Linksys WRT160NL-UK Setup Help

ste-sim2x9 · 19 Jan 2011 at 15:59

My old netgear gave up the ghost so i have brought a Linksys WRT160NL-UK 300Mbps Open Source Wireless N Cable Router. I found it abit of a ballache to setup but i have it now working fine except there is few things i hope someone has answers to. I use my notbook most of the time via lan cable but the wife surfs wireless but since i've set this router up my wife said its slower than the netgear and it seems to be. Does anyone know how i can sort this and the software has put an icon on the desktop callied network magic folder and i can't seem to delete it. Any suggestions.

Chanc3 · 19 Jan 2011 at 16:32

The folder is from a program called Network Magic, so the settings for it will be in there. It's made by CISCO.

Originally my WRT160 was a load of pants, but since I DDWRT'd it it runs a lot smoother with barely any problems.

ste-sim2x9 · 19 Jan 2011 at 16:33

Ya been told about dd-wrt but i've never flashed firmware to one of these before so worried on how and what firmware to use.

Chanc3 · 19 Jan 2011 at 16:55

Just done a quick look as I'm about to go out on a date but it looks like your router is supported: http://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT160NL

Should have instructions on there. It's very easy to do, just takes about 5 minutes as you have to do 3 complete hard resets - just make sure you have a backup of the original firmware.

ste-sim2x9 · 20 Jan 2011 at 10:22

How do i get a backup of the firmware and i have to walkthrough for the dd-wrt firmware but don't understand what the use extra applications! Let’s create an “ext3” disk is.

Chanc3 · 20 Jan 2011 at 16:06

If you log into your router and go the the firmware tab (normally under settings/admin) you should be able to download a copy to your HDD.

ext3 is to do with linux as NTFS is for Windows. I haven't used the most recent version of DDWRT so I'm afraid my knowledge is limited to the older releases.

ste-sim2x9 · 20 Jan 2011 at 16:54

There is no place to backup the firmware. With the ddwrt firmware can i still use wireless printer.

KIA · 20 Jan 2011 at 20:46

ste-sim2x9 said:
With the ddwrt firmware can i still use wireless printer.

Yes.

Chanc3 · 21 Jan 2011 at 01:08

Ok, it may be that you need to go on to linksys's website and download a copy of your firmware just in case.

ste-sim2x9 · 21 Jan 2011 at 09:33

When i've been looking around on the net for info on it some people say you have to do a 30 sec reset with power,30 sec no power and 30 sec with power. Wats that all about.

Chanc3 · 21 Jan 2011 at 13:12

You have to do a full reset once you have flashed it with the new firmware for it to work 100%.

Sequence should be something like this (iirc):

BEFORE NEW FIRMWARE
Hold reset button with power for 30 seconds
Keep holding the reset button and remove power for 30 seconds
Keep holding reset button, plug power back in for 30 seconds

After you have flashed with new firmware you have to repeat that process.

Its a lot of effort as you'll have to keep doing this when they update the firmware. If its easier I could just send you my WT160N which is already flashed (for cable broadband).

ste-sim2x9 · 21 Jan 2011 at 15:53

If its easier I could just send you my WT160N which is already flashed (for cable broadband)

Please explain.

Chanc3 · 21 Jan 2011 at 18:48

ste-sim2x9 said:
Please explain.

I've got a WT160N sitting here for cable broadband which is currently not in use. When it was being used last year I flashed the firmware to DDWRT but have not used since.

ste-sim2x9 · 21 Jan 2011 at 18:58

I've just brought mine, i would have brought that from you if i did'nt already buy this.

Chanc3 · 21 Jan 2011 at 19:40

Not to worry, just means you have to put a bit of effort into flashing your router.

ste-sim2x9 · 21 Jan 2011 at 19:51

I'll keep to the firmware it has for the moment untill i've learned more about the flashing process.

ste-sim2x9 · 14 Feb 2011 at 21:35

Well i'm going to take the plunge and try to flash my wrt160l but there are 2 files. What flash do i use.

ste-sim2x9 · 15 Feb 2011 at 12:25

Don't matter i've flashed the router and everything is fine.