again. I am just about at my wits end!! Nothing has been changed on the router settings except that one thing that tech support instructed me to do. I am kinda leary about upgrading the firmware because I have been seeing a ton of *my router wont work with firmware update* or *now my router is frozen* posts. I have to type in a ton of settings because I am using a static IP and I really don't want to do all that again!! lol PLEASE, somone have a solution to this problem! It is driving me mad!! I would really hate to have to buy a new router, but my roomate is about to that point if this doesn't get fixed soon.