[ALERT] WRT54G3G-ST 2.01.12 and 597E

Michael

The release notes for the latest LinkSys WRT54G3G-ST states that the Novatel EX720 and Sierra AirCard 597e ExpressCards work with the LinkSys.

The day the firmware was available, we tested with our own EX720 an 597E and sure enough they worked.

Now, today, we are about to ship a customer the 597E and LinkSys combination and we want to make sure that everything indeed works. Sprint recently refreshed the 597E and it includes an ExpressCard Adapter (of couse not the Novatel one we have a lot of confidence with).

So, we activate the 597E in a laptop and it works. We move to the LinkSys with firmware 2.01.12 and the LinkSys does not recognize the card. We figured it must be the free expresscard adapter, so we try the Novatel ExpressCard adapter, still does not work.

Then we revert back to the older 597E and it is recognized and does work.

So, the latest LinkSYs firmware works with the older firmware of the 597E, BUT not the new firmware (the only one that Sprint is shipping)

For those that have a 597E, we recommend the CradlePoint MBR1000 (we have tried both new and old firmwares and it works great - same price as the LinkSys as well).

If you already have a LinkSys WRT54G-ST, go with the Novatel EX720 + ExpressCard adapter - that combo works with the LinkSys.

Imagine all the poor souls who purchase direct from Sprint/ Sprint Stores and I'll bet there will be many calls, no solutions and many frustrated people returning everything to Sprint. That isn't going to help their bottom line or reputation.
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Electronically_confused · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

Thanks so much for posting the solution to my problem. I updated the firmware and as you said it did not recognize the 597E card. Your right about Sprint, I called relentlessly to no avail. I was told to go to the Linksys site to determine the problem which the problem is not addressed there either.
Sprint sold me the Router about a year ago and it didn’t work then either with the original card. It took this forum to solve my problem then too. Such a deal. A great product just lousy service. Sell their stock…
I will head to town tomorrow to swap to the Novatel card.

Again Thanks.

choppers4life · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Michael, Thanks for the info. I am one of those poor souls who purchased everything from Sprint & have not been able to get my Linksys to work with my 597E. Linksys said that if it still didn't work after upgrading to 2.01.12, then the router was bad. Sprint is sending me a new router.

choppers4life · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Well, my new router arrived, & as expected, it did not work. I upgraded the firmware on the router & it still doesn't work. I am assuming; based on Michael's post on 03/17/08, I figure that an older version 597e may work on the router with the firmware v. 2.01.12. Now the question is, Can I back out to the older firmware on the card, or do I need a new card withte older firmware?

Michael · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:45 am Post subject:

You think someone at Sprint is going to be able to find a 597 with older firmware laying around?

Save yourself a LOT of time and frustration. Return the router and get a MBR1000, it works with both firmwares and has MANY more features.

Here is a review:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/mbr1000

You can order at:

http://3gstore.com/mbr1000
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