Linksys Router Hell

[16point2mm]

So, I've seen posts all over the net about Linksys wi-fi routers bogging down over time, but no one actually seems to have any solutions, which is pretty annoying in my book.  It's gotten to the point where I'm power cycling my router multiple times a day, sometimes more than once an hour, just to keep all my connections running reasonably smooth.  We've got three XP machines passing across the wi-fi at G speeds, and the XBMC and network hard drive hard-wired to the box.  Anyone have any suggestions on getting this thing back to reasonable performance?  I suppose I could shell out the cash for a worthwhile D-Link or Netgear (possibly even an N, with hopes of stepping up my laptop in the not-so-distant future...), but I'd rather not spend the money if I don't have to, considering we're trying to save all our pennies to buy our house & all.

This is damn frustrating...

-Jake

[Straximus]

Have you updated the firmware yet?

[16point2mm]

It's been probably a little over a year, and I hadn't seen anything new out for it lately, but that was probably a few months back.

[Straximus]

What model/version is it?

[16point2mm]

Had to ask me that, didn't you?    I'm typing this from work, and keep forgetting to check the darn thing when I'm at home.  I'm almost absolutely positive it's a WRT54G, revision 2 (kinda sorta maybe?)

[Straximus]

Then try using this firmware:

http://www.dd-wrt.com

[16point2mm]

Will give it a shot.  In the meantime -- and I can't believe the timing on this -- I just dropped $35 on a Netgear WPN824, today's Woot! offering.  I seriously couldn't resist.  I'd drop the Linksys into the ceiling at the other end of the house, just for the added connectivity, but our whole place is probably less than 100' long, the router sits almost in the middle, and I already have an access point that doesn't bog down for that kind of thing. :g:  Looks like the Linksys just made it into my travel case for hotels...