[RESOLVED] Installing new router...

[NickThissen]

Hi,

We've got a new router (Sitecom 300N or something) for our home network, and we're having some trouble installing it...

The manual tells me to connect the router to the modem (this is done correctly), then check if I have internet already by going to www.sitecomrouter.com.

That works, I have internet on this PC. But then I go upstairs to another pc, and it does not have any connection to the internet...


Next, I wanted to see the router settings, which, as far as I know, I get to by entering the default gateway into any browser. The installation manual mentioned this default gateway was 192.168.0.1, but that didn't work.

I opened cmd and used ipconfig to check the default gateway, and it was 84.28.0.1... I find that strange because I've only ever seen 192.168.__.__, but perhaps it's nothing.. I dunno.

Anyway, tried to enter 84.28.0.1, still didn't work!

So, I tried to do a ipconfig /release, followed by an ipconfig /renew. Now, the default gateway did read 192.168.0.1, and when I try to access that in the browser, it works.

I checked through all settings but cannot find anything wrong...

So I went upstairs again (still no internet there), and went to the router page (192.168.0.1), and that did work. But still, no internet. I tried resetting the router, unplugging the modem for a few seconds, everything I could think of, but nothing works. Only the one computer downstairs can connect to the internet (even though all of them can get to the router options).


Next, I used ipcnofig again to check on the default gateway, and it has now changed to 84.28.14.1 ?? I can now no longer access the router options, with either 192.168.0.1 or with 84.28.14.1, from the computer downstairs.
I can still access it from the other computers though :\

If I do another ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, then the default gateway is back to 192.168.0.1, but only after two tries.

Now, I can get to the options page again, but I have no internet connection anymore..!

When I unplug the router and plug it back in, it reverses again: internet YES, options page NO...
Also, the default gateway is back to 84.28.14.1...?

I've no idea what else to try... So in desperation I connected the old router again. Same problem! Only the one computer downstairs has connection to the internet, but cannot access the router options, while all other computers have no connection and can access the options...

I've no idea what's going on... What could be causing this issue?

[mbutler755]

Unplug your router and your modem. Plug the modem in first and wait until it is online. Once it is, power on the router. See if that helps.

You can also try a different port on the switch for the upstairs computer (if this is wired).

[baja_yu]

Upgrading routers firmware might help also.

[NickThissen]

Thanks, but didn't work

Right now, I'm back on the old router, and I've now got internet both upstairs and downstairs. So I thought I had it fixed (well, on the old router anyway), until I tried to play on my Xbox. Now that can't connect to the internet... Gah!

So I had another look, and the xbox is set to obtain its address automatically, and it is trying using 192.168.2.2 as the IP address, 255.255.255.0 as the subnet mask, and 192.168.2.1 as the default gateway.
However, if I use ipconfig, it shows me that the subnet mask is 255.255.254.0 instead, and the default gateway is something strange like 84.28.26.1 again...

I'm sure this default gateway is the problem, but I've no idea how to change it. I can set my network connection to use a fixed IP, in which case I can force it to use 192.168.2.3 for example, but then I've got no internet connection... Apparently the router wants to use the strange 84.28. something..


However, if this 84.28.something is used, I cannot access the router properties, neither by using 84.28.26.1, nor by 192.168.2.1 (which used to be the address for this router).

If I try using ipconfig /release and /renew again a number of times, sometimes it will suddenly take 192.168.2.1 as default gateway again. In that case, I can access the router properties again, but I've got no internet access...

I'm starting to lose it, why is this not working? It was working fine before until my dad decided we needed a new router :@

[baja_yu]

Did you check routers settings? Maybe something got screwed up. Also did you try the firmware upgrade I suggested, or at least a factory reset.

Regarding IP settings, I leave the DHCP on, but set address reservation for devices I use (based on their MAC addresses) so each device always gets assigned the same IP.

Try checking the settings on all devices you have, maybe you set one of them to a static IP of 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.0.1) which the router usualy takes, so when that machine is booted it creates a conflict and the router switches by itself to the 84.28... One more reason to leave the devices on Automatic, and set reservation in the router.

[NickThissen]

As I said I'm back on the old router now, which worked fine yesterday, so it can't be the router settings (didn't change) nor the need for a firmware upgrade.

I've got DHCP on as by default, and all computers (and the xbox) obtain their address automatically.

Something must have changed, but I haven't changed anything and my dad says he hasn't either. Yet, we tried connecting a new router, which didn't work, so we connected the old router again, and now that doesn't work either. So something must have changed... I just can't figure out what.

[baja_yu]

1. Look over the TCP/IP settings of all devices and make sure all are set to obtain IP automatically.

2. Try using/turning on one device at a time. Set up the router and use just one device for a period of time to see how it works. Turn on the next one and do the same. Keep adding one by one until it breaks. It may give you an idea which device could be responsible.

[NickThissen]

1. Look over the TCP/IP settings of all devices and make sure all are set to obtain IP automatically.

I did, and yes.

2. Try using/turning on one device at a time. Set up the router and use just one device for a period of time to see how it works. Turn on the next one and do the same. Keep adding one by one until it breaks. It may give you an idea which device could be responsible.

I'll try this now.


I'm now experiencing the same problem on all computers:
- Either it has internet, but its default gateway is 84.28.something, and it can NOT connect to the router settings page.
- Or it has NO internet, and its default gateway is 192.168.2.1 (== router IP), and it can connect to the router settings page.

I am absolutely sure, at least on my own PC, that the default gateway used to be 192.168.2.1, and that was also the ip of the router (and it still is) so I could use that address to access the router settings.

Now, it seems that something is assigning a different default gateway to all computers, so that I can no longer access the router. The strange thing is that they DO still have internet connection?! I'm typing this on my own computer right now, so I have internet, and my default gateway is 84.28.26.1. I cannot connect to the router settings... UNLESS!

I can turn off the 'obtain automatic ip address' setting, and fix it to a default gateway of 192.168.2.1. Then, I can access the router settings, but I've got no internet...

I'm going mad

[drivenbywhat]

Hello ,

I think I know what your problem is. You're right to suspect the default gateway as the problem. You seem to know your way around ip settings but you're not too familiar with subnetting. 192.168.0.1 & 192.168.2.1 are not in the same subnet. You may think they are because they start with 192.168.x.x but the 0 & 2 say that they are in different subnets. That's why you can't access the internet from the other computers. They can't see your new router because it is not in the same subnet. Okay enough background info. Now for what you need.

Unplug all your computers from the network for about 5 minutes. Meaning take the network cable out of them. Reset your router and wait till all the lights are back on. By reset I mean press the reset button in the back not just unplug it. Look in your manual for the location if you don't know. Now plug your first pc to the router or the switch that connects to the router. After about 30-60 seconds this pc should get an ip address. Do an ipconfig to check the ip, subnet & gateway. The ip should be something like 192.168.0.x. The default gateway should be 192.168.0.1. The subnet should be 255.255.255.0. If it's not 255.255.255.0 it's okay as long as this # is the same for the other pcs. If you don't get the ip starting with 192.168.0.x then do an ipconfig /renew. Now plug in the other pcs and check the same things. Your problems should now be fixed. If not post back. Oh once it's working do not plug the old router back or you'll have to go through this again!

[NickThissen]

Maybe I'll try that again in a minute... I've just turned everything on again after failing to get it to work on just one computer.

Anyway, you're right in that I'm not familiar with subnetting (nor really with IP stuff, except what I've learned through experience in the past few years..), but I never thought there was a connection between 192.168.2.1 and 192.168.0.1.

The 192.168.2.1 is the IP address of our old router (by default, and never changed it).
The 192.168.0.1 is the IP address of the new router (by default).

With the old router plugged in, I would expect all computers to get an IP address like 192.168.2.___ where ___ is between 2 and 100 (as this is the range set in the DHCP settings).
But they don't. The computers get something arbitrary like 84.28.16.1. In that case, they do have internet, but I cannot see the router settings page.

Having said that, I just tried to do this on just one computer, everything else unplugged, and it did get an IP address that I expected (192.168.2.2) with default gateway 192.168.2.1. Still, it had no internet connection, and restarting the router / modem didn't help either (that's when I gave up in anger ).

[baja_yu]

One question, did you reboot the machines when connecting them to the new router? Maybe that might force them to pick up right settings from the DHCP. Maybe try starting fresh. Turn everything off, reset the router (try with the new one), and then boot the machines one by one. I'm not sure if this will work, the problem seems very weird, all the suggestions are what I would have tried in that situation.

[NickThissen]

Ok... Didn't work. I tried it with the old router by the way (because at least I know that one works). I might try it with the new one tomorrow, but to be honest I'm getting sick of this.

Unplug all your computers from the network for about 5 minutes. Meaning take the network cable out of them. Reset your router and wait till all the lights are back on. By reset I mean press the reset button in the back not just unplug it. Look in your manual for the location if you don't know.

Done. Pressed router reset button for a few seconds (using a pen to reach it) until lights went off, then on again (they went on one after the other like its testing the display).

Now plug your first pc to the router or the switch that connects to the router. After about 30-60 seconds this pc should get an ip address. Do an ipconfig to check the ip, subnet & gateway. The ip should be something like 192.168.0.x. The default gateway should be 192.168.0.1. The subnet should be 255.255.255.0. If it's not 255.255.255.0 it's okay as long as this # is the same for the other pcs. If you don't get the ip starting with 192.168.0.x then do an ipconfig /renew.

Done. Ip address was 84... again, so used ipconfig /release followed by /renew and then it went to 192.168.2.1.

This is where the problem starts... I still don't have internet. default gateway is ok, IP address is ok, but no internet.

Now plug in the other pcs and check the same things.

Tried the same thing on my own pc next (even though the first one doesn't have internet yet). Here, no matter how many times I try /release, /renew, it won't get the correct address. It stays at 84.28.26.1.

Your problems should now be fixed.

If only

If not post back.

Done.

[NickThissen]

Ok... Didn't work. I tried it with the old router by the way (because at least I know that one works). I might try it with the new one tomorrow, but to be honest I'm getting sick of this.

Unplug all your computers from the network for about 5 minutes. Meaning take the network cable out of them. Reset your router and wait till all the lights are back on. By reset I mean press the reset button in the back not just unplug it. Look in your manual for the location if you don't know.

Done. Pressed router reset button for a few seconds (using a pen to reach it) until lights went off, then on again (they went on one after the other like its testing the display).

Now plug your first pc to the router or the switch that connects to the router. After about 30-60 seconds this pc should get an ip address. Do an ipconfig to check the ip, subnet & gateway. The ip should be something like 192.168.0.x. The default gateway should be 192.168.0.1. The subnet should be 255.255.255.0. If it's not 255.255.255.0 it's okay as long as this # is the same for the other pcs. If you don't get the ip starting with 192.168.0.x then do an ipconfig /renew.

Done. Ip address was 84... again, so used ipconfig /release followed by /renew and then it went to 192.168.2.1.

This is where the problem starts... I still don't have internet. default gateway is ok, IP address is ok, but no internet.

Now plug in the other pcs and check the same things.

Tried the same thing on my own pc next (even though the first one doesn't have internet yet). Here, no matter how many times I try /release, /renew, it won't get the correct address. It stays at 84.28.26.1.

Your problems should now be fixed.

If only

If not post back.

Done.


I've given up for tonight. I've already managed to destroy a mouse in the process (even though I've no idea how).

I will wait for some more suggestions and try them when I get back tomorrow evening. If nothing else works, I've no idea what to do next. Are there people I can call who can do this kind of thing for me? Lol. I just don't see myself fixing this anytime soon. Man this is frustrating. Everything worked just fine yesterday, now suddenly everythings broken for no reason

[drivenbywhat]

Yes, I did mean for you to try this with the new router not the old one. There are two possible causes for your issue.

#1 - there is another software/hardware that is acting as a dhcp server & messing with your router's dhcp. This is the only thing that could be causing you to get different ips.

#2 - both your routers have disabled NAT. That is what allows your router to share the internet connection with all the computers. There is such a thing as private ip & public ip. The 192 which you are familiar with is a private ip. Private means it is used in your network and not actually on the internet. To get to the internet you need a public ip. This is where the 84 comes in. Normally all you need is a modem. That modem gives the pc connected to it the 84 ip and that pc alone can access the internet. The router uses NAT to take the 84 ip for itself. Then it gives your pcs & itself a 192 ip. Whenever a pc wants to get on the internet it sends it to the router's 192 ip and then the router sends it to its 84 ip. That's how internet sharing works with a router in very basic & not a 100% correct explanation. If NAT is disabled then the router acts like the modem does when it's by itself. It just passes the 84 ip to whichever pc talks to it first. Then that pc has a public ip which allows it to go to the internet but the other pcs can't.

Do you mind drawing a quick sketch of your network and uploading it so we can see? Do you have cable or dsl? Do you have wireless as well? You've been informative but there is a lot more we need to know.

[NickThissen]

Ok. After trying everything I could think of, I went back to the start of the problems: when my dad asked me to take a look at installing the new router.

After I didn't get it to work either, he suggested to connect the old router back. He specifically told me to be very careful switching the cables, so that the modem cable, the one that came out of the WAN port, got back into the WAN port of the old router.

I did as told. Many times, switching between old and new router, being careful not to mix up the cables, but nothing worked.

So, I decided for once to not listen to my dad, and mix up the cables. BOOM. A new light flashed on on the router! Due to its new sleek design (LED's that aren't burning are invisible), I never knew there was another LED there. Yet suddenly, it was burning!

And of course, internet worked as expected The cable from the modem was plugged into the wrong port all along, and I had been carefully placing the wrong cable in the WAN port each and every time...

Lesson learned: never listen to your dad. If he specifically tells you to not do something, make that the first thing you try.


Anyway... Thanks for all the help, I've definitely learned some new stuff to try whenever it fails again, including:
- check the manual where all LED's are and what they mean
- don't rely on WYSIWYG: if there isn't any indication that there might be a LED somewhere, there might still be one!

Thanks!

[stanav]

Hahaha... I can't believe that you had plugged the cable going to your modem to a LAN port (instead of the WAN port) for the whole time.

[drivenbywhat]

Facepalm. That explains why you weren't getting the right ip. NAT was being bypassed.

[JuggaloBrotha]

As for the xbox 360, you need to do some port forwarding for 2 ports on your router, since each router is different you'll need to look up on to do port forwarding and the 2 ports to forward are easy to find via google.

[NickThissen]

Yeah... Stupid I know

JB: Nah, I don't need any ports opened for the xbox. It works just fine without them. It tells you what your NAT type is, you can have either Open (best), Moderate or something worse, and I always have Open so I'm good.