Tips/Techniques Geek Needs Computer Geek Help

[Susquatch]

Lightning killed my router. Have SkyFi from TekSavvy. Lightning didn't kill their radio but did kill my Router. It's happened before.

Got a new router next day. But this one is different from any router I've ever had.

I like it cuz it has built in VPN for site wide coverage, the latest firewall, and blocks for guests so they can't inadvertently infect my network (also known as careless wife).

Usually, you use a built in web interface at 192.168.1.1. Not this one. It auto detects your connection and pops up a web request screen all on its own as soon as you plug it in. Sorta plug N play but Fk not.

Once it's programmed, it's gone - never to be seen again! Make a mistake, reset to factory, unplug and start over.

As usual, user manual is zero use. Surely there is a way to get back in without resetting everything. What am I missing?

How the heck does it call up a browser when you plug it in?

TekSavvy is zero help with their default gateway, subnet mask, & DNS. What they gave me is clearly wrong. I used the Google DNS Instead, but the gateway they gave me is for my end not theirs.

My old router worked fine and had the right info. Sadly, I didn't write it down. My bad.

I have a fixed IP address, not dynamic auto assigned. And I do know what that is cuz I use it all the time.

Questions:

How does that webportal popup without me even opening a browser? Is this a new feature of the latest TCPIP interface - sort of like power on Ethernet?

What is the IP address of that web portal? It isn't 192.168.1.1.

Any ideas about how to access the hardware portal after its programmed?

Is there a workaround for the gateway address ?

Do you think it's safe to assume a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0?

I usually prefer to use the provider's DNS because I can get them to fix the data when it's wrong. But their tech guys don't seem to know what that is! (unbelievable) Any preferred DNS for Canada other than Google's? Anyone use the CIRA DNS?

Any and all ideas welcome.

 

[Ironman]

I have had endless fun with routers, especially ones which lock settings and lock you into their system. I bought a Linksys 17312, it is designed for small business, with network accessible drives, complete access to settings, and remote access from anywhere. It broadcasts in 2.4 and 5ghz and has guest accounts. I would recommend it

 

[architect]

Can you tell us the router make and model number?

The manual doesn't say what the default web interface is?

Where was the original info of the static IP from? Typically, that's a paid service directly from the ISP, if they even offer it to residential. The ISP can't help you with your own static ip information. Just because you used a static IP with another provider since forever doesn't guarantee it'll work with others going forward.

If you already have a computer connected to the router, open up command prompt and type "ipconfig" and it'll show you your ip, subnet mask, default gateway, etc.

 

[Susquatch]

Can you tell us the router make and model number?

Asus EBG15

The manual doesn't say what the default web interface is?

Nope. Unless I missed it. Looked 3 times.

Where was the original info of the static IP from? Typically, that's a paid service directly from the ISP, if they even offer it to residential. The ISP can't help you with your own static ip information. Just because you used a static IP with another provider since forever doesn't guarantee it'll work with others going forward.

Title is geek needs geek help. LOL.

I know that silly! Same provider, same fixed IP, I pay for fixed and have paid for fixed IP for an eternity. Nothing changed except old router crashed.

They do know my IP. They just don't know gateway, mask, and DNS. The defaults don't work.

I should add that they did give me that info when I first joined TekSavvy. Just I never saved that info. Or if I did, I can't find it.

If you already have a computer connected to the router, open up command prompt and type "ipconfig" and it'll show you your ip, subnet mask, default gateway, etc.

That's what they did too. But those parameters on a pc are for that pc ip, not the provider system. Ie customer side, not network side. Been through that 6 times yesterday. Only one guy understood, but didn't have the answer.

 

[architect]

I know this is "Geek Needs Geek Help" but did you follow this in the manual?

Or this other method from their FAQ:

[Wireless Router] How do I enter my ASUS router's setting page using Web GUI? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[Wireless Router] How to access my ASUS router’s web GUI setting page via HTTPS? | Official Support | ASUS Global

Many newer modem/routers also don't use the old ip address method and even have dedicated mobile apps like this:

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Android)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

 

[Susquatch]

I know this is "Geek Needs Geek Help" but did you follow this in the manual?

View attachment 53328

Yup, I described doing that above.

Or this other method from their FAQ:

[Wireless Router] How to access my ASUS router’s web GUI setting page via HTTPS? | Official Support | ASUS Global

Many newer modem/routers also don't use the old ip address method and even have dedicated mobile apps like this:

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Android)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

Yup. Doesn't provide an IP to access the portal. Only a URL. But a URL doesn't work after setup because the default gateway is wrong and the url can't be resolved.

I am going to try adding a wireless router and using their app on my phone so I can get in the back door. Not hopeful but it's something to try.

I have had endless fun with routers, especially ones which lock settings and lock you into their system. I bought a Linksys 17312, it is designed for small business, with network accessible drives, complete access to settings, and remote access from anywhere. It broadcasts in 2.4 and 5ghz and has guest accounts. I would recommend it

Prolly the same advice I would give others too. It happens that the router I fried is a Linksys. I liked it. But it did not include subnetwork VPN and I'm terrified of my wife's user habits. Same simple PW for everything including banking and websites. Ahhhhhh

So, I'm switching to Asus cuz that's what all my Access Points are and I love them.

 

[Dabbler]

This forum has some info, but I am cynical it is worth the read. It contains several uncomfortable things like binding the router settings to your social network of choice...

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Andriod)?

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Andriod)? This article describes how to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app. If you want to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via Web GUI, please refer to [ExpertWiFi] How to use the QIS...

rog-forum.asus.com

The full manual (in case all you have is the quick setup guide) can be found here:

ASUS ExpertWiFi EBG15 - Support

www.asus.com

On page 14, they suggest that to log in to the "an intuitive web graphical user interface (GUI)
", you use
http://expertwifi.net sorry I missed the above mention of this!!
But is it so intelligent it recognizes this URL and short circuits it to their web page? Weird if so.

 

[Dabbler]

I have an older ASUS router, and its NAT and VPN features seem bombproof.

 

[architect]

I don't get how a "reset to factory" would not allow a wired connection with their URL to get to their IP/WebGUI...

It should reset all settings as if it's brand new untouched.

EDIT: I see that you don't want to factory reset but IMO this is the exact situation for it, and for you to figure out the settings properly again before locking them in. It's the fastest way to figure out a new router and takes only a few minutes to regain access. It's not like you have a million reserved IPs and settings already setup.

 

[Dabbler]

Not all 'factory reset' features are alike...

 

[architect]

Not all 'factory reset' features are alike...

What are the different factory resets where the method (usually a hidden hardware button only accessible with pin) would not bring it back to factory condition and save all that info into the router? The entire point of a factory recent is for these issues.

 

[architect]

Either way I don't have anything else to offer without asking more simple questions!

The wired connection should be the backdoor where you can figure out the gateway etc...

I do hate the new app only routers like the Deco that some of the ISPs push out...

 

[Susquatch]

This forum has some info, but I am cynical it is worth the read. It contains several uncomfortable things like binding the router settings to your social network of choice...

Yup, been there, read that.

And yup, that's what they did when I tried to register the router. F Them. I went around that!

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Andriod)?

[ExpertWiFi]How to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app (iOS/Andriod)? This article describes how to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via the ExpertWiFi app. If you want to set up the ExpertWiFi Wired Router via Web GUI, please refer to [ExpertWiFi] How to use the QIS...

rog-forum.asus.com

The full manual (in case all you have is the quick setup guide) can be found here:

ASUS ExpertWiFi EBG15 - Support

www.asus.com

Yup, don't like quick starts. I have the full manual.

On page 14, they suggest that to log in to the "an intuitive web graphical user interface (GUI)
", you use
http://expertwifi.net
But is it so intelligent it recognizes this URL and short circuits it to their web page? Weird if so.

Yup, don't know how they do that..... Very weird indeed all on its own!

What is even weirder is that it only works on the first access. Thereafter you have to reset to factory to get it to work again. I even tried using the MAC address. No joy.

 

[Susquatch]

What are the different factory resets where the method (usually a hidden hardware button only accessible with pin) would not bring it back to factory condition and save all that info into the router? The entire point of a factory recent is for these issues.

Like @Dabbler, I've seen devices that retain some stuff while deleting others on a hardware reset. I agree with you, it's stupid.

Btw, I've even seen phones that did that!

 

[Susquatch]

The wired connection should be the backdoor where you can figure out the gateway etc...

Yup, it should be. But so far, I can't find it on this one. I'm going to try getting in via an app on my phone using WiFi through a second router attached as a WAP.

I do hate the new app only routers like the Deco that some of the ISPs push out...

I wish they would self identify so I could avoid buying them.

 

[Susquatch]

I don't get how a "reset to factory" would not allow a wired connection with their URL to get to their IP/WebGUI...

It does. But as you recognized in your edit below, I don't want to do that. It would be ok if you could get in again later to make all the other changes. But it doesn't work like that. Once you save, the ability to get back in to make all the other changes is GONE!

It should reset all settings as if it's brand new untouched.

This one does seem to do that as far as I can tell. So in that sense it's ok.

EDIT: I see that you don't want to factory reset but IMO this is the exact situation for it, and for you to figure out the settings properly again before locking them in. It's the fastest way to figure out a new router and takes only a few minutes to regain access.

Ya, it is that exact situation in the beginning. And I can reset each time to do the initial setup. It's not true that I don't want to do it in the beginning. I just don't want to have do it from then on in every time I want to make another change.

It's not like you have a million reserved IPs and settings already setup.

And this is the issue after the beginning setup is over, because I DO HAVE A MILLION RESERVED IPs and other settings I need to both make and then continually edit and update afterward! My home network is like a medium sized office network.

Edit - to clarify this issue though, I can only access the application setup interface once. After that it is totally MIA unless I factory reset! I can't be doing a factory reset every time I need to change one little thing!

 

[mickeyf]

Try a network scanner on your home network. You already know all the other devices - with luck there will be one new one and that's your router. With even more luck, type that IP address into your browser and you'll get the router's start page.

 

[Susquatch]

Try a network scanner on your home network.

Tried that. No joy. It found the router IP, but it would not give me the built in web portal.

However, drum roll please.....

I am in luck. I installed the Asus App on my phone and a WAP on the network. Voila! Dirt easy access to all my Asus devices. I usually use my phone for that stuff anyway! So I'm golden on that front.

Now I just need to find out what my Fixed IP parameters are and configure them, and I should be good to go.

Hoping to sleep tonight for a change.

 

[Susquatch]

A few more geek questions for the Geeks.

After 6 hours of combined phone calls, my provider called again this morning and is trying to tell me that I don't need to know what my fixed IP parameters are. My system will automatically detect them and use them.

They said I should set my router for DHCP on the Provider side (Internet WAN) even though it's really fixed. I tried that, and it does seem to work. For now at least, I am getting the fixed address I pay for. Time will tell if that will continue to work.

However, my Spidey senses are not happy. I have some 50 odd years of network experience. I've always thought that fixed IP assignments need to be set on both sides of any TCPIP communication - that applies to both internal and external networks.

For an internal network, you reserve an IP address in the router's DHCP assignment table, AND you set that address in the actual device too. Yes, it will often work just setting the address in reservations, BUT NOT ALWAYS. Sometimes the device will remember a previous address and the two will fight each other. I've learned that the hard way.

The external network is no different.

I also note that my router has a number of different WAN settings: Automatic IP, PPPoE, and Static IP. Automatic IP is what is normally used by most customers. But if static IP is a choice, and since that is what I have, why do they insist that I use Automatic IP instead?

I should add that choosing Fixed IP Presents a screen that asks for the information I asked them for and also says I need to get this info from my provider.

I've had a fixed IP connection for most of the last 30 years. I've always been given the setup info by my provider. That includes my current provider when I first signed up.

Why has that changed? Did it really change? Why don't they know those settings?

Most importantly, does anyone know how I can find these settings on my own? To repeat they are:

Fixed IP Address - I have this.

Subnet Mask ?
Default Gateway ?
Primary DNS ?
Secondary DNS ?

I'm not so worried about the DNS other than being able to request changes. I often find that external DNS locations are not up to date with the latest and greatest domain names and/or that some names get blacklisted (including my own domains for God only knows why). Changing or updating a local DNS is fast and easy. Changing Google's DNS takes forever and an eternity. So I prefer to use my provider's DNS. It's sad that they don't even seem to know they have one!

 

[architect]

I am in luck. I installed the Asus App on my phone and a WAP on the network. Voila! Dirt easy access to all my Asus devices. I usually use my phone for that stuff anyway! So I'm golden on that front.

I feel like computer access is now bad/clunky because they are now more focused on apps as the new trend/priority. I had a new modem/router combo few months that ONLY allowed access from app. I'm personally not an app person so returned it right away lol.