Wireless-N adaptor with DD-WRT unhappy

2481 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by unitron, Apr 28, 2011

thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2011

I recently bought a Linksys E3000 and flashed it with DD-WRT (4/11/11 mega). At the same time, I bought a TiVo Wireless-N adaptor (v1.1.E1).

I've set up the router with WPA2 Personal on the 5MHz and 2.6MHz bands. The TiVo adaptor won't connect to either band. I am certain about the network SSID and password, and I've tried simpler passwords and other levels of security.

The only way I have made it connect so far is to leave the 5MHz band unsecured. I would rather not do that.

I spoke to TiVo technical support, we went through lots of troubleshooting steps (including some of what you see above), and the support rep decided that the adaptor probably requires a replacement.

Before I go through the return process with Amazon, can anyone think of something else I might try?

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thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 28, 2011

A possible additional data point:

I tried to connect my old G adaptor to my new router (this time, to the 2.6 MHz band). At first, it didn't connect, but when I manually assigned it to 192.168.1.120, it worked. My router has the DHCP server running, and I've been able to attach my iPod Touch to it with no issues.

So, anyone? Does it sound likely that the technical support is correct, and that a replacement N adaptor will solve my problems?

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unitron

· #3 · Apr 28, 2011

thenightfly42 said:
A possible additional data point:

I tried to connect my old G adaptor to my new router (this time, to the 2.6 MHz band). At first, it didn't connect, but when I manually assigned it to 192.168.1.120, it worked. My router has the DHCP server running, and I've been able to attach my iPod Touch to it with no issues.

So, anyone? Does it sound likely that the technical support is correct, and that a replacement N adaptor will solve my problems?

Temporarily try it with no security and broadcasting the SSID, and see if the new adapter can find it under those circumstances. Then try it without the SSID being broadcast, then work your way up from WEP.

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thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 28, 2011

I've kept the SSID broadcasting the whole time, I would rather keep it visible.

It worked with no security. It failed at WEP.

To me, who has a pretty good understanding of computers but doesn't have that much depth at networking, it sounds like it would be in the software, and probably a setting on my router, which is why I don't want to return the TiVo adaptor just to have the same problem happen again.

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windsurfdog

· #5 · Apr 28, 2011

Follow unitron's advice. I found I had to back down from WPA2 to WPA to get mine to work properly.

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unitron

· #6 · Apr 28, 2011

thenightfly42 said:
I've kept the SSID broadcasting the whole time, I would rather keep it visible.

It worked with no security. It failed at WEP.

To me, who has a pretty good understanding of computers but doesn't have that much depth at networking, it sounds like it would be in the software, and probably a setting on my router, which is why I don't want to return the TiVo adaptor just to have the same problem happen again.

When you escalated to WEP, did you get on the TiVo and go back through the networking setup steps to specifically tell it to use WEP?

Oh, no matter what else, give the TiVo a fixed IP address. Can't hurt, might help.

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thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 28, 2011

windsurfdog said:
Follow unitron's advice. I found I had to back down from WPA2 to WPA to get mine to work properly.

But I thought you had to keep WPA2 to get N-speeds. For instance:

smallnetbuilder.com said:
Most 802.11n products will knock your throughput down by up to 80% if you use WEP or WPA/TKIP security. The reason is that the 802.11n spec states that the high throughput rates (link rates above 54 Mbps) can't be enabled if either of those outdated security methods are used.

smallnetbuilder.com

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thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 28, 2011

unitron said:
When you escalated to WEP, did you get on the TiVo and go back through the networking setup steps to specifically tell it to use WEP?

No, because the instructions are to set up the N-adaptor while attached via ethernet to a laptop or desktop computer. I never got to the step of attaching it to the TiVo.

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unitron

· #9 · Apr 28, 2011

thenightfly42 said:
No, because the instructions are to set up the N-adaptor while attached via ethernet to a laptop or desktop computer. I never got to the step of attaching it to the TiVo.

You have to hook up the TiVo brand wireless adaptor to a computer before you can plug it into the TiVo?

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thenightfly42

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 28, 2011

unitron said:
You have to hook up the TiVo brand wireless adaptor to a computer before you can plug it into the TiVo?

Yes, unless you have a WPS setup button on your router.

Oddly, I just tried switching from TKIP to AES, since I noticed that in the link I posted. And my adaptor connected. Now, down to the TiVo to make sure...

...and yes, it works. I don't understand why, but that's OK.

Case closed, thanks everyone for helping me to walk through this.

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unitron

· #11 · Apr 28, 2011

thenightfly42 said:
Yes, unless you have a WPS setup button on your router.

Oddly, I just tried switching from TKIP to AES, since I noticed that in the link I posted. And my adaptor connected. Now, down to the TiVo to make sure...

...and yes, it works. I don't understand why, but that's OK.

Case closed, thanks everyone for helping me to walk through this.

The "G" adapter just plugged into the USB on the back of my S2 and all the setup was done on the TV screen with the TiVo remote, so it never occurred to me that you'd have to hook the "N" adaptor up to a computer first.

I will admit that the Tivo and the Linksys router not being able to agree on what to call the various 'more sophisticated than WEP' options didn't help.

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