Does anyone know about wireless routers?

[Seahawk60]

Specifically regarding the install of DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. It's supposed to make the router "better" somehow...or more stable. I have a Linksys router that is less than a year old and it keeps dropping its settings. Anyone have a clue as to whether or not an install of that firmware would help?

[slowpoke]

I use D-Link wireless and an not familiar with Linksys.

A shot in the dark:

I have had a problem in the past with my router dropping the wireless when a wireless security camera is mounted to close to the router.

Don't know if this applies to your situation but it was a brain twister for me till I figured it out.
The camera was outside mounted at a corner of the house under an eve but the signal was evidently making to my router that was by a window close to the camera.

[wyntrout]

I have no idea what you're talking about... dropping settings, but unless those software "firmware fixes" are specifically for your model and your router manufacturer says so, I wouldn't use them. Firmware is specific to the model and make it was designed for.
I would go to the router manufacturer's site and look for firmware updates or their FAQ's under the support section. Sometimes your router software can check for updates. Your manual can be helpful in using the software for updates, or offer information for updating. Doing something wrong with the firmware can turn your router into a doorstop.
Interference can be a problem, too, from phones, a microwave, or anything that uses 2.4GHz as most of those wireless cameras do... and many of the 5.8GHz cordless phone sets use that for one side of the link between the phones and the base, as well.
I'm no expert but I've been using a wireless router for years. My first didn't work correctly and the company replaced it with one that did. I reset it once in a while and look at my network on my PC. I found that Norton Internet Security was blocking access to a lot of my appliances on my Net... Dish DVR's, TV, and Blue Ray player.
I changed settings and got most of them connected yesterday, but not all... frustrating.
Wynn

I Googled DD-WRT:
http://www.google.com/search?q=DD-WR...ient=firefox-a

and Tomato:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Tomat...ient=firefox-a

I guess you've done that and know if your model is listed.

[REACT]

I finished a class on info security recently and discovered this site while doing some "research."

Maybe this will help you improve your router...

Hack Attack: Turn your $60 router into a $600 router

[yqtszhj]

Lynksys routers are generally pretty good. I know tht Walmart sells them but Linksys is owned by Cisco. If you are looking for a firmware update there should be an option in the router setup to just click on and check for a firmware update. I wouldn't install anything that was not from linksys.

Maybe the router has a hardware issue causing it to drop settings. Or if it's like my house the kids think it's hosed and they are going to fix it by hitting the hard reset button. It took me a while to figure that one out.

[jlottmc]

Are you on DSL? If you are the modem is the only thing that should be unfiltered. A fax machine, or Sat dish will also knock them out. If on DSL check all the filters. If on cable, kick the kids in the butt.

[Seahawk60]

No DSL...no kids... On high speed cable internet. I just dumps the security settings all too often and I have to go get it and plug it in via ethernet cable to set up the password and crap all over again. The Qwikie Mart Apu, "Thank you come again", curry crowd hasn't been too helpful, either. I just hung up the last time because I couldn't even understand the friggin' guy...whose name was "Paul".

[jlottmc]

You may want to have the cable company send you another modem. If that fails have them send one that is a non-wireless, and then put an aftermarket router on it. That's what I had to do with Time Warner, and have not had a problem. I use a Netgear and like I said, have now problems.

[Seahawk60]

You may want to have the cable company send you another modem. If that fails have them send one that is a non-wireless, and then put an aftermarket router on it. That's what I had to do with Time Warner, and have not had a problem. I use a Netgear and like I said, have now problems.

Done and done. They've (Cable ONE) been out and re-cabled everything...and replaced the modem a while ago. This is a wireless ROUTER...not a modem. A separate Linksys WRT34G, purchased from Walmart. It was highly recommended on these internets...

[jlottmc]

Hmm, that is odd. You may have gotten a lemon.

[OldLincoln]

You may have better luck on a forum specific to that technology. There's very little I haven't found in forums like TomsHardware.com try here.

[mikearc]

I had a Linksys once, it didn't work very well. I went to BB and got a Netgear router and have never looked back. My first one was an 8 port wired model. But now it's a wireless dual band with 4 ports. It's awesome. No more Linksys stuff for me.

[yqtszhj]

Done and done. They've (Cable ONE) been out and re-cabled everything...and replaced the modem a while ago. This is a wireless ROUTER...not a modem. A separate Linksys WRT34G, purchased from Walmart. It was highly recommended on these internets...

I hope I don't go too long with this.

I'm guessing that you're login and password access to the internet (WAN via cable) is in the modem and not the router. If that's the case and you are only losing wireless settings in the router it doesn't sound good. Sounds like the Non Volitle RAM in the router is hosed or the hardware has some other issue causing a hard reset.

I'm guessing that you are not using your cable modem as a passthrough device and storing your logins and passwords in the router. If that's what's getting lost you may try your modem as your authentication device if you're not already.

One other thing. Most wireless routers have a couple of methods to allow access to the internet via wireless. One is an open to all if you know the Encryption Key for using the wireless network. I use this one at this time. The other is MAC address authorization to limit wireless access by only allowing those that you have put in the MAC address table. I have used this one too and liked it because I didn't have to fool with that crazy long encription key. If you're using one access method, you may try the other. Not sure if this will help or not.