Billion 5200G Firmware Upgrade/Wireless Connectivity Issue

Hi

I own a second-hand Billion 5200G Wireless ADSL Modem/Router that was supplied by MWEB. I am connecting to the internet on broadband via Telkom (just because they had no ports available for an MWEB connection) at 384K.

My laptop has wireless which is on permanently, even while connected to LAN cable at work, although the office broadcasts wireless connectivity. I have been browsing happily on cable and wireless connections through my router at home. Lately, when I get home and attempt to connect wirelessly to my Billion router the laptop gets assigned an arbitrary ip address, which is not in my router configured list. The laptop connects at 54Mbps but cannot connect to the internet. I have attempted ipconfig /release and /renew options but I keep getting assigned the same incorrect ip address of 168.196.x.x instead of 192.168.1.x. The repair option always returns with a message stating that a DHCP server could not be contacted. I have also turned off the Dell wireless management software and use only the Windows software, as I have found this to be more reliable in previous instances.

I thought that a firmware upgrade might solve the problem. I am currently on version 2.7... and I noticed on the billion website that version 2.10... is available for the 5200G. The important note 1 states that one should choose your country from the drop-down list to cater for regional configurations. I duly selected South Africa and the 5200G disappeared from the download list.

Because my router has MWEB emblazoned all over the Quick Start Guide, including their support phone number I tried to get assistance from them. I have tried to contact them in the evening to ascertain where one would get a firmware upgrade. This was a total fiasco; I ended up holding on for about 45 minutes of the 55 minute phone call. I spoke with someone who put me through to advanced support who tried to put me through to Tech Support. After being assured that Tech Support is available to take my call I hung up after 10 minutes of waiting for them. When I phoned Tech Support in the morning it took them 10 minutes to tell me that MWEB do not support the hardware and that I should try posting on the MyADSL forum.

That is why I am here, asking for assistance from people that actually use the technology, and probably understand it more than the service providers.

My request is as follows: Where would I get a safe, recent and South African firmware upgrade for the Billion 5200G Wireless ADSL Modem/Router?

If a firmware upgrade is not a solution to my wireless connectivity issues, some assistance in that regard will also be greatly appreciated.

Any responses would be much appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

A very frustrated ADSL newbie.

It sounds like the DHCP server on your router is not supplying your computer with an IP address so your laptop is giving itself an apipa address.

Try and restart the router by turning it off and then of again.

If this does not solve your problem, I would suggest restoring the router back to factory settings by pushing the reset button on the back of the router. Then logon to the router and re-enter your ADSL account details.
The default IP Address of the router should be 192.168.1.254 and the login details are username: admin and password: admin

If you dont come right, I would contact Nology, who are the distributers on Billion routers on 086 000 2375 or mail them on [email protected] for a copy of the updated firmware.

Hi

Please send your query to [email protected] and we can have a look at the problem.

Thanks

Hi

Thanks a mill for the replies. I will try the flick of the switch and will also email billionsa.com for the latest firmware.

Much appreciated. Will keep you posted.

Hi, All

I tried the flick of the switch to no avail. The reset to the factory defaults and reconfiguration did work, though.

Thanks a ton.

A No-More-Frustrated ADSL newbie.