i have a linksys WRT54GS router and a 70mb cable connection, when i plug my modem directly into my comp i get the full 70mb on a speedtest, when i connect it to the router its like my connection is cut in less than half when i run a speedtest, even if nothing else is on the network except my comp. what i was wondering is if anyone had experience with any 3rd party firmwares such as tomato or ddwrt being installed if this would fix this somehow? because i have a friend with the same connection but a new linksys router that does not split his connection, i was just seeing if i could save some cheezeburgurz by switching the firmware and not getting a new router? ideas anyone?

How old is your router? If you plug another computer into the Linksys can you copy a file between the two computers at 100-megabit speed? (This will help determine if the problem is between the router and the cable modem or between your computer and the router.)

In the Linksys admin interface (via a web browser) does it indicate if the Ethernet ports are running at full- or half-duplex? You will have problems if the Ethernet connection between the router and your computer auto-negotiates to half-duplex.