too old?

[see3ducks]

ref model WGR614v9  serial # 1SV2887H02BEA

I keep trying to post a question.  It says to correct the highlighted areas and try again.  However there are NO highlighted areas.  Next I tried to contact support via email.  It says enter a valid serial number which I did.

Is my Netgear router too old for Netgear to handle it?  Here is what I was "trying" to post

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I have an older Netgear Router.  It still works great BUT it puts out hash, sounding like power line noise at 1000 KHz amoung other frequescies.  Plus it puts out a birdie sounding interference at 3982 KHz amoung other frequencies.   I have been told by a friend that it sounds like switching power supply problems.

Is this common? 

How is it solved (short of unplugging it)? 

Do the newer routers have this problem?

Thank you

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...]  Is the noise from the AC adapter or the router?  [...]

> The hash or the birdies of course stop when the power is removed.
> [...]

   Still not clear.  I'll assume that the router itself is the noise
source.  (A bad AC adapter would normally be an easier thing to
replace.)  There could be some inductor with loose coils which a drop of
goop would fix, but who knows?

> I wonder what the power requirements are.  I doubt I can find the
> manual anymore.

   Labels on the router and the AC adapter should reveal their
requirements and/or ratings.

> The Netgear router has been very good to me - I mean look at the age.

   Perhaps only newer models get bug-ridden firmware updates.

[antinode]

> I have been told by a friend that it sounds like switching power
> supply problems.

   Plausible.  Is the noise from the AC adapter or the router?  Has it
always done this?

> Is this common?

   Probably not, but the model is about ten years old, so many things
are possible.

> How is it solved (short of unplugging it)?

   Repair?  At this distance, it's hard to say whether that would be
practical.  Have you opened the thing and poked around?

> Do the newer routers have this problem?

   Generally, they're all pretty quiet, old or new.

[see3ducks]

The hash or the birdies of course stop when the power is removed.  All I did (so far) is disconnect to power plug in the back of the router leaving the power source intact.  However, I would "think" that would leave the source without a load and perhaps shift the switching rate (guess) of the source.

Have I opened it up yet?  Not yet.  I'm an ex techie so it's no problem.

How long?  I first noticed it probably a year ago but honestly it probably may have been acting up much longer.  I just started my detective routing.

I wonder what the power requirements are.  I doubt I can find the manual anymore.

The Netgear router has been very good to me - I mean look at the age.

Thanks !

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...]  Is the noise from the AC adapter or the router?  [...]

> The hash or the birdies of course stop when the power is removed.
> [...]

   Still not clear.  I'll assume that the router itself is the noise
source.  (A bad AC adapter would normally be an easier thing to
replace.)  There could be some inductor with loose coils which a drop of
goop would fix, but who knows?

> I wonder what the power requirements are.  I doubt I can find the
> manual anymore.

   Labels on the router and the AC adapter should reveal their
requirements and/or ratings.

> The Netgear router has been very good to me - I mean look at the age.

   Perhaps only newer models get bug-ridden firmware updates.

[see3ducks]

Thank you !

[wcalifas831]

The power adapter you need is a 12volt with 1000mA or 1A which are equivalent. Sound like it's a capacitor making that squealing noise. Try a power adapter of that voltage and see if that solves it.

[michaelkenward]

Generic power supplies work fine with Netgear devices. Have to, Netgear doesn't sell spares.

---

@wcalifas831 wrote:

The power adapter you need is a 12volt with 1000mA or 1A which are equivalent.

---

And check the +/- polarity.

Some generic transformers come with a bunch of tips and with a polarity switch.

[see3ducks]

Thank you!