need help with router

alcav · Nov 12, 2007, 12:52:14

Hi Rik

I have problems with my router and would like help.I am getting lock ups every other day,I can rectify this with a quick re-boot but it is getting more often now and I feel there should be a more permanent cure.I have a Netgear DG834G.

Any help much appreciated...rgds Alan

Rik · Nov 12, 2007, 12:53:54

Hi Alan

What version of the firmware are you running, do you use Routerstats?

alcav · Nov 12, 2007, 13:38:59

Hi Rik,

to be truthful I am not sure of the firmware,for some reason I am unable to access the router set up data,my log is thrown out each time I try

I know for a fact though that it is the original firmware cos I haven't ever changed it.I was going to do a re-install,but due to illness didn't get around to it.

Alan

Gary · Nov 12, 2007, 14:09:22

Quote from: alcav on Nov 12, 2007, 13:38:59
Hi Rik,

to be truthful I am not sure of the firmware,for some reason I am unable to access the router set up data,my log is thrown out each time I try I know for a fact though that it is the original firmware cos I haven't ever changed it.I was going to do a re-install,but due to illness didn't get around to it.

Alan

The default is admin and password is password (which you should change) type http://192.168.0.1 into your browser (IE is best for this) and in the first field of the log in type admin then the password in the second, hope this helps, if you get really stuck there is a small hole in the back of the router which is a reset button, get a paper clip or something and hold the reset button in for 15 seconds, that will reset the router to factory default then log in with the details above and re-enter your account details after running the setup wizard.

alcav · Nov 12, 2007, 17:02:54

Hi all

many thanks for your help,I have now done router re-set and am back on line, :)we will have to wait and see if I get any more lock ups.

My firmware is V4.01.06.... does this need to be upgraded,if so how do I do it?

Thanks again......Alan

Rik · Nov 12, 2007, 17:10:08

Hi Alan

Go to the Netgear site and download the 4.01.28 version of the firmware. Unzip the file to extract the .img file.

Then, go into the router interface using IE6 or IE7, and select Router Upgrade. Point the resultant dialogue at the img file you've extracted, then sit back and let it do its thing. It's important that you don't interrupt it, so don't do it if the mains power is a bit iffy, unless you are running on a UPS.

Before starting, you may want to back up your configuration. From the router interface in the browser, choose Backup Settings. This will write a small file to your HD with all your settings.

alcav · Nov 12, 2007, 17:38:44

Hi Rik

all done! we will wait and see now

May thanks again rgds.............Alan

Rik · Nov 12, 2007, 17:43:03

Glad it worked, Alan. I always start sweating during the file copy, and only breathe easily when the router re-boots. The reason I mentioned using IE6/7 is that the Netgear, and many routers, seem hard-coded to work with IE. You can do the job from Firefox, but it gets sweatier.

alcav · Nov 12, 2007, 17:52:55

Hi Rik

yes I know the feeling,I get sweaty with ALL file copies

All the best.....Alan

Rik · Nov 12, 2007, 17:54:00

Most I don't mind, Alan, it's the ones where something might not work afterwards that get me. Which is why I have a spare router in the cupboard...

ducky22 · Nov 12, 2007, 20:34:16

Hmm...

It would be a good idea to ensure that the wireless is secured with at least WPA.

If you used WPA before, make sure you use a different passkey. It is odd that your login was rejected - probably nothing but it always helps to walk on the side of caution!

Rik · Nov 13, 2007, 08:56:12

Good point, I hadn't thought about the wireless side of things...

Alan, check the sticky here for instructions.

Nick AJ · Nov 16, 2007, 21:22:21

Just as important (if not more important) than changing the wireless pass key is to change the router login password.

So many routers are left with the default password that it's easy to log into them and disable woreless security etc.

It's also a good idea to change the wireless SSID (the name the router displays to the outside world), it does then disguise the make of the router making it harder to hack into. You can switch off SSID, but as there are a number of programs available that will locate wireless networks with the SSID switched off, all it does is complicate setting up your own network.

Conrad1 · Nov 16, 2007, 22:13:07

I would recommend hiding your SSID (if you can be bothered). It stops the casual Wifi user attempting to snoop your keys.

Anyway, talking of Router problems: That Speedtouch 546 I got is great! When it arrived, it had some really old shabby firmware which wouldn't allow me to do set any Napt loopback (so I couldn't view my own website via the url!). Anyway, after flashing with the latest firmware, I then attempted to copy the old configuration file onto it - BAD MOVE! I think I nearly fried it! It wouldn't let me do anything. I couldn't log into it - in fact it would not even give me anything to log into - even the update program said there was no speedtouch hardware connected!!! It would not even let me hold down the reset button to go back to factory defaults.
I thought I was in trouble until I found out about the lovely "Kernal Boot" trick (from Thomson tech guys!). It was a case of switch it off, hold down the reset button, switch back on, wait 15 second until the power light starts to flash, and then you have something like 3 minutes to re-flash it whilst in "Kernal Boot" mode. So, I stuck the new firmware back in, but then decided NOT to copy the old settings across this time and just set everything back up from scratch!

It works a treat! I tried that "Shields Up" thing, and came out all green (apart from Port 80 which I was expecting anyway).

I'm very VERY pleased with this little piece of kit and would like to thank Rik once again for pointing me in the right direction.