[borgward]

I will be upgrading my Linksys WRT54G v2.0 for the first time. I plan to do the Following:

Download Vintage: micro

Connect router from any port with Ethernet cable to Computer

Do 30 30 30 reset

Power on and hold reset button on for 30 seconds.
continue holding reset button and unplug power for 30 seconds.
continue holding reset button and plug power back on for 30 seconds.

Confirm router has power
confirm router is connected to computer via Ethernet

Type 192.168.1.1 in browser to connect to routers Admin page.

Click on Administration.
Click on Firmware Upgrade.
Click on Browse button to find DD-WRT.
Click on Open.
Click on Upgrade button.

Wait 1 to 3 minutes for "Upgrade is Successful".

Click on Continue.

Enter 192.168.1.1 in browser. DD-WRT page should appear.

Powercycle again for 30 seconds.


Does this look like the correct way to do it?

Would there be a better DD-WRT to Download?

I want to up the power output. Will VINTAGE: micro do that? (There is no one within miles of me to interfere with) I have been warned that I might need to provide additional cooling.

My Laptop is Dell Inspiron 1520 running Linux Mint 18.0 which is fully updated.

[thenotwellman]

The flash memory is 4MB so you should use the mini build for first flash, and not a Vint build. You should use a NEWD build such as:
ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2010/08-12-10-r14929/broadcom/dd-wrt.v24_mini_wrt54g.bin

for initial flash.

Wait more than 3 minutes after flashing. Also flashing seems to work better using Internet Explorer.

[borgward]

So I download the NEWD and follow the procedures that I outlined, then powercycle again and follow the procedure for installing VINTAGE: micro?

The WRT54G Version I have is actually v2.02.7, 2.0 Will it still work with DD-WRT?

[ian5142]

You can use NEWD.

NEWD can be used on core-rev >=5. The 54G v2 should be core-rev 7: https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G_v2.0

I would suggest following the instructions in the wiki but using the latest build (see my signature for links) instead of those suggested in the wiki.

So, you get:
Flash: mini_wrt54G (found in the broadcom folder)
reset to defaults (30-30-30 hard reset).
Flash: std_generic
reset to defaults (30-30-30 hard reset).
Input all settings manually, do not use a back-up file.

Note: Do not expect an ancient router to have great wireless speed (it is wireless-G after all) or great CPU power (don't expect it to handle QoS at all). VPN, don't even try it. If I was you, get something at least a little newer like a D-Link DIR-615 (C1, E3, or any that are supported).

[borgward]

Thanks for the info. As for speed the wrt54G is still faster than our Internet connection, which is the fastest we can get where we live (wireless Internet) I was mainly looking to increase the range of the router, not speed.

[ian5142]

The best way to increase range is to up the Tx power and buy better antennas (8-9dBi at least). Your best bet is to just buy a better router. I would suggest something like a TP-Link 841ND (cheap and stable, but not fast), or if you want it to last longer, Archer C7 v2, 3, or 4, not v5. TP-Link WDR3600v1 (or WDR4300v1) are also good (medium speed). Just make sure to buy upgraded antennas as well. As I already mentioned, a router like the Netgear R7800 is just about the fastest you can buy right now.