Versions

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 13:37:32

Too long a story for all the gory details, but since I took my network apart a few weeks ago I've been having major problems with my sync speed... eventually decided that I may have done some electrical damage to the router. Not enough to brick it, but it seemed to be producing ridiculous error rates.

So I picked up a cheap 2700 (99p+p&p

) from ebay and tried that. It seems to be better... the MSAN has given me one resync at a higher speed after a couple of days.

OK, the main question- it's an old router, firmware version 4.25.33 and doesn't seem to support WPA2.

Should I upgrade the firmware? If so, to what level and how do I do it? Are there any elephant traps if I stick to the current version? Should I just get a newer one?

I've read most of the threads in here, and tbh I'm more confused than when I started, especially wrt the remote management systems... all firmly turned off

Rik · Dec 14, 2009, 16:55:20

I'm running v5.29.107.12, Bill, which seems pretty bullet proof. I think you'll have no problems upgrading, but wait for one of our experts to confirm.

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 17:43:08

Cheers Rik.

Noticed something else... as this router seemed to be behaving better, I re-enabled the wireless and reconfigured assorted devices to work with it. (I was feeling the lack of my AppleTV

)

And the error counts promptly went up

I'm using Cat5 cable to the phone point and going straight in to the test socket, not even a faceplate... what the hell?

Rik · Dec 14, 2009, 17:44:30

It doesn't make sense, Bill. Try a de-tuned MW radio around the router, see if it's radiating noise.

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 17:57:49

I'm not even sure I've got a portable medium wave radio- this house is high-tech and mostly digital

But a good suggestion, I'll see what I can do.

As a side issue, the wireless is now WPA with TKIP encryption, it was WPA2 with AES. Same SSID, same passphrase as before. All the Apple devices (AppleTV, Airport Express, MacBook) simply reconnected without comment, the Windows laptops needed to be reconfigured

kinmel · Dec 14, 2009, 18:04:28

As Rik says, go with V5.29.107.12.

Rik · Dec 14, 2009, 18:05:15

Quote from: Bill on Dec 14, 2009, 17:57:49
All the Apple devices (AppleTV, Airport Express, MacBook) simply reconnected without comment, the Windows laptops needed to be reconfigured

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 18:23:28

Quote from: kinmel on Dec 14, 2009, 18:04:28
As Rik says, go with V5.29.107.12.

A few caveats on that page about older versions so I'll need to give it a good read... but thanks for the link

MisterW · Dec 14, 2009, 19:26:01

QuoteOK, the main question- it's an old router, firmware version 4.25.33

I've successfully upgraded a couple of those in the past to 5.29.107.12. Up until recently that was the ONLY firmware out there in the 'wild' available for manual upgrade, in the last few months 5.29.107.19 seems to have been available on http://bt2700hgv.tripod.com/ for testing but it looks they've found problems. So as everyone else suggested , stick with 5.29.107.12!.
You definitely want to upgrade it from 4.25.33 though, as you've discovered, no WPA, and I'm pretty sure no ADSl2 either...

kinmel · Dec 14, 2009, 19:30:18

Definitely avoid 5.29.107.19 at the moment and V6 too if you can.

Quote from: Bill on Dec 14, 2009, 18:23:28
A few caveats on that page about older versions so I'll need to give it a good read... but thanks for the link

Tripod is THE place to consult about the 2700HGV, avoid the BT support forum at all costs.

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 19:51:15

Quote from: MisterW on Dec 14, 2009, 19:26:01
You definitely want to upgrade it from 4.25.33 though, as you've discovered, no WPA, and I'm pretty sure no ADSl2 either...

It's got WPA, but not WPA2... current sync is 8984 down, 1079 up, G.DMT2+ Annex A... but someone else will have to comment on what that last bit means

Rik · Dec 14, 2009, 19:55:46

It means it's not Annex M, Bill.

AFAIK, the significant difference is that with Annexe M, you can opt to trade some of your upload speed to get better download, but I'm sure someone will be able to explain better than me.

Bill · Dec 14, 2009, 21:03:39

All I really want is my 11,000Kbps profile back

kinmel · Dec 14, 2009, 21:45:49

Quote from: Bill on Dec 14, 2009, 21:03:39
All I really want is my 11,000Kbps profile back

It's gone, don't ask where, it's just GONE

MisterW · Dec 15, 2009, 09:03:49

QuoteIt's got WPA, but not WPA2... current sync is 8984 down, 1079 up, G.DMT2+ Annex A... but someone else will have to comment on what that last bit means

Apologies, I stand corrected...
I always understood that the ADSL2+ modem code came in with the version 5 s/w, obviously I misunderstood.
Certainly there were considerable enhancements to the ADSL modem f/w in v5.
Maybe I'm getting confused with an 1800HG that one of our outworkers has running 4.25.33, which doesn't seem to support ADSL2. Must admit I've never had a 2700 running 4.25.33 for very long , I've always upgraded them as soon as I got them.

ou7shined · Dec 18, 2009, 20:28:20

Quote from: kinmel on Dec 14, 2009, 19:30:18
Definitely avoid 5.29.107.19 at the moment and V6 too if you can.

Tripod is THE place to consult about the 2700HGV, avoid the BT support forum at all costs.

What's wrong with V6?
My main one* unexpectedly updated itself a few months ago to V6 and is running sweet as a nut - didn't like the new UI to start with but I'm totally used to (and loving) it now.

* I have 2 others, my backup which came already with V6 and my original occasionally flaky backup-backup at V5.29.107.12.

EvilPC · Dec 18, 2009, 20:35:21

My new v6.1.1.48.1-enh.tm seems to be working fine !

New interface took a bit of getting used to, but I like it now

kinmel · Dec 18, 2009, 20:49:25

Quote from: ou7shined on Dec 18, 2009, 20:28:20
What's wrong with V6?

The big problem with V6 is the inaccurate "connected devices list" if Openzone is disabled, this severely limits the management of device settings and the inability to create VPNs.

That is not a problem for simple networks, or experienced networks managers, but most of use have real problems configuring these hidden devices

ou7shined · Dec 18, 2009, 21:25:15

Oh ok.... What does that mean in layman's terms?

I don't think my Openzone will disable. I tried to switch it off a while back when I decided to run my g/fs Wii through the Fusion side because it seemed to be causing problems sharing with our PCs etc. It said it would take effect in 24 hours but never did. Afaik no one has connected through mine anyway (they'd have to be mad when there's free wi-fi at the end of the road) so it doesn't bother me either way.

kinmel · Dec 18, 2009, 23:09:29

Quote from: ou7shined on Dec 18, 2009, 21:25:15
Oh ok.... What does that mean in layman's terms?

as ever Tripod explains it all far better than I can.

Bill · Dec 24, 2009, 01:07:44

Quote from: Bill on Dec 14, 2009, 21:03:39
All I really want is my 11,000Kbps profile back

I think I might be on the way to getting it back...

When I put the new UPS in I had to rewire a mains lead, with non-standard colours, to get an IEC connector. Despite taking inordinate care in looking up the colour code, I suspect I got it wrong.

Put in a proper IEC-13A adaptor instead and there was a marked improvement during the day, but still a lot of errors in the evening/overnight.

Then my neighbour over the road went away for Christmas...and the errors essentially disappeared. He's got enough outside Christmas lights to worry Drax, so once the holiday is over I'm expecting nanny MSAN to let me have my decent sync back

First time I've suffered from Christmas-light-itis

Rik · Dec 24, 2009, 09:57:53

You can get some cream for that, Bill. I recommend double.