install R7000 router w/o a smartphone

[joet327]

Is there a way of installing a nighthawk router without using a smart phone.  Yes!  I'm the last smartphone hold out:)

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

Glad you got it working. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/24231/How-do-I-back-up-the-router-configuration-settings-on-my-Nighthawk-rout...
Enjoy. 📡

[plemans]

Yes you can. 

You use the browser. It'll pop up a screen that recommends using the app but if you scroll down, theres a link that says something like I don't have a compatible smart phone and you can click that to setup using the browser. 

[michaelkenward]

You can also use a wired connection into the router from a PC to get it up and running.

[joet327]

I don't have port to connect it to.   

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

I don't have port to connect it to.   

---

In which case, if the phone app fails you, do as @plemans suggests and use a browser on your phone.

The process is the same as a wired connection after you have connected the phone to the router's wifi. This is described in the manual. Read the section:

Use a Web Browser to Access the Router

Unfortunately, the current Installation Guide insists that the app is the only option. The original version was much more useful.

[joet327]

I don't have a phone

[plemans]

What are you using for setup? You don't have a phone and you said you don't have a port to connect it with. 

So what are you trying to use?

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

I don't have a phone

---

I assume that you want to connect something to the Internet. What is it?

[FURRYe38]

If you have a PC or laptop that doesn't have a ethernet port, they make USB to ethernet adapters that that inexpensive and easy to connect. Just maybe need one of these and the LAN cable. 

---

@joet327 wrote:

I don't have port to connect it to.   

---

[michaelkenward]

---

@FURRYe38 wrote:

If you have a PC or laptop that doesn't have a ethernet port, they make USB to ethernet adapters that that inexpensive and easy to connect. Just maybe need one of these and the LAN cable. 

---

@joet327 wrote:

I don't have port to connect it to.   

---

---

Another alternative for someone in that boat – PC without Ethernet – would be to buy a USB wifi adapter.

[joet327]

First,  I do have a connection on the laptop.   I thought someone was suggesting sing the yellow cable.  I have a black one that's slightly smaller that fits.    That didn't work either.

.I'm trying to use the internet.   The old router is still hooked up which is a problem of it's own. When I click on links I get "NO SUCH FILE OR DIRECTORY"   Tab says something like WDNR4500v3  .   I also get a notice that the link is not secure and a whole bunch of other things.    If I can attach a screenshot from another site I tried to get into you'll see what I mean.

 

[joet327]

PS  I can't even get into my bank or credit cards anymore.  The router I guess keeps telling me they are insecure.    Somehow the URL seems to delete that https thing.  And you can't add it either.

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

PS  I can't even get into my bank or credit cards anymore.  The router I guess keeps telling me they are insecure.    Somehow the URL seems to delete that https thing.  And you can't add it either.

---

Your guess may not be correct. 

How are you trying to access that address? If it is a PC, then it may be the browser that is blocking you.

Routers don't have much control over your browsing unless you set it up to do so. It is also possible that Windows, for example, sees that you are using an unknown network and is trying to protect you from the nasty outside world.

It is hard to diagnose this without more details about what is happening at your end.

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

First,  I do have a connection on the laptop.   I thought someone was suggesting sing the yellow cable.  I have a black one that's slightly smaller that fits.    That didn't work either.

---

The colour of the cable doesn't matter. It just has to be the right sort of cable.

What does "That didn't work either" mean? What did you do and what happened?

---

I also get a notice that the link is not secure and a whole bunch of other things.   

---

That looks like a warning from the browser. Nothing to do with the router or your Internet connection. Try a different browser?

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

First,  I do have a connection on the laptop.  

I'm confused. I suggested earlier:

You can also use a wired connection into the router from a PC to get it up and running.

You replied:

I don't have port to connect it to.

These statements do not add up.

The laptop connection is usually a LAN "port". Plug a cable from that into a LAN "port" on the R7000.

[schumaku]

All these warnings and the tab showing the old router might indicate your computer is still connected to the old router, or the new R7000 WAN (or even the LAN) is connected to the old router which does not provide successful Internet connection, and ask you to login on that router, being the old, or being the new router. Start with trying admin / admin  

[joet327]

The "That didn't work either" Was I hard wired the R7000.  As in, wire from modem into router, router plugged into laptop.   So, it was "hardwired".  Still nothing.

I just tried that again and then ran a diagnostic, and it came back saying your DNS server might be unavailable.   No clue what that means. When you get into initials lot of times, I get lost.   

I'm going to try and find the instruction to install it manually and start all over again.   

If you're wondering why the lapse in me returning, it because the links in the emails you send don't always work.  They take me to netgear and it tell me authentication failed, return to my original page, which it doesn't let me do.    Yeah, weird huh.   I need to find one of the old emails with a link that will get me here.

One last BTW, to really make things confusing.  I have a HP PC, a Mac Book Pro, 2 Kindle Fires, a Smart TV, and a couple of Kindle paperwhites, and all tell deferent thing are the problem. TV says I'm on the internet but not a network, the Kindles tell me I

m not even on the internet yet I still can browse here and there, and you know the PC and the Mac tell me a lot of sites aren't secure, so it won't let me in.

And I will certainly understand if you throw in the towel.  It just doesn't make sense

And of course I truly appreciate your time and expertise.    Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Sincerely

 Joe T

[FURRYe38]

Is there a neighbor, friend or family member that could help you out with this? 

[joet327]

Not sure if anyone I know knows much about networks or routers.   However.  My daughter is supposed to stop by tonight and of course she has a smart phone.  We live in different states so I don't see her often.  

I also persuaded YouTube over the weekend and found a video on how to install the R7000 manually, w/o a Smart Phone.   Only thing I wasn't sure about, was the guy dying that you should "spoof" your MAC number.   I'd try that, but I'm not sure that would work since he says you will be using your old routers number.  since at least half of the problems I have is due to the old router blocking me from sites.   

If you care to check YouTube, here's the link.  (It's 17 minutes)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPtk838kj7s.    Doubt you would want to waste that much time on this.   mostly I'd like your opinion on the "spoofing" step.   I assume I could use the MAC address that came with the R7000.   Although I assume I can just change the number to which ever might work.   Call it a trial error thing.

[FURRYe38]

Spoofing MAC addresses is only needed if the ISP services need that. Otherwise, do not spoof the MAC address. 

[joet327]

Well, my daughter didn't get here.   We'll have to try that Smart Phone install some other time.    Stopped by Staples today but was told they don't do in home setups.  I'm going to try a manual install again but take your advice and skip that MAC switch.    At least now I know what the netgear setup page looks like.   The worse that can happen is I lose the whole thing.   May be a blessing.  Can't fret over what I no long have.  Just call the cable company and have it turned off. LOL I'll let you know the outcome if I succeed though.  

Again, Thank you for all the help

Joe T.

[joet327]

OMG!!!!.  I finally got into the Netgear Genie!    The router that is in it has been blocking getting that link to work for at least 7 months maybe 8.  When I tried this link http://www.routerlogin.net/index.htm   I would get the login box, I'd enter the admin/password, and then get 401 unauthorized page, and a bunch of junk saying the link isn't secure.

Back to square one.   Do I now plug the Nighthawk R7000 into the laptop to set it up?  I seem to remember seeing that done somewhere in my travels.   I know I'm not supposed to change the MAC address, that's for almost sure.   Only do that if the provider requires it, right?   Doubt they do, since I never did that in the passed.   Do I need to do anything to disable the old router before starting?  Or will just shutting it off and plugging in the new one (R7000) be enough?

[michaelkenward]

---

@joet327 wrote:

Back to square one.   Do I now plug the Nighthawk R7000 into the laptop to set it up? 

---

That's the way to do it.

The old Installation Guide is a nice potted description of how to go about things. If you have one that is. Netgear, in its wisdom has replaced it with a version that insists on using the app on a phone.

Instead, you can read the manual and the section Use a Web Browser to Access the Router.

The manual is here:

Nighthawk R7000 | AC1900 Smart WiFi Router | NETGEAR Support

---

Do I need to do anything to disable the old router before starting?  Or will just shutting it off and plugging in the new one (R7000) be enough?

---

You don't need to do anything with the old router beyond unplugging it from everything, but you do need to connect and start things on the network in the right order.

Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:

• Turn off and unplug modem.
• Turn off router and computers.
• Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
• Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
• Turn on computers and rest of network.

Then you can aim your browser at the R7000.

I have just noticed that nowhere do you tells us what modem/gateway sits in front of your router. That could be important, especially if it is a modem/router with lots of LAN ports on the back.

[joet327]

I quit!  At least for the next few weeks.   Tired of banging my head into a concrete wall in my basement.🤣  It goes just so far, but never fully works.  All I can get is a wired connection.   I wired it to the PC, but nothing else worked.  My printer spit out a page telling me I successfully installed the Nighthawk router, but if I need to be wired to it in my basement it doesn't do me a bit of good.  For some reason Netgear wanted to know my mothers middle name.   I don't think I know her middle name.   I thought  it only asked personal stuff if you forgot your own password.  And if they know her middle name they know  more than I do. LOL    And my network had a slight change in names, it now has a 2 at the end, and Windows says it's "copy"  Maybe I should just try my luck with  one of those wi-fi booster things.   

If his thread is still here, I'll catch you up in a few weeks.  If not, and it's gone, THANK YOU Sooooo much for your help.

Joe T 

[FURRYe38]

Might as a friend, neighbor or family member who may have some experiences with networking or routers to help you out on this...