Not sure what can I omit from here using the image builder )
The history: (just for whining)
A friend flashed it for me (can't remember the version, but he did it like 1-3 months ago, seems like it was 17), then I've found out that it doesn't save the config and boots into default config including passwordless root login on all interfaces.
So, I've flashed 15.05.1, since it was on the OpenWRT wiki for the device a month ago (I was lost in architectures and download links and didn't want to risk bricking the router). The config survived reboot, but I've just installed a fresh xubuntu 18.04.1 onto my laptop and it was working ok for half an hour and then started losing connection once per minute both through wifi and ethernet, also lost the connection on eth so it couldn't even get an ip. I thought it could be because of an old firmware. (Seems like it was not the firmware, because it still doesn't connect and the windows box works ok, so did the ipad and iphone/androids)
I've watched the logs on the router and detected that it was sending dhcp handshakes to the laptop. Nevertheless I decided to upgrade the firmware and flashed the new 18.06.1 (the new link is in the wiki today).
You might have similar symptoms, but at 32 MB flash it's impossible that the release images would be too large - so that would need debugging (and a different thread).
@zifnaz No, Current versions of OpenWrt do not support your WAG54 router. According to the Table of Hardware https://openwrt.org/toh/start?dataflt[Model*~]=WAG54 the newest firmware will not work, both because it has limited RAM/Flash, and because it has not seen an update to the firmware since version 10.03.1.
The TP-Link TL-WR2543N/ND v1 should have 8 MB flash, while not plenty, it's still more than sufficient for a full featured OpenWrt release, it doesn't need a tiny variant. If there are problems with mounting the overlay, there will be other reasons that need to be debugged.
It has 8 MB flash, so the problems must be caused by something other than the image being too big. If you create a new topic and post the boot log then maybe someone can help you.
Thank you for sharing this! I have the same problems with the same hardware. I'm using a Viasat custom version of Netgear WNR612v2 (called WN602v2, yes, no R). I understand it's the same hardware as WNR612v2 but without a RJ45 connector for WAN, which I of course soldered to the board myself. Netgears own firmware for WNR612v2 works flawlessly, so it really can't be any other major differences.
It's wonderful to have all the openwrt capabilities and performance, but I can't get anything above 14.04 to work. I have tried factory img-files, and sysupgrade bin's, but with no success. I get kernel panic at different points during the boot process, either a sync problem or "can't mount". Too advanced for me, but I'd be happy to share logs from serial port if of any use. Using TFTP the router is easily restored to 14.04 every time, but it would be great to be able to run 18.06.1. I realize this is limited hardware, but I'm grateful for any help.
Thanks!