No connectivity when using Netgear MR814 v2 router

[TheHood]

Hi,

This problem seems to be the same as the one here:

http://http://www.cableforum.co.uk/b...2-problem.html

but seeing as there was no apparent fix I'll ask again. I've got Virgin Cable Broadband. Works fine on both WinXP and Gentoo Linux machines when ethernet cable is plugged directly between cable modem and computer. But I want both machines to access internet at once so got a Netgear MR814v2 router. Followed instructions, and everything worked - for about half an hour :-(

Tried all the standard trouble shooting things (e.g. repowering in the correct order) several times to no avail. Both computers are DHCP enabled and set to locate IP address automatically. Neither machine can now connect to the internet via the router, but both work fine when connected directly.

So my questions are:
1) Does anyone know how to fix this?
2) If not, can anyone recommend a router that will do the job without costing a lot?

Thanks in advance

[jonifen]

What broadband connection do you have first of all?
I believe (but could be completely wrong!) the MR814 may only support up to 10Mb through the WAN port, so if you're on 20Mb, you may have problems... although chances are it would only throttle it down to 10Mb.

I'd say to try doing a hard reset on the router if not done already, power off the modem for a few minutes and start from scratch. I found the setup wizard caused problems for me when I had the MR814, but others have found it to be OK, so I guess its a case of trial and error unfortunately.

In terms of alternative routers, I've had 6 over the last 6 years, and have settled on a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 (can be bought from ebuyer.co.uk (amongst other places) for under £30). If you're after additional features from a router like Quality of Service etc, look at 3rd party firmwares like Tomato (www.polarcloud.com/tomato - I can vouch for this being very good ) or DD-WRT (www.dd-wrt.com) which can enhance the functionality of the Buffalo (and many Linksys) router(s). (note that flashing firmware on routers does come with risks, and it's worth reading through the websites linked above to find if it is something you're wanting to try, although with Gentoo experience (something I'm a bit scared to try personally!), you may be OK with this.)

[TheHood]

OK, I've got 4Mb connection so that shouldn't be the problem. Powering off and leaving, then starting again doesn't do the trick unfortunately...

[jonifen]

Hmm, I also have a 4Mb connection (and did when I had the MR814) so can't understand why there should be any problems.

You mention that it is a similar problem as the other link, is it that your IP is 0.0.0.0 on the router after it refreshed/renewed it?

One other thought... is this the Blueyonder branded MR814? Or a standard Netgear release one? (Mine was a Blueyonder branded one courtesy of eBay). I'd check the Netgear website as there may be a standard firmware flash to remove any branding on it incase this may be causing any problems.

[TheHood]

Originally Posted by jonifen

Hmm,
You mention that it is a similar problem as the other link, is it that your IP is 0.0.0.0 on the router after it refreshed/renewed it?

How do you check that (I'm computer literate but not massively up on networking!!!)

Originally Posted by jonifen

One other thought... is this the Blueyonder branded MR814? Or a standard Netgear release one? (Mine was a Blueyonder branded one courtesy of eBay). I'd check the Netgear website as there may be a standard firmware flash to remove any branding on it incase this may be causing any problems.

It's from eBay, refurbished.

[jonifen]

Originally Posted by TheHood

How do you check that (I'm computer literate but not massively up on networking!!!)

Log into the router and go to the status page, it should give you an IP address there (may refer to it as Internet IP or WAN IP - I can't remember off the top of my head). If it does not say 0.0.0.0 or one starting 169.x.x.x then it should be working OK and could possibly be a DNS problem.

Post back with what you find and I'll try to help further. I'm struggling to remember the screens on it as the Buffalo is my 2nd router since the Netgear

If worst comes to the worst and its not sorted by the weekend, I'll visit the future mother-in-law who has my old MR814 and check the config there, screenshot it and post it back here and see if that will help any