Linksys WRT310N - DD-WRT firmware

[TEX4S]

I have a Linksys WRT310N - its a decent router, 802.11n & Gigabit.

My only problem with it is the same as others, it gets hot - real hot.

After dealing with the deplorable tech support @ Linksys (I hate outsourced Tech Support) I had them send me another unit as the 1st one would lose all connectivity after 5 minutes due to overheating.

Now with the new one (same model) I noticed it being warm, but not as bad as the other - then after installing the DD-WRT firmware, it seamed to cool off considerably. I thought it was just because it was rebooted after the FW installation, but it remained cool. I am using pretty much default settings (aside from security).

My question is - has anyone else heard of this ? I dont see where any of the setting changes would cause this aside from trimming some overhead. I mounted it to the wall and bought a small 4" fan, but it isnt necessary anymore -

I was wondering if its my imagination or someone who knows alot more than me about this stuff can confirm it.

[primexx]

hmm I flashed DD-WRT onto mine as soon as I got it and it's been running rock solid for the entire time. Never noticed it overheating.

[Gary2MBz]

From what I've seen, using both stock and DD-WRT firmware on a 160n, 310n, and 610n, they all have that overheating problem. What happened to the quality in the WRT54G ages? They also have weaker signal compared to the previous gen products. I always hated D-Link but after seeing my friend's DGL-4500, I'm convinced I'm going to buy a DIR-825. It seems like it could provide what it advertises and won't break on me like some of their other products.

[TEX4S]

From what I've seen, using both stock and DD-WRT firmware on a 160n, 310n, and 610n, they all have that overheating problem. What happened to the quality in the WRT54G ages? They also have weaker signal compared to the previous gen products. I always hated D-Link but after seeing my friend's DGL-4500, I'm convinced I'm going to buy a DIR-825. It seems like it could provide what it advertises and won't break on me like some of their other products.

thats interesting - I agree with you 100%

the ol' WRT-54G was an absolute workhorse -

hell the POS wi-fi modem/router that AT&T gave me with my DSL connection (2-wire) had better range than this WRT-310N

I have always swore by Linksys, and told others to only buy Linksys - and threw in "Linksys is made by Cisco - so you know its good" -

But after dealing with their absolutely pathetically outsourced customer service - ( I think it was the middle east, or the phillipines - the accents were so hard I couldnt tell the difference - and of course they use the fake American names, like them calling themselves "Steve" is going to make me feel more at ease) - I am thinking of looking @ D-Link next time I need to get a router-

damn i hate companies that outsource customer service - all companies should look to Logitech for their customer service model -

(did I mention I hate companies who .... oh yeah I did) :blush:

[Gary2MBz]

I also got that 2wire on me. My problem is that either the DSL connection resets itself or the whole router does. I'm looking to get a cheapo single machine Motorola modem and hooking it up to that D-Link I'm planning to buy.

[Brian M. Veteran]

I had a similar issue with a WRT160N - on stock firmware, it was pretty much unusable (after about 10 minutes of solid transfer it'd be very hot to the touch, and would slow down. Using DD-WRT, however, it was solid as a rock - didn't have any problems.

I only stopped using it since DD-WRTs wireless N speed was so limited on that model it couldn't cope with my connection speed when I upgraded my connection. At the moment, it's sitting on my AV rack acting as a switch with DD-WRT and it's fine.

[TEX4S]

I had a similar issue with a WRT160N - on stock firmware, it was pretty much unusable (after about 10 minutes of solid transfer it'd be very hot to the touch, and would slow down. Using DD-WRT, however, it was solid as a rock - didn't have any problems.

I only stopped using it since DD-WRTs wireless N speed was so limited on that model it couldn't cope with my connection speed when I upgraded my connection. At the moment, it's sitting on my AV rack acting as a switch with DD-WRT and it's fine.

Now that is interesting - I guess its not my imagination. So far the flashed Linksys has been good - I am thinking either the firmware is just alot more efficient, or there was some serious bloat and crap settings and stuff to make it more uniform - or compatible for everyone - so there was some unnecessary things running...I dunno

The temp has decreased considerably - and being mounted on the wall - there is decent airflow - I thought about creating a custom case for it - but there are too many solder points actually connecting the board to the frame

Another strange thing - and its almost funny -- I was bored and went to Fry's last week - I felt like I had to buy something (happens alot) - and saw these thick-ass CAT-6+ cables from Monster Cable. Normally, I would laugh if I saw someone paying $40.00 for 15' of ethernet cable - but - I liked the way they looked - yes looked - like I said I was bored.

I took them home (bought a 15' and a 7') - and I'll be damned if I didnt see a 5-7% increase in downloads across the board. The cables I was using before was just regular CAT-5 - and these are supposed to be some kind of CAT-6+ - - did I mention they look cool ? ;)

I know the increase isnt because of the higher capabilities of CAT-6 over CAT-5 as that ceiling is so far above anything I am passing through - these speed increases have to be because of better quality, less loss/ noise/interference ?? who knows - but that is what I am telling myself so I dont feel stupid for buying them.

Edited May 25, 2009 by TEX4S

[TEX4S]

well I have been using the DD-WRT on the 310n for about a week - and since mounting it on the wall it has been nice and cool to the touch (problem solved) :)

However, I have another issue - one that is starting to bug me.

I tried to get the router to open a certain port (37750) to work with utorrent, and utorrent says that port isnt opened, and even worse - there are no incoming connections (I get a red exclamation point in the bottom bar off the utorrent window)

I followed the guide on portforward.com and no change -

(making screenshot - need to hide some things on it first :) )

thanks