flavoredair
join:2005-10-23
Rockville, MD
| [Wired] WRT54G very slow downstream
Quick info:
Router: WRT54G v.5 firmware
ISP: Comcast High-Speed Internet
For the last few years, I've used a Linksys BEFSR41 router for my home network, and it ran quite well. Last week, I replaced it with a Linksys WRT54G so I could have a little freedom (and enjoy my PSP's wireless features).
Problem is, there's a considerable slowdown using the WRT54G. Spent an hour with Comcast folks and an hour with Linksys folks, and they couldn't figure it out. We ran speed tests with the WRT, the BEF, and with no routing, and everytime it came out that the WRT was 1/2 the downstream speed of the BEF or an unrouted connection. So, obviously the router is the issue.
I can't return it to Best Buy 'cause I already sent the UPC in for a rebate, so, I'd like to know if there's any way to possible fix this problem. Remember, it's an issue with the speed of the WIRED connection.
Thanks guys. |
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flavoredair
join:2005-10-23
Rockville, MD | Please note: Router is v.5, firmware is 1.0.0. Sorry bout that. |
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Vathral
Premium
join:2002-08-26
Kreplachista
clubs:
 ·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| reply to flavoredair
Can you disable wireless on the router? Turn it off and do a speed test really quick. I know you are connected with an ethernet cable but I want to see if its anything like the issue I had with the BEFW11S4
--
Seti @ Home || Team Discovery || Team Helix || |
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flavoredair
join:2005-10-23
Rockville, MD | That didn't help. Speed test before and after were pretty close (less than 50k downstream difference). |
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mvpposada20
join:2003-12-07
East Brunswick, NJ | reply to flavoredair
update firmware? |
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flavoredair
join:2005-10-23
Rockville, MD | Firmware version is 1.0.0. Same version is available for download. No changes. |
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volumen1
Premium
join:2002-10-11
Missoula, MT
| I have this exact same unit and the exact same problem. The location has Earthlink DSL. With the WRT54G out of the picture (connecting directly to the DSL modem) I get roughly 1200k/768k (down/up). When I connect the WRT54G and then connect to it, either wired or wirelessly, I get 60k/768. Yup, you are reading that right. 60 freaking k.
I don't see any updated firmware on Linksys's site and I'm about to call support now. God help me. |
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DorkFaceOne
@dynamic.cov
| reply to flavoredair
Same exact problem here. Had to go back to the old BEFW11S4. I am on earthlink here and my DSL is showing 60 down and 380 up. I have tried everything from different NIC's, cables, bios flash, etc.
The upstream is the same on either router but the down is cut to 60.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh |
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rpellegr
join:2002-09-22
Haledon, NJ
| reply to flavoredair
same problem here. i just received my new router from Amazon. It is much slower than my old SMC 7004wvbr. This is a WRT54G v5 running the latest firmware v1.00.00.
I'm also disappointed that i cannot run the DD-WRT firmware. Apparently the WRT54G v5 actually has less memory than the earlier versions.
HELP. |
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viperm
Carpe Diem
Premium
join:2002-07-09
Winchester, CA
2 edits | reply to flavoredair
Sounds like a WAN port speed negotiation problem we see this all the time. Linksys uses cheap compnenets that dont Auto negotiate very well with other devices. If you have the option to force your modem and or router to 10 meg 1/2 duplex try that.. We run a WISP (wireless ISP) and force all radios to 10 meg 1/2 duplex when connecting to Linksys routers because most dont support 100 Meg on the wan ports from what we have seen.
Here are the speeds I get on my WRTG54G with wireless on etc..
Firmware Version: Alchemy-V1.0 v3.37.6.8sv
»lax.speakeasy.net
Last Result:
Download Speed: 2588 kbps (323.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1026 kbps (128.3 KB/sec transfer rate) |
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rpellegr
join:2002-09-22
Haledon, NJ
1 edit | reply to flavoredair
called Linksys last night and was pleasantly surprised.
It is an MTU issue. I had to change mine from AUTO to 1485. Works fast now.
I am an Cablevision / OptOnline customer. |
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Mark Perry
@pacbell.n
| reply to flavoredair
I have the exact same problem. Just bought mine today, hooked it up and bingo, slow internet. My normal downstream speed is 1272 with 319 up. Now I get 168 down and 315 up. I tried the MTU fix but no go. I have the most up-to-date firmware v5 1.00.00 but I reflashed it anyway at the request of linksys. Still have the problem. They now want me to take it back to the store claiming that its a defective unit. I have my doubts about that from reading all these posts but I will give it a try. I'll update when I get a new unit to see if it fixes the problem. |
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Mark Perry
@pacbell.n | Oh, btw. I forgot to post. I also have the wrt54g v5 with SBC global and Windows XP SP2. Dont know if that matters but I might as well post everything. |
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evilzyx
@comcast.net | reply to flavoredair
Try setting to your MTU to 1468. |
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evilzyx
@comcast.net | The above number (1468) is for cable. Try 1452 for DSL. |
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pj714
join:2005-11-01
71482
| reply to flavoredair
Try lowering down the MTU value of your router.
For DSL connection, try 1482 and decrement it by tens.
For Cable connection, try 1400 and decrement it by tens also.
To access the setup page of the router, try to go to your command prompt or the DOS prompt.
For XP&Win200:Click start, hit run and type "cmd" and hit ok
For Win98&ME: Click start, hit run and type "command" & hit ok.
In the command prompt, type "ipconfig/all" and hit Enter
Get the value of your default gateway and type this in the address bar in your internet explorer. It will be asking you for a username and password. Just leave the username as blank and type "admin" in the password. Note: admin is the default password for the linksys routers.
Hope this will help you guys. Good Luck. |
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Mark Perry
@pacbell.n
| reply to flavoredair
Ok, here is what I've found. I went back and exchanged the router for a new one. Got home and set it up. Same problem. So I re-flashed the firmware. No help. I tried changing the MTU from 1492 and then decreasing by 10 all the way down to 262 before I gave up. Each time it only made a very slight difference. +/- 40 kbps. Then the "senior tech" at linksys wanted to check my pings. We did several pings and I had a ping of 16 to yahoo. So he said "sounds good to me. Must be just an error in the speed test your using"  I couldnt believe that they would have the nerve to try that with me. After a little arguing and a little verbal berateing on my part, he finally admitted that the WRT54G v5 has issues with DSL. He says that it works well with cable but they have not been able to get it working well with a lot of DSL services. He recommended that I go back and try to get a v4 unit as it works well with DSL. I dont know how much faith to put in what they are telling me anymore though. But I've liked linksys in the past and dont think I will let one bad experience change my mind yet. So just a warning, if what they say is true, dont get a v5 if you have DSL. I'm going to try to find a v4 or possibly a totally different model all together. I'll update if I can get one to work. |
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peter_m
Premium
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC
| Makes sense Mark Perry. V5 is using a different type of firmware, they are writing it from scratch and it's not unusual for "bugs" to creep in. Also not surprising that you where given a "Must be just an error in the speed test your using", all these wifi router manufacturers tend to not admit their faults. Great that you got an honest answer when you argued. We should never take there answers at face value.
Peter |
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TalkRadio
join:2004-06-23
Valrico, FL
| Geez, I'm reading the problems with the new V5 - and so many have chimed in with the same problem! It makes one wonder how in the heck this thing ever got past even preliminary testing at the factory. Somebody has to notice that the DL speed sucked.
I'll hang onto my V2 model! It's at the stock firmware level and it works like a charm with FIOS. 14900 > 15300 routine DL speeds. These new WRTs can't cost too much to buy now and any kind of warranty repairs/replacement would slash Linksys' profits on this model. Does anybody know just exactly *WHY* they changed? I guess I'm of the belief that if it ain't broke, why fix it? Why make the V5? |
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Mark Perry
@pacbell.n
| Well, I just got back from the store. The place I bought it from (will remain nameless since not their fault) didnt have anything but v5. So I went to another store and found a v2.2 and bought it. Came home, hooked it up, and bingo, worked perfect. So, it seems that it IS indeed a problem with the v5 units. This v2.2 worked with only minor config. I left the MTU on "auto", put in my username and password and off it went.
So a warning to anyone with DSL. The v5 system does have issues with DSL according to linksys. |
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