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WRT54G V5 Hackable!!!!

linksysinfo.org — Brainslayer has once again gone and done the unthinkable. Apparently he's found some time away from the FON project to continue forging ahead on getting DD-WRT into the previously un-hackable WRT54Gv5.

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  • blueigloo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23Finally - theres hope for this poor router! The Linksys firmware for this (stock and from the website) is incredibly unstable.
    • dvshadow, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4yea, i hear ya!
    • cius, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yea, I wanted to hack mine so bad, but then I found out it was a v5. This gives me hope though. I'd really like to see what the FOSS firmware adds to this little machine.
    • JPhilipson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1YAY, Go Netgear!
    • vertigoblue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1buy a WRT54GL, its the open source hackable one, with just downloading and updating the firmware...
  • v0l1tile, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5i _Love_ the wrt54g's!!!!! purchased over ebay and got a v5 in mistake...

    now i just gotta get the jtag :D
    • xbob, on 10/12/2007, -26/+5even i new that and im 15
    • ViceVirtue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2What did even you know, xbob? That v0l1tile needs to find the JTAG port on his Linksys?
    • diecastbeatdown, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2uhm, something is wrong with the comment system. i've seen this happen before.... i reply to a comment and my reply ends up under another comment. lame.... too bad there is not a 'remove comment' feature while the edit time is available.
  • microsoftpwner, on 10/12/2007, -42/+10oh a router....u kinda failed to mention that in the title or description....
    • Yankees368, on 10/12/2007, -21/+65I think anyone who is on digg should at least know what a WRT54G is.
    • cheztir, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9definitely, everyone on this site should know what a WRT54G is.
      This is good news as a friend of mine bricked his V2 and all thats in stores here is v5.
    • ElectricGrandpa, on 10/12/2007, -10/+17"I think anyone who is on digg should at least know what a WRT54G is."

      I'm on this site everyday and I still didn't know what a WRT54G was... I can't believe your comment got 30 diggs either, that's ridiculous... I thought the community here was pretty welcoming/friendly but apparently not... At one point all of you had to learn about it too, what's with the "smarter than thou" attitude?
    • Shadow6363, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8It's cause I am smarter than thou... Seriously though, it really does seem like most computer geeks are becoming less open to sharing their knowledge and welcoming in newcomers. Then again, there does seem to be almost two groups of computer geeks; those that are somehow born with it (I'd like to think of myself as one of them) and are unwilling to share their knowledge, and those that find every book possible and try as hard as they must to learn stuff. Either way, imho, you should have known that a WRT54G is a router...it's like knowing how to breathe.
    • bhaugh, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7Or, you know, you could just type a six-character string into Google?

      Are we that lazy?
    • dextroz, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2fu*ck you don't even need to type it into google; assuming you are using firefox with conquery, you just double-click the word>right-click>choose query>Google and you got your answer in the new tab all without touching the keyboard!!!

      wait you don't know what a firefox extension is now? well at least you know how to find out.
    • SpacePirate, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6"fu*ck you don't even need to type it into google; assuming you are using firefox with conquery, you just double-click the word>right-click>choose query>Google and you got your answer in the new tab all without touching the keyboard!!!"

      You use a freaking mouse? Your fingers should never leave the home row. Cmd/Ctrl-L and tab over to the google box, type whatever you'd like. Learn keyboard shortcuts, they're guaranteed to be faster than using a bloody mouse.
    • kodek, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5You freaking CTRL L and tab over? Just hit CTRL E (or CMD SHIFT F)
    • kevinarth, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4If you people are done beating your chests competing over the ungodly amount of stuff you know, I'll offer mho. I happened to recognize the model number because I own that router, but i don't understand why any non-owner would necessarily know what that number was. It's not exactly like saying HTML or DOS -- something I would expect most to know. Just my 2c
    • Agret, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4 ElectricGrandpa the WRT54G has been mentioned hundreds of times on digg and slashdot and other tech news sites, you really need to get out less.
  • gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4That's really good news, though it's currently a real bitch to do the flash (compared to the ease with which you can flash earlier versions) and it still has a tiny amount of RAM compared to other versions.

    BTW, this also works on the new GS's based on VxWorks.
    • spinesplitter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0or i can just bind alt-tab and shift-alt-tab to ctrl-left and right, then TO GO TO THE GOOGLE BOX YOU USE CTRL-K, though i tab over if im on URL allready

      http://users.tkk.fi/~psillanp/hah_hp/ : mouseless forefox extension, press (space) to bring up commands for links, bbcode too


      im leeter than thou, a little quicker too
  • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Can this firmware boost the range?
    • irregex, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You can boost the output, but your clients still have to have enough power to reach back to the AP.

      It's mostly useful for setting up a bridge between two APs running DD-WRT.
    • dvshadow, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2not necessarily, the router can receive signals from quite a far ways away...on top of that, a stronger signal is always going to help with RFI
  • SquirrelOnFire, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8Can someone explain to the "rest of us" the significance of this?

    Why is it important or cool that this router was hacked, and what possibilities does it open up?

    Thanks in advance.
  • dvshadow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The wrt54g's have always had Linux firmware support and people have used the firmware to do things such as boost the power of the antennas SIGNIFICANTLY (stock 28mw - boost to over 150mw) - add vlans, tunneling..practically anything you could do on Linux!!

    the V5 was released with closed source alongside the WRT54GL (Linux hackable vs) that was 20-30 dollars more.

    this opens up many possibilities!

    ****this hack does take some work though******
  • Madh2orat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Linksys routers are pretty cheap, the wrt54g series is about 40 USD. I got a version 2.2 a while ago, for 20 bucks after the MIR, I killed it a few weeks ago, and have been using my backup U.S. Robotics one, but it misses alot of the features I used on a regular basis, such as Advanced wireless, security, and port triggering options. Now im definately getting one of the new WRT54g v.5 because I can go back to using dd-wrt.
    • vertigoblue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1buy the WRT54GL from newegg... its 50 bucks
  • kruykaze, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3How about Xlink? do you think the amount of memory will allow it?
  • Wootery, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Wonder what Linksys will think of this, will no doubt harm the sales of their Linux-ready router.
    Perhaps they'll reduce the RAM further, and claim it's to reduce manufacturing cost, again.
  • moo113, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Excellent. My buddy just busted his router and he's got to send it in for another and we were quite worried about getting a v5. Guess there's no worry anymore.
    • gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Well, he still probably won't be able to use all the features of the full-blown firmwares because the memory on the v5's was castrated. I would still HIGHLY reccomend NOT getting a v5. If you look through the actual flashing process for that model, you'll probably agree that it's a lot less trouble to just get one used off of eBay.
  • haooken, on 10/12/2007, -12/+3I plug my boX into the wall, biatches. I rock it old skool!

    /Word.
  • Nocturnal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3That is damn awesome. I've been thinking about picking up a router soon and I didn't want to shell out the extra cash for the WRT54GL so if this is something that is promising and is not that excruciating then I may pick up a regular v5 router.
    • gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The *best* thing to do nowadays is get a router off of eBay. You don't /want/ a v5. Also, the WRT54GL's (and WRT54G v4's...they're identical) are a little annoying at times. You're best with a v2~3 WRT54G or a WRT54GS < v4.
    • BumKnee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2gotardnt (or anyone),

      What is annoying about the WRT54GLs? I was looking into ordering one. I guess I like the idea of a new router vs. one that may have been running with its power cranked up and who knows what that does to the life of the router if it runs hot.
    • gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think the GL's had some problems with flashing to 3rd party firmwares when they were first released, but those have been worked out by now with updates to the firmwares. There's really nothing wrong with them, I'd just prefer an earlier model WRT54G (or GS...which is what I have).
    • Swivelhead, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Oy! I have a v1.1 whose wifi broke down about a year ago. It still routes though. Is there any hope for it?

      Thanks all!
    • rakista, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The V5s are fine the firmware problems were resolved in the first few months of producing the new chips.

      I have just flashed a normal v5 w/o difficulty.
  • PicklePower, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Okay, how can I find out if this router is version 5? Can't find it anywhere on the unit or in the router setup.

    Also, will changing this firmware be completely reversible?
    • kruykaze, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It shows next to the model number, serial number and mac address.
    • PicklePower, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I've got the wrong router, that would be why. Thanks, though.
  • ovejon, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0"Hackable" doesn't sound like the correct word to use because there was no hacking for it. wrt54g is an open source router so any people can write firmware for it. He basically created a micro version of his ddwrt firmware that would fit in v5 flashrom.

    Anyways, great news for v5 users as third party firmware such as the dd-wrt is way better than the stock firmware from lynksis.
    • Loonacy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The WRT54G version 5 uses VXworks, as well as new hardware. It isn't open source like the previous versions. So yes, there was quite a bit of hacking to get this working.
    • rwheeler, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Hacking doesn't always mean defacing websites. For instance, an add-on for a website forum is often called a hack. You are thinking of cracking.

      From the dictionary:
      4 : to write computer programs for enjoyment
  • Observer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4has anyone tried it yet? I Have a v5 and hoping this actually works

  • schlagzeuger, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6DAMN. i just fried my WRT54G by accident when I plugged my laptop's power supply into it.... it made a beautiful little wisp of smoke when it took 12V up it's backside
    • PathDaemon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6See: It's always the silly little things that do it. Not bad firmware, not an evil packet, but a laptop power supply.

      Let this be a lesson!
    • tievolu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0That's odd.

      The power supply that ships with the WRT54G is 12V, and the unit can accept a very wide range of input voltage (between 4V and 27V for a regulated power supply). Have a look at this site:

      http://wiki.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/BatteryPoweredAP

      which specifically recommends using laptop power supplies to power your WRT54G (speicifically, IBM Thinkpad power supplies are known to work well).
  • bergur1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I wish I could have bought the wrt54g's but it seems I got the crappy wrk54g's which dont even support xlink
  • ramsinks.com, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Brainslayer is the man~ again.

    Although I just buy tons of WRT54GL's - so I dont accently buy a V5 for my clients. They all get the upgrade out the door.~~~
    ;)

    I have 100's of modded Warts out in the field with some DD or Tofu firmware - frick'n ownz.
    "L" = linux.
  • jaydee, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2its amazing i've read all the comments here so far and still have no idea why this is such a good thing.. along with not wanting a podcast t-shirt I truly don't know why I would need this.. I'll get me coat
  • moonoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Looks like another guy, Piotr Gozdur, was the one who discovered how to actually change the firmware. That's the hard part... He should get some of the TY also. :)
  • L0phtpDK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8You have to give credit where its due:

    It actually was Piotr Gozdur from the forum who got it to work first.... http://forum.bsr-clan.de/ftopic5643-0-asc-45.html

    Brain Slayer just removed a bunch of stuff from his firmware that allowed Piotr to find the right method of installing it.

    And if you really want to be critical... Piotr removed more stuff to make it the official Micro version we see today...

    But over all, I'd still thank Brain Slayer for give us versions up to this point!

    Donate via paypal - http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php?link=donate

    Edit: Moonoo beat me too it :)
  • account, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Can someone please explain why four exclamation marks were used in the title?
  • Oxidizer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7- 1/4 of a 50 litter petrol tank spent driving from shop to shop looking for a v4: £45
    - One WRT54GSv4 from Comet: £70
    - One ADSL2MUE also from Comet: £40
    - One sveasoft subscription: £12
    - 3 hours messing about with PPPoE: £13.5 (according to a £4.5 min wage)
    - Opening digg to verify your internet connection only to see that that the omnipresent WRT54GSv5 is hackable: priceless.
  • embeem, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2The problem was never getting the firmware onto the device; the problem is that the device has so limited resources that it was pointless to waste any time on it.

    2M flash and 8M ram? Wow...

    Hardly news worthy considering that previous models had either 4M flash/16M ram or 8M flash/32M ram.
    • moonoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Even before DD, OpenWrt was already small enough to fit on it, just no way to actually load it. That's why it's necessary to replace the CFE (the boot loader) in order to load a new firmware.

      Anyway, it's good news for those that already have v5s. A lot of them have had problems with Linksys' new Vx firmware.
  • ldenman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2cool, i have that router...too bad I don't know whats going on though.
  • Trivialnight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Got a WRT54Gv5 back in Janurary, found out about the Vxworks being put on it so went back and returned it got a GSv4 before the v5's came out cost $20 more I think though
  • duranracing, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Where do we get instructions on how to do this. Mine sais upgrade are failed.
  • nbd168, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Oooooh, look at all those people that think their crappy V5 router is actually going to be any good with DD-WRT.
    Oh boy, are they in for a surprise... :)
  • xen0blue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Can someone explain to me what DD-WRT is and why this is so significant? I'm working on my CCNA and i've never heard of it (DD-WRT). I would assume the WRT part means wireless reciever/transmitter?
  • rhettardo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1glad to see some one clarified that piotr is the one who got it working
  • rhettardo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0xen0blue, wrt is a series of linksys routers though alot more routers support dd-wrt (which is just a 3 party firmware that gives you alot more funcionality)

    heres a couple links
    http://wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware = list of routers (un)/supported and hardware specs

    http://wrt-wiki.bsr-clan.de/index.php?title=DD-WRT_Docu_%28EN%29 = english documentation on dd-wrt

    http://www.dd-wrt.com = dd-wrt home page
    • xen0blue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0More functionality? Thats it? What more do I need it to do?

      Are you saying this new firmware can make a linksys router into something as functional as a cisco router?
    • 9enisP, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Linksys is owned by Cisco. I'm surprised you haven't learned that while working on your CCNA. I'm just f*ucking around man. Just giving you a hard time. :) Good luck on the cert though, seriously.
  • addisonj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Anyone have a link to a guide on flashing? no luck finding one here for me...
  • studiorats, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I know what a WRT54G. It's the router I use at home and at work.
  • techhit9908, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I got one of these a couple of weeks ago... it hasn't given me any problems yet though. I'm liking some of the fixes for it though so I'll check this out. Thanks!

    --------------------------------
    http://gh.ffshrine.org/soundtracks.php?r=3654
    Come on, help a brother out and just follow the link! Please? -21 clicks so far
  • ph33d, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's not really on topic, but I thought I'd share anyway... I have a WRT54G v. 2 and I just recently installed HyperWRT + Thibor14. It's pretty awesome, but I've only got one complaint. The wireless download speeds will intermittently (only twice in weeks) plunge to sub-dial up speeds. Disconnecting from the network and re-joining corrects the problem, so it's merely annoying not fatal. If anyone knows the cause or fix, drop me a line.
  • thashiz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I got this WRT54G for $10 after an xmas present return and a $30 rebate ... what a fantastic investment. :D
  • dinomite512, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Alo, I recently bought a linksys wrt54G from Garage Sale, and there's no box nor serial number. In fact, the outter cover is missing; so I only have the gut. it works great, and if I go to http://192.168.1.1, it said I have "[Firmware Version: v1.00.9, May. 12, 2006 ]" so, wht I wanted to know if this version is running linux of vxwork? can someone please help me educate me on how to find what version I have and if this router is running linux or vxwork?
  • KhanSW, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0dinomite512 if you flip over your wrt54g and look at the sticker that shows the mac address and serial number you will see in the top left corner the linksys logo, under that it will say WRT54G v.X with X being your version. Hope that helps... oops just noticed you said that you dont have the outer cover so I guess this won't help ya, sorry
  • easycheez, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1This router sucks, I bought it thinking it was 4/16, got home and it was 2/8. I bought it in December. I have had ton of trouble with it since. The stability sucks, wireless load causes it to crash. I am talking serious load, not web browsing. Can anyone tell me if dd-wrt will stop it from crashing so much or should I just throw the thing in the trash. I wouldn't want to sell anyone this POS.
  • AUTOgod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0ive got one of these, ive had no probs at all, (aside from my connection occasionally being crap) no stability issues at all, i would like to know however, just in case this changes, does dd-wrt work properly on there or not? is it worth the hassle? and will it give me more stability or not, considering the fact that i have almost 100% stability with it switched on 24/7 and coping with quite a bit of traffic (xbox live and a lot of pc downloads) thanks.
  • halkok, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The WRT54GS v5.1 appearently works with DD-WRT Micro Generic. Can anyone confirm they have tried this and made it work? I also really want to see some screenshots of the DD-WRT micro edition before I flash my router. I mean, being so small in filesize compared to the Standard-version, does it even have a GUI or is everythinh command-line based?

    I appreciate any feedback on this as I'm dying to start using DD-WRT Micro on my v5.1 router. This will also enable me to extend the RAM (not ROM) from 8 to 16MB which is pretty amazing.
  • halkok, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0By the way, here is reference for my claim :)

    http://www.bitsum.com/openwiking/owbase/ow.asp?WRT54G5%5FCFE
  • fooleydoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yes, the micro version of ddwrt works on the v5 versions of the WRT54G.

    You have to install two images first (to disable vxworks?) but then you can install ddwrt or revert to the official firmware.

    You get a web interface and telnetd. i was able to boost the signal output and increase the number of IP connections - so that was enough for me.

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