Unable to install firmware for Netgear Router WNR2000v3

[Tarma]

I received the notice to upgrade my router firmware last year and only recently tried to comply (mia culpa). I say tried to comply because, when I got to the 'note' about using a computer that is hardwired to the internet to avoid disconnect issues, I quickly realized I had a problem. I've looked through a number of recommended discussions but none matched my particular problem. So here goes nothing.....

My one and only computer is a Toshiba Satellite laptop. Its only connection to the internet is through the wireless router. My modem is an Arris SURFboard with only one in-port (hooked to my Comcast cable) and one out-port (hooked to the router). Perhaps you techies can see where I'm going with this? Just for chuckles and giggles I disconnected the yellow router cable from the router and connected it to the phone jack input on my laptop, thinking that I would get the hardwire from the modem and still see the router as a local connection. My laptop did not like that at all. So back to square one.

Is there an answer to my conundrum or am I just going to have to hope that as a very small fish in a very big sea the big bad sharks will overlook me? Thank you for your attention.

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...] the 'note' about using a computer that is hardwired to the
> internet to avoid disconnect issues, [...]

   No, not "hardwired to the internet", hardwired to the _router_.  And
that would be to one of the "LAN" ports on the router.

> [...] I disconnected the yellow router cable from the router and
> connected it to the phone jack input on my laptop, [...]

   That's not a "phone jack input on my laptop", it's an Ethernet port.
(It's bigger than a phone jack -- eight wires, not six or less.)

   If that "yellow router cable" is your only Ethernet cable, then you
can steal it temporarily for this task, but you need to use one of the
LAN ports on the router, not the WAN/Internet port which normally
connects to your modem.

   If you have only the one Ethernet cable, then you'd need to put
things back the way they were, so that you have Internet access, and
download the appropriate firmware kit from Netgear.  Visit
http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look for
Downloads.  Download the kit you want.  Read the "Release Notes" file
for instructions.  While you're there, under Documentation, get the User
Manual, too.

   After you've downloaded the firmware kit (and the User Manual) to
your computer, you no longer need Internet access to do the firmware
update.

   Shut down the computer.  Steal the modem-to-router cable, and use it
to connect the computer to the router (any LAN port).  Start up the
computer.  When it comes up, it should use the Ethernet connection for
"Internet" access, but the only thing you'll be able to reach will be
the router's own built-in web site.  It will be as if you were setting
up a new router.  As the User Manual (or the firmware Release Notes)
should explain, put "routerlogin.net" into a web browser, and you should
see the router's management web site.  Follow the update
instructions, and all should be well.

   When the update is finished, shut everybody down, put the connections
back to normal, restart everybody, and bask in your glorious new
firmware.  (What could go wrong?)

[antinode · Accepted solution]

> [...] the 'note' about using a computer that is hardwired to the
> internet to avoid disconnect issues, [...]

   No, not "hardwired to the internet", hardwired to the _router_.  And
that would be to one of the "LAN" ports on the router.

> [...] I disconnected the yellow router cable from the router and
> connected it to the phone jack input on my laptop, [...]

   That's not a "phone jack input on my laptop", it's an Ethernet port.
(It's bigger than a phone jack -- eight wires, not six or less.)

   If that "yellow router cable" is your only Ethernet cable, then you
can steal it temporarily for this task, but you need to use one of the
LAN ports on the router, not the WAN/Internet port which normally
connects to your modem.

   If you have only the one Ethernet cable, then you'd need to put
things back the way they were, so that you have Internet access, and
download the appropriate firmware kit from Netgear.  Visit
http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look for
Downloads.  Download the kit you want.  Read the "Release Notes" file
for instructions.  While you're there, under Documentation, get the User
Manual, too.

   After you've downloaded the firmware kit (and the User Manual) to
your computer, you no longer need Internet access to do the firmware
update.

   Shut down the computer.  Steal the modem-to-router cable, and use it
to connect the computer to the router (any LAN port).  Start up the
computer.  When it comes up, it should use the Ethernet connection for
"Internet" access, but the only thing you'll be able to reach will be
the router's own built-in web site.  It will be as if you were setting
up a new router.  As the User Manual (or the firmware Release Notes)
should explain, put "routerlogin.net" into a web browser, and you should
see the router's management web site.  Follow the update
instructions, and all should be well.

   When the update is finished, shut everybody down, put the connections
back to normal, restart everybody, and bask in your glorious new
firmware.  (What could go wrong?)

[Tarma]

Thank you antinode -

My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. It has taken this long for me to get the courage to actually try your advice. I did run into one hitch - the connection to the router wanted a name and password. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't accepting my user name and password. Then I looked on the last page of my Install Guide and discovered at the very bottom that the log in was the default user name (in bold) and password (in bold). DOH. Anyhoo - all went as you said it would. I am now upgraded to V1.1.2.18!

[antinode]

> [...] I couldn't figure out why it wasn't accepting my user name and
> password. [...]

   The User Manual for newer models has a section like "Types of
Logins", which tries to clarify that kind of thing.  Your Setup Manual
does mention it under "Setting Up Your Router for Internet Access".

> [...] all went as you said it would. [...]

   Glad to hear that you got it going.  (What could go wrong?)