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Install Hacked Linksys Firmware

Dec 2, 2005 at 8:01pm in How To, Mods

You’re probably not aware, but if you own a wireless G Linksys router, you possibly have the best consumer router in the world. Older Linksys routers, and the new WRT54GL run on Linux. Due to the open source Linux firmware, hacked firmware can easily be installed to the device.

My favorite hacked firmware is HyperWRT. HyperWRT aims at keeping the same look and feel of the Linksys firmware, but adding new features to it. Some of the features that HyperWRT has are static DHCP, a Kai Server, and a wireless signal boost setting. There are plenty more features in the firmware also, so if those features don’t appeal to you, I’m sure something else will. Now unfortunately the original developer of HyperWRT has ceased working on it, but two independent developers, Tofu and Thibor, have kept up with HyperWRT. The best way to get their HyperWRT firmware is from the LinksysInfo downloads section.

Now if HyperWRT isn’t your cup of tea, there are several other versions of hacked firmware out there. Sveasoft, DD-WRT, and OpenWRT are some other types of hacked firmware. Each version has it’s own unique set of features and interface. The best way to find out what’s right for you is to just start trying the different types. A word of caution though; sometimes it’s not easy to switch hacked firmwares, so make sure you do some reading up on that particular hacked firmware before you switch to another kind.

Installing hacked firmware to your Linksys router is easy. All you have to do is go to the firmware update page in your routers configuration page (Administration > Firmware Upgrade), and browse for the hacked .bin. Then just hit the upgrade button and wait patiently while your router flashes the firmware. When it’s complete your router will reboot and you will be greeted with your new, more powerful Linksys router.

54 Comments

  1. 1 Jonathan on Dec 2, 2005 at 8:57 pm:

    i have the WRT54GC so can i do it too?

  2. 2 Wayland Smithers on Dec 2, 2005 at 9:36 pm:

    No

  3. 3 cavemonkey50 on Dec 2, 2005 at 9:50 pm:

    Yeah, the WRT54GC has different chip, etc. It’s not impossible, it’s just that no one has focused their efforts on create firmware for it.

  4. 4 Jonathan on Dec 3, 2005 at 12:20 am:

    Thanks Ron. Oh well.

  5. 5 ramasjang on Dec 3, 2005 at 11:03 am:

    looks interesting. Do you know if the WRT54GS is supported?

  6. 6 cavemonkey50 on Dec 3, 2005 at 11:08 am:

    Yes it is. However don’t use the hacked firmware for the regular device. Almost all types of hacked Linksys firmware have a SpeedBooster version, so you can maintain your SpeedBooster speed.

    I own the WRT54GS and it works wonderfully. It works even better then the WRT54G due to the extra RAM inside of it.

  7. 7 tn-man on Dec 4, 2005 at 5:52 pm:

    i just replaced my BEFW11S4 wireless i have had for 5 years. i now have the WRT54G v 5.0, does the version mean a change in hardware or memory type or size? Would there be a possible incompatiblility with the hacked firmware from version 3?

  8. 8 Wayland Smithers on Dec 4, 2005 at 5:57 pm:

    The WRT54G version 5 is not the same as version 4 and below. They stopped using a linux based firmware and also cut the amount of memory in half. So the version 5 units will not be able to use any alternate firmware mentioned here.

  9. 9 cavemonkey50 on Dec 4, 2005 at 6:03 pm:

    tn-man, if you have the opportunity and you want to use modified firmware, I would trade the router in for a WRT54GL. They’re a new model from Linksys and were released at the same time as the v5, just the L’s have Linux firmware instead of VxWorks in v5.

  10. 10 MiNdS-EyE on Dec 11, 2005 at 10:23 pm:

    My sister has the same Linksys router. She loses her connection to it quite often. It’s not like it’s a bad connection, cuz it’ll say the signal strength is Excellent, but it’ll just lose connection frequently. Did you experience this before you flashed it, and has it improved at all? And flashing it also improves the signal strength, doesn’t it?

  11. 11 cavemonkey50 on Dec 11, 2005 at 10:30 pm:

    Yes, that’s one of the main reason I’m using hacked firmware. Stability is awesome and if the signal is weak you can bump it up.

  12. 12 Sync on Aug 31, 2006 at 9:54 am:

    what are the differences with WRT54G v1-4? and WRT54GL? How much memory is in the WRT54GL. Which one is a better buy a old model of the WRT54G v1-4, the new models WRT54G v5+ or the WRT54GL?

  13. 13 timbatec on Sep 12, 2006 at 10:41 am:

    Is there any hacked firmware for BEFSR41 ver.4.1 ?

  14. 14 lifestyle on Nov 1, 2006 at 1:19 pm:

    Hi, I wonder if there is a hacked firmware for D-Link routers? (I am using DI-714P+)

  15. 15 Hugo on Nov 3, 2006 at 1:09 am:

    You want to turn your linksys router into a Corpotate Router?
    Email me at hufonseca@nerdshack.com

  16. 16 Ebone on Nov 8, 2006 at 7:35 pm:

    i have a wrt54g ver. 2 it doesnt have much signal strength and looses connection frequintly. will firmwear work on my model?

  17. 17 gio on Nov 23, 2006 at 11:08 am:

    Hello i have a WAG54G V.2.
    Can i put any firmware on this router?

  18. 18 martygar8 on Dec 10, 2006 at 6:19 pm:

    yep i got a wrt542 ver.2 and install hyerwrt thibor and worked sweet pretty simple and the wireless is awesome!!!!!

  19. 19 tyne on Jan 11, 2007 at 5:21 am:

    will it work for wireless-g usb apadters (wusb54g)?

  20. 20 Pehden on Feb 8, 2007 at 3:48 am:

    I want to know if there is a firmware that will alow me to set up a html doc on it for when i disconnect my sever, the router send to the person connecting to my server, a custom site under construction…

  21. 21 viji on Feb 13, 2007 at 10:59 am:

    hey guys,

    Could any one guide me for creating our own Image?
    I wanna build my own Image and then try out how it works , I need steps for creating an Image in Linux for router

    Thanx in advance
    Vg

  22. 22 Magesterludie on Mar 15, 2007 at 3:01 pm:

    Ok I am trying to fowerd a port I am not sure what i am doing not dumb just have never done it befor .

    This is for a game called kumawar Link to site is http://www.kumawar.com if you need more info on what i am doing ?

    Pluse how do you do a update on a Linksys router Model BEFW11S4??

    If you can help in any way that would be great thanks and have a good one Mag.

  23. 23 Pushpakde on Apr 17, 2007 at 3:06 pm:

    HI i am using linksys router WRT54G. Is is possible to put enhanced firmware on version 7

  24. 24 Donboggle on May 1, 2007 at 11:31 pm:

    I having trouble with my WRT54G v5 router losing connection, Im having to cycle the power quite often…is there 3rd party firmware to fix this problem…or is there another solution

    Regards
    Paul

  25. 25 sang on May 11, 2007 at 9:43 am:

    hi i have a WRT54G version 7 is and i have the router losing conection at random times i have update to latest firmware on official site but no help is there any other firmware that will help fix the problem?

  26. 26 Ronald Heft on May 11, 2007 at 10:19 am:

    Sync: what are the differences with WRT54G v1-4? and WRT54GL? How much memory is in the WRT54GL. Which one is a better buy a old model of the WRT54G v1-4, the new models WRT54G v5+ or the WRT54GL?

    The WRT54GL is completely identical to the WRT54G v4. However much memory the WRT54G v4 has the WRT54GL has.

    timbatec: Is there any hacked firmware for BEFSR41 ver.4.1 ?

    No

    lifestyle: Hi, I wonder if there is a hacked firmware for D-Link routers? (I am using DI-714P+)

    Not that I know of.

    Ebone: i have a wrt54g ver. 2 it doesnt have much signal strength and looses connection frequintly. will firmwear work on my model?

    Yes it will, and will give the option to increase your signal strength.

    gio: Hello i have a WAG54G V.2.
    Can i put any firmware on this router?

    No you can not.

    tyne: will it work for wireless-g usb apadters (wusb54g)?

    The firmware is for routers, not wireless cards. Regardless, your existing wireless card will work with a modded router.

    Pehden: I want to know if there is a firmware that will alow me to set up a html doc on it for when i disconnect my sever, the router send to the person connecting to my server, a custom site under construction…

    Nope, a router is not capable of doing that.

    Magesterludie: Ok I am trying to fowerd a port I am not sure what i am doing not dumb just have never done it befor .

    This is for a game called kumawar Link to site is http://www.kumawar.com if you need more info on what i am doing ?

    Pluse how do you do a update on a Linksys router Model BEFW11S4??

    If you can help in any way that would be great thanks and have a good one Mag.

    I recommend you checkout this port forwarding guide.

    Pushpakde: HI i am using linksys router WRT54G. Is is possible to put enhanced firmware on version 7

    The v7 just came out, but since v5 and v6 were not based off Linux and modifiable, I highly doubt v7 is capable.

    sang: hi i have a WRT54G version 7 is and i have the router losing conection at random times i have update to latest firmware on official site but no help is there any other firmware that will help fix the problem?

    Unfortunately the v7 does not have other firmware. Since the router is very new, I would keep on checking Linksys’ site for new firmware. It most likely has bugs Linksys is working out.

  27. 27 fadhil on May 17, 2007 at 5:03 pm:

    Hello i’m using WRT54G version 7 for a while, but now when i try to enter the linksys it tels me that you need to upgrade the firmware.
    please help

  28. 28 Ronald Heft on May 17, 2007 at 9:09 pm:

    I’m sorry I can’t help you but I would recommend you check out this site for assistance: http://www.linksysinfo.org/index.php

  29. 29 Gustavo on Aug 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm:

    Could u help me install linksys WTR54G on windos xp

  30. 30 george on Sep 3, 2007 at 2:24 pm:

    timbatec: Is there any hacked firmware for BEFSR41 ver.4.1 ?

    There’s certainly an *upgrade*: v5.00 is available from Linksys.
    AFAIA, it isn’t a h4×0r release, just an improvement over the original release ;-)

  31. 31 perry on Sep 4, 2007 at 7:16 am:

    i’ve just installed a WRT54Gv6 onto my system, it seems to better than the NETGEAR wireless I had. the NEWGEAR kept dropping out, so i tried to do a firm ware upgrade and *probably* didn’t give it enough time, so it’s useless now.

    question is, does anybody know if i should just leave my brand new WRT54Gv6 *along* or should I do an upgrade… cause I sure would love more stability.

    thanks

    - perry

    ps.
    it seems to take much longer for the Linksys to drop out, is this just the way it is or can that be improved???

  32. 32 Tony on Sep 26, 2007 at 10:22 am:

    If you brick a router updating the firmware(by trying to install the wrong version) is there any way to get the router working again.

  33. 33 Ronald Heft on Sep 26, 2007 at 11:10 am:

    Tony: If you brick a router updating the firmware(by trying to install the wrong version) is there any way to get the router working again.

    You can try holding the reset button for 10+ seconds, but most likely the router is dead.

  34. 34 hexwiz on Oct 14, 2007 at 11:03 pm:

    fadhil: Hello i’m using WRT54G version 7 for a while, but now when i try to enter the linksys it tels me that you need to upgrade the firmware.
    please help

    Download updates to version 7 firmware frm here

    http://www-uk.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=UK%2FLayout&cid=1175234038221&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3822128811B03&displaypage=download#versiondetail

  35. 35 Philup on Jan 8, 2008 at 7:08 am:

    well theres also some other free custom firmwares not mentioned above
    check http://www.cyberpunkcafe.com/page.php?80

    good list

  36. 36 pehden on Jan 30, 2008 at 12:14 am:

    How can i delete my email on this page it shows up in search’s clear as day and spam has been annoying.

  37. 37 Ronald Heft on Jan 30, 2008 at 12:15 am:

    I just removed your email address pehden.

  38. 38 pehden on Jan 30, 2008 at 12:21 am:

    Thanks alot

  39. 39 Steve on Jan 31, 2008 at 4:31 pm:

    Does anyone know if there is any firmware for the WRT54G to allow it to send an 802.11n signal? Thanks

  40. 40 Ronald Heft on Feb 1, 2008 at 12:55 am:

    Steve: Does anyone know if there is any firmware for the WRT54G to allow it to send an 802.11n signal? Thanks

    That is not possible whatsoever. 802.11n needs specific hardware and will not run off older G hardware.

  41. 41 Jarjo on Feb 2, 2008 at 3:06 am:

    Hi,
    Is it possible for any firmware to have a default web page that every machince connecting is taken to. Able to define this in the administration of the router?

    BRs, JJ

  42. 42 Ronald Heft on Feb 2, 2008 at 3:25 am:

    Not that I know of.

  43. 43 pehden on Feb 3, 2008 at 9:53 pm:

    Jarjo: Hi,
    Is it possible for any firmware to have a default web page that every machince connecting is taken to. Able to define this in the administration of the router?

    BRs, JJ

    That is what i asked on here a while back….

  44. 44 pehden on Feb 3, 2008 at 9:59 pm:

    I Have seen places that has free wifi and they have this page you have to go to before you can use there connection how do i set something up like this.

  45. 45 jarjo on Feb 5, 2008 at 10:42 pm:

    Hi,

    I was thinking more of a straigth http forward not a html document on the router..
    BR, JJ

  46. 46 pehden on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:36 am:

    jarjo: Hi,

    I was thinking more of a straigth http forward not a html document on the router..
    BR, JJ

    Oh ok. I would like to know that too, Also is it posible to alow outside connections to connection to a wireless device connected to my computer.

  47. 47 jose on Feb 29, 2008 at 8:07 pm:

    I have Linksys WRT54G Ver. 6. Which firmware should I use?
    Thank you.

  48. 48 Carl B on Mar 13, 2008 at 1:33 pm:

    For those who were asking about setting up wifi splash pages, this page should get you started in the right direction:
    http://wireless.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/wireless-l/help-needed-setting-up-a-free-wifi-hot-spot-in-a-coffee-shop-801623?cv=expanded#

  49. 49 Paul Nur on Jun 2, 2008 at 9:22 pm:

    I have a major question, for some reason my WRTG45G wireless linksys router has suddenly stoped flashing its WLAN light meaning I can no longer access my router through the web browser, is there any way I can put this firmware that I downloaded form linksys website onto my router w/o accessing it throught the web browser?

    Been serching through the internet on and off for months trying to get this to work so I dont have to spend 60$ for a new one just to port forward..?

    Thank you for reading, Paul Nur.

  50. 50 Peter on Aug 13, 2008 at 6:48 pm:

    Dang. There’s absolutely nothing I can do with my WRT54G v. 5?

  51. 51 sinisa on Jan 24, 2009 at 7:08 am:

    is there any hacket firm ware for linksys 54G2 . thenk you

  52. 52 Joyce on Feb 1, 2009 at 11:59 pm:

    Hi, Im sorry for being so upset last night when I left a nasty note but I have been upset for so long it seems and I’ve lost control of my iMac(06) and my Mackbook (07) because my daughter has put in a firmware password in probably both of my computers. I really don’t remember how I came up with finding the firmware on my iMac but I felt Lucky!!! and when I put a password in it, it said Wrong password, so she had already been there and she is very Mac smart! I feel lost and I know there is a way to remove her password and put my own in but truthfully. I don’t even know what to do with the thing after I download it. I downloaded one for a iMac and there it was in the box and I clicked on it and it did’nt do anything. Then a little box told me I did’nt have any control over it because it was already in someone elses control. In so many words.. I really need so help with this. I’ve literally felt like blowing the Macs up :-)

  53. 53 Joyce on Feb 2, 2009 at 12:26 am:

    Here I am again, Just want to let you know I do not use linksys or a router, I have a cable internet for the iMac and a Sprint Wireless for my Macbook. My iMac is a Tiger and Macbook is Leopard. Thanks Joyce :-)

  54. 54 jamie on Apr 30, 2009 at 1:54 pm:

    What can I do with a WAG54GS

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