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Thriell
join:2008-01-19
Ash Flat, AR
| Westell 327W modem questions
I signed up for CenturyTel DSL in July of '07 because I live in the exact middle of absolutely nowhere and DSL wasn't available before that.
When I did, they provided me with a Westell Vesalink model 327W modem/router thingumy. It's been working fine, but I've had a few ... issues ... lately.
My daughter has a laptop with Windows Vista installed on (infecting?  ) it. When she's away at college Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon, it works fine. Once she comes home for the weekend and connects to the router, the internet connection starts giving me fits: pages won't load, what does deign to load takes forever to do so, etc. If I unplug the phone line from the dsl modem for a few seconds, then things straighten up for a little while, but so far, the only real solution has been to make her disconnect her laptop from the LAN.
I've been searching the internet (while she's asleep  ) and I came up with a few other questions:
1) Where can I find a manual for this thing. I saw a link posted here in a message dated about 2 months ago, but the link is dead now.
2) When I go to 192.168.1.1/update.htm to try updating the device's firmware, I discover that it's trying to load the update from a broken link. (www.westell.com/upgrades/model327W/D99-327W10-00.xml) My "about" screen reports:
Model Number D90-327W14-06
Software Version VER:4.03.02.02
Software Model 4 Port Gateway
Description WireSpeed Data Gateway
Boot Loader VER:4.03.02.02
Configuration 096-900163-00A
Is there a newer firmware version for this thing, and, if so, where can I get it?
3) Ever since Day One with this thing, if I just plug it in and turn it on, when it connects I see
DSL Connect Rate (Down/Up) 1728 Kbits/sec by 32 Kbits/sec
When I SHOULD see
DSL Connect Rate (Down/Up) 1728 Kbits/sec by 352 Kbits/sec
The only way to fix this is to remove the phone line (without powering off the device), wait 4 seconds, then plug it back in. I strongly suspect that's because of line noise caused by the fact that the phone line I'm using is CONSIDERABLY longer than the recommended 10 feet, but the phone jack is in the other room, this computer doesn't have a wireless card, and I can't move either one.
I would LOVE to hear any constructive comments on this whole mess...' | |
pandersen
join:2005-12-22
Deltaville, VA
| Here is the Westall 327 manual. I hope this helps. I have an earlier version of this router and use the Verizon DSL service. You don't say whether your daughters laptop is wired or wireless when she is at home. I'm not sure if it would make a difference. I would also suggest try running both computers in "Safe Mode with Networking" enabled and see if you have the same results. This will eliminate any software and driver conflicts with the exception of the Network interface device. If that cures the problem, you can start by process of elimination. The problem may be that your service cannot handle to many request at one time. Does this problem occur when your daughters laptop is not actively on the internet ie: The browser is closed and no programs are running in the background that are using bandwidth. Or just having her computer connected to the modem causes the problem. Just some thoughts. Good luck. | |
Thriell
join:2008-01-19
Ash Flat, AR
| said by pandersen  :Here is the Westall 327 manual. I hope this helps.
Thanks! That's a handy thing to have around. I just don't understand why it wasn't on the CD included with the device. 
said by pandersen :You don't say whether your daughters laptop is wired or wireless when she is at home. I'm not sure if it would make a difference. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. She connects wirelessly.
said by pandersen :I would also suggest try running both computers in "Safe Mode with Networking" enabled and see if you have the same results. This will eliminate any software and driver conflicts with the exception of the Network interface device. If that cures the problem, you can start by process of elimination. The problem may be that your service cannot handle to many request at one time. Does this problem occur when your daughters laptop is not actively on the internet ie: The browser is closed and no programs are running in the background that are using bandwidth. Or just having her computer connected to the modem causes the problem. Just some thoughts. Good luck. Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, since she's headed back to school today, it's going to be next weekend before I can perform any of these test - if she's not too busy doing other silly things, like homework, on the machine. | |
Raxlehead
@bellsouth.net
1 edit | reply to Thriell
Here is the most likely fix: This is simple basic maintanence:
The notebook is not picking up the DNS and / or the Internet browser cache is full. This could be either the router or the notebook or a little of both.
The simplest solution is to manually enter ip addresses for the primary and secondary DNS servers in the wireless modems propties box. Use the following DNS server numbers:
4.2.2.2 and 4.2.2.3 > clik apply > the wireless will now try to connect. Also, delete ALL of the wireless memorized locations in the "wireless networks" locations setup of the notebook. Also, in IE6 or 7, go to tools > internet options > browsing history > delete temporary interet files > check: delete all > OK, it will delete most of the junk > set the browser cache for 256, it probably has crept up over the 1.5gig size and cannot refresh. Also, go to Start > run > type "cmd" > hit enter > type "ipconfig /flushdns" > hit enter > type "ipconfig /registerdns" hit enter.
type exit or x out the command line box.
It should now browse just fine. Go to DSLreports.com for more help. or email me at Axlehead AT bellsouth.net
-RAxlehead | |
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