Disappearing linksys interface

Yesterday I installed a Lynksys WRT54G2 wireless router. Up until then I was connected using an ethernet cable direct from the modem. I am on cable DSL. Unfortunatly my wireless printer would not work with an ad hoc network connection so I needed to use a router. Otherwise I would not have bothered.

After a successful installation I encountered my first problem. I disconnected the router simply to move its power chord so it was not getting in my way. Upon reconnection I found that I lost all of my security settings (WPA) and the router was recognized as an unsecured network named "Lynksys." I had to obtain the address of the the interface (not mentioned in quick start up documents) and reconfigured the thing manually. After powering everything down, I found that my settings were properly saved. I had access to the router interface.

Now I find that when I shut down the computer and restart everything seems ok and I connect to the proper secured network. However, I am not able to view the interface unless I power off the router and then power it up again. I have no problem with the internet and I can ping the router. It just will not show up when I enter the address.

Additionally I have found that there is s substantial loss of speed despite the fact that it remains fast enough for my use. While on the internet I was getting download speeds around 16 Mbps while on the router it goes down to just over 10 Mbps. Without getting into the accuracy of the test, the fact that I used the same test both wired and wireless indicated that the difference is real even if the numbers may be inaccurate.

Those are my issues any comments? (I have no intention of reconfiguring since that would be more of a bother than powering down on the rare occasions that I may want to view the interface.)

By the way the software contained something called "network magic." I have uninstalled it because I thought it worthless but that really has no effect since the issues were the same with it installed.

 

first of all to access the routers home page address the 192.168.1.1 you need to be connected to the router via an Ethernet cable.
Access the router via the web address and the user name and password printed on a sticker on the underneath of the router.

Edit the settings you need and you will normally have to wait a few seconds until it tells you its done.

 

All of that is done and I have no need to change any settings, I can connect to the router interface without an ethernet connection to the router but only if I power down the router after I reboot. That being said, I have no real need to get to it but it annoys me that I can't do it whenever I want.

The speed difference is of some concern although I really don't know why it even bothers me. I am not doing any major downloading.

 

I has been holding its settings just fine since I configured it by hand. The interface thing does not bother me much since I can get to it if I want to. HOWEVER the speed difference between the direct connection to the modem and the wireless concerns me more. I just hate to be bothered but I may have to unless the difference is normal.

 

Thanks Dragnet and Dalo. The bottom line is that the Lynksys actually lost its wpa setting again so all was not even close to well. Returned and replaced it with a netgear.

The netgear seems to be fine, interface fully accessible and the speed remains about the same as the Linksys. That being said, the network card is old and built in and I prefer the stronger security of WPA2. The speed is still plenty fast and if I really need to do any serious downloading the router is right on my desk so I can always plug the cable back into the computer.

Thanks for the advice. This thread should be considered closed.

 

Netgear all the way when it comes to Routers and dongles