Linksys WRT54G router isn't working in dorm?

Question

I have a Linksys WRT54G router in my dorm because my roommate & I want wireless internet. (You have to hardwire yourself in to get internet). People have set up wireless before in the dorms. I asked a friend and he said I didn't need a modem because the whole building was already on a modem type thing...he said it might be like T1/T2 instead of DSL. So, we plugged in the router and it lit up. Then, we put the ethernet cord into it and waited to see what happened on our laptops. We got an excellent signal, but are still not able to connect to the internet. Plus, when I plugged it in, I was not prompted to set it up...it just found it. I got this router from someone so it didn't come with any software...does it have software and does it need it to set up correctly?
Also, we aren't supposed to have routers in our dorms, so they say, but no one seems to care.

Also, I have tried to go through "Set up a wireless network" or whatever it's called and all it did was tell me to either
A) use a USB drive to copy some things and then plug it into my access point, but there is no slot for a USB drive in it.
B) do it manually. And I printed off the instructions but it's not very good instructions:
Wireless Network Settings

Print this document and store it in a safe place for future reference. You may need these settings to add additional computers and devices to your network.


Wireless Settings

Network Name (SSID): WRT54G
Network Key (WEP/WPA Key): 3f8653bbdd0b46fe97c36932d3
Key Provided Automatically (802.1x): 0
Network Authentication Type: open
Data Encryption Type: WEP
Connection Type: ESS
Key Index:


To enable File and Printer Sharing on this computer, run the Network Setup Wizard.

To set up your Internet connection, follow the instructions from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Answer 1

A router is not a good option as it can cause conflicting information on the network due to the router already controlling the network. You either need a wireless access point, or a wired network switch.

Answer 2

Let's review this:

1. You are installing a prohibited wireless router in your dorm room.
2. You have absolutely no idea what you are doing and you will not even bother to download the router directions from the router maker's web site. Students should at least have sufficient ambition to do this minimal leg work.
3. Your dorm's configuration is unknown to you and you have not verified it. Actually it is NOT a T1 to the room. I suspect that it is an Ethernet with the dorm's router down the hall somwhere and that it assigns LAN IP via DHCP. This means you have a dynamic IP and your router's WAN port should be set for a dynamic WAN IP.
4. You need to know the subnet for the router wan IP and make sure the LAN side of your router is on a different subnet (e.g. if your dorm uses the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet and you have your router's LAN IP set on the same subnet you will have no luck). Connect your pc to the dorm feed and determine the IP address; if it is 192.168.1.x you need to change the router LAN IP to a different subnet like 192.168.2.x).
5. Configure your router and get it working with a wired connection to the router. Once this works including Internet access, you can concern yourself about the wireless config.
6. Be sure to config wireless using security. Students are known for freeloading.

Answer 3

The problem you are most likely having is that you have your router configured for a static local ip address. Something along the lines of 192.168.*.*

You should be able to find plenty of guides on Linksys's website about how to set your router up to use DHCP. DHCP tells your router to ask the network for an ip address so it can accurately connect to the network.


You also want to set your computer up to use DHCP, and there are plenty of guides for hat on the internet. Make sure you have your router set to NOT assign ip addresses based on dhcp. That way, your computer will also oull them from the network. once you have dhcp set up, you should be able to connect to the network.





If you still can't, ask your RA or an instructor if there is a Proxy Server you need to set up. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

First don't give your ssid key out. Next since it is a new installation to the site, start with a fresh configuration. That means set the router back to factory specs.

On the back of the router you will see a little hole. Inside that hole you will see a little push button switch. With a pen push that button in until all the lights on the front come on. whan they do release the button and power of and back on the router. You now have a factory default with no security.

Get you system working first and then add security.

Download the manual and software from Linksys at

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859837401&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3740141396B06&displaypage=download

Answer 5

i stumbled on a piece of writing on wikipedia that solutions the question,,, Linksys WRT54G sequence From Wikipedia, the unfastened encyclopedia (Redirected from WRT54G) leap to: navigation, seek Linksys WRT54G version 3.a million Linksys WRT54G version a million.0 Linksys WRT54GS version a million.1Linksys WRT54G (and editions WRT54GS, WRT54GL, and WRTSL54GS) is a wireless able residential gateway from Linksys. The gadget is able to sharing internet connections among a number of computers by using way of 802.3 Ethernet and 802.11b/g on the spot information links.

Answer 6

can you access the internet when u try and disable the security on it? If so just hard reset the router from the back and do the setup again and it should work

Answer 7

i know this sounds weird, but do you have a microwave in ur dorm?? if u do try unplugging it and trying to use the router. the microwave will interfere with ur signal.