Version 1.09 of the firmware for the T-Mobile@Home router WRTU54G-TM has been made available on the LinkSys website today. Here is the link to the download page.
I advise everyone to install the firmware update.
Special thanks goes out to Alex for letting me know it was available. I had just checked LinkSys’s site this past Monday hoping for an update, so I’m happy to see LinkSys/T-Mobile (I assume they were involved in this update?) are working to enhance the router so that we can avoid the blue light special : )
From Alex:
Hey there, just wanted to point out to you and your commenters that Linksys released a new version of the firmware for the WRTU54G-TM today: v1.00.09. It is available here: http://tinyurl.com/5×8o48 Perhaps the aforementioned T-mobile CSR was referring to this update as a “new model”.
I did download and install it; everything seems to work fine. One big feature they added is the ability to assign static IP addresses by MAC address, which was previously lacking
Once you install the firmware update, PLEASE leave a comment here about your experience!
27 Comments
Alex (or anyone) – what is the tangible benefit of the ‘assign static IP addresses by MAC address’? I know what both of those things are, just now how that would benefit me.
Thanks again for the heads up on this!
mark
Marks last blog post..Firmware Update for T-Mobile@Home Router WRTU54G-TM Now Available
To be honest, it isn’t a feature that most people will use or care about… However, it could be useful for someone who has ports forwarded from their public IP to a computer on your network (bittorrent, remote desktop, etc).
What it does, is when your computer asks the router for an IP address, the computer tells the router what it’s MAC address is. If you setup a specific MAC address for a static IP, that means that everytime the computer with that same MAC address asks for an IP, it will get the one you specify. That way you don’t have to back in and resetup your port forwarding if the router decides to give it a different IP.
Essentially, it’s the same thing as simply changing the properties of your network card from “obtain an IP automatically” and manually assign it one. The benefit is that if you’re setting it up on your laptop, but you regularily go somewhere else with it, you don’t have to go back it and resetup your network card everytime you switch networks.
Does that make sense?
Joe
I just installed the firmware update without issue.
However, after the update was installed and I received the message it was successful my blue connection light remained out far longer than I had expected (Roughly 3 minutes) I was a bit nervous but it eventually came back and there have not been any issues since.
I finally got to applying the firmware update. Incidentally….I had 3 ‘blue light outs’ (or should I stick to calling them ‘blue light specials’? : ) in 3 days earlier this week, all happening sometime in the morning. On Tuesday (the last time it happened) I reset the router and recorded my current IP address (as assigned by Comcast, my cable provider, dynamically) and have been checking it periodically. It’s stayed the same and….not surprisingly, my @Home service has not gone down. I’m about to try Joe’s recommendation to unplug the cable from the cable modem for a minute and try to force a reassignment of IP address and see what happens. I’ll report back.
Marks last blog post..Firmware Update for T-Mobile@Home Router WRTU54G-TM Now Available
Ahhhh…..didn’t work. Unplugging the cable input to the cable modem and waiting a minute before plugging it back in didn’t force an IP change, so I did a quick google on the subject and from what I could find there is no way to force a change. It’ll change when the cable company’s computers say it should change : (
mark
Marks last blog post..Firmware Update for T-Mobile@Home Router WRTU54G-TM Now Available
Well, I just experienced my first outage since the firmware upgrade. I will have to keep an eye out for the IP address change as well.
I ended up performing a “factor reset” of the settings and am now back up. Crossing my fingers that perhaps this issue was caused by settings that carried over from my 1.00.04 configuration.
Incidentally, I have a dynamic DNS service tied to my home network so that my domain name always points to the correct IP address. In looking over the logs I discovered that the last time my home IP address changed (I have Comcast) was August 30th, which indicates to me that the “no blue light specials” are not, in fact, caused by an IP address change.
Finally, initial testing suggests that the DMZ feature on the router, which directs all incoming port requests to a local IP is completely worthless. When you activate this, even the ports that are used for the phone service are redirected, thus completely disabling the whole service. I suppose, as usual, your mileage may vary.
I upgraded to the new firmware and the one bug I found is that opening the DHCP Client list no longer works. It crashes the setup screen. I have to unplug to reset the router. I did little research and found that after updating to hold the reset button down for 10 seconds and it will work but nope. Any thoughts?
I just unplugged and plugged in the power to the router and still nothing. I upgraded the firmware and still no light. I disconnected the internet in the router settings and still nothing. I don’t even know how to fix it now. I’m on a trial period and i might revert back to a landline or vonage unless they fix this or someone finds a solution because i don’t have a phone line right now.
Just an update, i can only get my phone back when i reset the router from the back and reprogram all the security stuff.
Sorry about all these post but i just thought i’d let everyone know why the power cycling wasn’t working. It seems like it doesn’t like DMZ, i set my ps3’s ip address for the dmz server and that’s when i started getting the problems after my manual reset. But once i took it off and it rebooted the blue light came on again. So everyone try to disable your dmz if you’re having trouble.
the firmware upgrade is supposed to help with the disconnections w.the router when the isp refreshes its ip address. assigning a static ip to the router will also help resolve the disconnections. im assuming everyone is having the same issue where the internet stays on, and the blue light doesnt unless you power cycle.
Just a quick update – it’s been 3 weeks or so since the firmware update and I have not had any ‘blue light specials’ (ie, outages) since applying the firmware. Just as important (to me) – another fix that was included in the firmware (I’m assuming….T-Mobile – why not supply a list of the fixes included in the firmware – the list provided with the download doesn’t mention any of these fixes?) – now when someone leaves me a voicemail, the flashing ‘voicemail’ indicator on my phones goes on almost immediately. Before, it would take anywhere from 2 minutes to never.
mark
Marks last blog post..T-Mobile@Home Monthly Bill – How Much It Really Costs (Me)
I have been with this Service for 3 weeks. Thanks to this page I update to the new firmware on day one. No trouble except sometime I get a slight to a big ecco when I call my home from my cell. Other’s have complain of a slight echo.
T Mobile says not to use the 2.4 MHZ phones. I have been using them from day 1 and have no problem. Besides my callers SOMETIME getting the echo I have had perfect sound quality. Also these 2.4 MHZ phones are the free Uniden phones the VOIP Sunrocket gave me ( a set of 4). Also they have the built in light that works flawlessly with my Voice Mail. Goes on right away.
Why does T-mobile Strongly say No to 2.4 MHX phone??
thanks
My problem is that the blue led light will not stop flashing, even when the phone isn’t in use. I’ve done the firmware update and it still hasn’t stopped. Anyone run into this problem before?
I performed the upgrade this morning 10/18 after I called TMobile to complain about what I now know is commonly referred to as a”Blue Light Special”. (I was worried an elderly family member may not be able to call for EMT’s when the phone service is out) Anyway, I just installed it and I now have my fingers crossed. By the way, Tmobile said it would also correct the horribly loud and annoying “call waiting” tone that has always been the same. I tested it and it is still the same. I have a feeling nothing will change. When will companies learn to test out stuff like this before it is rolled out to paying customers? Prior to this, I thought Linksys and TMobile were great, repsectively. Now I have a different opinion. Oh well- that’s the way it goes I guess.
-Joe
Winston,
A flashing blue light indicates that their is a voicemail that hasn’t been listened to yet. Have you checked your voicemail? I would go do that and make sure all messages have been listened to/deleted.
mark
Marks last blog post..T-Mobile@Home Monthly Bill – How Much It Really Costs (Me)
Joe,
I’ve seen much worse from software and service companies. I’m actually pretty impressed with T-Mobile’s fairly quick action in fixing the problems. Not that the problems shouldn’t have been addressed before the initial release of the product, since these were big/basic problems. I’m speaking specifically about the blue light/service outages happening when dynamic IP addresses change, and the long delay between the time a voicemail is left and the time the flashing voicemail indicator starts flashing on the phones.
Much to my dismay, when the firmware was released, they mentioned neither of these problems as being fixed with this firmware release, however they were fixed for me and, based on emails/feedback I’ve received, many others.
Now, basically the only folks having trouble that I’ve spoken to are folks doing things like piggybacking additional routers, using old phones, fax machines, etc. But the basic service seems to be working very well now.
And let’s face it…as I wrote about in my initial post on my blog about the service…we are still very much guinea pigs in this thing. I think the major concern I have is that T-Mobile will either start upping the price from the current $10 per month, or worse, just go and discontinue the service as not profitable.
mark
Marks last blog post..T-Mobile@Home Monthly Bill – How Much It Really Costs (Me)
Thanks for the feedback Mark. I have the AT&T Uverse system for Cable TV and internet access that does have its own wireless router. I specifically asked TMobile about compatability prior to ordering the TMobile-at-Home system. They assured me that there would not be any technical issues. The first big hurdle was getting them to take over my old phone number, which was supposed to be no problem (1-2 weeks) but actually took more than six weeks!
Anyway, I use 5.8GHZ phones and do not use a fax machine or any other interference type electronics. I will be keeping a close eye on the blue light but I am hopeful that the problem has been corrected.
Joe
Sorry for the delay with additional feedback as I have been out of town. The blue light went out again the following week which seems to indicate the firmware update has done nothing for me. I sent TMobile a message last week, through their tech help webpage, to which they did not respond. I outlined the frequency of my issues and let them know they have not fufilled their end of the contract and I must be let out of it without penalty. If they agree, I will go back to the old-expensive (but reliable) land line. My bedridden relative (currently living with me) needs a reliable connection in case of emergency. This technology, though inexpensive, just isn’t there yet.
Joe M.
Hi Joe,
Sorry to hear that. I’d bet the problem is your wireless router in front of the T-Mobile router. But if you’re not willing to ditch that, then I would definitely see about getting the contract rescinded.
For me, I find that the wireless signal from the LinkSys/T-Mobile router is actually slightly better than the D-Link Wireless N router that I was using before, so I just ditched the D-Link and use the LinkSys as my sole router.
Marks last blog post..T-Mobile@Home Monthly Bill – How Much It Really Costs (Me)
I just updated from 1.00.04 to 1.00.09 last night and everything appeared to go smoothly. Phone service came back within a few minutes and, while it’s too early to tell if it gets rid of the blue light specials, I have my fingers crossed.
One thing though…when the update finished and the connection came back online, 192.168.0.1 started taking me to my DSL modem’s admin screen instead of the router’s admin screen. As of yet, I have been unable to get back to the router admin screen. Has anyone else experienced this?
Kevin,
No, I did not have the problem you described after upgrading my firmware. If nobody here helps you I suggest you contact T-Mobile with the problem and if nothing else attempt the update again.
What do you mean by your “DSL Modem’s Admin Screen?” Is it a Motorolla modem, 192.168.100.1 rather than the T-Mobile routers 192.168.0.1?
Keep us posted on what happens, this is interesting.
John H-
I have my DSL service thru AT&T and have a “Speedstream” DSL modem. That modem’s admin screen is what comes up now when I go to 192.168.0.1 . So, before the update, 192.168.0.1 took me to the Linksys router’s admin screen and after the update it takes me to the Speedstream DSL modem’s page. Unfortunately, I am not able to try the update again because I can’t get to the router’s admin site. I’ll try calling tmobile.
yes looks like there is a bug in new firmware, the DHCP client list no longer works and it crashes the router setup page that you can’t get back into it and have to power cycle the router.
I recently installed the firmware update. I have experienced less blue-light off issues, but have actually had the blue light on and loss of dial tone for the first time. Power-cycled the router and back in business.
Whomever said that not having the availability of static IP in the DHCP range has never had to deal with setting up a wireless printer. Having a static IP address that you can assign to one of these devices is almost essential (unless you enjoy having to reset the printer configs to a new address each time you power cycle your router).
****Be aware that certain symbols no longer work after the most recent update like /// and others while ^^^ and )( do work (for passwords and such) so if your DSL password has these “bad” symbols in it than you’ll need to change this prior to the update because the router won’t accept it (at least this happened in my case). I have found my security is working better by not using those “bad” symbols on my other WRT54G LinkSys router such as wpa-2 is now showing up on wifi whereas wpa was showing up before. Because I had those symbols already in the WRTU54G-TM router, it caused glitches such as the blue lights would go off and when I soft reset by clicking the reset button, the whole thing hard reset. The router will let you know instantly if you type in one of the “bad” symbols and won’t let you proceed.
Remember the password for a router after a hard reset is “admin” and you have to type in either 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.24.1 to get into it (these numbers should be on the back side of your router.) You can always type in ipconfig /all (at least with windows xp) in the command screen (go to start menu and look for the command prompt or click on “run” in the start menu and type in “command”) to see what your router numbers are.
After the update it appears the message indicators on the phones in the house finally go solid from blinking automatically once the message is taken off a little after the blue lights on the router become solid, sometimes they still don’t — continuing to blink and the work around is hanging up immediately after erasing/saving the new message and that seems to fix the issue.