Is my Netgear Finished?

[QcQ]

Help.

I have got an Netgear DG834G 54Mbps Wireless ADSL2+ Modem Firewall Router with 4-port 10/100 switch. The Wifi light is no longer on. All the other light are working. Power, internet. etc.

I'm using my Ethernet cable to post this thread.
My router is 2 years old. Is this easy problem to fix?

I've tried everything. I've reset it like 10x and still nothing.

If it is finished, what router should i buy( NOT A NETGEAR)

[DDY]

I recently had trouble with my own Netgear DG834G but not wifi issues, although what I discovered may be of use to you.

My problems started with overheating, instability and drop out issues, warranty expired so I opened her up.



Eagle eyed electronics geeks would notice one of the caps are bulging. The caps are manufactured by Teapo, an infamous brand for cap failure. A quick google search shows many others have the same problem.

I replaced the old Teapo caps with new quality Panasonic low ESR caps:



Job done, notice the larger Panasonic caps had to be laid down to fit. Heatsink fitted on the chipset just because I could.


Replacing the caps had sorted out all the problems, it's possible the crappy capacitors are to blame for your WiFi issues and it's worth a peek inside to see if the caps have gone bad.

[Sputnik]

Excellent DDY ! how does the case come apart and which supplier did you get the capacitors from ?

[DDY]

I got the caps from Farnell, they only sell caps in lots of 5 though. Not a problem for me as I'd end up using them elsewhere but for others, 20 caps are just too many!

The case came apart easily after removing four torx screws and the rubber feet that hid them.

[Sputnik]

Ahh, Excelent stuff. I kinda guessed that there was screws under the feet but, always best to ask someone with experience.

I did have a look at Maplin recently but, they don't stock a full range of Caps. I used to have an RS account but, they cancelled it when my spending dropped.

Farnell it is then. I've a huge stock pile of components here and it is always the ones you need that you don't have isn't it ?

[DDY]

Maplin don't stock nice caps, they've only got generic cheap brand stuff, no low ESR either.

I chose Farnell over RS because they do free delivery

[watercooled]

I remember my friend's Netgear router broke a while ago - at first it was just the wired ports would give limited connectivity. I remember it ran very hot though.

[GoNz0]

you can walk into RS and they will serve you as a walk in customer, no account needed as thats what i do.

[watercooled]

This is the RS you mean right? http://uk.rs-online.com/web/
Also, just to double check is this the correct site for Farnell http://uk.farnell.com/
I've never used either before and they look like good shops for components.
Thanks

[beanbandit]

This is the RS you mean right? http://uk.rs-online.com/web/
Also, just to double check is this the correct site for Farnell http://uk.farnell.com/
I've never used either before and they look like good shops for components.
Thanks

They are the correct sites Watercooled. For your own personal use, i would recommend Farnell, RS are still very much aimed at the business markets. As for them being good shops for components, for small quantity stuff they can't be beaten. Larger quantities you wouldn't go near them.

As for the OP's problems. I had very similar problems with an old DG834G V2, i lost wireless completely. It wasn't even in the settings menu's. Tried everything, but was scrapped off. But i did find a number of people reporting the same problem, and that there was no fix for the problem. But with your newer model i would do some searching and make sure its not something silly, like the caps as pointed out above.

[watercooled]

Thanks! Too expensive for large quantities then?

[GoNz0]

hence your local overpriced maplin for odds and sods.

[Funkstar]

Thanks! Too expensive for large quantities then?

For large quantities (many thousands) there are specialist companies that only deal in those kinds of quantities. Complete pallets, packing crates, etc.

[watercooled]

Thanks, just wanted to check.

[Sputnik]

hence your local overpriced maplin for odds and sods.

But, their range of Capacitors is poor, They don't stock the ones you need half the time and as DDY said, They are not the best quality.

Years ago when I had an RS account you had to be a business. They did not sell to general public until they started their sister company Electromail but, In truth RS prices are damn expensive and we stopped buying from them for that reason.

On the theme of capacitors, I bought a Leadtek graphics card (a Gf4ti4600 when they were just out) and just after a year I noticed that a few of the Capacitors were bulging and leaking - Rang them and explained that it was just out of warranty etc. and they sent me some Caps. in the post FOC !

[Funkstar]

you can walk into RS and they will serve you as a walk in customer, no account needed as thats what i do.

Depends on the store. If it is a Trade Counter then you need an account, even if it is a cash account and you are paying for it there and then with cash or a card. It's to do with council taxes, zoning and licensing. I use my works account and pay cash whenever I need something.