Forgot my router admin password...

[too_much]

I know I know, it's ridiculously stupid, and I've never forgotten a password in my life, but this particular router is serving as a wireless AP and thus has not been logged in to for ages. I've tried all my usual passwords and nothing's working... is there ANY way to wipe it all so it starts over? The reset button does nothing...

yours embarassingly
joonz

[Midknyte]

a make and model would help.

you normally have to hold the reset button down for 20-30 seconds to do a full factory reset. check the manual

[too_much]

Yeah good point, sorry, not with it tonight. Motorola WR850G. I'll try that tomorrow, cheers mate. Been pulling my hair out from all the wireless networking problems I'm having lately. Hopefully I'll be able to sort them out once I can access the router's admin panel, because the admin panel of the modem/router that's currently my modem, is all set up fine.

[cat5e]

Default ID (name) = admin

Default password = motorola

[too_much]

Thanks mate that worked :)

Only thing is I have to try 6 or 7 times to actually access the config page without it timing out. I don't understand, surely it's not transmitting anything to or from the internet, it's just comminucating with the router, so it shouldn't be struggling surely?

I'm still having major problems getting this Wireless AP set up though. I've read tons of guides and still don't quite get it. I've got my modem/router as the modem, with the ADSL cable plugged into the "ADSL" port of the modem/router, then an ethernet cable going from lan port 1 to the "WAN" port of the wireless router, so the modem and router are connected.

Where I get confused is which one to put all the DHCP and internet settings into. I think my connection is confused because I've not set it up right... should all the main settings be in the modem, then just DHCP enabled on the router or something? Gona go keep trying, cheers.

*edit* I forgot to mention, my router's "modem" light flashes red constantly, but my connection is live... I'm wired into the router with an IP assigned from the modem which is gateway 192.168.8.1 while the gateway for the router is 192.168.10.1. This is where I get a bit confused. No idea what to do as I still can't get into the router. Will keep trying tho.

[Sterling_Aug]

I forgot to mention, my router's "modem" light flashes red constantly, but my connection is live... I'm wired into the router with an IP assigned from the modem which is gateway 192.168.8.1 while the gateway for the router is 192.168.10.1. This is where I get a bit confused. No idea what to do as I still can't get into the router. Will keep trying tho.


Hard reset everything to factory defaults. You shouldn't have different subnets as the gateway for the router and the gateway for the modem.

Set the modem gateway to the IP address of your ISP. It can NOT be a private IP address using 192.168.xxx.xxx

Set the router as DHCP and do NOT manually set any settings.

If that fails to connect, then read the manuals that came with the modem and the router and then call your ISP. They will walk you thru the settings.

[Bellbus]

If you Wireless AP has a Wired port (Cat5 cable), try using that to initially configure everything and see if the timeouts go away. Setting up the ISP as above.

[too_much]

Right I will do Sterling once I can get into the router... it won't load at all now, with or without a cable, which I really don't understand.

As for setting a gateway, I thought the default gateway had to be 192.168.8.1, then it gets an external IP from the modem or something? Because my IP is dynamic so setting the IP of my ISP would cause problems wouldn't it? Or am I missing the point.

I'm thinking maybe all my problems are from the settings I put into the router, I must have made things clash.

I'm so annoyed with all this though - I tried using a new buffalo modem/wireless router combination and couldn't get that live either. No idea why I keep creating so much problems.

[Sterling_Aug]

Press the hard reset button on the router and the modem. Then start over from scratch.

Get the manuals for the router and follow along step by step. It isn't hard IF you only do what the instructions tell you to do. Do NOT assume anything. Do nothing unless told to do it.

[too_much]

Ya I'll do that tomorrow. I just don't understand it. It's dropping the connection every 30 seconds or so, kicking me off game servers, msn, and timing out when loading webpages. So frustrating. I can't even login to the router at the mo but will try again tomorrow.

[Sterling_Aug]

Have you checked if there is a firmware flash update available for the modem and the router?

I have seen Linksys routers that dropped the connections all the time and after a firmware update they worked perfectly.

[Ol'Tunzafun]

What is the make and model of the modem/router?
You first have to decide which device is going to handle DHCP. If the modem/router is going to do that, then DHCP must be disabled on the Wireless Router and the ethernet cable from the LAN side of the modem/router must be plugged into the LAN side of the wireless - not the WAN side. The wireless then functions strictly as an access point and switch.
On the other hand, if the Wireless is to handle DHCP, then the modem/router must be put into "bridge mode" or have DHCP disabled. You will have to consult the manual to see how this is done. In this case, the ethernet cable from the LAN side of the modem/router will then plug into the WAN side of the Wireless. Your ISP support should be able email you a manual for the modem/router or at least, point you to a download source.

If you Wireless AP has a Wired port (Cat5 cable), try using that to initially configure everything and see if the timeouts go away. Setting up the ISP as above.
Good idea, this is essential if you are updating firmware.

[too_much]

Right, I tried the first option - Had modem/router set to DHCP, disabled it on the wireless router and left all other fields blank, connected ethernet cable from modem/router into wireless router lan side, and got nowhere. I can communicate with the router from any machine, but it just won't get external access.

So I tried the other way - I set my modem to bridge mode and restarted it, then put my internet settings into the wireless router and hooked up the ethernet into the wan side. I read the entire manual and it shed no light whatsoever. In the main config page for my wireless router I have the attached screen. (ignore the IP settings in grey, I was trying out different things, the screeny is just to show you my options, I've tried it with the fields blank too)

Now I'm confused... If I set it to DHCP, which I assumed I needed, it doesn't let me fill in any of my PPP details (they're greyed out), such as my ISP user name, which obviously I need to connect. So if I click "DLS modem - PPPoE" it will let me fill things in, but asks me for my "IP address" which obviously is assigned to me by my ISP, and is dynamic.

Anyway I tried both methods, I've set the modem to bridging mode, I've tried DHCP and PPPoE, I've restored both to factory settings and tried from scratch, I've tried 3 different clients, and still no luck. I had to put my IP manually back to 192.168.8.1 and change the modem from bridging mode to PPP just so I could post this. I really am stumped. Sorry for this but it just makes no sense, I've followed the instructions and I'm not thick, I just can't get anywhere.

Feel free to advise, I'm going insane. The modem/router is brandless but apparently uses:

"Alcatel version 397a Version 2.8
ANSI T1.413/ITU-T 992.1/ITU-T 992.2 (Annex A) "

If that makes any sense. Anyway, I'm off to tear my hair out. Cheers.

*edit*
Even with DHCP enabled on the modem, and disabled on the wireless router, it still auto assigns an ip of 192.168.10.x which is the router, not the modem!!! I have a live connection if I use a manual IP of 192.168.8.x ARGH!

[too_much]

Sorry for double post, last update before work. I've now got the wireless network running, with my PC wired into the modem/router, and a PC and a laptop connected wirelessly. However they only work with manually assigned IPs within the 192.168.8.x range, which is the modem/router, not the wireless router. I'm confused, but content, as I finally have a secured wireless network, which was the original point.

My next move will be to try installing my new wireless modem/router, the buffalo one that wouldn't get a live connection last time. Sigh. Off to work now tho. Any opinions welcomed, thanks.

[Ol'Tunzafun]

That sounds like it is working right. If the PC is plugged in to the modem/router then the modem/router should be doing all of the routing which means that all IPs will be in the 192.168.8.x range and not the 192.168.10.x which would be the wireless range if it was doing the routing. If static IPs are necessary then perhaps DHCP is not fully enabled on the LAN side of the modem/router. Is it just the wireless devices that require static addresses? I'm not suggesting that you change anything, but it doesn't hurt to look.
Most routers allow you do a backup your current configuration, something you should do, for both devices, before making any more modifications. If there is no such function then write down the settings with a pencil, or save some PrintScreens in Paint or Wordpad.
In any case, we are glad you are now up and running. :)

[too_much]

I've just used specific IPs for all 3 machines, it's less hassle I find, as in the past I've had cases where one has randomly changed/reassigned, and messed up all my port forwarding. Anyway, I won't complain! Will back up all my settings, cheers for the info. Cheers for everyone's help, I really appreciate it. Tomorrow's task is to get the new wireless modem/router up and running... ;D

/too_much