Maximum PC

What program should I use to run the firmware download. XP wants me to chose from list or search the web. I'm confused.

Open up your router's web interface, usually at 10.0.0.1
Linky: http://10.0.0.1/
It will work internally to your network.
Look around, the "Update Firmware" button is hard to miss.
I can't give you anything more specific, because my router is a 2000v2 and the interface is most definitely different (I run DD-WRT.)
As for the username and password, try "admin" as the user, and "password" or "1234" as your password.

Thnx for the reply. But, the link didn't open. And I'm not sharp enough to do anything but, wait and "reload later".

I'm not sure where noghiri_x got that IP, but from the manual, the default login IP is: 192.168.1.1 (or you can just to go http://www.routerlogin.net). The default username is admin and the default password is password

Just paste the above in to your web browser. You can see the complete manual Here, which will give you complete instructions on how to update your router.

But why are you wanting to update the firmware in the first place? It's not really a required step unless something is wrong.

10.0.0.1 was what I and several of my friends had on our routers as default. Shoot.

Hey noghiri_x no harm done!! I am thankful you replied to my rookie question. And Thanx hackman2007 for the additional info. Correct me if I am wrong- The connection to the Xbox 360 is very slow. And I have never updated router. There is a new version available for firmware. So... an update might improve connection/speed ???

Depends. OpenWRT or DDWRT may increase speed. The new firmware may increase speed. It might just be the hardware. It's free, so I'd try it. If it doesn't work, then, well, no harm done.

The issue I have with just updating a router because something is slow is the chances of it being fixed is almost 0.

While the speed may increase, it will most likely be negligible and I don't think it's worth the hassle (especially with any of the aftermarket firmware).

I think you should try to figure out why the 360 connection is slower before you starting adding variability to the problem.

Do any of the other computers have this slowness problem (and wireless I assume)?
What connection speed are you paying for?
How far is the router away from the 360?
Is the signal going through walls or anything else?

I agree! Don't fix something that isn't broken. The console sits at the bottom of a METAL rack BEHIND (relative to the router location) a wooden cabinet. Which is full of game and music CDs. I can't imagine where the signal is going! ha, ha. None of these things ever got my attention before. We slid the console out of the rack. Established clear line of site between router and console. And wouldn't you know it !! No more lag and no more interrupted downloads. Fantastic!!
That was Sunday. Today I find the router has died. No power lite nothing. Tried different wall outlet,nothing reset button nothing.
Any suggestions on reviving an old Router ??

Finally! a problem I understand completely and totally! Do you have a multimeter? Test all the little black/grey/blue/green boxes (resistors) soldered to the board. Then, test the capacitors. If none of these are fried, test the transistors. If all these still work, it's one of the chips, and you are out of luck. If you're lucky, it's a blown cap or a peanut style resistor.

Yes I have one. But, not an expert in operating it. Some help would be appreciated.

Tutorial
You can use an ohm measurement to test for current across a possibly broken length of wire or circuit.

COOL! can you supply a rookie with a repair tutorial??

Used the volt meter on the power cord, output is only 3.5volts. Listed as 12 on the unit itself. Shouldn't that be a constant 12 volts , or am I get a false reading??

What settings?
It should be constant. Do you have a spare wall wart with the same plug and voltage?

Going to find one.

bought new wall wart at radio shack. everything works great. thnx for all your help.