new Netgear router, won't connect (excellent connection on both computers, but it detects a firewall)
 

i just bought and installed a Netgear wireless router. i have my laptop on wireless, and pc connected through ethernet. i have the latest frostwire versions on both pc and laptop. they worked fine before i installed the router, on both pc and laptop. now with the netgear wireless G-router installed, i get an excellent connection on both computers, but it detects a firewall [brick image in front of the globe on frostwire] what do i do to disable the "brick wall" and get results in frostwire? i get some music results, but nothing compared to before.


1. OS version? Windows 7
2. What firewalls you have? just the new router
3. How much ram? 4gb ram
4. Hard Disk space available? over 400gb
5. Connection type? (eg: dialup, broadband, cable, etc.) dsl
6. Modem & router brand name & model numbers? modem is netopia , and router is netgear wgr614
7. Where are you trying to connect from (home, school, work, etc.) home
8. What version of FrostWire (FW) & Java do you have? FW: 4.21.1 java:1.6.0_22
9. Who is your ISP provider (Internet Service Provider)? Centurylink
10. Are you sharing the connection with other computers or p2p sharing programs? just my pc, and it is experiencing same problems.
11. Is this a your 1st try at FW or is this a new problem with an experienced user. new problem , experienced user
12. Do you see a brick wall in front of the blue world icon at the bottom of FW's interface? YES. ever since installing the netgear wireless router.

again, i had NO PROBLEM whatsoever before getting this router, i would get a brickwall once every now and again, but nothing a quick exit and reboot would fix. but with this, i cant get a connection...i've read threads/topics, googled similar problems, all talk about port forwarding, i tried but it was all too much for me. i got confused...any help, WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED

Your router has a firewall :)

In FW go tools > options > advanced > firewall. Do you have the 'use UPnP' radio button checked? If not, check that button > apply > ok.

AFAIK UPnP is disabled by default in that router, so log into your router by opening your browser & typing 192.168.0.1 into the address bar > enter.

Default username for the router is admin & default password is password.

Once you're logged into the router, have a look down the left hand side of the page - under Advanced, you should see UPnP. Click on UPnP. Now check the box to turn UPnP on > apply.

Close the router pages. Restart your router & also restart FW.
Give it a few minutes & see whether the firewall icon disappears :)

If you still see the firewall icon after enabling UPnP, double check that FW's allowed thru your software firewall (I guess you don't have the Windows 7 firewall turned off?). Maybe try removing FW rules & then add them again.

My Netgear router is a different model to yours, but is fine with UPnP enabled. But if you're still stuck with the firewall then we can give you help with port forwarding.

i typed 192.168.0.1 into the browser and it wouldnt load. but i logged into my router settings through the cd rom that came with it, and upnp was on, and if i remember correctly it was on when i started doing research and checked it. and frostwire is allowed through my router settings in the control panel. i checked the programs allowed through firewall in my main computer which is the PC, and it is allowed. keep in mind i set the router up on my pc, not laptop. but i am having problems on both. so none of those things worked. i HAVE to do a port forwarding? it seems too confusing. .. :(

Make sure neither of your FW's are using same connection or listening ports. In UPnP mode this should not happen anyway. (A router will reserve one listening port per application per computer. Two computers cannot use same listening port.)

BTW have you tried direct ethernet cable connection to see if same issue occurs? (If your router has dual options.)

the only one that is connected directly by ethernet is my pc. i am on my laptop right now, but will check listening port numbers tomorrow on both. i will get back to you guys tomorrow :)

but my guess is it will still detect a firewall, since the problem is this new router.

I wonder. Perhaps the Router has levels of security options. Some routers do. At the strongest they cannot be used properly for p2p sharing & some online gaming.

Perhaps Content Filtering or wireless settings (setup & advanced) can be checked to see if there is some kind of security level. This 'might' be what the issue is.

ok, i checked both frostwire's listening port number on my laptop and pc, they are both DIFFERENT. BUT, if i do remember correctly, they WERE the same when i installed the router. but i changed my laptops port number when i read somewhere online that some isp's block lower port numbers, or something like that...at any rate, both are different... :( both are using upnp, and i never download anything from fw when both pc and laptop are on...i'm usually on one or the other...and xbox gaming isn't affected by the new router, i dont know if its xbox or pc gaming...i dont do much pc gaming at all anymore...

any help guys/gals would be GREATLY appreciated

Try deleting FW's preferences folder on one of the computers. To make it easier for you, maybe pick the computer whose FW doesn't have incomplete files that you want to resume.

Before deleting FW's preferences folder, please read post # 5 of this thread (click on link): Fixes for Limewire when LW isn't operating as it should
**Refers to LW but same goes for FW.

Close FW & make sure that it's properly closed before deleting the prefs folder. Check in Task Manager. If there's a FW process running - end the process.

When using Vista or Windows 7, you'll need to look for your preferences folder in a different place. Try C:\Users\your username\AppData\Roaming\FrostWire
And more info about how to show hidden files & folders, and how to find the preferences folder here LimeWire Pref Folder in Vista and Windows 7
**Refers to LW but same goes for FW

You'll know if you've deleted the preferences folder properly...when you start FW, it will take you through the setup wizard. Also, all of the settings within FW's options will have reverted back to default. If you restart FW & don't have to go through the setup wizard, that means that you haven't deleted the preferences folder properly. In that case, make sure that FW's properly closed & start again.

Once you've deleted the prefs folder & restarted FW, give it a while (up to 15 mins) before deciding that the fix hasn't worked.

i just did what you said [deleting preferences] on my pc. i went through the installation wizard again,and restarted FW twice, and still get the brick wall.... :(

Are you sure your Netopia is only a modem? Which model is it? They also make routers. If you have dual routers set up without realising, this could be the problem. ie: only one router is opening it's NAT port for FW.

Have you tried by-passing the Netgear router, just connecting with the Netopia. See if FW still gets a firewall message.

the netopia 'modem' is a Cayman 3300 series, 3341-CTEL to be exact. before i got the netopia router, i was just running my xbox via ethernet, and my PC via usb connection only. then i got this laptop, AND netopia router, and am running the laptop via wireless internet, and my pc via ethernet. xbox is still on via ethernet as well. if i dont turn the netopia router on, my internet wont work of course.

Netopia Broadband Router 3386 ENT Series 4-port 10/100 Switch
 

Dubbin

I have been reading this thread, over the past week, with growing interest, but I have not really had anything to add until now.

I found the following product description on Amazon (US) which may show the reason why you are having the problems you currently have:
Now, my interpretation of this description is that your router is primarily designed as a "business use only" tool and as such P2P usage has been deliberately excluded from it's functionality.

You see, for a long time now P2P applications have been seen as dangerous to have in a business environment so much so that there are protective apps that will delete any and all P2P apps as soon as they detect them, because they are seen as malware.

Also, I'm sure you know that ISPs the world over ban P2P app usage from their networks.

Therefore, taking these points forward, it would be seen as beneficial for routers, designed for business use, to automatically block P2P usage.

Finally, to confirm or disprove my idea you should call the manufacturer's help desk and ask them whether or not you can use P2P apps with their product.



UK Bob

Sorry Dubbin (and Forum Members)

I got my title in my last post slightly wrong and I can't change it. It is meant to say:

Netopia Broadband Router ENT Series

not the full blown specific model number as well.



UK Bob

thanks for your response, UK. but when i was just using my modem [Netopia Cayman] i WAS able to use FW with no problems whatsoever. it's until i bought the Netgear router that i had the brick wall, instantly. so i am 100% sure its not my modem, but the new Netgear router causing all the connection problems.

Dubbin

You have misread my post, I have not mentioned anything anywhere about your modem. I specifically wrote only about your router.

I hope that this clears up any misunderstandings.



UK Bob

oh ok thanks for your clarification UK, this is the exact router i have.

NETGEAR WGR614 Wireless-G Router Wireless router - EN, Fast EN, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

was there a certain router that i should know about that would not put me behind a firewall for software??

Dubbin

Having had a quick skim through your router's user guide I would suggest two things.

1) Upgrade your router's software, this may help because if there is a bug preventing your system form working properly then an upgrade may fix it.

2) Port forwarding, this would be your last resort to get your router working the way you want it to.

Now that I know exactly that your router is designed for the domestic market, and not for the small business sector as I thought before, there should be no real reason why your machine can't work with Frostwire.



UK Bob

thanks for you response and input so far UKbob! :)

i booted up my pc which is where i installed the router on. and checked the firmware for any upgrade, and there is none as of now. so port forwarding is my only option? i have no idea how to do that lol :(

Port Forwarding
 

Dubbin

Before you try to port forward your router, please check that you have got UPnP enabled on the following.

a) Your Windows O/S
b) Frostwire
c) Your Router
d) Your Modem

If all the above have UPnP enabled then your Frostwire should work if, however, it still shows the brick wall then you will have to try port forwarding as a last resort.

Here is the URL leading to the instructions on how to port forward your router.

PortForward.com - Port Forwarding Limewire on the Netgear WGR614v9



UK Bob

PS. The Port Fowarding people also have an application called "PFConfg" which will automatically port forward your router, you may want to get this (it cost $29.95). I've never used this app so cannot vouch for it.

PPS. The above URL leads to port forwarding your router with Limewire, I could not find any instructions specifically for Frostwire.

i know both FW on both computers have unpnp enabled, my router also automatically set UNPNP set to on. i dont know where to check windows 7 or my modem though...i dont think i can set my modem to allow but, but like said i had no problem before when i just had the modem, so i dont think it should matter, but where do i go to check windows 7 unpnp?

Dubbin

I use XP Pro so I can't help with Win 7, I suggest you use your Windows help facility that should tell you how to enable UPnP on your O/S.

As for your modem, you have not mentioned the name or model so I can't really say anything about it.

Finally, you said:If your modem has UPnP, and you should check, then you should switch it on because UPnP was developed to enable software and hardware from different manufacturers to work together. By inserting a router in your set up you have introduce a piece of equipment that is running several technologies at the same time and so causing the problem you are getting.

Therefore, theoretically, if everything in your set up is running UPnP then your chain of equipment (hardware and software) should run seamlessly.



UK Bob

UPnP is not a totally reliable technology either. Even with same model of device with UPnP, some people's UPnP gives problems whereas for others does not. Also often devices are made by different manufacturers but sold under the same company label. The implementations of UPnP may differ or something else in it's operation varies to others.

Example of devices made by different manufacturers: ATI video cards are often manufactured by up to 10 different manufacturing companies with variations between each ones operation abilities, performance & reliabilities.
Linksys are a modem/router company that has several manufacturers. Some other modem/router companies do this also. Also, some devices are customised for a particular ISP.

LOTR (and Dubbin)

Your posting on UPnP not being totally reliable is true and manufacturers seem to implement it in a somewhat hap hazard manner. However, I did not want to add to Dubbin's confusion by revealing this bit of information without him trying it out first.

Remember, if it works on his set up then his problems are solved, if it doesn't work then his only course of action is port forwarding.

You know, I still remember from five or so years ago when I had to port forward my first modem router, I went grey and then bald from the experience :eek:, until Wondering Why came to my rescue.

So rather than put Dubbin through the same pain, I would suggest and encourage him to try UPnP first before anything else.



UK Bob