Linksys WRT54GS Wireless Router

Pros: None.
Cons: Defective technology, ineffective tech support, poor customer service.

Purchased this router new to upgrade from previous standard. WRT54GS version 5.0

The software would not display the Linksys setup page correctly in my browser window, such that most of the links and buttons were not available. This made it impossible to troubleshoot the usual network setup problems. I spent 6 hours working on this, including multiple phone calls back and forth with Linksys tech support, but they were unable to diagnose or fix the problem.

The worst part is that Linksys was unwilling to admit this was a defective unit or to agree to replace the unit without making me go through ANOTHER hour of useless maneuvers.

Finally, Linksys agreed to a replacement unit, but their replacement unit website malfunctioned and left me unable to complete the paperwork.

Pros: Handy
Cons: Reliability, poor Customer support/warranty coverage

Mine went bad after about 10 months. That can happen. But, to have it replaced, I needed to have the original receipt...even though I registered my purchase with Linkys.

Fortunately, I purchased mine over the internet, so I had an electronic receipt.

However, after I returned my unit, I still had not received word from Linksys. When I spoke to them, they asked for my mail tracking number. Fortunately, once again..I had electronic info regarding my tracking numer. Twice then, Linkys attempted to bail on its warranty with what I considered techinicalities and red tape.

Pros: Compact, inexpensive, sturdy
Cons: I couldn't find any.

We've had ours for a couple of years now - I have one and so does my boyfriend - have had no problems with either. While the instructions are somewhat criptic as to how you actually reset the password to make your device have a secure network - it never needs to be reset, is compact, sturdy and takes a pretty good hit when the dogs have knocked it down.

Pros: Nice when it worked
Cons: Unreliable and tech support very inconsistent

I have had two of these with the same problem of failing to maintain a connection for more than 10 minutes. The first unit lasted 5 months and the second 3 months. Trying to diagnose the problem and getting a replacement required multiple days of tech support phone calls. The frustration of getting a working unit forced me to look elsewhere for a router. Some of the tech support people were knowledgeable while most were reading from a computer screen.

Pros: Fast to install
Cons: Too many reboots and no predicatability on when it will lose network connectivity.

We, my sister and I, purchased the Linksys WRT54GS and the pci card to go with it so we could share one internet connection. We've only been connected 2 months and just like that blam!!! it stopped working. There we were downstairs surfing and then it just quit.

I spent 3 hours with tech support, who determined that we had a faulty device and then told me that I would have to talk to customer service on the next business day. The product has a 3 year limited warranty. And I frankly don't see the point.

It was fairly easy to install, which is it's only good point right now. It required several reboots and one reset made it completely useless.

Pros: none
Cons: no tech support. Not easy to install

I will never buy a linksys product again. No tech support, not easy to install. After Installing, could not connect more than one computer at a time. Tried everything possible, waited on phone more than 40 mins. E-mailed questions and no answer!!

Pros: the router worked great
Cons: it took a lot of follow-up to get linksys to fulfill the warranty

I had this item for almost 2 years and it worked great. One day it stopped working and since it was still under warranty, we called Linksys. My boyfriend spent hours the phone with them until they finally agreed that the unit needed to be fixed or replaced. I completed the online process and mailed the unit in.

From the time I mailed my unit in to the time I received what I think to be a factory reconditioned unit was over 2 months! After a month of not hearing a word from Linksys, I called customer service. They informed me that since they changed warehouse locations since I mailed the unit, the unit was likely sitting unopened at the old warehouse. I provided the tracking number that verified Linksys had received the unit, and they agreed to "expedite" the process.

It took another month of calls and threatening emails to finally receive the unit. When I received the unit the install cd was cracked, but luckily still worked. The new unit is functioning fine, but was a headache to wrangle over with Linksys.

Pros: Nothing.
Cons: Quality is bad, support is worse.

I purchased a WRT54G wireless router a couple of months ago and it has been nothing but trouble. The reception is terrible. I can’t even connect from about 15 feet away. I’ve had it replaced once by LinkSys and the replacement they sent was worse than the first unit. BUY A NETGEAR instead. Their support has been outsourced to India so it is also terrible. I will never buy another LinkSys product if there is an alternative.

Pros: 1) Ease of installation 2) Connection Speed. 3) Linksys Support.
Cons: There were no cons for me.

MY EXPERIENCE: This product is great! It even installed well on my clunky Win 98SE direct connect desktop. It works well on my older Compaq Laptop (XP Home). The box it came in says "for best performance, use with Windows XP". I replaced an 80211b configuration and I am happy with the increased speed.
WHY I BOUGHT THIS PRODUCT: Linksys reputation - my last Wireless Router was a Linksys - My FIRST name brand Wireless Router and Card (Wasn't a Linksys) got me so frustrated that I gave it away after a month and replaced it with a Linksys WRT54G.
WHAT I LIKE: The installation was relatively simple. I had one hiccup and Linksys Support fixed it promptly. I like the increased connection speed. I'd highly recommend this product along with the Linksys Speed Booster Laptop Card.
WHAT I DISLIKE. I have NO dislikes.

Pros: Easy setup
Cons: May be problematic for stability

Apparently many are having issues with ongoing Internet disconnects. That is to say that the router is losing its ability to communicate with the ISP provider at randoms intervals, and must be repowered to recover. Apparently it does not matter if you are using it with DSL or Cable. Some posts in different forums have suggested using a third party Firmware instead of the manufacturer's, as this seems to stabilize the unit. I am an owner of one with the issue and have not tried this solution yet since I am still testing other resolutions first. My recommendation is to steer clear of this model right now.

Pros: Easy to configure
Cons: I have use 15 and 2 failed.

I sell these thing on my job as a consulutant and I have a 2 faliure in a row and I stopped selling them

Pros: Easy to setup for both home local network and internet/file/printer sharing.
Cons: None that I have seen

I had the chance to work with several wireless router recently and I must say this one is the best of them, really easy to setup and has a very good range and network performance.

I used this tutorial to establish my home network and internet sharing: http://www.cguy.net/wlan_home_net/

Pros: Pretty Blue and Black paint - very attractive
Cons: Simply did not work, technical assistance worthless.

Bought this router because it was suppose to be able to supply multiple computers (both wired and wireless) with individual IP's so they could all be online at the same time. However, the Linksys 54G would not provide separate IP's, so only one computer could be online at a time. Spent over 2 hours with Linksys Live Chat and their solution at the end of the chat was "just follow the instructions and it will work". Totally useless assistance.
I will take it back to the store and by a DLink that is "plug and play."
Would not recommend this product or Linksys Technical Assistance.

Pros: Cheap, easy to use, good security built in
Cons: Nothing not expected at this price.

I ran several kiddie scripts against my network when I set it up. Penetrating the network took in excess of twenty minutes on a dual processor mac G5. This is with what I call "the easy button" this router comes with.

For the price... it's a great product. If you know what you're doing, spend the extra money to get what you pay for.

Pros: Simple setup. Dependable so far.
Cons: Not so good signal strength for me... {but have never dropped connection yet}

I bought this router because it had the highest reviews on a couple sites, even though it was $20-$40 more than other routers. One of my biggest requirements was ease of setup and dependability. Well, it gets an A+ on both counts, setup took only minutes with me just pressing "next" a few times and I was in business, setting up security was super simple, and getting my wireless computers online was similarly simple. My one and only complaint is that the wireless PC's, which are only about 50 feet away through 2 walls get a signal strength reading of "low". But I dont have a laptop to test actual range, and to be fair, they dont lose connection or anything. I just figure it should be higher than "low"....