My wife has a laptop computer with a plug in Linksys wifi receiver.

In January, I hooked up a linksys wireless router (model WRT54GS).

It worked like a charm for the first 5 months.

Now, the signal is VERY low, and often disconnects from the internet. The only way to get it to work is to be in the same room as the router.

This kinda defeats the purpose of wireless...

I've read that the wireless card in the computer is a type of device that either works, or it doesn't. Since it does work when very close, I have been under the assumption that the router is the culprit.

What could cause the router to send out a poor signal all of a sudden?

Nothing changed: Location, no new phones, no new microwave, etc.

Is there an easy way to test things that someone could think of without me resorting to posting a question on a computer geek website?

I have nothing against those folks, but their solutions assume I know more than I do about computer configurations.

Thanks.

I am awaiting an answer on this as well. I have a linksys router that appears to have quit working yet I dont know how to test it. I have tried 2 different laptops and no signal is picked up from either, so it isn't the laptop.

I used to be able to "reboot" the router and it would start workig again, but now that doesn't work either.

Hope someone knows about these things. I bet TG has an idea!

Ok,

This answer is rather technical..

It's a piece of crap and it's broken.

go to walmart and get another one...

wheel,

They tend to burn up and fail. I've killed a few routers.

Sorry, no help from me.

I'm 17 months on a NetGear router without a hitch.

^

I trashed my Linksys and now use a Net Gear also with no problems...

wheel,

I have the same router. No issues with it in over 2 years. My router is upstairs in my son's room, on the front side of the house, and I can go outside on the back patio and it still works fine.

*shrug* Maybe it's your wireless card?

I checked CompUSA and that router is selling for $29.99.

There are wifi signal detectors out there also, starting at $29.99.

Diagnosis will cost about the same as a complete replacement. Without knowing anything else, the issue is probably your router, as it is more susceptible to power surges, being plugged in all the time. It also has to "do" more by itself than the wireless card, meaning more things can go wrong with it than the card.

As noted by others here, I have also had to replace the router before, which fixed the problem.

RE #7

There are about 7 different revisions of the WRT54GS - besides the engineering differences between certain models, some of them were built much better and with higher quality components than others.

Some of them, unfortunately, do just "go bad" for no discernible reason.

Um...you did encrypt your device...right?

I mean you could be giving away your bandwidth to your neighbors and that would explain your slowness.

The neighbors are downloading porn!

pr0n!!!!

I had the same problem with a Linksys. Got it used from a friend, worked great for several months. Then I had to reset it every day. Bought a new router, no problems since.

Easy Solution to your problem: Install new firmware in the Linux shell for the router...

http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/26/42/ 

Easy step by step directions, the modified firmware allows you to change many settings (including what you are looking for, boosted wireless signal)

Are your windows still lined with foil? That might be hampering reception.

I had the same issue several months ago, no idea where the link is, I tried everything and finally bought a new router. i then called ATT to let them know I was going to switch back to cable and they offered to give me a free wireless modem. I took back the router I bought and now have a wireless modem with no problems.

by the way, I had the same model router you currently have.

firmware upgrade for sure

mt

Before replacing the router try changing the default (radio) channel.

I'll try the firmware upgrade when I get a chance to play around with it.

I did try the reset button, but it knocked out my connection on my desktop computer that is hard wired to my modem via the router.

The router is now disconnected and will remain so until I figure out what's going on.

Much thanks.