Spark - HG659b modem - Old or current ?

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gordonisnz

112 posts

Master Geek

#304624 21-May-2023 21:19

Hello, is the Spark HG659b modem the latest version Spark is issuing? or is this still the same?

Recently, i'm watching movies (streaming) & my TV stops/pauses and loads more. ive got 300+ Mbps speed at speedtest.net

Is there a benefit to resetting the modem every xx months?

my PC seems unaffected - I can still do stuff, but my mobile phone / TV gets disconnected periodically.

Ps im using Google Chromecast on my TV.

EDIT 2: Could my issues be related to: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=302863

I'm in a non-rural area, with connection to fibre cable, not wireless - North Shore Auckland.

gordonisnz

112 posts

Master Geek

#3078417 21-May-2023 22:02

I've reset my modem - see how it goes

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rscole86

4957 posts

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#3078421 21-May-2023 22:13

If it's purely disconnection issues, I think you're limited to 32 devices connected at any one time. So as the 33rd device connects, one will be booted.

gordonisnz

112 posts

Master Geek

#3078427 21-May-2023 22:26

1) PC

2) Mobile phone

3) Ipad

4) TV (Google chrome).

5) i dont have any more invisible friends

- so far after reboot, its ok, I'll check in next few days

robjg63

4082 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#3078466 22-May-2023 08:23

Its not the latest router - but they have a reputation of being very solid and reliable performers.

There is just the issue of them going a bit strange when they hit the device limit (16 or 32).

But that's not an issue for you at the moment.

Electrical/computer things are always worth a reboot once in a while.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Shaddow798

38 posts

Geek

#3078714 22-May-2023 16:37

rscole86: If it's purely disconnection issues, I think you're limited to 32 devices connected at any one time. So as the 33rd device connects, one will be booted.

That explains why I was having so many issues during covid when I was temporarily using one of those as the nic in my pfsense router died. I have over 20 proxmox containers and probaly another 15-20 devices on the network at any given time. It worked somewhat but it would just stop randomly and it was very annoying.

gzt

16892 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3078732 22-May-2023 17:50

Spark - HG659b modem - Old or current ?

Not related to your issue but.. old. If you resign a contract they'll give you a new 'smart' modem, or you can pick one up from a store.

cddt

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#3082933 31-May-2023 17:31

rscole86: If it's purely disconnection issues, I think you're limited to 32 devices connected at any one time. So as the 33rd device connects, one will be booted.

If you have that many devices the built in AP isn't going to process much data anyway.

The router itself is solid but the wifi is only adequate for an average sized house (say 100 sqm) if you can locate it centrally, and preferably not more than 10 devices.

nztim

3694 posts

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#3083968 2-Jun-2023 14:50

gordonisnz:

2) Mobile phone

Apple and Android phones dynamically change their MAC address each time they register on a Wifi Network it will register as a new device. as you can see you will hit your 32-user limit very quickly.

On an Apple Phone under the Wi-Fi network turn off "Private Wi-Fi Address" this will give the same MAC address each time you connect to your home network

NFI how to do this on an Android.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

michaelmurfy

meow
13185 posts

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#3083973 2-Jun-2023 15:17

I note you've posted about this multiple times and this appears to be your main point of discussion when you post on Geekzone. Historically you've also been provided with a buckloadload of information also. For example: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=293029

What makes you think it is your router causing the issues when historically you've had issues with your Chromecast?
What Chromecast is this? Note, there are multiple versions.
What streaming service does this occur on?
Does this occur on any other streaming services?
Does this problem occur on another device that isn't the Chromecast?

To be honest I don't think you're going to get any benefit from switching router nor does Spark actually provide routers anymore apart ones for purchase but you also need to provide more information.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

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Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

RunningMan

8879 posts

Uber Geek

#3083974 2-Jun-2023 15:18

nztim: [snip]

Apple and Android phones dynamically change their MAC address each time they register on a Wifi Network it will register as a new device.

Can't speak for Android, but Apple doesn't do this. iOS 14 onwards will use a randomised MAC address for each SSID it connects to as long as the use private address setting is activated for that SSID. A random MAC address is used for the first registration but subsequent reconnects will use the same address.

nztim

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#3083989 2-Jun-2023 15:55

RunningMan:

Can't speak for Android, but Apple doesn't do this. iOS 14 onwards will use a randomised MAC address for each SSID it connects to as long as the use private address setting is activated for that SSID. A random MAC address is used for the first registration but subsequent reconnects will use the same address.

That is interesting so the random address won't change unless you forget network and reconnect?

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

RunningMan

8879 posts

Uber Geek

#3083995 2-Jun-2023 16:17

Correct. It's anonomised, but static for that SSID. Different MAC for each SSID. You can reset to a new MAC manually. More info here https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT211227

Tel69

Tel69
261 posts

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#3093682 22-Jun-2023 19:29

The Spark HG659b modem is OLD, Very old.
But you already had the idea it was.
I had the same sort of issues with internet and wireless just completely freezing.
Lights on the modem just froze as well, totally no response until a power down and up.
The frequency of having to do that will only get worse.
If the modem was supplied by Spark as a part of your internet contract then get them to replace it as I just did tonight.
If someone got the modem from cash converters or the such then it is a modem you purchased and your responsibility to replace.

Cheers
Tel