Linksys WRT54GS Firmware

abailey152 · 04-06-2008, 05:13

Hi. I've got a Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 router, which I've had for a while. I was told that a possible cure for a problem I've recently had, would be to upgrade the firmware, the version currently being 3.37.2 which came with the router.

However, on the Linksys UK download site, there are no links to firmware for the v1.1. On the US site, there is new firmware available, 4.71.4.

I know that the UK wireless standard is different from the US standard (Our 13 channels to the US 11), but would I still be able to use the US firmware to upgrade my router, and would the wireless still work afterwards?

Many thanks

Nikesh · 04-06-2008, 09:22

What problem are you having with the current firmware?

abailey152 · 04-06-2008, 15:49

Partial downloads of some files. Only from one site. I thought it was Virgin's problem, until I totally disconnected my router, and connected directly to the cable modem.

This then works okay. Also, others I know with later versions of the WRT54GS are having no problems.

After digging around on Linksys, I found an update to the firmware for version 1.0 of my router, which says on of the fixes is for a problem like mine.

After asking around, a friend said that he'd had similar issues with the same model of router (but V1.0), and a firmware update fixed it.

However, the UK Linksys site shows no firmware updates for v1.1, which is very strange as the US site has got an update, and a much later firmware version.

Alternatively, there's the firmware for V1.0 from the UK site. However, I'm still not clear whether firmware for a V1.0 router will actually work on a V1.1 router.

I'm not prepared to take a chance and it's a minefield with all the firmware versions, and WRT54GS router versions. It looks like I'm going to have to phone Linksys support.

---------- Post added at 15:49 ---------- Previous post was at 15:17 ----------

*** UPDATE ***

Okay, I've managed to get through to Linksys support (easier than expected).

They've told me that I can use the v4.71.4 firmware from the US, but I would lose a couple of channels available for wireless connectivity. I didn't think this would be a problem for me so I've gone ahead an upgraded the firmware. After upgrade, reset router (reset button for 30 seconds) and logged in. Set it up for wireless, plus my encryption settings.

Tested the files I was having problems with and they download perfectly.
So the upgrade has done the trick!

Wicked_and_Crazy · 04-06-2008, 15:56

Do not us the US firmware on a UK router

If your going to flash it try the DD-WRT firmware instead

Graham M · 04-06-2008, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

If your going to flash it try the DD-WRT firmware instead

Doesn't work with some of the newer versions of the router unfortunately!

Wicked_and_Crazy · 04-06-2008, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Doesn't work with some of the newer versions of the router unfortunately!

I dont believe that to be true

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...RT54G/GL/GS/GX

The OP has V1.1 of a GS so not an issue anyway

Graham M · 04-06-2008, 17:43

Oh well it was when I looked might try this then, just don't want to brick it

Nikesh · 04-06-2008, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by abailey152

<Snip>

Glad you got it sorted.

abailey152 · 04-06-2008, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

Do not us the US firmware on a UK router

If your going to flash it try the DD-WRT firmware instead

Too late! I've already done it, and it *seems* okay. The only difference to look at is there are 11 wireless channels instead of 13 but my wireless laptop is still working okay.

I did look at the DD-WRT firmware. There is a note on the site to use VINT (vintage) firmware with my router, but then under v1.1 there's loads of options, and under VINT there's more. Looks very confusing!

Thanks anyway, it may be an option in the future.

---------- Post added at 22:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:24 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

Glad you got it sorted.

Cheers!

Wicked_and_Crazy · 04-06-2008, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by abailey152

Too late! I've already done it, and it *seems* okay. The only difference to look at is there are 11 wireless channels instead of 13 but my wireless laptop is still working okay.

I ran the US firmware on mine once, wasn't very reliable

MovedGoalPosts · 04-06-2008, 23:55

Some of the third party firmwares for the earlier version WRT54GS routers are more full featured and tweakable than the standard Linksys ones. In particular Linksys firmware did have issues with torrents overwhelming them which DD-WRT and Tomato can be configured to avoid.

abailey152 · 05-06-2008, 09:40

Just tried uTorrent and it looks okay, for what little I download anyway.

I think I've found the correct DD-WRT firmware for my router, but I'm going to wait and see, as the US Linksys firmware seems stable and it has cured my problem.

Graham M · 05-06-2008, 10:26

I thought the only difference with the US firmware was the available wireless channels?