DLink, bunch of amateurs or what!

Hi,

Perhaps someone here will know the solution to my problem since DLink
certainly don't!

I had a DSL-504/UK V1 B with b2t10uk firmware that was working very
reliably. Some of the web interface pages didn't work though so I
though I'd upgrade to the latest firmware to fix this. BIG MISTAKE.
I couldn't get the upgrade to work so I contacted DLink who told me I
needed to load the earlier 18 to be able load the latest 14 (Duh!
don't DLink understand version numbers go up?).

The software they supplied didn't work. In fact there seem to be 2
sorts of firmware loaders, programs that run and files that you use
the web interface to load. Both styles are available on DLink ftp
with different version numbers! I'm not convinced they are for
different variants of the 504. DLink ftp sites say NOTHING about what
the different firmwares are for, you have to guess from the cryptic
file name - amateur or what? Tech support have no answered my
question on this either. In fact, I don't really know how I got the
firmware upgraded. Seems like just try and try and then sometime it
will work.

Currently I have 14 (web interface) loaded. I cannot load 18
(earlier) or 17. The loader program says it has done but it hasn't.
I'd like to go back to 10 but DLink don't have that on the ftp site
and Tech support have ignored my request for it. Tech support are
very good at ignoring emails and closed support requests - bloody
useless at solving my problem though.

The problem symptoms are that the DSL504 locks up. The lights stop
flashing and a ping 192.168.0.1 goes unanswered. LAN still works so
it looks like it is just the controller crashing but I expect DLink
buy the LAN side in. Power on/off in the only cure.

I have tried specifying DNS as opposed to letting the router find it.
I have tried with and without a false LAN IP as a DMZ. The LAN is
statically routed BTW. I have tried TCP/UDP times set to minimum.
But the router worked fine on b2t10uk so I think it is a firmware bug.
If anyone has a copy of b2t10uk I'd really like to try it. DLink tech
support seem a lost cause - a chocolate teapot would be more use!


--

....malcolm

Malcolm Reeves BSc CEng MIEE MIRSE, Full Circuit Ltd, Chippenham, UK
((E-Mail Removed), (E-Mail Removed) or (E-Mail Removed)).
Design Service for Analogue/Digital H/W & S/W Railway Signalling and Power
electronics. More details plus freeware, Win95/98 DUN and Pspice tips, see:

http://www.fullcircuit.com or http://www.fullcircuit.co.uk

NEW - Desktop ToDo/Reminder program (free)

"Malcolm Reeves" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> Perhaps someone here will know the solution to my problem since DLink
> certainly don't!
>
> I had a DSL-504/UK V1 B with b2t10uk firmware that was working very
> reliably. Some of the web interface pages didn't work though so I
> though I'd upgrade to the latest firmware to fix this. BIG MISTAKE.
> I couldn't get the upgrade to work so I contacted DLink who told me I
> needed to load the earlier 18 to be able load the latest 14 (Duh!
> don't DLink understand version numbers go up?).
>
> The software they supplied didn't work. In fact there seem to be 2
> sorts of firmware loaders, programs that run and files that you use
> the web interface to load. Both styles are available on DLink ftp
> with different version numbers! I'm not convinced they are for
> different variants of the 504. DLink ftp sites say NOTHING about what
> the different firmwares are for, you have to guess from the cryptic
> file name - amateur or what? Tech support have no answered my
> question on this either. In fact, I don't really know how I got the
> firmware upgraded. Seems like just try and try and then sometime it
> will work.
>
> Currently I have 14 (web interface) loaded. I cannot load 18
> (earlier) or 17. The loader program says it has done but it hasn't.
> I'd like to go back to 10 but DLink don't have that on the ftp site
> and Tech support have ignored my request for it. Tech support are
> very good at ignoring emails and closed support requests - bloody
> useless at solving my problem though.
>
> The problem symptoms are that the DSL504 locks up. The lights stop
> flashing and a ping 192.168.0.1 goes unanswered. LAN still works so
> it looks like it is just the controller crashing but I expect DLink
> buy the LAN side in. Power on/off in the only cure.
>
> I have tried specifying DNS as opposed to letting the router find it.
> I have tried with and without a false LAN IP as a DMZ. The LAN is
> statically routed BTW. I have tried TCP/UDP times set to minimum.
> But the router worked fine on b2t10uk so I think it is a firmware bug.
> If anyone has a copy of b2t10uk I'd really like to try it. DLink tech
> support seem a lost cause - a chocolate teapot would be more use!
>
>
> --
>
> ...malcolm
>
> Malcolm Reeves BSc CEng MIEE MIRSE, Full Circuit Ltd, Chippenham, UK
> ((E-Mail Removed), (E-Mail Removed) or (E-Mail Removed)).
> Design Service for Analogue/Digital H/W & S/W Railway Signalling and
Power
> electronics. More details plus freeware, Win95/98 DUN and Pspice tips,
see:
>
> http://www.fullcircuit.com or http://www.fullcircuit.co.uk
>
> NEW - Desktop ToDo/Reminder program (free)

Sounds like 1st level support... They appear to be kept uninformed to keep
2nd level support in a job.
You can call them, I think the number is 020 8731 5556 they should be able
to assist you.
I had a firmware question which L1 support could not answer, L2 support got
back to me the next day with all the information I needed.
Good luck !

Malcolm Reeves <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Perhaps someone here will know the solution to my problem since
> DLink certainly don't!

The key site for all DSL-504 related stuff is:
<http://shadow.sentry.org/~trev/dsl50x.html>

If you can't find the info here, it probably doesn't exist. It also
explains the version numbering... It really all depends on
*specifically* what model you have.

The issue with the router 'hanging' is well known (and also occurs on
the DSL-604+, the successor product with wireless). The usual solution
is to disable the DNS Proxy feature. Find the official instructions
here:
<http://www.dlink.com.au/tech/drivers/files/routers/DSL-
xxx_Disabling_Proxy_DNS.pdf>
From what you say, you may have tried this already

Hope this helps

--

Richard Perkin
To email me, change the AT in the address below
richard.perkinATmyrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News