Thomson Speedtouch 780WL - Locked/Bricked?

Hi all,

I've an old BeBox 780WL that I've not used for years, as used my own routers and newer routers from Be whilst I was with them. However, when I left Be, they only wanted the newer router back.

Therefore, I've still got the BeBox 780WL, but when I try to connect it to my PC, it doesn't give an IP just on the LAN. I gives an external IP even though it's not connected to anything other than my PC and the mains!?

Does anyone know if/how the router can be flashed and is it locked to Be? I'd like to unlock it and give it to a friend who hasn't got wireless, but doesn't want to pay out on a new router.

I've tried the usual hard reset etc, but am now lost and willing to try anything, otherwise, it'll end up in the bin

Thanks in advance.

It can be unlocked but not without some work. It isn't a case of a simple firmware flash.

In reply to a post by Rockh:

It can be unlocked but not without some work. It isn't a case of a simple firmware flash.

I'm not afraid of a bit of work

Is there a guide to do this?

Here. Have fun

In reply to a post by Rockh:

Here. Have fun

LOL!

I'm not afraid of hard work, but that's a bit extreme.

I can't be bothered with all of that.

As a result, I think it's on a fast route to the bin, or eBay of course!? Someone might be up for the challenge...

Thanks anyway, but think I'll give that a miss

The O2 version is locked, but the BE one isn't

Should work, so thinking if reset to factory defaults has been attempted via reset button on the back with router turned on, it may well be faulty

Make sure you try all LAN ports, although port 4 was disabled by default

Try setting a static IP in the range 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.63

If you can find it anywhere, try the vanilla Thomson firmware - avoid v7 firmware if poss

Ah ha, I've managed to get connected!

It's currently running firmware 6.1.4.3

What's the best of the latest batch of firmwares, or keep what's on it already? If there's a better firmware, where can I get it from?

Thanks.

If the numbering is the same as on the 585v6, IIRC 6.1.4.3 is the last one that was tweakable by telnet or DMT. Apart from a fairly high error rate it might be best sticking with it.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

If the numbering is the same as on the 585v6, IIRC 6.1.4.3 is the last one that was tweakable by telnet or DMT. Apart from a fairly high error rate it might be best sticking with it.

Great, that makes it easier then!

Is there a way of checking it's the manufacturer firmware as opposed to Be* 'customised' firmware?

Cheers for the correction, I'll have to try and remember that.

Check the SSID, as if BE firmware it willl likely be BeBox upn reset to factory default

Otherwise it might have the 'betech' account

Via CLI

{b]user list

In reply to a post by nredwood:

Check the SSID, as if BE firmware it willl likely be BeBox upn reset to factory default

Of course, I remember seeing that and just confirming.

Is there a stock Thomson version of the firmware that I can change to?

Apologies for being the Dutch site

http://www.technicolorgateways.nl/p_a_advanced.html

I've just tried that firmware, which is 6.2.. and a different firmware and each time, I get;

The device is not responding during discovery!

So it's failing

Any ideas?

Disconnect from the phone line, then turn off your own software firewall. Firmware updates don't handle s/w firewalls well.

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 26-Jun-11 12:53:18)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Disconnect from the phone line, then turn off your own software firewall. Firmware updates don't handle s/w firewalls well.

I've just tried the above on 2 different machines and with the same result, it's not responding during recovery...

How frustrating

Any ideas?

Ah ha, resolved it!

I all of a sudden remembered I had an old laptop running XP, so tried with that as opposed to Windows 7 and it's worked! Annoying it wouldn't work with Win 7 though

Router is now running 6.2.29.2

Is this the 'best' version of the firmware to run?

Can't tweak SNRM. Error rates slightly better than 6.1.4.3. On 585v6 it's the one I settled on, but then ditched it for a Netgear.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Can't tweak SNRM. Error rates slightly better than 6.1.4.3. On 585v6 it's the one I settled on, but then ditched it for a Netgear.

Ok, so although SNRM can't be tweaked in 6.2.29.2, it's generally slightly more reliable than 6.1.4.3 In that case, I'll stick with it.

Thanks for the help!

Just out of interest, what NetGear do you use, as I'm looking at some NetGears to use with FTTC?

Needs Compatibiity Mode to run on Win7
http://www.beusergroup.co.uk/technotes/index.php?tit...

IMO v6.1.4.3 is the best.
Wasn't able to find vanilla version with the googling I did

FTTC at the moment comes with an Openreach modem, and you need a "cable" router. ADSLx routers are no use. I got a Buffalo WHR-F300Nv2, but the LAN is only ethernet 100Mbps.

A few people here have got VDSL2 routers, best so far seems to be a Fritz box.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

FTTC at the moment comes with an Openreach modem, and you need a "cable" router. ADSLx routers are no use. I got a Buffalo WHR-F300Nv2, but the LAN is only ethernet 100Mbps.

I also have a Buffalo WHR-G300Nv2 (assume the 'F' was a typo), which is good, but there's a couple of things I don't like about it and also thinking about 1000Mbps on the LAN and a USB connecting for my external HD.

When you mentioned the NetGear, I thought you were using one now on FTTC, but guess that was from the ADSL days?

I used to use a NetGear on ADSL/Be* and really liked it, hence looking again now.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

A few people here have got VDSL2 routers, best so far seems to be a Fritz box.

Not sure I want an all in one at this stage, especially if I have issues and BT decide not the support...?

Yes, it was a typo, and yes I was talking about ADSLx, as that was the discussion .

There is a gig version of the Buffalo, apparently comes pre-loaded with a 3rd-party firmware, and needs to be flashed to Buffalo native for OR FTTC.

I'm not sure the Fritz doesn't have a WAN input as well as the internal modem. If it does, then you can always plug the OR modem in if necessary. This thread suggests it does, in the opening post.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

I'm not sure the Fritz doesn't have a WAN input as well as the internal modem. If it does, then you can always plug the OR modem in if necessary. This thread suggests it does, in the opening post.

Another alternative would be the Billion 7800N which has both a POTS ADSL input and an Ethernet WAN input.

Yes, but I was moving the discussion on to a VDSL2 router with WAN input, to get round the question of OR support maybe needing their modem connected.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Yes, but I was moving the discussion on to a VDSL2 router with WAN input, to get round the question of OR support maybe needing their modem connected.

Ah, I see. "D'oh!". Sorry, Bob.

Now I'll have to hunt around but I have a feeling that I've recently read about a Netgear device that has the required "dual inputs" -- both POTS VDSL and Ethernet WLAN.

Edited by burakkucat (Mon 27-Jun-11 16:01:15)