Linksys RT31P2 & Belkin F5D7632 - no phone access at all

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 20

Hello - new member looking for some help. Recently signed up for Vonage and got the Linksys router/adaptor. However, cannot get the phone line to work - have the Linksys set up behind the Belkin - can connect to linksys and through it to internet - but no phone signal at all. Have spent hours on phone with polite but ultimately useless tech support (Vonage, belkin and ISP) - they have suggested numerous solutions from having the ISP (Bulldog) disable DHCP to simply buying a new DSL modem without router capability as they say that not compatible with Linksys. Belkin insist it should work, Bulldog say 'What's this internet thingy then?' I'm no expert but none of that makes sense to me - any suggestions before i ship it all back to them? Thanks. Sad

Posts: 28 · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:26 am Post subject:

you have plugged the cable from the LAN port of the Belkin Router into the WAN port of the RT31P2 haven't you?

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 20

linksysinfo wrote:

you have plugged the cable from the LAN port of the Belkin Router into the WAN port of the RT31P2 haven't you?

Yes thanks - have tried numerous configurations but Vonage seem unwilling to accept that the equipment may be faulty. Have opened all the ports they have suggested on the Belkin, placed it in the DMZ and completely disabled the Belkin firewall - all to no avail. They are also reluctant to recommend buying any particular DSL modem to replace the Belkin despite my request that they do so, if they are so sure that the problem lies with that device. If any here can recommend a reasonably priced substitute then I am happy to give that a try although finding DSL ethernet modems wiithout combined router function seems to be increasingly difficult and spending a lot of money on replacement of equipment that works well in every other respect (the Belkin maintains a wireless network with, so far, 100% relaibility) seems to defeat the purpose of joining Vonage to save on line rental and call costs. The D-link 300 seems to be the only one widely available from the likes of DABS over the web and they simply do not stock them at highstreet stores of PC world, Curries, Dixons etc... If the combined router function is the root of my problem, as Vonage have suggested, (among other things - they seem to change their mind and suggest something different with every contact) then it seems likely that this is a problem that they will encounter with increasing frequency with new customers. I must say that if there are diffculties with some models of modem or with the service from some ISP's (or even with the particular telephone as seems to be the case from reading other posts on this forum) then Vonage should damn well make that clear before they advertise this service as 'Just plug it in and start making calls'. If anyone has successfully configured the linksys with a Belkin wireless router/modem then I would be very grateful for assistance. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 2

Hello

Have you solved this yet? I have exactly the same setup (including ISP) and my system seems to work just fine. I only have the phone plugged into the Vonage router and haven't attempted to setup any routing services leaving my computers (yes I have a few) all using the Belkin for routing and DHCP. I simply plugged an ethernet cable from a lan port on the belkin to the Internet port on the linksys.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 20

Thank - no the problem has not been solved. Came to the conclusion that the phone adaptor was faulty some weeks ago but there is now a problem with shipping a replacement to me due to some internal problems at Voanage although i'm now told it is en route. It is very helpful however to know that you have succeeded with the same equipment and ISP - let's me at least rule out a number of possibilities - hopefully the new one will work! Fingers crossed!

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 20

For the benefit of anyone else using the same equipment - I now have the replacement phone adaptor and it nearly works! It came up with a phone light and dial tone as soon as i plugged it into the Belkin device. Can receive calls but cannot make outgoing calls at present but Vonage tell me this is a problem with their service and they are working on it. The point being however that the original phone adaptor was faulty and there does not seem to be any difficlulty with the Belkin device or the ISP. Who knows - maybe I'll actually be able to make a call before too long.