Problems with DG834G

Simon · Nov 28, 2009, 16:24:06

My cousin has just rung with a problem with their Netgear DG 834G router. When she went to use the computer this morning, there was no connection, so she went to check the router lights, and found the power light flashing on and off, intermittently and randomly, and also the internet connection light flashing on and off. The other lights (ADSL / wireless) remain off. This is a wireless connection, the router being downstairs and the computer upstairs, and has worked flawlessly for some time.

She may be confusing the internet light with the ADSL connection light, but even so, the power light shouldn't be flashing on and off, should it? I have suggested she powers it off for an hour or two, and see what happens then, but fear the router may be on the way out. Any thoughts?

Rik · Nov 28, 2009, 16:27:54

What you've suggested sounds likely, Simon.

It might be worth a factory reset though.

Baz · Nov 28, 2009, 16:31:23

loose connection??

has she been dusting and moved it a tad?

Simon · Nov 28, 2009, 16:53:32

Quote from: Baz on Nov 28, 2009, 16:31:23
loose connection??

has she been dusting and moved it a tad?

I think she's tried all that, Baz.

Quote from: Rik on Nov 28, 2009, 16:27:54
What you've suggested sounds likely, Simon. It might be worth a factory reset though.

OK, not having got one handy, power on, pin in the back until... ?

Rik · Nov 28, 2009, 17:02:35

Hold for 20 seconds, then release.

Simon · Nov 28, 2009, 18:10:36

Thanks.

wecpcs · Nov 28, 2009, 23:04:42

Quote from: Simon on Nov 28, 2009, 16:24:06
My cousin has just rung with a problem with their Netgear DG 834G router. When she went to use the computer this morning, there was no connection, so she went to check the router lights, and found the power light flashing on and off, intermittently and randomly, and also the internet connection light flashing on and off. The other lights (ADSL / wireless) remain off. This is a wireless connection, the router being downstairs and the computer upstairs, and has worked flawlessly for some time.

She may be confusing the internet light with the ADSL connection light, but even so, the power light shouldn't be flashing on and off, should it? I have suggested she powers it off for an hour or two, and see what happens then, but fear the router may be on the way out. Any thoughts?

If it is a v4 then Netgear told me that the version 4 had known problems with the PSU, which was what my problem was and I had the same symptoms. But after they replaced my PSU under their 2yr warranty I found another fault, a loose power connector inside the router and if you just moved the router or touched the cable all lights went out, so they eventually replace the router with a brand new v4 one. All is well now, which is just as well because my brand new 2 week old Billion failed the day the Netgear arrived.

Colin

Simon · Nov 28, 2009, 23:15:35

Thanks, Colin. I'm going up there tomorrow with a spare, so I'll have a look at the PSU.

Sebby · Nov 30, 2009, 00:17:07

It could also be corrupt firmware. There's a Netgear utility to re-flash a broken router, so that may be worth a try (just remember to take it and the firmware file on a flash drive!).

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 00:19:40

Ah, you've just reminded me to update this, Seb. It was the PSU. All working again now.

Sebby · Nov 30, 2009, 00:21:48

Oops. Glad it's working anyway.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 00:37:44

Couldn't have been simpler. Even the log in and wireless key were retained, after a supposed reset, so I'm guessing she probably didn't do that properly.

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 09:08:32

Power supplies seem to be a weakness generally, don't they.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 09:29:23

Indeed.

Sebby · Nov 30, 2009, 14:27:26

Quote from: Rik on Nov 30, 2009, 09:08:32
Power supplies seem to be a weakness generally, don't they.

It must be the heat that kills them.

Steve · Nov 30, 2009, 14:51:17

Quote from: Sebby on Nov 30, 2009, 14:27:26
It must be the heat that kills them.

As a result of poor design and cheaply done.

Lance · Nov 30, 2009, 15:36:51

We need to have universal charges and power supplies!

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 15:41:56

It makes far too much sense to ever me adopted.

I have, literally, a case full of chargers. Going on holiday requires an 'electric' bag.

Sebby · Nov 30, 2009, 17:34:14

What about inductive charging? It shouldn't be too many more years before we start seeing that.

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 17:35:33

It exists for some devices, Seb, eg electric toothbrushes.

Glenn · Nov 30, 2009, 17:48:45

It's slow at present though

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 17:49:29

It is, but it's a start.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 19:14:03

It was quite interesting to note that, despite both being identical routers, theirs had a fairly flimsy looking 'shaped' PSU, whereas the one I had with mine, bought about 4 years ago, is one of the big square 'bricks'. I suspect mine will last longer than theirs did.

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 19:16:58

Too many cheap Chinese units these days.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 19:26:18

They bought it from PC World! Oh, wait...