About resetting a modem-router

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jacko
  • Start date Start date
J

Jacko

I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?
 
Jacko said:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?
Click to expand...

When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Paul
 
Paul said:
When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said makes
sense.
 
Grinder said:
There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on. I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.
Click to expand...

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset button
should be pressed?
 
Grinder said:
I'm not sure about the WRT54G2, but I have seen that spelled
out in
user manuals before.
Click to expand...

I got curious enough to download the user manual for the WRT54G2.
I didn't read through all the 44 pages, but I didn't see any
mention of the reset switch with a quick browse.
 
Grinder said:
It's on page 5,
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I missed that.
but it doesn't say that you have to press the power
button down while powering it up. Go figure.
Click to expand...

That's the way it is on the other manuals I read. None of them
says WHEN the button should be pressed.
 
I'm going out on a limb for someone to saw it off but suspect that the
reset button will only reboot the router after the boot program has
initialized the hardware and set up interrupts.
Click to expand...
On some routers, powering up the device with the reset button depressed
initiates a default to factory settings, flushing out any user created
configuration changes, like a password.

On others this can actually cause the router to quit working until it is
reloaded with software using a preset IP address it will look for, and a
software file using a specific name. So take care with holding down the
reset button while powering on a router unless the manual specifically
says to and what will happen.
 
GlowingBlueMist said:
On some routers, powering up the device with the reset button
depressed initiates a default to factory settings, flushing out
any
user created configuration changes, like a password.

On others this can actually cause the router to quit working
until it
is reloaded with software using a preset IP address it will
look for,
and a software file using a specific name. So take care with
holding
down the reset button while powering on a router unless the
manual
specifically says to and what will happen.
Click to expand...

That's the problem. Many, if not most, manuals do *not* say when.
 
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