Removing settings from old routers

How do you remove personal settings/ data from ADSL routers without connecting them again? I've noticed most reset buttons don't restore to factory settings.
Thanks

There is, quite commonly, a reset button, and a 'hard' reset button, the second of which will wipe the router back to factory defaults. What make of router ? I'm sure someone will be able to tell you.

The most common "hard reset" procedure is to hold the reset button down, apply power and keep the reset button held in for a further 10-30 secs before letting go.

However, as Zarjaz says if you can let us know the make of modem it will help someone find the exact instructions.

In reply to a post by mr_bean:

The most common "hard reset" procedure is to hold the reset button down, apply power and keep the reset button held in for a further 10-30 secs before letting go.

However, as Zarjaz says if you can let us know the make of modem it will help someone find the exact instructions.

Wrong! Very wrong.

That is the procedure for a firmware update, which might be what the OP is doing.

A reset to factory defaults is done with the router already powered up, (it doesn't need to be connected), then firmly but gently pressing the reset button until the lights begin to flash. The reset button is always, (so far as I know) inside a small hole at the back and is most easily accessed using an unfolded paperclip.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

How do you remove personal settings/ data from ADSL routers without connecting them again? I've noticed most reset buttons don't restore to factory settings.
Thanks

As well as my description in this post, you can also alter the settings yourself by powering up the router and connecting to it from your computer. It doesn't need to be connected to the phone line.

If you do this, either do it wired, or if you do it wirelessly make sure you do all the username and password stuff and so on before altering the wireless setup. My point being that as soon as you alter the wireless settings you usually lose the connection immediately.

Sorry, Guys, that was me. (I wonered why I had to key in the mystery words)

The Router is a £109 Billion as detailed below:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/general/4076378-my-...

Firmware is not a factor. Not only is the Billion no better at holding a line that exhibited a few problems before Christmas, the sync is low compared to my ZyXEL. I hope to get a refund or exchange and want to remove all personal info.

Thanks for both your helpful posts, Bob. I had instuctions for a factory reset for an old router that's heading for resyc- as I've had for most old gear I sent in the past-- but nothing for the Billion I want to return to Amazon after the Bank Holidays.

Edited by ARD (Tue 27-Dec-11 15:26:41)

I am not familiar with the Billion 7800 router, so I can't offer definitive advice. However, the easiest way to remove personal data from any router is to reset it to the original factory settings.

You will find reset instructions in the detailed user manual. If you can't find your manual, copies for the 7800N, 7800NL and 7800GZ routers are available at http://au.billion.com/product/usermanual.php.

Download the manual as a pdf file - and search the document for the word "reset". According to the manual for the 7800N, you will find a small Reset pinhole button, at the rear of the router (next to the power connector socket). To reset the router to its original factory settings, turn on the power. Disconnect the ADSL cable. Then, insert a paper clip or similar implement into the pinhole and depress the Reset button for more than 1 second.

If that doesn't work, you could use the router configuration menu to remove your personal details.

Use a web browser to navigate to the router's IP address at 192.168.1.254. By default, both the username and password are "admin". Click on OK to open the configuration menu.

Then, browse through the various options, until you find the Username and Password fields. Delete your data from these fields and save your changes.

Thanks for your input. I have a manual on CD that I'll search thoroughly before I go further.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Wrong! Very wrong.


Not always. Such a sweeping statement does not cover all routers.

There are many that use the power off, hold in reset button, power in and keep pressed for 10~ seconds.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Wrong! Very wrong.

Not always. Such a sweeping statement does not cover all routers.

There are many that use the power off, hold in reset button, power in and keep pressed for 10~ seconds.

Examples please .

Errr, Vigor 2800vg

Reset button for 5+ seconds, OR via web GUI

I prefer the 2nd way, coz then you're already in the GUI to modify settings.

In reply to a post by MadMan:

Errr, Vigor 2800vg

Reset button for 5+ seconds, OR via web GUI

I prefer the 2nd way, coz then you're already in the GUI to modify settings.

Are you sure? So far I have found the manuals for the 2820 and 2830 series and both have the following, as the alternative to using the GUI, which is also covered in the generic 2800 series guide:-

Hardware Reset
While the router is running (ACT LED blinking), press the Factory Reset button and hold for
more than 5 seconds. When you see the ACT LED blinks rapidly, please release the button.
Then, the router will restart with the default configuration.

So the reset button is used when already powered up.

Edit - also in the 2800 series userguide on the tbb Main Site.

Edited by RobertoS (Tue 27-Dec-11 23:11:02)

Wrong! Very wrong.

OK, yes, I think you are correct and the most common is just to hold reset down for a prolonged period (generally 10 secs but can be longer).

I'm not sure which bit of my wonky memory decided to corrupt itself and add the power-on thing so I'm not sure whether to ascribe the inaccuracy to simple bit rot, alzheimers or too much Christmas Spirit.

However you're tone's a bit off! I mean, bold and everything. I feel as though I've been hauled into the headmasters office for a stern talking to and perhaps six of the best.

Normally I respect your knowledge and I've learnt quite a bit from your posts but, even though you are correct, I can't help but be somewhat offended - a simple correction would have sufficed.

Edited by mr_bean (Tue 27-Dec-11 23:33:29)

Point taken. Sorry. My tone was down to the post-Christmas wine bottle finishing off and worry about the OP getting into a mess with it going into firmware upgrade mode and panicking. The bold was to make sure he noticed it, not to get mad at you.

Sorry again . Mea culpa.

In reply to a post by mr_bean:

Wrong! Very wrong.

OK, yes, I think you are correct and the most common is just to hold reset down for a prolonged period (generally 10 secs but can be longer).

I'm not sure which bit of my wonky memory decided to corrupt itself and add the power-on thing so I'm not sure whether to ascribe the inaccuracy to simple bit rot, alzheimers or too much Christmas Spirit.

However you're tone's a bit off! I mean, bold and everything. I feel as though I've been hauled into the headmasters office for a stern talking to and perhaps six of the best.

Normally I respect your knowledge and I've learnt quite a bit from your posts but, even though you are correct, I can't help but be somewhat offended - a simple correction would have sufficed.

Point taken. Sorry.

Thanks - I do admit that I just have a rubbish memory and occasionally (frequently, in fact) it lets me down. I used to worry about it, having a strong family history of Alzheimer's but eventually realised that it's always been like that!

Mind you I think I should be hauled in front of the headmaster for spelling - "you're" when I meant "your", really, what was I thinking!

Yep, reset button when powered up.

Never, ever used that method though, as I do it via the GUI.

In the case of the Billion, Bob, the wired method was the only way I could remove all settings from the router. In past cases, I've wired up and found that the paperclip method had got rid of everything. Not with Billion. It's now on it's way ack to Amazon.

At least the desired result .