Modem Help

I know nothing about the different routers available, but I do know I am having a total nightmare with mine.

it's a netgear DG834g I am unable to work out which version it is so unable to apply any firmware updates.

I need the best possible wireless router for mac traffic

the house is on 3 floors I only have one working socket in the whole house and it is located on top of a kitchen cupboard near the ceiling.

I have a laptop with no eithernet port and the tower lives on the top floor.

I struggle to stay connected I have posted on the apple forum and the netgear forum, but haven't received any assistance with my issue.

I have tried hard resets, changing channels, reconfiguring. some days are ok but others like today it is unusable and I revert to my dongle.

Edited by deleted (Fri 20-May-11 20:05:09)

The version of your router should be shown on the underneath of the device.

The firmware version should be shown on http://192.168.0.1//setup.cgi?next_file=start.htm

It sounds like you'll need to invest in homeplugs (e.g. devolo) and a wireless access point.

iknow my firmware 5.1.09

home plugs won't help as they need to be plugged in direct to the socket and not via an exstention, and the phone socket is near the ceiling and is plugged into the only socket. on the worktop.

also the laptop has no ethernet port.

also there is only a single socket in top floor and I need to have a four way plugged in in order to use the pooter, monitor printer

Edited by deleted (Fri 20-May-11 21:56:40)

They work in extensions. Perhaps some people have found they don't work as well, I've not noticed any loss of speed when they're plugged into a four way socket.

the instructions state they must be connected to the socket and not via an extention. also as stated won't help with the laptop.

regardless I asked about modems not net plugs

I'm a cat and you're a mouse -- so beware!

I have a Netgear DG834G and when I go to URL http://192.168.0.1 I see, at top middle of the Router Status screen --

Account Name DG834Gv5
Firmware Version V6.00.25

What do you see for your one?

Edited by burakkucat (Sat 21-May-11 00:05:25)

In reply to a post by captainmouse:

iknow my firmware 5.1.09

The version 5.01 firmware is for the DG834Gv4 (It figures ). v5.01.16 (is the latest.

I'm glad somebody knows the answer.

So, "just promoted to Netgear expert", is my v5 using the latest firmware, please? I can't be sure when I look at the Netgear website. It says "Latest Firmware Version 1.6.01.34" whereas my modem/router has "6.00.25". I cannot understand the logic of the version number. Should I regard mine as "1.6.00.25"?

The OP has "5.1.09". Taking that as "5.01.09" and comparing it with the "5.01.16", which you have identified as the latest firmware release, then I can see that an update would be appropriate.

[Edited to correct typo.]

Edited by burakkucat (Sat 21-May-11 06:36:29)

thank you will attempt a firmware update

firmware now updated

can nobody recommend a router?

the house is on 3 floors I only have one working socket in the whole house and it is located on top of a kitchen cupboard near the ceiling.

Just checking that the "one working socket" is the master NTE5A and that the kitchen is on the ground floor of the house? When you have the laptop down on the ground floor, is the wireless connection satisfactory?

I think John was suggesting you use "home plugs" to provide an Ethernet signal to the upper floors of the house. The tower computer can then use a wired connection and if you were to also obtain a wireless access point, that can also be fed via a "home plug", thus providing you with a satisfactory wireless signal on the upper floors of the house.

Quite honestly, I don't think any one modem/router/WAP will perform satisfactorily over three floors of a house. Depending upon the size and construction of the house, you probably would need a WAP on each floor. You already have one on the ground floor -- the DG834Gv4 -- and so it is a question of getting an Ethernet signal to the first and second floors, to feed another one or two more WAPs. Hence the "home plugs".

Perhaps buy a couple of these as well.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/clipsal-converta-skt-1g-to...

This newly promoted to Netgear expert by being adept at interpreting the Netgear site agrees that your latest firmware is the v1.6.01.34. The others mentioned are for outside UK.

Your existing one is indeed v6.00.25; you may see it by ticking Show All Versions.

Have you checked if any neighbours' routers are using the same channel as your DG834g? Running NetStumbler on your lappy will show you.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

This newly promoted to Netgear expert by being adept at interpreting the Netgear site agrees that your latest firmware is the v1.6.01.34. The others mentioned are for outside UK.

Your existing one is indeed v6.00.25; you may see it by ticking Show All Versions.

Thank you, Mr SpeX. My v5 has now been updated.

And apologies to the OP of this thread for my hijacking of it.

but it was working,

I don't see how I can use the home plugs (which I have and have used in a previous house) without using extentions and then they don't work!

I am not expecting to reach the 3rd from the ground, but even standing in the kitchen with the laptop pointing at the router is not working now even plugged in with the front plate removed.

I need a new router can anybody tell me which one to buy PLEASE?

I am paying for BB via landline and again via dongle.

sorry link doesn't load,

I am not sharing a channel with my neighbour though their home hub constantly beacons.

I have tried every channel available.

have you tried manoeuvring the antenna on your current router?
over 3 floors it should be laying flat, away from walls, fish tanks, fridges and the like.

bit difficult to be away from walls etc when it is up by the ceiling.

I have a thomson router which was supplied by Talk Talk a couple of addresses ago. can anybody tell me how to confgure it?

it says you need to phone talk talk for id password etc.

if I could set it up I could see if it was the router

I need a new router can anybody tell me which one to buy PLEASE?

If there was any way I could remotely examine and test your current set-up, I then might be able to make a suggestion. However that is an impossibility, so I am unable to advise you which modem/router/WAP to purchase.

I own a total of four devices. (Was given two and purchased two). The two I was given do not provide a WAP. For the record, they are a BT Voyager 210 and a Huawei MT882. The two I purchased, which do provide a WAP, are a Netgear DG834Gv5 and a 2Wire 2700HGV (a.k.a. a BT Business Hub). The Netgear is easier than the 2Wire to configure but both work well for me. Currently I am using the Netgear and am typing this from my laptop via a wireless connection.

Ultimately it is your decision and I appreciate that you do not wish to make use home plugs. However there are may types, even Netgear supply them. I understand what you are saying about not using a mains extension lead. John has made a suggestion to circumvent that -- replace the single mains socket up on the top floor, by the computer tower, with a single to double conversion kit. The four way extension can then be plugged into one of the pair and a Netgear home plug (for example) plugged directly into the second of the pair.

Your other solution, may be, is to hire the services of a local "wire man", to provide you with adequate telephone extension wiring and sockets in the house. There are numerous ex-GPO, ex-BT and ex-OR engineers (either retired or otherwise employed) around the country who will provide such a service. Look in the "small ads" in your local newspaper. If you are really lucky there may be somebody competent, close to your location, who is reading this forum thread . . .

well having discovered that the worst possible thing I could do was to upgrade my firmware! I now have no BB access at all.

so made a 50 mile round trip to buy a new modem/router, explained exactly what I had and what I wanted I get home to discover that the product I have been sold couldn't be more wrong and I now face another 50 mile round trip to return it, which I will not be able to do until next weekend so guess I might as well just cancell my BB as I am unable to get any support from any quarter

Lesson: Before updating any firmware, always back-up a copy of the old one locally, so you can revert to it w/out having to go online.

a backup doesn't solve the problem as I am unable to actually connect to the modem so can't restore anyway

by updating the firmware wirelessly I have corrupted the router and it is now totally stuffed.

so my trip today resulted in a huge waste of petrol (money) and a piece of kit that will never work in a million years and still no broadband. I will now have to waste more money driving back up there plus until I get a refund I have no money buy elsewhere.

All I can say is "Ouch!".

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

All I can say is "Ouch!".

Which I will echo, along with the comment that it doesn't really help The Captain.

CM, would you please answer the following --

Which is your exchange? (Insert you telephone number into http://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker and paste the URL of the page returned.)
Who is your ISP and for what package are you signed up to receive?
That socket in your kitchen, is it the master socket?
Is it an NTE5/A or a LJ2?
What modem/router/WAP did you just purchase?
Why are you unable to use it?

We all can, I'm quite sure, appreciate your frustration with this situation. Hopefully, with the above information, one of us will be able to come up with a temporary working solution and then, ultimately, a proper fix.

am at work now so not all info to hand
my exchange is wadhurst non LLU
ISP is vivaciti family package (doesn't appear on the website now)
master socket in kitchen no idea about the other
router purchased was netgear but not modem router and is for CABLE only not ADSL
thank you cat

On HomePlugs, the reason sellers say not to use extension blocks is that some people see significant drops when they use them on 4 way blocks that have many meters of extension cable.

On a short 1 to 2m extension block generally you should be fine. There may be some speed drop off.

http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2...
Offers a way that might allow you to recover the DG834G, it is for older versions of the device so may not work.

Thanks for that, but

The utility requires a Windows PC (not UNIX or a Macintosh). This utility is tested for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. It may not work in other versions of Windows.

being a mac user that is a no go for me

I have home plugs, i used them in a previous house, unfortunately they do not work with extenstions of any length, the lights fail to illuminate.

also the lappy has no ethernet port

Isn't it worth getting a mate with a Windows PC to help fix a dead router?

It'll probably work with any post 2000 version of Win and even if it doesn't you couldn't break it more.

If you were willing to invest then they do powerline adapters that have a passthrough power socket. That way, plug the powerline straight into the wall and then plug the extension into it - should solve interference problems that may be caused by the extension. Just check the rating of the adapters first to ensure they will support the amp-age (I am assuming they support 13 amps but haven't looked).

Which home plugs? They aren't all created equal

Something like one of these is a lot cheaper.

Homeplugs tend to be bulkier than straightforward 13A plugs so you need to be a bit careful which one you choose, but I picked up a couple in Tesco's and they work fine.

my DG934g is V4 so.........

General electrical advice is not to have one of those socket doublers with an extension lead plugged in (which is what you would need to do to achieve the same goal. Also, those doublers have in the past had a very bad reputation for catching fire - possibly might be better these days but I tend to steer clear of them.

Just to add to this, it's surge-protected extensions that really reduce the connection speed of Homeplugs. Plain extensions usually work, although again the speed is reduced somewhat. (the technology as a whole is variable, as it uses the same techniques as ADSL, ie, a broad range of frequencies are used as available)

As you have a set now, why not try just putting them into the existing wall sockets and see if you get a link?

If that works, it's not that hard to change a single socket for a double one properly, ie, chop out the backbox and fit a bigger one. DIY-able for a tenner, or a spark would take an hour to do it at most.

I take your point, but it's like all electrical apparatus- it's OK if used properly and checked regularly, and not if it isn't.

Same applies to extension leads.

Go on, live dangerously

So you are on a Market 1 exchange, NDWAD, that only has 20CN BTW based products available.

master socket in kitchen no idea about the other

So there is another telephone socket, an extension, in the house. There is a possibility that the extension could be used -- not an ideal solution, granted, but may be as a means to provide you with some form of BB connection. If you are up to it, an external photograph of both the NTE5A (master) & extension sockets, plus a clear photograph of the wiring within the extension & behind the EU removable lower front panel of the NTE5A would be helpful. Where in the house is that extension socket?

Not only do you have my attention (sorry, Wadhust, East Sussex, is too far away for me to visit) but also that of others with plenty of practical advice. (If you are really lucky, there may be someone reading this in South London, Kent, Surrey or one of the Sussex's who would be willing to pay you a weekend visit . . . )

Objections, objections! Not worth a try? The most you can do is un-brick it

sorry i worded that badly I have only one socket a master socket on top of a kitchen cabinet.

when i said not sure about the other I meant I didn't know the answer to your other question regarding the master socket.

did I put wadhurst??? sorry i live in Hawkhurst.

when i said not sure about the other I meant I didn't know the answer to your other question regarding the master socket.

Sorry, I misunderstood. Please look at the two pictures, here. On the left is shown an NTE5 with the EU (end-user) lower front panel removed, whereas the picture on the right is of an LJ2. They should allow you to identify the type of socket you have above the kitchen cabinet.

The ideal solution for you would be to have a "wire man" install an extension socket for the modem/router/WAP in the general area where you use the laptop (wirelessly) and to run an Ethernet cable from the router up to the tower computer, on the top floor of the house.

So you are just over the county boundary and in Kent. The Hawkhurst exchange, NDHAK, is very similar to that at Wadhurst -- another Market 1 exchange.

nte5

yeah wadhurst and hawkhurst exchanges are very similar (I moved) having a moment there sorry.

there are 5 sockets in the house but 4 are faulty the landlord has agreed to pay to get them working. I am waiting for a letter or something then I will approach ISP to get BT in to sort. (not holding my breath though)

but working wiring if and when it happens doesn't sort dead router

but working wiring if and when it happens doesn't sort dead router

You are too far away for me to visit (with my Linux based laptop, an Ethernet cable & 2Wire 2700HGV) and attempt to re-flash your Netgear . . .

Perhaps there is someone else, closer to you, who would be willing to assist?

In reply to a post by burakkucat:

but working wiring if and when it happens doesn't sort dead router

You are too far away for me to visit (with my Linux based laptop, an Ethernet cable & 2Wire 2700HGV) and attempt to re-flash your Netgear . . .

Perhaps there is someone else, closer to you, who would be willing to assist?

I think he works with windows computers. He could easily use one.

I think he works with windows computers. He could easily use one.

The bat leaves the cat completely at a loss . . . You obviously know something that I do not.

just to update round trip to return incorrect router, refund plus a fiver, N150 purchased, home configured and working saturday, sunday I'm back to losing connection, red lights for ISP, Server and Internet.

as I now have new router I am now eligible for tech support from netgear. spend hours on the phone (yawn) and now all working and apparently WPA is not advisable!

I was originally WEP but changed to WPA and thinking about it it may well coincide with the onset of my original problem.

so no WPA and no firmware upgrade via wireless, we'll see what happens

same old same old 3 red lights so netgear was using the old eyewash

Is this too expensive for your needs?

GG

As you probably know, all wiring past the NTE5A belongs to the end user and not OpenReach. So why don't we try to resolve the problem of your non-working telephone extension sockets?

I, and I'm sure others, would be far happier trying to assist you in getting your modem/router operating correctly by using an Ethernet connection to it. And to do that you will need to use the tower system, upstairs.

Would you be able to take some pictures of the telephone sockets and the wiring? Start with a general view of the NTE5A. Remove the two screws that secure the end user, lower-half, faceplate. Take a clear picture of the wiring attached to the back of that face plate. With the face plate still disconnected, follow the wiring (if visible) to the first extension socket. Undo its screws and take a picture of the wiring. Continue doing so for all the other extension sockets. Once done, post the pictures in a publicly accessible place and tell us its location.

For the time being, do not bother to refit the lower-half faceplate to the NTE5A. Just plug your microfilter directly into the test socket . . .

Once we've all had a chance to look at the pictures, the next steps could be quite straightforward.

Thank you

just to update I am moving so I will put up with it till I'm moved and pray for working sockets

In reply to a post by captainmouse:

just to update I am moving so I will put up with it till I'm moved and pray for working sockets

Good luck with the move and please let us know of the new situation, once you have settled in.

thank you, when I finally emerge for the boxes I will update.

new address is again over 3 floors so no doubt it will be a challenge. hopefully it will have a working socket on the middle floor which will suffice, if not may have to raid the piggy bank for airport

Having moved but still surrounded by boxes, new house has telephone socket in most rooms (plus aerial and sat cable). ISP moved phone and BB over with no issues and am currently online at a reasonable speed (for market one).

if anybody could find the missing..............

...it's behind the sofa on the left hand side.

thankyou