Problems with Linksys WRT54G

[Ghosthunter]

This problem just started Friday and been all weekend and been troubleshooting and no luck.

here the problem, I am getting "The page cannot be displayed" intermittently on all 3 of my machines hooked up to the linksys. I am using the latest firmware from the site

When i get that error, if i open a DOS prompt and do a ping www.speedguide.net it will say cannot find that host. Even if I go to the admin page on the router and use the ping utility it gives me the same error.

But if i wait maybe 15 seconds or so it will work fine. It is totally random for a website. It might not work for www.speedguide.net, but if go to another URL it will work fine..then later on it might be an entire different URL that it does the same thing.

It is something to do with DNS but I cannot figure it out and why problem all of a sudden. If i plug directly into my cable modem with any of my 3 machines they work fine.

I have tried to hardcode IP and DNS and it still does same thing..shutdown outpost, shutdown nod32, ran spyware checkers...

have tried wireless and hardwired.repair winsock..i am out of ideas

Except maybe have a defective linksys?

What think?

[MadDoctor]

Except maybe have a defective linksys?

What think?How old is it?

[Ghosthunter]

How old is it?


maybe 6 months i think i got it last summer

[YeOldeStonecat]

What version?
How's the workstation setups? Obtain auto from the Linky? Or static LAN IPs?

Post an IPCONFIG of a workstation.

[Ghosthunter]

running firmware 4.20.7

was runing 4.00.7
before that but upgraded to that one once problem started. Also the version is v3 on the back of the model.

I had set to auto...but now I have it set hardcoded both IP ad DNS


will get a config in a min

[DV]

It sounds like the Linksys is either defective or the firmware is bad. If you've already tried multiple verisons of the firmware I suppose you can try a hard reset, but I imagine you will have to replace the router.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Well...I'd try a factory reset on the router.......then set it back up again.
Jot down the 2x DNS servers it obtains on the WAN side. Leave the workstations TCP set to "obtain auto" for now....adjust MTU on the router to match what you have for internet (1492 for PPPoE DSL, 1500 for bridged DSL and cable)

[Ghosthunter]

interesting thing is ISP only gives me one DNS..which I thought was odd

even now plugged directly into the cable modem

but i will give that a shot and see what happens and let you know

[YeOldeStonecat]

They might be doing a DNS upgrade.....should be 2...just about any ISP worth their salt has 2.

Second thing to try.....since you jotted down your ISPs DNS server....manually enter that. Give your workstation an IP like 192.168.1.10/255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1 for the gateway, and enter the DNS you jotted down.

If it flakes out when set to "auto", but behaves when setup this way...then your router is probably on its way out...reflected by the issues with DNS relay.

[Unholy]

You should try a modified firmware, I perfer HyperWRT +tofu. (http://www.polarcloud.com/tofu/) Also you can try to force the isp to give you a new ip assuming you don't have a static ip by simply changing the mac address. I.E. if your cable modem mac is 1A 2B 3C 4D 5F A1 just change the last digit to 2~9 or A~F in your router.

[Ghosthunter]

yep i got a new IP this am actually..

if i go to that firmware and it dont work can i go back? willing to give it a try at this point lol

[YeOldeStonecat]

yep i got a new IP this am actually..

if i go to that firmware and it dont work can i go back? willing to give it a try at this point lol

Yeah you can flip back 'n forth . I've tried Hyper on mine....and DD-wrt...and I stuck with dd-wrt firmware. Hyper is slightly modified Linksys firmware (looks the same), dd-wrt is all different. Upgrade them the same method. Factory reset that button before each one.

[knightmare]

yep i got a new IP this am actually..

if i go to that firmware and it dont work can i go back? willing to give it a try at this point lol


alot of ISP do their renewals of IP's on Sundays....ours is 7 day lease.....

[knightmare]

Well...I'd try a factory reset on the router.......then set it back up again.



Your best bet.... make sure in configuration you have MAC addy cloned, my ISP makes me change computers as I can have only 1 IP addy, so I select clone MAC addy, no problems what so ever.

I know you are pretty knowledgeable, maybe something you overlooked?

[Unholy]

Yeah you can flip back 'n forth . I've tried Hyper on mine....and DD-wrt...and I stuck with dd-wrt firmware. Hyper is slightly modified Linksys firmware (looks the same), dd-wrt is all different. Upgrade them the same method. Factory reset that button before each one.

I tried both too but when I had DD-WRT my head hurt just looking at it thinking WTF am I going to do with all those options. :p

[Ghosthunter]

i just got home had a long day...but that another thread

havent had time to troubleshoot but started happening again here interetings from nslookup:

C:\Documents and Settings\mike>nslookup
Default Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

> www.everquest.com
Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: everquest.com
Address: 64.37.156.16
Aliases: www.everquest.com

> eqiiforums.station.sony.com
Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

DNS request timed out.
timeout was 2 seconds.
*** dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com can't find eqiiforums.station.sony.com: Query r
efused
> www.sony.com
Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: www.sony.com
Address: 160.33.26.10

> eqiiforums.station.sony.com
Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

*** dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com can't find eqiiforums.station.sony.com: Query r
efused
> eqiiforums.station.sony.com
Server: dns-cac-lb-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com
Address: 24.29.103.10

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: eqiiforums.station.sony.com
Address: 198.87.31.154

>





i was just talking to wife and she said problem started she realized when we lost power on thursday...i am thinking something is corrupt with linksys config due to power..so first step is to do what YOSC said and try setting to factory reset..going to try now and let ya know

[Ghosthunter]

ok linksys has been reset..i did it from admin web interface

i just kept defaults for now rebooted cable modem and laptop..and will give it a go and let you know

[YeOldeStonecat]

Your best bet.... make sure in configuration you have MAC addy cloned, my ISP makes me change computers as I can have only 1 IP addy, so I select clone MAC addy, no problems what so ever.

I know you are pretty knowledgeable, maybe something you overlooked?

That's generally only for cable setups that setup MAC authentication...which is less and less common these days. Most ISPs now...different device..meaning different MAC? No problem, still will pull an IP address...most likely a different IP address...but a different one. If your ISP does do MAC authentication...and you change devices...just unpower the cable modem for 15 minutes or so, it will "forget" the old MAC, power up the router..power up the modem..let it boot..cycle the power on the router to pull a new IP..bam...done.

But he has internet access...so it's pullin an IP address, and populating with remote gateway and DNS. IMO, not MAC related.

[Ghosthunter]

anyway quick update..after resetting factory default..same problem started happening

so now i downloaded DD-WRT v23

wow lots of options...feels like a real router now lol

just hoping it fixes the problem..otherwise going to call up linksys and get a repalcement i guess

[YeOldeStonecat]

so now i downloaded DD-WRT v23

wow lots of options...feels like a real router now lol

Pretty beefy eh?

Excellent help section...so dig around. And don't forget to crank up the wireless power..if you use that. Just bump it up to 60 or 70 or so.

[Ghosthunter]

Pretty beefy eh?

Excellent help section...so dig around. And don't forget to crank up the wireless power..if you use that. Just bump it up to 60 or 70 or so.


Yep been checking it out...so far very stable..afraid to jinx myself..LOL


i did see they use some sort of DNSMasq option...i am wondering if this will help resolve issue i am having..though trying to figure out what it does exactly and the local dns option

What I like is the screen where it shows how many active sessions of clients connected to you wirelessly..so you can see if anyone is on there that shouldnt be, though not worried too much since I am using WPA with a really long key

[knightmare]

But he has internet access...so it's pullin an IP address, and populating with remote gateway and DNS. IMO, not MAC related.

ok, I knew it was a longshot...kick me..lol http://members.speedguide.net/knightmare/nutkick.gifhttp://members.speedguide.net/knightmare/nutkick.gif

[Unholy]

Yep been checking it out...so far very stable..afraid to jinx myself..LOL


i did see they use some sort of DNSMasq option...i am wondering if this will help resolve issue i am having..though trying to figure out what it does exactly and the local dns option

What I like is the screen where it shows how many active sessions of clients connected to you wirelessly..so you can see if anyone is on there that shouldnt be, though not worried too much since I am using WPA with a really long key

Why don't you just use the wireless mac filter if you're worried.

[Ghosthunter]

Why don't you just use the wireless mac filter if you're worried.


from what i understand that pretty easy to crack..i am just a bit paranoid, especailly i dont want someone stealing my bandwidth to be downloading music or something they shouldnd



update used it about 30 miutes this am before work, so far seems to be ok, but i dont want to jinx myself lol

[YeOldeStonecat]

from what i understand that pretty easy to crack..i am just a bit paranoid, especailly i dont want someone stealing my bandwidth to be downloading music or something they shouldnd

"Layer" your security...add mac filtering on top of WPA.

IMO, WPA is fine for home users. But if you're worried...if you have some other peeps in range of your network....setup some more layers.

WEP and WPA only keeps the easy attempts out. There are tools out there which can crack into WEP in under a minute. There are some tools out now which can crack WPA...takes longer, dunno how long, but..long as you have a good long key you're in good shape. But you can always add mac filtering to make yet another steel door they have to get through. Other things for the super worry worts..change the default LAN IP range..from the 192.168.1.xxx to something much different, like 192.168.169.xxx...and disable DHCP...manually assign IPs to your computers. That'll add yet another layer. Of course, those who takes lappies home from work lose the ease of wireless..but if your 'puters never leave the house. And make sure your routers web admin password isn't the default one.

[Ghosthunter]

oh i use WPA with longest key with random upper and lower case and numbers...plus mac filtering...

so i am good...i still just like to view sessions just to make sure..

so many good stuff with DD...WDS..that is a real nice feature


talked to wife she been online off and on now all mornign and she said so far it been fine..

so maybe this firmware did the trick..i hope thanks all

[Ghosthunter]

well i give up...same thing on this firmware..went back to original..

think time to call linksys and get a replacement

[Ghosthunter]

hmm interesting....

http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=13110&highlight=cannot+displayed

looks like to be a problem with this model and RR..some others posting about it..


so what the heck is going on???>

[Ghosthunter]

ok found something...on dslreports someone suggested i use 4.2.2.1


and it been runnning great!!

so what up with that? must be time warner DNS having problems?