Can't set-up Router (WPN824 on NTL:250) HELP!!!

[Hazah]

Hello all,

I just bought the Netgear WPN824 and I am having trouble setting it up to connect to the internet, even with an ethernet cable.
A few details :
- I am using the NTL:250 modem
- I successfully ping the router from my laptop.
- I am able to ping an external site (bbc.co.uk) when connected via the router, which means my internet connection is fine.
- I have tried cloning the MAC address on the modem but this didn't work.
- I power cycled my modem and router a few times and this doesn't work.
- Virgin broadband helpline suggested that I set the DNS address of the modem to a number that they suggested, but this did not help.

What happens is that when I connect the ethernet cable from the modem to the router to the laptop, both the internet and port number on the router are lit up green. However, when I run the Netgear set up wizard (I have tried both the set-up CD and the Netgear site for this), everything was fine (I got the DHCP) but during the 'updating network settings' phase, the internet and port number light either disappears or turn amber. I also lose my network connection and I get 'website cannot be displayed' screen on my browser. The wireless light on the router also starts flashing now, which is of course is of no use as I have lost the internet connection.

When this happens, I can no longer access the router, modem or ping bbc.co.uk.

Any help here would be much appreciated as I have spent 1 weekend and 2 nights trying to sort this out....

Thanks

Hazah

[MovedGoalPosts]

to Cable Forum

I'd suggest that you do a reset to factory values on the router then start over. Then you can try the following, as a manual setup (you really shouldn't need disks).

Power everything off (modem, router, computer(s). Plug in the ethernet between modem & router, router and PC (just worry about one PC for now, you can add the rest later). No other ethernet / USB connections out of the modem are allowed. Now power on the modem and alow to settle, then power on the router and let settle, now the computer.

All being well, you should now be able to browse the internet from the PC. If you cannot check the following:
Is your internet explorer set to auto detect connections (tools > options)?
Is your computer's network card set with IP auto detect, and TCP/IP settings auto (no DNS)
Can you browse from the computer to the admin page of your router?

[Hazah]

Originally Posted by Rob

All being well, you should now be able to browse the internet from the PC. If you cannot check the following:
Is your internet explorer set to auto detect connections (tools > options)?
Is your computer's network card set with IP auto detect, and TCP/IP settings auto (no DNS)
Can you browse from the computer to the admin page of your router?

Hi Rob,

I reset the router back to its factory settings and did a power cycle.
All the lights are fine and I am able to ping both the router and the external (bbc.co.uk) site. I am also able to log in to the ntl modem. All this suggests that the information flow is fine, right?

However, I cannot browse the internet. Everytime I try to access a site, it automatically diverts back to the 'router set-up page'.

Question :
1. How do I check that I am on auto detect connection? Tools -> Internet Optins -> Connections?
2. IP and DNS -> I have checked the TCP/IP of my internet connection and I am on IP auto detect. Is this what you mean?

Thanks.

[Hazah]

Hello.....

I am still having trouble with my router. I hope someone can still help...

[Richy99]

are you able to access the bbc site via the IP address?

[Hazah]

Originally Posted by Richy99

are you able to access the bbc site via the IP address?

Hi Richy,

I am able to ping the site when I connect the router when it is in factory setting mode, but I cannot access it as whenever I type an address in my web browser, it always diverts back to the 'Netgear Router Setup Site'.

Is there a way I can 'force' the internet explorer to allow me to access other sites without going through the set-up wizard? This is when the problem occurs as I lose my internet connection light and ethernet cable light on my router everytime I run the wizard.

Thanks for contributing!!!

Hazah

[popper]

Originally Posted by Hazah

Hi Rob,

I reset the router back to its factory settings and did a power cycle.
All the lights are fine and I am able to ping both the router and the external (bbc.co.uk) site. I am also able to log in to the ntl modem. All this suggests that the information flow is fine, right?

However, I cannot browse the internet. Everytime I try to access a site, it automatically diverts back to the 'router set-up page'.

Question :
1. How do I check that I am on auto detect connection? Tools -> Internet Optins -> Connections?
2. IP and DNS -> I have checked the TCP/IP of my internet connection and I am on IP auto detect. Is this what you mean?

Thanks.

yes thats right, you have in effect set it up right and it would be fully working except for their rather strange requirement to run through a first time config no matter what you have already done.

after reviewing the PDF
http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/wpn824_ref_manual.pdf
it appears the diversion is as expected for the default
'Smart Wizard Configuration'

you can bypass that by going to
http://www.routerlogin.net/basicsetting.htm

------------------
Manually enter a URL to bypass the Smart Wizard Configuration Assistant
-------------------
You can bypass the Smart Wizard Configuration Assistant feature by typing http://www.routerlogin.net/basicsetting.htm in the browser address bar and clicking Enter.

You will not be prompted for a user name or password. This will enable you to manually configure the wireless router even when it is in the factory default state.

When manually configuring the router, you must complete the configuration by clicking Apply when finished entering your settings.

If you do not do so, a browser on any PC connected to the router will automatically display the router's Configuration Assistant Welcome page rather than the browser’s home page.
--------------------------



---------- Post added at 13:44 ---------- Previous post was at 13:20 ----------

also for manually setting the right DNS settings you can put these.

you are better just using auto to begin with though.

assuming the default IP of your router is
192.168.1.1 then that is your first DNS to enter into your windowsXP 'local area network' /internet protocol/propertys/prefered DNS box
and VMs DNS servers are 194.168.4.100 and 194.168.8.100

so if your using manual setting for the PC network card put 194.168.4.100 in the 'alternate DNS setting' box and if you like click advanced and put the other 194.168.8.100 into the list

if you change your routers LAn side IP from the default 192.168.1.1 then whatever you use there (192.168.0.1 for instance)you would change that IP in the first prefered DNS box IP as well.

these assure your LAN side machines will will then be able to resolve
www.whatever into the numeric IPs.

[Hazah]

Thanks Popper,

I have tried http://www.routerlogin.net/basicsetting.htm as well. However, when I click 'apply' (without changing anything - i.e. Dynamic IP and auto DNS), the same problem happens, I lose the Internet and port lights on my modem.

I have not tried setting a fixed DNS though, I'll try this when I get home. Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks!!!

Any other suggestions would be welcomed as well.

Hazah

[popper]

before you click appy later, try setting the routers autoDNS to manual and use the 194.168.4.100 as its primary and the 194.168.8.100 for it secondry then apply.

the Dynamic IP inside the router is required so the VM CM can give your WAN side of the router the right IP for a working web route connection so dont change that option.

[Hazah]

Originally Posted by popper

before you click appy later, try setting the routers autoDNS to manual and use the 194.168.4.100 as its primary and the 194.168.8.100 for it secondry then apply.

the Dynamic IP inside the router is required so the VM CM can give your WAN side of the router the right IP for a working web route connection so dont change that option.

I tried the setting the DNS address both on the router and my Windows XP local area network. The same thing happens when I click apply - I lose my internet and ethernet port light on my router. This is really strange, because it appears that connection is fine like popper said, and it just loses it when I either run the wizard or click apply on the basic setting netgear page. Arrghhh...

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Hazah

[Richy99]

are you using the latest firmware for the router?

[vascop]

When you have everything set up, run the network setup wizard in XP before trying your browser. It's in Control Panel.

[Hazah]

Originally Posted by Richy99

are you using the latest firmware for the router?

Hmm... I did not check this actually. I will try downloading and running the latest patch tonight. Will let you know how I get on.

Hazah

[Hazah]

Originally Posted by Richy99

are you using the latest firmware for the router?

Sigh..... I uploaded the latest firmware from the website but the same problem occurs.

---------- Post added at 09:59 ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 ----------

Yesterday I also did the following :
1. Use a different, brand new laptop to connect to the same router and modem in my house (I know it shouldn't make a difference but I was desperate). - This didn't work, as expected.
2. Tried to set-up the router at a mate's, who is on VM as well but uses the motorola surfboard modem. The same problem occurs.

I am beginning to think that my brand new router is faulty. Can anyone give me an idea how I can know for certain? I can then start arranging for a replacement.

I am still hoping I can get a wireless up for the Christmas and New Year period so that the laptop can sit wirelessly in the living room, but that seems unlikely now .

(p.s. sorry for the underline above - just wanted to make sure that the question is not lost among all my words).

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Hazah

[Richy99]

only way for certain is to try a different router