Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT

Spawn_abx · 11-09-2007, 03:20 AM

I have another stupid question.

I purchased a new Linksys WRT54GL router, and I want to flash with dd-wrt v.24 RC4. I've downloaded two bin files that one person suggested in flashing procedure. I have the mini-generic and std-generic bin files.

I suppose I'm simply missing that the bin files are freely available.

My stupid questions:

Since I have downloaded these files and currently stand ready to flash, what is the purpose of purchasing these files from dd-wrt.com?

Will they not work without some type of subscription?

----------------------
Purpose of question:

I do not want to brick a brand new router!

Spawn_abx · 11-09-2007, 07:40 PM

Absent of responses, I now have a new Linksys router running dd-wrt v24 RC4.

I haven't tested the wireless yet, but the firmware updated nicely. There's even an adjustment to boost the signal output up to 250mW... SWEET!

shaihulud · 11-09-2007, 08:21 PM

It has to do with support, basically. I even like Tomato. It has fewer features, but supposedly faster. It was fun during the days. However, after getting the DGL-4300, I never looked at SOHO routers the same. Linux can give the router a lot utility but the router inherits the negatives of Linux too.

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 01:36 PM

I've used this router with a Linksys WMP54G adapter and two 10dBi outdoor panel antennas to setup my first WLAN with one remote location.

89% signal strength with a stable connection @ 54Mb, and everything works fine...

Hopefully I'll get more orders and setup a few more of these...

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 01:48 PM

I have the wrt54gl with thet DD-WRT and it works great. Its been running for over a year. How high did you boost the power of your wireless?

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 02:10 PM

I used dd-wrt to configure the RF output to 251mW, and I added the panel antennas.

You can get some 9dBi rubberduck antennas for about $20 each. Where the factory antennas are about 2dBi... That's if you have a WRT54GL with removable antennas. The newer model are permanently attached.

That will definitely help signal propagation!

Hope It Helps!

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 02:15 PM

I tried the high db linksys antenna's and they didnt do anything for me. I set my wireless power to 100. The higher you go the more risk, the unit will become very and and the wireless will generat a lot of errors. Before i had the wrt54G v4 and ran the wireless at 125 for about 6months and it fried.

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 02:29 PM

So what is the problem? Low signal strengths?

Well that's good to know that setting above 100mW will possibly fry the wireless on it.

I was aware that it ran hotter, but to fry it is another thing.

One thing you may try, place the antennas horizontally. You've probably tried that, but the signal pattern is much better when horizontal.

Other than that, all I can suggest is running an omni or dipole antenna in your attic. That worked well for several people that were having those problems.

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 02:32 PM

With the higher db linksys antenna's my signal strength went from like 60 to 64. With that little increase of power it wasnt worth the $60.

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRTDodge05

With the higher db linksys antenna's my signal strength went from like 60 to 64. With that little increase of power it wasnt worth the $60.

What is the output of those antennas? Got a URL?
-----------------

Ok so a 7dBi didn't help... Hmm

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 02:44 PM

These are the ones i tried.

Linksys.com - Products/Wireless/Basic Networking/Range Expanders & Antennas/HGA7T

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRTDodge05

These are the ones i tried.

Linksys.com - Products/Wireless/Basic Networking/Range Expanders & Antennas/HGA7T

You can purchase a cable and place that antenna in the attic. Some homes simply do not work well with wireless. I've ran across several that would barely pick up the signal in the next room (10ft) with only one 2.4GHz phone creating interference. Hmm is your router next to a cordless phone base or any other wireless or magnetic device (power supply) that can cause interference?

I'm trying to think of something other than an extender.

By the way, I contacted my customer and had them turn down the RF transmitter.

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 03:01 PM

I only use the my linksys for wirless and i have it in the main closet on the first floor. Its mounted above the closet doors. I have the antenna's point strait up right now.

Spawn_abx · 11-19-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRTDodge05

I only use the my linksys for wirless and i have it in the main closet on the first floor. Its mounted above the closet doors. I have the antenna's point strait up right now.

I assume by that statement this is a two story building. Well try placing the antennas horizontally, and if that doesn't help, you may need to place the router on the second floor somewhere. No need to connect everything to it, simply place it somewhere on the second floor to see if you get a stronger signal...

I have a service call, but I'll be back and thinking about this.

*SRTDodge05* · 11-19-2007, 03:35 PM

Ill play around with the placement of the unit to see if i can get it to perform a little better.

11-09-2007, 03:20 AM	#1
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I have another stupid question. I purchased a new Linksys WRT54GL router, and I want to flash with dd-wrt v.24 RC4. I've downloaded two bin files that one person suggested in flashing procedure. I have the mini-generic and std-generic bin files. I suppose I'm simply missing that the bin files are freely available. My stupid questions: Since I have downloaded these files and currently stand ready to flash, what is the purpose of purchasing these files from dd-wrt.com? Will they not work without some type of subscription? ---------------------- Purpose of question: I do not want to brick a brand new router! __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer Last edited by Spawn_abx : 11-09-2007 at 03:22 AM. Reason: Added info
(Offline)

11-09-2007, 07:40 PM	#2
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT Absent of responses, I now have a new Linksys router running dd-wrt v24 RC4. I haven't tested the wireless yet, but the firmware updated nicely. There's even an adjustment to boost the signal output up to 250mW... SWEET! __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer
(Offline)

11-09-2007, 08:21 PM	#3
shaihulud Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,239	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT It has to do with support, basically. I even like Tomato. It has fewer features, but supposedly faster. It was fun during the days. However, after getting the DGL-4300, I never looked at SOHO routers the same. Linux can give the router a lot utility but the router inherits the negatives of Linux too.
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 01:36 PM	#4
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I've used this router with a Linksys WMP54G adapter and two 10dBi outdoor panel antennas to setup my first WLAN with one remote location. 89% signal strength with a stable connection @ 54Mb, and everything works fine... Hopefully I'll get more orders and setup a few more of these... __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 01:48 PM	#5
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I have the wrt54gl with thet DD-WRT and it works great. Its been running for over a year. How high did you boost the power of your wireless?
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 02:10 PM	#6
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I used dd-wrt to configure the RF output to 251mW, and I added the panel antennas. You can get some 9dBi rubberduck antennas for about $20 each. Where the factory antennas are about 2dBi... That's if you have a WRT54GL with removable antennas. The newer model are permanently attached. That will definitely help signal propagation! Hope It Helps! __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 02:15 PM	#7
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I tried the high db linksys antenna's and they didnt do anything for me. I set my wireless power to 100. The higher you go the more risk, the unit will become very and and the wireless will generat a lot of errors. Before i had the wrt54G v4 and ran the wireless at 125 for about 6months and it fried.
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 02:29 PM	#8
Spawn_abx From Beyond! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Grayson, LA Posts: 127	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT So what is the problem? Low signal strengths? Well that's good to know that setting above 100mW will possibly fry the wireless on it. I was aware that it ran hotter, but to fry it is another thing. One thing you may try, place the antennas horizontally. You've probably tried that, but the signal pattern is much better when horizontal. Other than that, all I can suggest is running an omni or dipole antenna in your attic. That worked well for several people that were having those problems. __________________ Ohhhhh!!! Don't Touch That!!! That Will Make You Go Blind!!! ____________________________ Acronis Fulfillment Partner Netgear PowerShift Partner GFi Authorized Reseller Check Point Partner Wildblue Certified Installer
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 02:32 PM	#9
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT With the higher db linksys antenna's my signal strength went from like 60 to 64. With that little increase of power it wasnt worth the $60.
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 02:44 PM	#11
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT These are the ones i tried. Linksys.com - Products/Wireless/Basic Networking/Range Expanders & Antennas/HGA7T
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 03:01 PM	#13
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT I only use the my linksys for wirless and i have it in the main closet on the first floor. Its mounted above the closet doors. I have the antenna's point strait up right now.
(Offline)

11-19-2007, 03:35 PM	#15
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,830	Re: Linksys WRT54GL & DD-WRT Ill play around with the placement of the unit to see if i can get it to perform a little better.
(Offline)

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