Having some weird issues with Nexland ISB and ZoneAlarm

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 10:26 pm

Ok starting to lose my mind here, acutally losing patience, I am just not in the mood to troubleshoot when I get home from work I just want to play some JediKnight 2..anyway here is what is happening:

Been having weird issues for the past 2 weeks since I got ISB, where it would freeze up and only way to fix is recycle ISB Soho and recycle cable modem. It was suggested here I think by Yeoldestone, to use static IP , DNS, and gateway instead of using DHCP on the router.

Ok running win98se, and tonight I changed from dhcp to static, here is what I put in my tcp/ip properties:

IP Address = 192.168.0.52
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Gateway = 192.168.0.1

DNS address = 24.92.226.13
24.92.226.171

So i go to reboot, and now could not get out to the web, I looked at the status page of the router and it showed conneceted.

I was able to ping at a dos window, but it would just take forever loading a web page. So I decieded to reboot one more time. Still not working, was about to go back to dhcp and decided to close down ZA Pro, and then all of a sudden boom it worked.

Ok what is going on here very strange to me? Why going from dhcp IP with ZA Pro, I can get out, but it seems to lock up from time to time, and then when i cahnge to static ip on the win98 machine with za PRO I cannot get out?

Maybe I should just uninstall ZA Pro and get rid of it, been causing me more problems then it worth, and takes forever to load up even with the new version.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 10:54 pm

I have completely uninstalled ZA pro, and everything seems to be ok for now, but too early to tell, since problem seems to pop up after a few days.

Think I will just leave ZA pro off for at least a month and if I get no lockups, think I might leave perm.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Apr 20, 2002 9:19 am

I have had similar problems ZA before. If you really want to have a software solution as well as a hardware, you might try Tiny Personal Firewall. It works great, just takes a little getting used to and can be annoying to have to grant permissions to new programs.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:18 am

Well even with ZA Pro off, today when I truned on my PC, I had to reboot the router again.

This is really starting to piss me off. Should I RMA this router, or is this normal for the ISB Soho?

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 9:22 am

Well I put in a ticket have not heard anything yet, but after reading their forums, I am not the only one who is having a problem.

One thing I noticed most people who are having the disconnect issues have Roadrunner, starting to think Roadrunner is having a problem with Nexland.

So if you have RoadRunner might want to think twice before buying a Nexland. If they dont fix this problem soon, going to ask for a full refund.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 9:38 am

I've seen computers that had software firewalls act up even after uninstalling, returning to normal only after reformatting, since software firewalls leave bits 'n pieces around even after uninstalling. One of the reasons I hate software firewalls, as NAT routers by themselves block fine, and everything works fine. Throw a software firewall in the mix....and the nightmares begin.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 9:43 am

I am pretty sure ZA Pro is completely uninstalled, since I followed the specific directions that Zonelabs me includling deleting all registry entries that it leaves behind.

Besides I think if there was something left behind causing it, I would think it would happen all the time, not 2-3 times a week.

Also before I got the router I never had these issues.

While checking Nexland forum I see a lot of other people were having disconnect issues, especailly with Raodrunner, one guy even suggested to Nexland they should move the reset button to the front of the router since it so widely used.

I am going to give them a week to get it fixed, after that I might reutrn it and go for the Netopia, since they both seem to be in the same class of routers.

Yeoldestonecat, what verion of firmware do you have on your SoHo?

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 10:59 am

Whatever the latest firmware is......one thing I've yet to see them update....been at the same version since.....I got it...way back a ways.

The Netopia....not in same class, I consider the Netopia up a few classes....just under Cisco. I had the R910....thing flies....never ever had to reset it.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 11:27 am

hmm the R910 is only $199, I spent $159, so for another $40 I can get a better router, think I might go with Netopia then.

I went to netopia site to see if they have any forums, curious what issues they are having, but they dont seem to have any.

Thanks

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 11:42 am

Only thing I noticed about Netopia is that it is only 4 10baseT port hubs, which means the LAN will be slower, one pc to another vs on the nexland which is full duplex 100baseT

So not sure if itis worth the tradeoff.

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:26 pm

I run a nexland on roadrunner I never have any problem.but I do have a switch between the two. my set up is cable modem to switch to router.
I have ran a linksys 5 port hub to with no problem between the two. I am running a netgear fs105 switch know.
I think you may be getting Data collision ,when a collision occurs the connected device pauses.
collisions are caused by incorrect cabling or connrctors ,wiring techniques,mismatched duplex operating mode

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 1:28 pm

The R910 is down to under 200 now, eh? Wow, I paid 319 for it....wholesale...a year and a half ago.

Yeah it's a 10 Base hub built in....just uplink it to a good 100 switch if you're concerned about fast LAN transfers. It's 10 base hub does do quite well though, as it's a good quality 10 base hub.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 2:41 pm

I dont think it is data collisions, since my local pc for now is the only one on my local LAN. Once I get everything working with ISB I will add my second PC. I dont think it has anything to do with my PC at all, since the status screen shows Disconnected, which means there is a communication problem between the ISB Soho and the cable modem.

Also it does not make sense that I should have to add a second device to my currrent configuration. I dont want to have to spend money on a netgear, or I may as well return the ISB.

Thanks zxc47 for the advice though.

Hopefully Nexland gets back to me soon, and has a resolution.

The bad thing is I dont think I have the original packagaing anymore so I might be screwed to get a refund.

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 3:27 pm

It not advice, I was think out loud.LOL. What happen when you run from the cable modem to your computer, with out the router ?
I had the same problem about a year ago. They came out replace my cable modem after checking all my line . They said it was just a bad modem.
It would work a week sometime and sometimes it was every day. It would be off any were from a min to 8 hour.
PS: I run a switch because I run the nexland turo with 2 ips

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 3:47 pm

I have not tried it without the router, because I have to call up the cable comapny and get them to reset it every time and that is a pain.

I have only had the router for a little over 2 weeks, and the only time I had major problems was when Timewarner was having major issues, but otherwise I was fine for the past 1.5 years up until I got the router.

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 7:07 pm

Man that would be a pain in the butt ,I am on Timewarner here too but I can reset mine by just unpluging the cable modem.When I am working on someone computer and want to test there nic card I plug it in the switch and unplug the modem for about 20 sec plug iy back in and it reset with a new ip for it. Same thing with a router.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 12:22 am

Yep i dont know why but they must do something different where I live.

BTW, tonight so far router has been working great.

The thing is it is inconsistent.

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:10 am

davy19 ; You have one of the fastest routers out there, I just would hate for you to find out later that it was something other than the router causing the problem.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Wed Apr 24, 2002 9:32 am

Got pretty fast response from support, he said they are aware of the issues.

He suggested I try new firmware version soho_015c

He sent me the firmware going to try it tonight, hopefully this fixes it.

zxc47 · Post by **zxc47** » Wed Apr 24, 2002 5:41 pm

cool

nightowl_123 · Post by **nightowl_123** » Sat Apr 27, 2002 10:36 am

At this point after deleting ZA have you switched the router back to DHCP to see if it was ZA that was causing your original problem?

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 1:20 pm

No I have not, but also not everything is working great...

Think I had 2 separate issues causing a more complex issue. One is ZA the new version 3.0 just plain out has too many bugs, and should not have released. Two, trying to get right firmware for Nexland.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:15 pm

Originally posted by davy19
He suggested I try new firmware version soho_015c

Where you find that? I've yet to see anything new in the area of firmware from those guys, only 3f.

cyberskye · Post by **cyberskye** » Wed May 01, 2002 12:58 pm

YESC - they emailed me new firmware for my 400pro a few months back as the router could not obtain a DHCP lease from comcast. They don't seem to post these things, just sending them out upon request. Only took them about a week from when I logged the ticket to receive the file - tho others may have reported it and gotten the ball rolling prior to my contact with them.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Thu May 02, 2002 8:10 am

Yeoldestonecat,

The support guy actually emailed me the firmware.

If you want it, I can email it to you as well.

nightowl_123 · Post by **nightowl_123** » Fri May 03, 2002 11:26 pm

Send another e-mail describing your DHCP problem and see if he send you another e-mail.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun May 05, 2002 10:43 pm

I am afraid to jinx myself but so far this new firmware seemed to fix my problem.

I have not tried to go back to Dhcp, I figure if it aint broke not going to try and fix it anymore since everything is working.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sat May 11, 2002 3:04 am

Ok I take it back, I have had to reset it the router twice tonight, and once last night.

Ok this is really pissing me off. I think i am going to give up on Nexland, and maybe I dont know what I will use. But I definitely cannot recommend this product in good faith.

I would really love to have a cisco, but my boss just wont go for the expense, he says dont you think that is a bit expesinve for home, I said yes, but I want reliablity, and he said sure let me take it out of your salary, I said ok I pass.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Mon May 13, 2002 11:01 am

Ok so now they suggest I RMA my model.

Which is fine, but what really bothers me, is I have to pay for shipping to send the defective one back, and pay more money if I want the new one fedex to me. Otherwise they use ground shipping, which sucks since I already spent the money on the first one shipped overnight. Also bad enough the first one they shipped, they sent to the wrong address.

I definitely will not be recommending Nexland to anyone else in the future. IMO, I dont think a new one will fix the problem, since if you look at their forums, tons of people are people having issues with ISB SOHO, and their other models with resetting constantly. In fact one person even said they should have put the reset button in the front of the router, since it is the most used option.

I am not sure if I am going to bother, I might just go out and buy a netgear router instead. I have not decided yet.