OK, it’s not often I ask questions and hope for replies.

I was given a WRT54GS a couple of weeks ago because it was acting up for it’s owners and they decided to rent one from comcast. I’ve had it here running as an access point (I already have a linux router!) and it’s going about perfectly.

Now, this is a big house, and I had similar problems with the existing WRT54G that is here (switched out for the GS) with it not reaching all the way back to the far corners. Moving the router isn’t an option, nor is running cable along the floor or through the ceiling (anywhere, really). I’m considering setting up the GS with an alternative firmware and using it as a repeater. I realise this will lose 50% speed for clients connected to it, this is not a problem.

I have questions for the geek community reading this:

1) Which firmware should I install? I’m looking at DD-WRT, possibly OpenWRT and Tomato. Any others I should consider?

2) Can I revert back to the original firmware if needed?

3) If I’m using it as a repeater, can I plug a PC into it and gain wireless access that way also?

4) Is there anything else I should consider before doing this?

Notes: WRT54G v8, not mine, would rather not update firmware on it unless I absolutely have to, in which case I’ll likely give up for now. WRT54GS v7.2, is mine, will do whatever with. I also have a Gigabyte BR-01N or something that I can’t update firmware on, and I can’t use with the current wireless key (to swap out the linksys ones) due to limitations on its WEP setup.

So please, geeks, comment me and give me suggestions!