Linksys WRT54GC compatibility
 

I can't get my 770 to play nice with my little Linksys WRT54GC router. On another forum a poster wrote that forcing the router to use B-mode rather than G or mixed solved a similar problem for him, but that didn't help me.

Does anyone have any idea how the WRT54GC needs to be configured for the 770?

My router is Linksys WRT54G and the problem was frequent random interruptions in WLAN connection. My expierence was that the 770 using G-only- or mixed-modes worked OK with distances less (!) than 1-2 meters though my portable PC (Acer)
worked everyware in my house. Updating the WRT54G-firmware didn't help. But using B-only-mode caused no interruptions. The reason for that behaviour is (my?) 770's
WLAN-insensitivity or/and its inherent slowness. (=?) Therefore I don't see any particular configuration possibilities.
If it is the slowness, then it may be worthwhile to try no encryption because encryption needs extra calculation power.
(Regarding security without encryption I still think that if WRT54G is firstly selected not to send SSID, is enough, because - at least in my case - the router doesn't expose itself outside about 50 meters' radius and I know everybody inside this radius. Secondly, MAC-addresses, limiting allowed users of my WLAN to my 770 and portable PC only, builds up a quite adequate security without causing the need of continuous
extra processing power for encryption.)
Well, this is not a proofed idea.
BTW, this ideal situation existed with OS2005. OS2006 works similarly but has brought irritating unnecessary interruptions often when switching from an application using
WLAN to another.

Slowness is not an issue-- I can't get it to connect at all.

EDIT: nevermind-- I just finished reflashing 2006 OS (latest) and now it connects just fine. Sheesh.

Yeah, I think something strange happens when flashing the 770 sometimes, causing various things to act buggy. It's like some files don't quite "stick" in memory, resulting in different results for each flash.

I've noticed some consistency: flashing on my home desktop works fine, flashing on the work laptop can result in problems. May have something to do with security on the laptop, or background activities.

Glad you got it working again!

Just an FYI, I have the WRT54GL (the linux version) and use B-only mode with 64bit WEP so that both our older lap-top and the 770 can connect without problems.

I still havent tried dropping the WEP security to see if the 770 would be a bit faster...

I disabled WEP to use MAC limited addresses and don't notice a speed differential. I'm pretty sure any performance hit would likely only occur on initial connection.

I really like this WRT54GC though. VERY tiny. Very nice configuration options. I bought it to temporarily replace a Netgear router that has to be returned due to failure but instead of getting rid of it afterward I think I'll hang on to it.