Please help me configure my White Genius modem with Hide My A*s (HMA) VPN Software!

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Please help me configure my White Genius modem with Hide My A*s (HMA) VPN Software!

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#160520 9-Jan-2015 17:43

Hi There,

My family and I have just returned home from living in London for 15 years. We’ve brought our smart TVs and other devices with us so we can continue to access things like BBC iPlayer, 4OD and Netflix. Unfortunately I stupidly deleted all of these apps from our main TV the other day and I cannot get them back unless I can fool my TV to thinking it’s still in London. I’m trying to do this via the use of the HMA VPN Pro software. Herein lies my problem …

Whilst my desktop PC that has the HMA software on it can be fooled to thinking it’s in London, my other devices throughout my house cannot. I understand that this is because my modem needs to be configured in such a way as to then allow all the devices in my house to think they’re in a different location. Despite trying, I cannot find any instructions anywhere that are written in plain English that tell me how to do this. I understand I need a DD-WRT modem in order to do this. Is the latest Orcon white Genius modem compatible with this? I used to use an Asus RT-N66U router in London which I understand would be perfect for the job but I don’t think it’s compatible with Orcon’s VDSL so I can’t use it? If I’m wrong on that front, please do let me know though … and possibly tell me how to configure that!?

So to cut a long story short, what I’m hoping someone can do is to tell me in very basic, baby steps how to configure my Orcon Genius modem such that the HMA software will then allow ALL the devices in my house to think they’re in a different location and I can re-download the apps I have lost. Oh and I’m using Windows 7 on my PC … just in case you needed to know that!

Any help would be HUGELY appreciated!

Many thanks in advance.
Paul

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#1211309 9-Jan-2015 17:57

Hi there, you want to use a service such as Getflix or Unotelly. You don't need a DD-WRT modem, for example I use an Asus DSL-N66U. It sounds like what you actually need to know is if your Orcon router can be put into bridge mode and then you can use your Asus to do the smart things.

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211325 9-Jan-2015 18:06

Hi, no I don't need to get those other apps as the originals work perfectly well. I simply need to get them back on the main TV. I could simply swap TVs around but I'd rather not. I 'know' I can get the apps back so that's what I'd prefer to do.

If you're able to explain how to bridge and get the modem into the right configuration that would be helful

mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1211354 9-Jan-2015 18:45

My setup is that I have a second router that is plugged into the main router that handles my Unotelly stuff and the re-routing of the Google IP address for things like my chromecast and netflix on the tablet.
Most have a trial period unotelly is 8 days and if you go for the higher paid service you get the use of VPN's as well.

I would suggest doing it this way then you don't have to worry about breaking (non DSL routers are cheap enough on TradeMe) your current modem but if you don't you just need to change the DNS that is being handed out by the router to point to the Unotelly (or what ever service you subscribe to) DNS servers.
Unless you need to block Google DNS you don't need DD-WRT on your router but it does provide more options than the average router firmware.
I have not seen an orcon modem so I can't tell you that much.

I have found that 4OD needs the device to be in the same time zone as the UK to work, I don't know if that is the same for a TV but for my pc and the app on the tablet it was.

Glassboy

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#1211407 9-Jan-2015 21:00

RNZALR: Hi, no I don't need to get those other apps as the originals work perfectly well. I simply need to get them back on the main TV. I could simply swap TVs around but I'd rather not. I 'know' I can get the apps back so that's what I'd prefer to do.

If you're able to explain how to bridge and get the modem into the right configuration that would be helful

I'm not entirely sure what you mean but I'm going to guess. Your TV et al won't have apps like Netflix on it unless it thinks it is not in NZ. For example I use the UnoTelly service to make my Sony Bluray think it's in the UK and because of that it has the iPlayer and Netflix app. I do that by configuring my router to use the Unotelly DNS servers. I can equally make my Sony devices think they're in the US and they will get a different set of apps.

If you have to use Hide My A** potentially you could buy something like a Microtek Routerboard and use it behind your router to create a VPNed network for your devices. The problem with that is that you'll have a complicated set up involving concepts you don't seem to understand and you'd have to add a wifi access point as well to be able use smart phone apps to interact with and devices HMA also seems to be more expense than Unotelly.

As to making your modem a bridge check out this thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=82&topicid=141104

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211418 9-Jan-2015 21:52

No, not quite right. Ignoring my other devices, I have two identical Samsung smart tv's both of which were purchased and used in London. Each had apps like netflix, bbc iplayer and 4od on them. I stupidly deleted those apps off ONE of the tv's the other day by accident. I still have them on the other TV and because I'm with Orcon, their Global Mode means these apps work fine here in NZ (well BBC iplayer doesn't work on the TV but that's a different orcon related issue).

All I want to do is make my TV think it's back in London so I can go into the UK Samsung app store and re download netflix, 4od etc. Then I can watch them on both tv's without needing unotelly or HMA because orcon global mode allows me to watch TV via the apps to begin with.

I know HMA can do this, I just am unsure what I need to amend on the router to make that work. Alternatively if there's another easy to implement solution that will achieve the same result then I'm all ears!

Glassboy

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#1211425 9-Jan-2015 22:05

RNZALR: No, not quite right. Ignoring my other devices, I have two identical Samsung smart tv's both of which were purchased and used in London. Each had apps like netflix, bbc iplayer and 4od on them. I stupidly deleted those apps off ONE of the tv's the other day by accident. I still have them on the other TV and because I'm with Orcon, their Global Mode means these apps work fine here in NZ (well BBC iplayer doesn't work on the TV but that's a different orcon related issue).

All I want to do is make my TV think it's back in London so I can go into the UK Samsung app store and re download netflix, 4od etc. Then I can watch them on both tv's without needing unotelly or HMA because orcon global mode allows me to watch TV via the apps to begin with.

I know HMA can do this, I just am unsure what I need to amend on the router to make that work. Alternatively if there's another easy to implement solution that will achieve the same result then I'm all ears!

You need a router that allows you to configure a VPN connection on it (rather than a through it). Potentially this is your router http://media.netcomm.com.au/public/assets/pdf_file/0015/130425/NF4V-User-Manual.pdf , it appears to allow you to create an IPSec tunnel. Follow the instructions.

The other way - which is pretty cynical - is that you could sign up for a Getflix or Unotelly trial, configure your router for the service, fool your TV into thinking it's in the UK and then remove the Getflix\Unotelly config from your router.

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211442 9-Jan-2015 22:33

That is exactly my router ... and it is a heap of junk! My Asus RT-N66U is a far better piece of kit. I'm going to have to work out how to get that configured to use at some point!

I've had a look at that pdf and unfortunately it doesn't seem to cater too nicely for the layman! I can't even find that page to begin setting things up. This is why I was asking for baby steps in my original post ;)

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Glassboy

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#1211453 9-Jan-2015 22:59

RNZALR: That is exactly my router ... and it is a heap of junk! My Asus RT-N66U is a far better piece of kit. I'm going to have to work out how to get that configured to use at some point!

I've had a look at that pdf and unfortunately it doesn't seem to cater too nicely for the layman! I can't even find that page to begin setting things up. This is why I was asking for baby steps in my original post ;)

Page 42 IpSec tunnel. Fairly straight forward if HMA offers IPSec :-)

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211457 9-Jan-2015 23:14

Haha you say it's easy but when I go into the IP address of the router to play with the settings I cannot for the life of me work out where the IPSec section is! I found it fine in the pdf, it's the actual router that isn't so easy. Feel free to come and set it all up for me! :)

You probably think I'm stupid but I promise you I'm not. This is far from my field of expertise (investment banking) so things which I appreciate seem common sense or logical to you are somewhat alien to me! I've contacted HMA as they apparently send out detailed instructions about how to get your devices working if you're strugglig.

Although I am genuinely thinking of paying someone to come over and sort this out for me as well as get my Asus router up and running! If you know any companies/individuals here in Auckland who provide that type of service then please do let me know!

Thanks for your help so far as well. I really appreciate it.

Glassboy

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#1211516 10-Jan-2015 09:58

I don't think you're stupid. I've worked with networking equipment for years and I took the route of getting a better router and using the simplest Geo unblocking service.

tkr001

416 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1211674 10-Jan-2015 18:55

I believe the customized Orcon firmware removes IPSec but I could be wrong.

mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1211696 10-Jan-2015 19:38

Does the TV let you put in static IP details?

If so you can sign up for the temporary unotelly account and put the ip address details in and see if that helps.

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211862 11-Jan-2015 08:15

I think I can put in IP details ... I Have to wait until my 4 year old is done watching kids TV first though!

Quick question though: everything I've read about unotelly seems to suggest it'll play the apps. But nothing seems to suggest it'll fool my TV to thinking it's in the UK so I can add the UK apps back on. That's what I need it to do. Playing them is no issue thanks to orcon but I've got to get them on my TV first! Will unotelly do this?

RNZALR

21 posts

Geek

#1211867 11-Jan-2015 08:58

WOOHOO! So I've got apps back and I didn't need HMA or Unotelly or anything similar!

All I needed to do was go into the Samsung Smart TV Hub, press FastFwd, 2, 8, 9. ReWind on the remote and then select the country I wanted to be in for the apps. It instantly deleted the NZ apps (can't have two contry's apps at the same time) and replaced them with all the UK apps when I selected the UK as my country!

Now I have the apps I want and thanks to Orcon they'll play!

My next question which I'll post in a new topic is how do I swap the average Orcon router to my own Asus RT-N66U? I think I have two choices - using it as an access point or simply a wifi extender. Is that right? What I understand the two to be are as follows:

AP: the Asus ethernet ports will work in addition to the Orcon points and I can turn off WiFi on the Orcon router and have the Asus far superior Wifi signal used instead

Wifi Extender: The Asus ethernet ports are not in use and the WiFi sugnal on the Orcon router is turned off so that the Asus provides the WiFi to the house.

Under both options, there is a ethernet cable from the Orccon device to the Asus.

If I've misunderstood any of this, feel free to correct me!

Thanks so much with your assistance with the TV issue. I'm incredibly grateful for all your help!

mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1211871 11-Jan-2015 09:02

RNZALR: WOOHOO! So I've got apps back and I didn't need HMA or Unotelly or anything similar!

All I needed to do was go into the Samsung Smart TV Hub, press FastFwd, 2, 8, 9. ReWind on the remote and then select the country I wanted to be in for the apps. It instantly deleted the NZ apps (can't have two contry's apps at the same time) and replaced them with all the UK apps when I selected the UK as my country!

Now I have the apps I want and thanks to Orcon they'll play!

My next question which I'll post in a new topic is how do I swap the average Orcon router to my own Asus RT-N66U? I think I have two choices - using it as an access point or simply a wifi extender. Is that right? What I understand the two to be are as follows:

AP: the Asus ethernet ports will work in addition to the Orcon points and I can turn off WiFi on the Orcon router and have the Asus far superior Wifi signal used instead

Wifi Extender: The Asus ethernet ports are not in use and the WiFi sugnal on the Orcon router is turned off so that the Asus provides the WiFi to the house.

Under both options, there is a ethernet cable from the Orccon device to the Asus.

If I've misunderstood any of this, feel free to correct me!

Thanks so much with your assistance with the TV issue. I'm incredibly grateful for all your help!

Good to know, it must of just been the change of regions it hides the apps for the other country.

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