First off, the locking up issue. I'm using DHCP (wireless) and my wireless is in Client mode. Whenever my router is not within range to the wireless source, the router no longer operates properly. I cannot connect to it via LAN ports to revert any changes. I have to hold the reset button and go back to defaults. Is this normal?
Secondly, the wireless repeater bridge.
When I was on DD-WRT, it was super simple to setup. Just set the mode to "repeater bridge", fill in the SSID and password, and voila. The router becomes invisible and extends the range of the main router's wireless network. Perfect.
With Gargoyle, I couldn't figure it out after much trial and error. It became very frustrating because everytime it didn't work, I had to do the same thing as above where I had to hold reset and go back to defaults. The router wouldn't accept any connections at all, no even through LAN ports.
And the documentation doesn't cover this specific topic. Altogether, made me very angry and frustrated, cause there aren't answers anywhere. Even searching through the forums, all the replies either point to the documentation or don't solve the issue.
At the very least, is there a way to access the router at all times? So if I make a mistake with a wireless setting, I don't have to reset the entire router every single time.
This is all the documentation has on Wireless Bridge. The problem is the page is completely different once you select that mode, and the documentation doesn't cover that side:
Wireless Bridge Configuration
When this option is selected, the router is put into a very specialized configuration in which the firewall is inactive, and the router connects via a wireless connection to another Access Point. It is possible to connect as a wireless client to another access point while in Gateway mode too, but what makes this configuration special is that the router and connected hosts will be in the same subnet as the upstream access point. Only activate this mode if you're sure you need it.