Linksys - WRT54GL

Jesus, I installed maybe almost 100 of those (mostly the GL, reflashed)…. It really was the king! And it’s only 20 years ago.

You can't even buy the WRT54G. I know because I still hoard a stack of WRT54G-L's in storage because I loved them so much I couldn't part ways with them. That being said get one of the Asus models in the $100 price range. They're perfectly capable and running Merlin firmware can do so much more.

You can't even buy the WRT54G. I know because I still hoard a stack of WRT54G-L's in storage because I loved them so much I couldn't part ways with them. That being said get one of the Asus models in the $100 price range. They're perfectly capable and running Merlin firmware can do so much more.

I had a Linksys WRT54GL, and I thought that router was awesome at the time. I've also had one of those Asus routers, and I thought it was pretty good. I had installed 3rd-party firmware on mine though; I had DD-WRT on the Linksys (though you might need the GL version for that rather than the G), and I ran Tomato on my Asus router. Currently, I have a Netgear Nighthawk R7800 router (which is capable of running DD-WRT), which is currently [$90 on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192911RA). But that model is at least 5 years old now, and I imagine there are probably better routers available (though not sure how affordable they are).

Excellent that you followed up. We're smarter now. We should not dismiss the possibility Spectrum missed something but we'll proceed on the basis that Spectrum is correct. We'll just bear the possibility in mind in case something doesn't make sense going forward. With everything as is and your teenager not gaming and nothing else of substance using the Internet, run a [speed test](https://www.speedtest.net/) over WiFi and write down the numbers. Connect your computer to the WiFi router with an Ethernet cable and run another speed test. Connect your computer directly to the cable modem with an Ethernet cable and run a third test. This should take about five minutes total, maybe ten if you have to crawl around on the floor. I recommend having your son participate. Life skills development is part of parenting. Then you can take him out into the driveway and show him how to change a tire. Make sure he knows how to cook. You're trying to [grow a human being](https://stevenbarnes-87684.medium.com/heinleins-rules-of-humanity-f2cc32974e02). I digress. If the problem is the router that will be grossly apparent from the speed tests. If the problem continues with a wired connection to the cable modem then it's back to Spectrum. If the problem lies with the router, it may be a loose connection. Take the antennas off and screw them back on snugly. Test again. Look at the [troubleshooting guide for the Netgear](https://www.netgear.com/support/product/r6400v2/) router. If the router is the problem, you can do a Google search for "best WiFi router." There is a good CNET article that is the first return for me. I'm averse to security vulnerabilities so I'd avoid TP-Link entirely. I have had good experience with Netgear (I currently have a Netgear Nighthawk M6 hotspot I'm very happy with) and with Cisco Linksys (the discontinued Linksys WRT-54GL is my favorite router ever). I have some Asus gear that just works. As context, part of my business is communications which includes networking. I don't sell hardware. I make recommendations that my customers buy and I coach them through configuration or install them myself. There are other decent brands but without doing a deep dive into reviews (the technical landscape keeps changing), if I was in a hurry and speed tests point to the router I'd make my life easier by narrowing down to Netgear, Linksys, and Asus. CNET and PC Magazine are good sources of comparative reviews. I would not spend the money on a gaming router. I think the performance claims are mostly marketing.

>"*They look a lot cooler now than back in the day.*" Some of us actually like the look of the o.g. Linksys WRT54G from 20 years ago. https://preview.redd.it/od03mx6a99ff1.jpeg?width=2800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4d1b717e3a99e538c70937c34673fbb5944e229

Long live the king! Long live WRT54G!

I still have an OG WRT54G in the attic in a box.  Also the AC 1900 TMobile Personal Hotspot, reflashed to what it is, a rebranded RT-AC68U, it's working flawlessly as a wifi mesh node. 

Worst idea ever. Been linksys for years nothing but problems. I have run servers in the past and networking is major hobby.

Still has a valid niche for the 100 of us trying to keep our old Nintendo DS systems online. As well as the Wii crowd who won't just buy a compatible LAN dongle.

Talk your shit, but the WRT54G will always be the king.