Linksys WRT54G setup installation problem

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

msquid@aol.com (Joe Williams) wrote in
news:a60f2536.0405020803.76c1016a@posting.google.com:

> I'm having a problem reinstalling my Linksys WRT54G wireless G router.
> I'm running Windows XP and using a Verizon DSL connection. Previously
> the entire system worked; however,I just did a full format and
> reinstall of XP and since then have not been able to get the router
> reinstalled. I turn off my Norton Firewall and begin the Linksys
> setup program. It detects the DSL connection when the computer is
> connected directly to the DSL modem. Then I go through the steps of
> setting up the router (password, etc.) and entering my Verizon name
> and password. This is the point where the setup program always hangs,
> giving me the message "The Router is not able to connect to the
> Internet." I've tried turning the cable modem on and off, re-running
> the entire set-up program, changing to different cables, but nothing
> works.
>
> Any ideas on what might be the problem?

Unfortunately I don't have a WRT54G, I have a BEFSR41, and all the config
is done through the web page, browse to 192.168.1.1.

I don't know why re-installing XP would require you to change anything on
the WRT54G, or which setup program you are running. Going to the Linksys
quick setup guide for the WRT54G on the Linksys website, it shows the setup
is simply a page accessed through the web browser. This is not something
that would normally have to be done after re-installing an OS on your PC.
This is something you normally only have to do if you do a factory reset on
the linksys device itself or load new firmware.

If the computer is detected directly to the DSL modem, then were is the
Linksys router connected? Typically, you would have it set up like this:

PC > (LANport)Router(WANport) > cable/dsl modem > ISP

Normally you would set everything up connected like this, start IE, browse
to 192.168.1.1, log in, and make any changes needed. But unless there was
a reset / firmware update or something that wiped out the memory of the
router, it wouldn't need anything changed.

Some ISPs register the customer MAC address. They only let the
"Registered" or known MAC address on to their network. If the MAC changes,
they have to be contacted to register the new address before you can
connect.

By default, the MAC address of the PC NIC is not the same as the MAC
address of the Router WAN port. But the Linksys setup has an option to set
the MAC to whatever you want. So you can set it to the same as your PC
MAC. This avoids the trouble of getting the ISP to register your MAC,
every time you switch between having the PC directly connected or through
the router. Since they now both look the same to the ISP / modem, there is
no need to get "registered" again.

A reset or firmware update will wipe out the MAC address setting, along
with any other settings, at least on my BEFSR41 they do.