I can't remember ever updating my router and I'm pretty certain I've had it since approx 2003 maybe 2004 at the very best.

It's a Netgear WGT624

Lately my internet has been total shit. I get kicked off all the time and sometimes it goes down for hours at a time. I don't know why I never did the updates, don't judge me

So can I go straight into the latest update? Or do I have to go back and build up the updates until I'm current?

I found this

http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/800/related/1

But when I try to get into my router using http://192.168.1.1 it doesn't load, it just hangs there trying to load

I'd like to avoid buying a new router as it's not really in the budget right now and I can put up with occasional internet connectivity issues.

Also I need to update my bluray player and maybe my tv. Perhaps we can talk about that next.

Thanks for the help, I like technology but forget to do the maintenance on it Hey maybe thats a good thread idea, technology maintenance, what needs to get upgraded and how often.

6/19/2011 5:38:04 PM

There's a few threads around similar to this one... oh well.

Are you connected to the router via wireless or wired? If it's wireless, there's a ton of reasons your connection might have gone to crap. We can discuss that later if needed. When you do the upgrade, you'll definitely want to be wired.

In most cases, you'll be just fine to upgrade to the latest version. Make sure you're also checking the hardware version on those too (I know Linksys has different FW for different hardware versions). Per the link you provided

Quote :

"Version 4.2.11 of the WGT624(v1) and WGT624v2 firmware. This is not compatible with WGT624v3."

As far as not being able to get to the configuration screen, if you pop open a command prompt (start -> run -> cmd) and type

ipconfig

6/19/2011 6:20:21 PM

thanks for the response... let me answer some of your questions

i am using the router for wireless internet 100% of the time. i will remember to connect directly to it when i perform the update

also i'm on a mac, sorry i didn't mention that before. how can i get into the default gateway though my OS?

the directions say to write down my settings before doing the update. wtf kind of settings could have been set? a friend helped me put a password on my network like 2 years ago and thats the last time anyone touched the router. i guess i can screen shot the settings so i can get it back to normal after the update.

6/19/2011 7:53:46 PM

Open a terminal and run 'ifconfig'. You should see the same bit about a default gateway.

6/19/2011 7:57:21 PM

while im not going to discourage updating the firmware on your router, if your router has been static and the behavior has not, it's hard draw the conclusion that a new firmware will fix your problem. unless im wrong in assuming the problem is recent. I would check for device driver updates on the mac. if you just recently installed one for networking or chipset, roll it back, or check for even newer ones. try to find a correlation in occurrence and go form there

6/19/2011 8:36:24 PM

On the same line as ^ said, are there other devices connected to the same router that are having problems? Curious if there's interference causing the issue.

6/19/2011 8:56:21 PM

the modem & router are hooked up together (obvi) and in the guest bedroom behind a tv

nothing else is hooked up to them. does that clear it up?

6/20/2011 8:26:24 AM

do you live in close proximity to other wireless networks, or are you in a house away from neighbors?

6/20/2011 9:42:50 AM

^^I mean wirelessly
Phones, other computers, etc.?

6/20/2011 12:19:39 PM

i live in a townhouse that is built in sets of 4 so i am in between 2 other houses

there are usually 3-4 other networks in range

also only me and my roommate connect to the wireless. my bf will sometimes when hes home but the max is 3. we're not connecting with cell phones, ipods, tv, bluray, wii or other devices and when we do it is rare

6/21/2011 9:08:32 AM

I know they mentioned that you need to connect wired to do the update, but keep in mind that you probably can't even get into the configuration web page (192.186.1.1) wirelessly by default. Go ahead and plug in a network cable and see if you can't get in there.

6/21/2011 9:15:30 AM

^^ try changing the channel before you go getting too crazy, could be something as simple as that

6/21/2011 9:19:27 AM

I'd recommend DD-WRT but your router isn't supported

sux2bu

6/21/2011 9:23:34 AM

changing the channel? i dont know how to do that.

is the router update important? im not getting the feeling like the update is really the answer

btw thanks for the tip to plug into the router and try the address again, i will do that... as soon as i find a cord

6/22/2011 4:05:26 PM

once you can access the Web interface, probably via HTTPS, you can navigate the menu to figure out how to change the channel

6/22/2011 7:00:22 PM

You should contact the manufacturer to get a replacement remote. You'll be able to change the channel without monkeying with the Web interface then.

6/22/2011 7:10:18 PM