GeekGirl1
The Medium IS the Message
Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
| Why the replacement Power Adapter?
Out of the blue, Verizon just sent me a new power adapter for my ActionTec MI424-WR router. Why?
Verizon has determined that your FiOS router's power adapter should be replaced if you're using an Actiontec MI424WR, Verizon MI424WR, or an Actiontec RI408 router. The router is the device installed with your FiOS TV or FiOS Internet service. In order to be sure you continue to enjoy uninterrupted, top-quality broadband and TV service from Verizon, please replace your current FiOS router power adapter with the new adapter you will receive from Verizon at your earliest convenience. I searched the forum for any hints, but nothing showed up. As far as I'm concerned, I just got a new 5 V power supply for whatever comes along. They don't want the old one back. |
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seaquake
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-23
Millersville, MD
clubs:  
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Verizon would only go through the expense of sending you an adapter if there was the potential for a significant problem with the old one. I don't know the details but it's quite possible that the current adapter may have a history of catching fire, short circuiting or some other such mannerism.
Personally, If I get a new adapter I'm going to use it and toss the old one. Having the old one in place (or as a spare) isn't worth it if there's the potential of it causing damage to the router or, even worse, my home.
Besides, if you have TV service as well, your router will be replaced free of charge if there's a problem. They'll ship you a replacement router and power supply and you ship back the defective unit. Chances are, the router will fail before the power adapter, all things being equal.
Just odd that they didn't explain why they think your adapter should be replaced.... |
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lew_b
join:2003-05-11
Poughkeepsie, NY
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Cablevision
| reply to GeekGirl1
I think there was a problem with the reliability of the power supplies a while ago. I would have thought that issue would have been taken care of by now.
My only bad experience with FIOS was when my power supply crapped out and the truck did not show up when promised. |
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JohnA
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA
| reply to GeekGirl1
I'm assuming you have a rev A AT. They had unreliable power supplies. They don't do damage they just die a premature death.
A friend just received one. Ironic, since he called when it died and they refused to replace it since his service was over 1 year, and without TV. |
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pbvan
join:2003-02-09
Fairfax, VA
| reply to GeekGirl1
When I received my replacement router yesterday, it was stated I have to return BOTH defective router and power source to them. They were very specific that I use only the new power source with the replacement router.
Like others, I prefer to use a new power source than a 2 yr older one. The old one did get warm. I have a small fan blowing 24-7 on the router anyways. |
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GeekGirl1
The Medium IS the Message
Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
| Yep, I got the Rev A. I vaguely remember something about a power supply problem. What I meant was that I was going to replace the old one with this new one so it's "up to spec" and keep the old on for any projects that may come along.
The adapter here's also running a bit warm, I'd say around 45 C, but nothing to get worried about. It's got plenty of ventilation.
No clue why I'm getting the notice now. Maybe billing got caught up?  |
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John97
Over The Hills And Far Away
Premium
join:2000-11-14
Southampton, PA
| reply to GeekGirl1
My Actiontec is a Revision C. My original one was the brick-shaped (Revision A or B), and crapped out. It was quite some time ago when it died. VZ did a truck roll and the tech gave me a new router and made a big deal about connecting the new power adapter and wanted to take the old one along with the bad router. He actually forgot to take the power adapter with him. I still have it, and it works fine.
I have another Actiontec that belonged to a relative who no longer has FIOS. I tested it and the old adapter works fine, so I'll keep it as a spare.
--
So put me on a highway, and show me a sign.
And take it to the limit one more time... |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA | It has been a while since I replaced mine.
IIRC, the new PS has a higher VA rating and also a toroidal filter on the cord. |
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GeekGirl1
The Medium IS the Message
Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
1 edit | FWIW, I just replaced the old adapter. The new adapter's VA rating is identical to the original (5 VDC @ 3 A), but the label is a bright yellow sticker and marked "Rev E". There's a molded ferrite core near the DC output plug.
For the past week or so, I was constantly losing the network connection (network connectivity lost, then reconnected). It was happening every few minutes, the interruption was for about a second or so.
Everything is hard-wired, the wireless interface is disabled. I'll see if the problem goes away with this new adapter. If not, I'll call for a replacement router. This is a good reminder, as my router is Rev A. |
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SteveP
@verizon.net | reply to GeekGirl1
I suspect it is reliability driven. My adapter went out over Christmas. Couldn't get a replacement from Verizon unless I took a day off work for a "qualified tech" to show up. Just used another adapter from my box of wall-warts. |
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VZ_Laird
join:2008-10-08
Palm Harbor, FL
| reply to GeekGirl1
This is just what i've heard... Routers being an expensive piece of network hardware that can be reconditioned it helps keep costs down for everyone to make sure those are returned. That is what drives the fact that returning routers is necessary to prevent being charged. As far as the power adapters go, I think it is purely a matter of being able to test the equipment that has been in the field and determine if specific production batches of equipment are actually faulty and to what extent. This can have an indirect impact on the cost of service because anytime one company is able to show problems with equipment that has been sold they can seek recourse. Keep our prices down and return anything that Verizon replaces and provides free return shipping for. |
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ggma1126
ggma1126
Premium
join:2008-08-30
Claymont, DE | I have a Rev D Actiontec - got the replacement power supply yesterday - letter specifically said to discard the old one |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| said by ggma1126  :got the replacement power supply yesterday - letter specifically said to discard the old one Ditto. |
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klipko
join:2006-06-28
Portland, OR
 ·Comcast Digital Vo..
·Verizon FIOS
| said by darcilicious :said by ggma1126 :got the replacement power supply yesterday - letter specifically said to discard the old one Ditto. Ditto to darcilicious ditto |
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Gary A
join:2008-03-02
Odessa, FL
 ·Embarq
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | Boy, VZ was sure slow in getting around to me. I've had FiOS since Sept. 2007, and just got my replacement adapter today. 
Here goes... hope I'm back online with no problems. 
EDIT: Oh goodie, I'm back up and running.  |
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mooner
@verizon.net | reply to GeekGirl1
They were real late getting to me. Have had FIOS since Aug. 2007, received the replacement power adapter Oct. 24, 2009. Router is Verizon MI424WR; |
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VicJr
@verizon.net
| reply to klipko
I got mine on Thurs. Was going to replace it Sat. morning. Well. Sat. morning I found the router powered down. No matter what, it wouldn't power back up. Replaced old transformer with new one and router came back up.
Either their timing is impeccable or they found a way to disable the transformer, forcing me to replace it. LOL! |
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bgraham
join:2001-03-15
Smithtown, NY
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | reply to GeekGirl1
Just replaced the router and power supply yesterday. The old power supply had a green light on it which apparently means nothing much. The new power supply has a yellow label and it says rev E on it. The old one has no rev number on it.
My old router was a rev C and the new one is a rev D. I think the new router is refurbished since it did not come in it's own box, just in a plastic bag.
The first router I had was the old Actiontec from 3 years ago. It lasted 18 months or so. The second was the new model and it lasted about 18 months.
The software and instructions that came with the new router just would not work. I found some instructions here at DSLR, and did a release, put in the new router and did a renew and it worked fine. Maybe Verizon should rethink the instructions or copy them from DSLR
FYI, the settings file that I took from the rev C router cannot be loaded onto the rev D router. The router says it is a file from a different rev level. |
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Teasip
join:2001-05-14
Plano, TX | reply to GeekGirl1
Seems that most of the replacement power supplies are either in the NE or northern part of the country. I've got two (neither primary) here in Tx. and haven't seen nor heard diddley. |
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hatfieldfios
join:2005-03-18
Hatfield, PA | I got my power adapter in mail last week and I have had FIOS since Aug 2007 as well... |
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