Firmware Upgrade - .afw extention?

[PleaseHelpMe]

Hello all!

We have started to experience regular (and very annoying!) drop-outs, so have been trying various things.

With the help of inSSIDer, I've changed the channel, so that's step one.

Thought perhaps the Firmware upgrade might help too (we have the 7800N), but for the life of me, I can't do anything with this .afw download. Is it legit? Can't seem to get it unzipped at all. (And why in the world does a download need to be zipped in the first place?)

Would really appreciate some help with this one....have stupidly wasted a sunny day trying to sort it out!

Many thanks!

[tinytim]

Well the file you download is a .zip file & within that is the .afw & release notes.

Can't see what problem you might have extracting those 2 files from the .zip.

What actually is happening when you try to extract the .afw? I use Winrar on .zip files & that copes just fine.

[PleaseHelpMe]

Many thanks for your post!

The file I'm trying to download and open is here:

http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/inde ... mware-106g

It shows as a .afw file, not .zip, so am I on the wrong page?

Is there a free piece of software I can use to open this?

I know I sound like a total newbie to computing, but really I'm not - hah! Just can't seem to crack this one!

Thanks again!

[tinytim]

So you've downloaded the .afw file then?

If so then within the router go to Configuration / System / Firmware Upgrade and then browse for the file you've downloaded.

If you haven't downloaded it then just click on it and in the download window just click "save".

Make sure you save the configuration first and when upgrading the firmware use "factory settings".

[PleaseHelpMe]

Ah, well, then I'm confused! As you indicated it was a zip file, and the PDF instructions from Billion indicate that it is too, I thought this was something that must be unzipped?

If it simply needs to be downloaded, then no problem...I'll give that a go.

Also, their PDF instructions indicate that it's not necessary to go back to Factory Reset? If I should do this, could you please let me know how I go about saving the settings I have now? Or is it simply a matter of remembering the password and channel?

Many thanks!

[tinytim]

To save your existing configuration it's Configuration /System / BackupRestore

The link you posted is what I referred to and is just left click on the .afw & when the box comes up just save.

As for whether to use current or factory settings it depends. If you're just re-flashing the same firmware then current settings are OK otherwise you should use factory settings , although it might work OK with current. You could always use current first & if it gives problems do it again with factory settings.

Personally I've always used factory settings which does mean re-entering everything you might have changed.

It might be best to hold off till Monday when Billion_Fan is back as he's the Billion rep here & better placed to give definitive answers.

[PleaseHelpMe]

That's great - thank you! Will see what Billion_Fan says Monday. Appreciate your help!

[billion_fan]

Ah, well, then I'm confused! As you indicated it was a zip file, and the PDF instructions from Billion indicate that it is too, I thought this was something that must be unzipped?

If it simply needs to be downloaded, then no problem...I'll give that a go.

Also, their PDF instructions indicate that it's not necessary to go back to Factory Reset? If I should do this, could you please let me know how I go about saving the settings I have now? Or is it simply a matter of remembering the password and channel?

Many thanks!

The firmware file I released on the web site was .afw file as some users had issues downloading the zip with IE9, so I changed it to .afw file (this also makes things easier for the end users as they don't have to extract the contents or install winzip)

Once you have your firmware file on your PC, you login to the router configuration page and click on 'Advanced >> Configuration >> System >> Firmware Upgrade' then click on the browse button and select the .afw saved on your pc, make sure you select 'Factory Default Settings' so the router will restart with default settings (which is a must for firmware 1.06g)

Once upgraded you will need to manually re-configure the device again (do not restore settings from previous firmware builds)

[PleaseHelpMe]

Good morning!

Many thanks for the clarification! Did I misread the PDF instructions? Will give that all a try later today.

Further to my problems with dropouts, I had a look this morning at the info as we kept dropping out, and although I seemed to have full signal in the house, the readings said that I had no connectivity with IPv4 and IPv6. I have no idea what this means, and maybe it is a clue as to why we keep dropping out? Would you be kind enough to explain that for me?

Much appreciated!

[billion_fan]

Good morning!

Many thanks for the clarification! Did I misread the PDF instructions? Will give that all a try later today.

Further to my problems with dropouts, I had a look this morning at the info as we kept dropping out, and although I seemed to have full signal in the house, the readings said that I had no connectivity with IPv4 and IPv6. I have no idea what this means, and maybe it is a clue as to why we keep dropping out? Would you be kind enough to explain that for me?

Much appreciated!

Does the ADSL light flash when the issue occurs? Your computer saying that there is no connectivity via ipv4 or ipv6 means your computer cannot find a internet connection.

If you still have full signal and you can connect to the router web configuration page when this occurs (from a wireless machine) this means the issue is most likely to be with your internet connection not the wireless connection.

1. Make sure you are plugged up to the main telephone socket
2. Post your ADSL status page so we can check your SNR readings. (found once logged in to the router web configuration under 'Advanced >> Status >> ADSL Status'