Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

For those who have a T60 with an Intel 3945ABG, which Linksys wireless routers have you got working fine with your T60?

Any problems or issues? Please share the specific Linksys model number, please.

I ask because I've read that some folks can't get their new T60 laptops working with the specific Linksys routers they bought (i.e. WRT54GX4 SRX400). Some are having trouble with only the most recent versions of some Linksys routers (i.e. WRT54G v5).

Please help, because I'm going to buy my first **wireless** router for my new Thinkpad, which should be here in a few days.

FWIW, it's a "buy today, ship today" 2623-D9U T60 Thinkpad. I ordered it Thursday (4/20/06) at 1:43 PM CT/USA via phone. I got the shipment confirmation email with a time and date of 8:50 AM, 4/21/06.

Thanks for sharing on this, because I'm sure lots of folks will benefit!


Thanks again,

Louis

No problems here (so far) with WRT54G ver. 2. This version of the router isn't available any more though. In general I think that Buffalo's wireless products are the best bet for reliability and problem free operation and I would buy one if I needed a wireless router right now. At least stay far far away from D-Link

My WRT54G v.3 is working fine.

My Linksys Wireless Cable Gateway (WCG-200) works great!

BTW: There have been like a million posts on this topic...

Works fine.

stlouislouis wrote:Please help, because I'm going to buy my first **wireless** router for my new Thinkpad, which should be here in a few days.

Why not just buy another brand besides Linksys?

Linksys setup seems to be easier for alot of people. More refined setup than say...Netgear.

WRT54G works flawlessly even out on the patio. The network also has a wireless iMac, a wireless H-P 6840 printer and a wired Dell PC all of them chugging away with no problems.

Hi astro,

After reading more on wireless routers (and wireless security) here and elsewhere, I am also considering other brands (esp. the Belkin Pre N F5D8230-4).

After reading about folks with a T60/3945ABG having problems using some models/versions of Linksys routers, I would simply like to avoid considering those specific problematic models/versions.

FWIW, I'm really thankful to have forums like this to see what is and isn't working for people. So thanks, everyone, for sharing as you have!

Without reading here and elsewhere, I would likely have picked up the very model (i.e WRT54GX4 SRX400) folks are having problems with. And since it doesn't say WPA2 on the box, I wouldn't be considering the Belkin Pre N F5D8230-4. Reading Belkin's manual online, it sounds like both the Belkin and Linksys routers are using an equiv. WPA-PSK "level" of WPA.

Whichever router I pick, I'll be getting my 64 random hex characters for my WPA-PSK from http://www.fourmilab.ch/hotbits/ .

That ought to do for the key!


Take care,

Louis

I just recently finished upgrading the firmware on my WAP54G v2 to the latest with support for WPA2. No issues with any of the 3 T'Pads/2 Macs that the network supports, though I did have to upgrade one of the old Linksys v2 AirCards to a v3 to get WPA2 driver support.

I have to say that I've been very impressed with the uptime and lack of maintenance required on Linksys gear. I use a Linksys Modem, 4-port Router/FW and the 54G AP. Easy upgrades, setup and security utilities.

I've posted a message about poor performance of the 3945abg, in the X60 forum....comments are welcome.

I'm the guy you want to hear from...

I had a Linksys WRT54GX4 (SR400) router that
worked perfectly with my older laptops until my
Lenovo arrived.

What a nightmare I had when I tried to pair my
T60 with my Linksys. It not only did not connect
to the home network, but it knocked all my other
wireless laptops + wired desktop off the Internet.

I too read many complaints similar to mine across
the Internet.

What did I do? Well, after being a longtime Linksys
user I ditched my WRT54GX4 and went with a Netgear
Pre-N router. The second I hooked up the Belkin,
all worked perfectly.

I posted my concerns on various Internet forums and
review sites. Since then, I have had quite a few other
people email me about their Linksys woes when it comes
to 3945ABG.

If you think you are going to have to give up your
Linksys, I could not recommend a better router than
the Belkin Pre-N, which was far easier to set up and
configure than any Linksys router I have ever owned.

...by the way, Linksys refuses to admit there is a
problem with their routers but that might soon change
since they have been getting many complaints as of late.

Using a Linksys WRT54G v4 that wirelessly connects my T60 (with 3945ABG), Mac, Tivo, D-Link printserver and guest's laptops, all with no problems.

I just got the WRT54GL (it is a WRT54G v4), and installed the latest DD-WRT v23 firmware and it has been working like a champ

If you already have a router, consider paying the extra $$s for the WAP54G. I've started using them instead of using just the AP in the WRT54G and haven't had a single problem of any kind so far. They have some really nice features that you can't get in the WRT54G too, like the ability to repeat a signal, bridge or connect a group of clients to a wireless network (AP bridge I think they call it). You may not need the feature today but it's nice to have in hand when you need to solve a problem in a hurry (like connecting your LAN to your neighbor's ISP through his wireless when your service is on the blink).

-darren

darrenf wrote:If you already have a router, consider paying the extra $$s for the WAP54G. I've started using them instead of using just the AP in the WRT54G and haven't had a single problem of any kind so far. They have some really nice features that you can't get in the WRT54G too, like the ability to repeat a signal, bridge or connect a group of clients to a wireless network (AP bridge I think they call it). You may not need the feature today but it's nice to have in hand when you need to solve a problem in a hurry (like connecting your LAN to your neighbor's ISP through his wireless when your service is on the blink).

-darren

i think the WRT54G is the best router there is, (v2-4 and the WRT54GL, which is a v4)...because you can flash the firmware with aftermarket ones, which adds so much functionality (all of the stuff you mentioned + more)...check out http://www.dd-wrt.com, which is what I am running. It even lets you jack up the wireless signal power so if you have a part of your house which cant receive wireless, you can raise the power until you do. If you all want to do this though, do not buy a brand new WRT54G from the stores, as they will most likely be a v5 which cannot be upgraded. Either buy one from ebay where the seller guarentees versions 2-4, or get the WRT54GL from amazon or wherever, which is a WRT54G v4.