Guys, I need Modem/Router advice

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Guys, I need Modem/Router advice

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 88779 23-Aug-2011 20:04

Ok this is non-geek me asking for your advice. Story goes like this...

I have Telecom landline broadband and when I signed up they asked me if I wanted a 1 or 2 port modem. I said a 2 port... so they sent me a 1 port Thompson speedtouch. It was ok for a while but then drove me crazy... I asked for a replacement and they said no, I would have to renew/extend my contract to get a new modem. (That sucks)

Long story short I need a 2 port but I dont want to spend big $$ since my contract expires in a few months and Im not sure whats happening then. Added to that, I have a perfectly good 4 port modem sitting here but its configured to australia.

Questions are as follows..
Can I reconfigure the australian one?

or..

Can I just pick up a $10 cheapy off trade me and plug it in for the interim....(and will it work with Telecom)

Yes I know.. Im a push the buttons and expect it to go type. All advice (no laughing at me) is welcome.. :D

boby55

1539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 39

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Reply # 510836 23-Aug-2011 20:12

Your Australian Modem should work in NZ along as all the correct settings are entered.

nickb800

1908 posts

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Reply # 510837 23-Aug-2011 20:13

If you can pick a cheap modem off trademe that will do what you need, then sure, you just need to configure it with your telecom username and password.

A basic modem that will support 2 computers being plugged into it should cost less than $30 on tradme e.g. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Networking-modems/Modems/auction-400304947.htm

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

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Reply # 510839 23-Aug-2011 20:20

boby55: Your Australian Modem should work in NZ along as all the correct settings are entered.

Main things you'll need to change:

VPI/VCI changed from 8/35 to 0/100
Encapsulation set to PPPoA VC-MUX (terminology varies slightly from modem to modem)
Make sure the DSL mode is "Multimode"
Username and password shouldn't matter if you're on Telecom - user@xtrabb.co.nz/abc123 is what comes set by default on the Speedtouches I believe

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 510841 23-Aug-2011 20:25

boby55: Your Australian Modem should work in NZ along as all the correct settings are entered.

I have it sitting on the desk with me now..but in all truth I have no idea how to do that.

nickb800: If you can pick a cheap modem off trademe that will do what you need, then sure, you just need to configure it with your telecom username and password.

Thats my back up idea, thanks for letting me know that it will work.

Sighs, cant even be sure of my username or password.. would be a stab in the dark. Man this is an embarrassing admission.

It would make a difference of $300 a month in costs so I really do need to fix it.

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 510842 23-Aug-2011 20:26

theEd:
boby55: Your Australian Modem should work in NZ along as all the correct settings are entered.

Main things you'll need to change:
VPI/VCI changed from 8/35 to 0/100
Encapsulation set to PPPoA VC-MUX (terminology varies slightly from modem to modem)?
Make sure the DSL mode is "Multimode"
Username and password shouldn't matter if you're on Telecom - user@xtrabb.co.nz/abc123 is what comes set by default on the Speedtouches I believe

Sweet.. your an angel, I'll try it.

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

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Reply # 510970 24-Aug-2011 09:18

No worries. Let us know how it goes, and if you're having any trouble let me know what model of modem it is and I'll screenshot you settings page with the correct settings in place :)

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 511218 24-Aug-2011 13:36

Thanks for the offer. I thought it was going well (cough) and then I went into panic mode at all the numbers. Bottom line is .. no I couldnt do it by myself, so some more help would really be appreciated. Managed to get the Thomson back working last night which was a bonus. :)

I have 2 computers available to me right now (one is on a vodem stick) so if nothing else I can still read here if I totally muck it up.

Currently using a Thomson ST536 v6 ADSL2+ modem (for a Mac) ....and the one Im trying to get going is a Siemens Speedstream 6520 Wireless ADSL Gateway (for Mac)

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 511954 25-Aug-2011 16:54

Im up and running..thanks guys. :D

theEd

341 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

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Reply # 511958 25-Aug-2011 17:01

SandyJ: Im up and running..thanks guys. :D

Great! Sorry I didn't get back to you re your last post sooner, been crazy times at work!

SandyJ

152 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 511981 25-Aug-2011 17:30

No worries, its all good. Thanks for all the advice, couldnt have done it without your info. Have to admit its nice to be able to hook up whatever I want now. Siemens are awesome. :)