Moody_Blue
join:2004-01-21
Portugal | reply to dellsweig
Looking for the Common Thread in router problems
Being plagued with the 1.50.1 problem, I've decided to reinstall 1.45.3. Router is now working for at least 24h with "equivalent" parametrization. I keep my fingers crossed. |
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biker45
join:2003-10-18
Erie, CO
| My BEFW11S4 v4 (1.50 firmware) continued to hang even after I disconnected its cable modem connection, and disabled the wireless feature (eliminating stray incoming packets from the WAN link and stray wireless connections as the source of the problem).
I had previously reported these problems to Linksys via email to their Tech Support (only response I ever got was: "we're working on it").
I finally decided to wait on their support line to speak to someone. After being on hold for an hour, I got connected. I figured the technician would first insist that I go through all of the same configuration changes (I previously performed over the past several months) in order to attempt to resolve the problem while on the phone.
After a brief explanation of the make, model, problem, and the changes I performed while trying to solve the problem, the technician just told me to go to the Support page on the Linksys site, and request a Warranty Return (I bought my BEFW11S4 in October and it is still under warranty). I probably could have gone straight to the Warranty Return page on the Linksys site without first having to wait an hour on hold for Tech Support.
The Warranty Return process was straight-forward. I had to provide a credit card number, but as long as I return the old device within 5 days of receiving the new one, my card will not be charged. Three day shipping of the new device to me is free. I have to pay to return the old device 
Of course, there's no guarantee that the new device will be any more reliable than my current one, but it's worth a try. I'll post here after I get the new device (delivery is scheduled for 1/29).
Has anyone returned their flawed BEFW11S4, and gotten a new one? If so, was the new one any better (in terms of reliability)? |
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big greg
Premium,MVM,Ex-Mod 2005-6
join:2003-10-11
Boston, MA
clubs: 
| Re: Looking for the Common Thread in router proble
biker45  are you getting a V3 or another V4? I seem to remember other people getting another V4 (the 12 volt version) but it did not solve their problems.
I couldn't make my V4 run here no matter what I did. Yesterday, I just took my V4/1.50 over to my girlfriend's place (cable modem, 1 wireless, 1 wired). I got her D-Link in return.
Maybe it will run just fine down there. I know the Dlink runs ok here but doesn't have the signal strength that the V4 had.
As soon as the V4 hangs, I'll let you know. |
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ChrisDAT
Google Keyword Compsysnyc
join:2002-02-26
Hollis, NY
| reply to biker45
Re: Looking for the Common Thread in router problems
biker -- it may say something if LinkSys is so willing to replace the unit -- and actually, it's a good idea as it will give LinkSys an opportuninty to examine the unit (if they're smart) -- at least if they care anything at all about improving the "rep" that is spreading fast about LinkSys hardware. |
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biker45
join:2003-10-18
Erie, CO
| big greg: Linksys did not say which model they will be sending. However, the Warranty Return process specifically asked for what model I had, so my guess is that I'll be receiving a v4.
I am not optimistic that the new unit will be any more reliable, but I keep reading posts by people who say their BEFW11S4 v4 is rock solid (so along with believing is Santa Claus, I'm believing that Linksys will have fully tested the replacement unit they send me and it will be rock solid). Then, I wake up from my dream 
Chris DAT: I'd like to think that Linksys will take my old unit and fully test it, but see paragraph above about my also believing in Santa Claus!!
I read on one of the forums here that it may be less costly to Linksys to replace these devices with no questions asked, than to waste their staff's time trying to talk the customer through diagnostic and debugging procedures (especially if the problem is caused by a hardware flaw or software bug that no amount of configuration changes by the end user could fix). Staff costs are much more expensive than hardware, so Linksys may just be willing to replace every BEFW11S4 v4 with no questions asked. Of course, if the replacement hardware also fails, then it starts to get expensive for Linksys. Maybe they just figure that people with the flawed devices will just give up and go away (after all, once Linksys has made the sale, they really don't care if we go away, and going away is less expensive for them than if we keep calling their Tech Support).
Based on FedEx tracking number, ETA for my new device is Wed (in the midst of a snow storm here on the East Coast). Maybe I'll see it Thurs or Friday. Wonder if I should collect guesses as to how long it will take for the replacement unit to fail (who me, skeptical)? |
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ChrisDAT
Google Keyword Compsysnyc
join:2002-02-26
Hollis, NY
| biker -- I'm sure LinkSys knows which ones were "born to be wild" and which ones have the "right stuff" inside -- I will almost guarantee you, the one you get will make all your dreams come true.
[...and what's wrong with believing in Santa?:)] |
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Peterd
@mchsi.com | reply to dellsweig
Get the new version firmware 1.5.1 and it solved my lockups for good! |
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dfsfo
@kpff-sf.com
| I, too, had the same lockup problems as mentioned here... been scratching my head for 3 months (the router is at mom's house, who rarely uses the net but has been instructed to reset the router power plug when internet not found...).
First problematic router was a BEFW11S4 v4. Locked up. Returned it after a few days to Fry's, got a new v4. Same thing. Scratched my head. I have set up five BEFW11S4's over the past 3 years; all are still running, and probably haven't even been rebooted (i realize now that is most likely because they aren't v4's!)
Back to the v4 in use now: It came loaded with the 1.45.7 firmware. I upgraded to 1.50. Still locked up.
I upgraded to 1.50.1, hoping that would solve the problem as it did for many... Still locked up.
A couple days ago I found this forum and read that one of you had downgraded to 1.45.3. I tried that last night and--voila!--the router is not locking up (at least not yet)!! THANK YOU!
Hopefully this router will stay useable for more than a few hours with this old firmware! When will the Linksys engineers fix this obvious problem?? |
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cgray88
join:2004-03-16
Washington, DC
| reply to dellsweig
Looks like the commentary has come to a halt in this thread. Is there anything to update???
I'm having nearly identical issues, with my BEFW11S4. Differences are that mine is the Version 2, as opposed to the Version 4, and that when I lose my internet, it only drops on the those connected wirelessly. The computers wired in continue to run smoothly. Mine also does not appear to drop at any particular time, per se... it seems to only drop when my computer shuts down/restarts, or goes to sleep. Otherwise, this thread is like 6 pages of exactly what I am going through... |
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big greg
Premium,MVM,Ex-Mod 2005-6
join:2003-10-11
Boston, MA
clubs: | I gave up and send my V4 to my girlfriend's apartment, where it has been running without errors for weeks.
Do you have good signal strength when your connection drops? |
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cgray88
join:2004-03-16
Washington, DC
| Excellent signal... always. Can't find any competing networks, and the AP is like 7 ft away. My connection to the AP never drops.
This prob happens daily. Net Connections box on my computer tells me I'm connected. Run around the corner to the Linksys, and I am listed in the clients table. Run back, ping 192.168.1.1... request timed out. Look back at the Net Connctions box, and it will say something like "sent : 302 / recieved : 0"
Then I do a long reset (pwr down AP then modem, wait, pwr up modem, wait, pwr up AP) and all of a sudden, I'm surfing again...
I'm completely perplexed... I've tried everything to fix it. |
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Scott W
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Beaverton, OR
4 edits | reply to dellsweig
said by dellsweig :
If there is a home security requirement - use MAC filtering - do't screw around with WPA...
Mac's are easily spoofed. And unencrypted data can still be intercepted, whether the interceptor is on your network or not. Yes, do use MAC filtering, but WITH, not in place of, encryption.
So far, I've had no problems using WPA on my WRT54G. I did have one computer that wanted to disconnect upon user logoff, but following the advice in the wrt54g disconnection thread about the "AuthMode" registry edit seems to have taken care of that. |
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