Linksys WRT54G router speed probs

Hope some one here can help?

I bought a Linksys WRT54G wireless router on the recommendation of another member here on cable forum.
Set it up, as advised, via 192.168.1.1 and cloned the NTL 250 black SACM MAC address, this after setting up very basic adjustments in settings.
Now the problems:
If I use the setup of SACM through the router, speed test on ADSL guide is saying I'm getting either 1 meg or even worse, half meg connection speeds, when I know I'm on the full 2 meg speeds from NTL.
If I disconnect the router, and use only the SACM, I get the full 2 meg back again.
Anyone have suggestions on how to set up this router to gain optimum speeds?
I bought the router to use on on the XBox 360 xbox live, as the existing cable entry point is in the front room with the PC with the SACM, and the tv and Xbox will live in the back room, hence the recommendation to get this exact router from the other CF member.

Just a little confused - if you clone any MAC address (I thought this was only to avoid having the register new MAC addresses when using an STB), it would be the MAC address of the PC, NOT that of the SACM.

Just following what I was advised to do by the Linksys help line, was told to go to 192.168.1.1 then to clone the MAC address of the existing modem.
Any thoughts on what to do to sort it out, if so, much appreciated.

[rogerdraig]

hmm get rid of the cloned address as it works fine here with out it

[SMHarman]

^ what he said for starters.

Are you using this wired or wireless? Wireless can be slower than the BB connection in poor connectivity.

Up to date firmware?

If that all does not fix it then switching on QoS?

[etccarmageddon]

as stated above, if you are doing your speed test via the wireless connection it could be the wireless link which is at 'fault'.
__________________

also I wouldnt worry about the cloned mac address. if you have a connection then that can not be the problem as far as I know.

[patrickp]

Originally Posted by atlantis

Just following what I was advised to do by the Linksys help line, was told to go to 192.168.1.1 then to clone the MAC address of the existing modem.
Any thoughts on what to do to sort it out, if so, much appreciated.

A SACM doesn't look for the MAC address of the attached device, atlantis, so you don't need to clone your PC's MAC into the router.

If you'd had an STB you would have needed either to clone the address or to register a new computer MAC with ntl - you would be taken to the page that does this automatically on trying to connect.

Originally Posted by patrickp

A SACM doesn't look for the MAC address of the attached device, atlantis, so you don't need to clone your PC's MAC into the router.

If you'd had an STB you would have needed either to clone the address or to register a new computer MAC with ntl - you would be taken to the page that does this automatically on trying to connect.

Cheers for that Patrick,
I was doing what I was told, as I mentioned, by the Linksys so called "helpline", don't think I should have bothered in truth.
Done a factory reset on the router, so no cloned MAC now, it works, but still dreadfully slow, tried windows update, after complete re-install this afternoon, and it was painfully slow, like being back on dialup again

Have you tried changing the channel on the router? Try a different one and see if that makes a difference. The default channel is 11 I think on the Linksys router. Also the line of sight between the wireless router and your PC could have an adverse effect - try situating the router in a different position.

Yep, channel changed from 11 to 13, but all the probs I'm getting are via hardwire, from the cable modem, through the linksys router, to the ethernet connector on the motherboard, it's all very slow?

I've noticed the cable LED lights slowly flashing, the send led not flashing as fast as I recall it doing prior to connecting the router, but ready LED is solid green, sync LED likewise, power, again solid green, enet & recv led's are flashing on/off, but again, not as fast as they used to

Just updated the ethernet driver to latest version on motherboard, now running out of ideas to try

After the complete re-install this afternoon, if it helps anyone, the windows update took over 2 hours to download/install

Used to take roughly 40 od minutes

[bucketbakereturn]

really really odd problem you have there.

ok so its set up like this SACM to router then to pc via ethernet wired i assume, and then to the XBOX - wirelessly ??..thats a bunch of cable if not.

there are several revisions of the router (i have one myself) which can be determined from the serial code on the underside, google it or www.linksysnfo.org (crackin wee site). From there u can determine which of the current firmwares is relevant.

In the settings is it set to act as a Gateway or a Router, gateway is the answer.

This is a great piece of kit i promise you, i've updated the firmware numerous times, run an Xbox wirelessly, my wife's laptop wirelessly, get full download speeds, have been intrusion free and plan to incorporate it into an AV set up with itunes in due course. Keep posting will try to help.

Cheers for reply bucketbakereturn, connected as you said above, but no xbox yet (the 360 doesn't come out untill 2nd december) so trying to get everything sorted prior.
Tried your link, but get "The page cannot be displayed"?

The link should be :- http://www.linksysinfo.org

[bucketbakereturn]

sorry my bad, completely forgot you'd immediatly clik on the site link, just typin without thinkin.

ok so its plugged in the right way and the fact ur gettin a signal of some degree means that at least its the right type of cables sonnectin it all up. Ur usin onboard ethernet is it safe to assume you've the latest BIOS and chipset for the board, are there updated firmware/drivers available for ur SACM. Is the windows firewall switched off (iti s XP ur rig?).

the firmware on the router has a 'one button' security configuration which can be disabled altogether - its designed for wireless tbh but lets at least get rid of whats possible. I do agree that there's a choke point somewhere.

Are u simply suffering from an NTL 'planned maintenance'?

Thanks again bucketbakereturn, done the trip to the link you gave, signed up OK, but they couldn't provide the firmware upgrade, but no worries, got it off the official linksys site, so now working with firmware 1.00.2
All cables are the supplied ethernet cables, one blue one came from NTL with the SACM, which is now connected to internet in socket on linksys, the blue cable, ethernet again, supplied with the linksys, now connected to ethernet port 1 on router, other end into ethernet motherboad connector.
Upgraded all software on motherboard this afternoon after complete re-install, so nothing else I can think to upgrade.
That only leaves the internal setting in the router setup?