Major Problems w/ D-Link DIR-450 Firmware (for PC5750 card)

scubacuda · EVDO Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

I recently purchased the D-Link DIR-450 EVDO router to work with my Verizon PC5750 broadband access card.

The 1.02 firmware that came with it did not recognize my EVDO card, and I tried selecting other cards (like other posts here suggested), but could still not connect to Verizon (and yes, I *did* activate my card with them using their softaware like I was supposed to).

Reading over D-Link's firmware notes, I saw that they added PC5750 support int their latest 1.03 firmware, so I added that one. That firmware seemed at first to upgrade ok, but when I went to add the information for my EVDO card, the country / ISP / card menus would not pull down to show the individual cards and stuff.

I googled and found a post that said that someone else had a similar problem, and that they fixed the problem by dropping the firmware down to 1.00 and then upgrading to the 1.03. I tried that, and now I'm locked out of my router. (And yes, I removed my EVDO card on each firmware update)

I went through D-link's crash recover instructions (hard reboot -- power off, pin in reset button, power on, wait, remove pin) and then upgraded the 1.03 firmware to the default 192.168.0.1 via the browser. That seemed to work at first, but then it sits there for a long time and never reboots properly. I did this several times with all the firmware versions (1.00, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03) and waited a long time for each one (anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour) and nothing happened.

When I reboot now after one of these upgrades, I'm back to a bricked router, and the only way I have any sort of access to it is if I do a hard reset (power off, pin in, power on, wait, pin out).

Any suggestions?

1speed · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: Ver 5750 w/ DIR-450

My router likes to flip between 3 bars and 7 or 8 bars, but generally likes to stay at the 3 bar level. At that point its only moving about 28k (according to speedtest.net), which is extremely annoying. My Verizon phone gets a great signal in this location, and as I write this I'm getting great speed... knock on wood.

If I pull the card from my router and plug straight into the laptop I'm getting 300-400k consistantly, when the router is showing 28k. Verizon really doesn't want to help on this as they feel this is an issue with the router communicating with the card. I tend to agree with this, however it doesn't help my situation. Right now (4:15pm Sunday), I'm getting 1m on the router and am happy. This won't last though.

I ordered an antenna from the 3G store, and it seems to help when I the router is getting a signal. The router and the antenna are in a fixed location looking out a big window of single pane glass from the second story of my house. It should be an ideal location. According to Verizon maps I'm not in a fringe location, not even close.

I had my router before 1.03 and ran it under 1.02 with the same results as a PX-500. I figured when the new FW was released it would take care of the issue. No change.

Schyler · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

I've had problems with firmware updates...

First, I don't think they work properly with Firefox, if that's relevant to you.

Second, I've had to use the crash recover mode numerous times.

Third, the firmware doesn't always seem to flash fully/properly. Sometimes reflashing or downgrading then upgrading will yield different results.

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307

I'll echo Schyler's comments. Only use IE when updating the firmware. Even still, crash recover mode may be necessary. And sometimes the flash just doesn't seem to "take". In my case, I finally got 1.02 flashed and have been running that version with no problems for many months now.

Good luck.
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Reach, Connect, Celebrate, Grow, Serve.

theguero · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

This is all very interesting.

I went down to my local Fry's (frequently return you sh*t) today and picked up a DIR-450. They had 3 in stock and ALL had the dreaded white sticker with a reduced price on them. Any of you that shop at Fry's know what I am talking about.

But I figured I would buy one any try it. At $170.99 it was hard to pass up.

I got it home and before I even powered it up I went online on my cable internet and downloaded 1.03. I knew this was required being I was going to be using a PC5750 (finally a Rev. A Verizon card).

So I got a cat 5 cable and powered up the DIR-450. Before I connected anything I did a hard reset on the router by holding down the reset button for 15 seconds. Then I disabled all wireless connections in my laptop and hooked the cat 5 directly to the first ethernet port of the router.

Booted up the computer and opened up IE6. I punched 192.168.0.1 and the router came up directly to the firmware update screen. It did not ask for any password nor did it even bring me to the default "home" screen. Just the plain white screen with the little box that asks me to tell it where the .bin file is.

So I did the update. It counted down from 300 seconds and when it was all finished it then took me to the regular home setup screen.

I went throught the guided setup and my PC5750 started working right away. Even the WiFi works on the router which I read somewhere on here was a problem. I am using the router to type this now!

I am going to test it for a few days. Eventually this router will be installed in my car for the up and coming Sling Catcher.

So far so good! I will keep you all posted if all of a sudden this thing takes a crap!

I would like the question to be answered in detail what the difference is between the KR1 and DIR-450?
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595, 595U, 5750

theguero · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Well as promised I would let you know how my DIR-450 is doing.

So far it has had zero problems. I have it installed in the cargo area of my SUV and it works perfect. It says on 24 hours a day. I have the WiFi turned on and use it all the time. I also have a car computer hooked up through a Ethernet connection.

I am running 12 volts stright from the car battery into it for power. I also have a glass mount antenna hooked up to the PC5750. So if it is an RF issue, the external antenna may help that. If it is a power problem, maybe the high current of the car battery is solving that issue.

I did use it in the house for a week while I was waiting for my FiOS to be installed at my new home.

So I am very happy with the 450 with 1.03.
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595, 595U, 5750