WRTP54G Issues

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 6

Let me first say that I have been using 10+ wireless routers at home in the past 3 years, and that I can handle new gears. Actually, I have been using 3 other VoIP services (packet8, etc.) for 2 years at home.

This WRTP54G drove me crazy. Just can't believe it couldn't work. I had thought it's a defective unit, but LinkSys tech support assured me the problem (no DNS forwarding) was normal for this router, and that a replacement of same model wouldn't help. Okay, I can type it in manually so no big deal.

Then the Vonage issue. The tech support from India spent more than 3 hours with me, trying all combinations of powering down this, waiting for that, and finally got a dial tone on phone2 port at 3:28 am last night. After consulting with his supervisor, he concluded that the unit was defective (because it couldn't use phone1 port for voice). I am not sure though, since I read several posts saying they couldn't get dial tone from phone1. I guess it's a firmware/driver issue. Anyhow, as long as it works..

Now, today I tried to use the phone. It can dial out, it can take incoming call, the problem is: there's no sound. More testing revealed that out of 9 or 10 times, I can hear the voice from the other side.

I have no feelings at all on Vonage, since this is the first time I tried its services, but the LinkSys name on the box broke my heart (confidence on a long time reliable brand). How dare whoever work on this thing stamp the LinkSys logo?

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

First of all, Vonage owes their customers better trained technicians in this specific area. Secondly, Linksys should also train their people as to what the actual problem is. Thirdly, Texas instruments, Vonage and Linksys should all get their facts straight and tell the hones truth to their customers. This unit DOES work, but only after a significant amount of updates -- and not just firmware, but patches and bug fixes.

The main problem is that there are very few (I actually found 1) people who know how to fix this, and they are at Vonage. The chipset is from Texas Instruments. Linlsys (and Cisco!) should have never allowed their names on the product until it was perfected.

Posts: 40 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jul 03, 2005 Posts: 40

I would classify the WRTP54G as strictly beta-ware. Unfortunately I was ignorant to this fact and unwittingly became one of their beta-testers. I'd advise anyone against buying this until they come out with a stable, properly functioning firmware, i.e. one that produces no issues reported here.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 6

TommyDale wrote:

This unit DOES work, but only after a significant amount of updates -- and not just firmware, but patches and bug fixes.

Could you please elaborate on and share the 'patches and bug fixed' we need to apply, as unfortunately some of us are stuck on this thing. Appreciated!

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

dayeliu wrote:

TommyDale wrote:

This unit DOES work, but only after a significant amount of updates -- and not just firmware, but patches and bug fixes.

Could you please elaborate on and share the 'patches and bug fixed' we need to apply, as unfortunately some of us are stuck on this thing. Appreciated!

I can't tell what these fixes and/or patches are. They need to be administered by someone at Vonage Customer Support. I was on the telephone for about 45 minutes and had to restart the modem and the WRTP54G several times to get the unit updated. Someone from Vonage should really come on this forum and offer an answer, as not everyone will be as fortunate as myself in getting the fixes done.

Posts: 14 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:02 am Post subject:

mpod wrote:

I would classify the WRTP54G as strictly beta-ware. Unfortunately I was ignorant to this fact and unwittingly became one of their beta-testers. I'd advise anyone against buying this until they come out with a stable, properly functioning firmware, i.e. one that produces no issues reported here.

You said it well, mpod. The only cure was to return and exchange the unit for something else...

Posts: 1389 · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:37 am Post subject:

There are actually quite a few Vonage reps who take the time to come onto this forum and make posts. You will notice them by the row of silver stars that are under their name...

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

By the way, not only did the patches and fixes take care of the router
networking problems, it also fixed the wireless problems. Mine is 100% operational and error-free now.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 2

What's the firmware rev. on your router now?

Mine's at 1.00.37 and the QOS doesn't work worth a lick.

Haven't tried DNS lately, but serioulsy how lame is it for DHCP not to hand out DNS correctly, it's not like it's some new technology.

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

axmonkey wrote:

What's the firmware rev. on your router now?

Mine's at 1.00.37 and the QOS doesn't work worth a lick.

Haven't tried DNS lately, but serioulsy how lame is it for DHCP not to hand out DNS correctly, it's not like it's some new technology.

Mine is 1.00.37 but when it was still 1.00.29 I spent about 45 minutes patching with the Vonage technical guru. It updated to 1.00.37 automatically. I have no issues whatsoever at this time. (Knock on wood!)