Need help with MAC address security on router

Ok so I added the MAC address security function during a time when I was having issues securing my wireless network. Sence then I have managed to workout all of my issues which is great. But now I am left with one issue that I can not seem to fix. I want to turn "off" the MAC address security function OR add a MAC address to it and so far I can not do either of the two.

When I access the router management settings to do this and all looks great... "until" I press "APPLY" then during that process the connection whether wireless or cable is dropped so the apply/save "never" happens and I am always left with the same settings. I don't know how to change this at this point and really need to.

I am running two wireless laptops, one with windows Vista, a second laptop with windows XP, and a desktop on cable that is running windows XP. I have tried to make this change from the wireless laptop running Vista and also added the cable to the router and tried again. I then tried it from the desktop that is not wireless and still end up with the same thing.

What the heck am I doing wrong? Why can't I change/or disable the MAC address filtering?

My router is a Netgear (WNR854T).

 

Routers can be fickle sometimes. It sounds like youa re doing everything right, which is hitting the Apply button. I can suggest you check to see you have the latest firmware or just factory reset the joker and start from scratch. I had to do that with my router about 6 months ago when the thing refused to change my WPA passkey.

 

It sounds like the router is temporarily blocking all MACs as it tries to make the policy change, including, unfortunately, the MAC of the computer you're using to make the change.

In this case I think surfasb is right that the simplest solution is to write down all of the settings you want to preserve, and then reset the router to factory defaults (the instructions should tell you how), update the firmware, and reapply the settings you want to keep.

 

Generally MAC filtering only applies to wireless clients on the 3 types of routers I have configured in the past. When you iht the apply button all clients are losing connection during the settings save and router reboot. Maintaining that connection is not necessary for the changes to "apply" that should be handled on the routers end.

I have to agree, it sounds like the router is having issues.

 

Always use a wired connection for configuring routers. On most all of the routers I have worked on the MAC filtering impacts wired and wireless. So always add your wired connection first. On some routers when you add the MAC address, have a pull down option for whether it's wired or wireless.

But at times you may need to reset the router for it to work. And I have had a few that you only needed to cold boot the routers for the settings to take.

 

I agree w/ Blue. You have to address the wired and wireless mac addresses. Also, on most routers nowadays, you have the option to save your current settings to a file and import them after you reset the router. It works perfectly on my dlink, not sure about your netgear

 

Ok... I am having a vary hard time with this. I can't seem to get the factory settings back. I am not sure why. I am trying to work on resetting back to factory settings which is not going well so if you don't see me post for some time well that means that I have totally screwed this up and can not get back online. dam!!!!

It is not looking good, I am fixing to go and really get down and dirty with this so it is most likely that I will not be able to get back online any time soon!! Damb the bad luck!!!

But by any chance I do make it back, I would apreciate any help I can get at this point. PLEASE!!!! I am desperate here!!!

 

Oh, if anyone care to call me and walk me thourgh this mess, you are more than well come to call me at ***-***-****. I would welcome any help I can get at this point. And if you need you can call me and give me your phone number and I can call you right back so that it won't cost you anything.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

I am totally PO'd at this point!!!! I just want to know how to reset this router. If I could only reach the point of resetting this routher up as "new" then I think I would be ok. But I can not seem to reset things back to factory. I always end up with my current settings. I sure hope that someone can explain to me what the heck is going one here.

Thanks in advance!!

 

Have you considered calling Netgear's toll free number and having someone there talk you through it? The number is 1-888-NETGEAR. I believe they're 24/7.

Resetting most routers usually involves hitting a small recessed button on the back of the router with something like a pen or paperclip. You may want to hold it down for 10 to 30 seconds just for ritual/luck/good measure.

For what it's worth, here is the image and instructions from your router's manual for resetting:

 

Most routers with reset require a press for a certain duration to reset to factory defaults. Otherwise its like a warm boot. I wouldnt just count to 20 or whatever the time may be but watch the lights on the unit. They usually do something different once the unit reset has been done properly.

 

Netgear has a special routine they recommend to make sure it clears all of the ram.

Press and hold the reset button and don't release it till I tell you to. After 20 sec pull the power connection maintaining the reset button. after 20 sec plug the power back end. after another 20 sec you can release the reset button. If you release the reset button prior to completion you need to start over. Some times it helps to have 3 hands for the operation.

This method is what bata testers do after every new release. And what Netgear recommends to clear users ram space. And if you do a firmware upgrade you need to do a cold boot after the router has come backup for operation.

 

Thank you all for the info, I was doing it right all along. I just got off the phone with customer support and they could not fix it either. So they are going to call me back in about an hour once the case has been reviewed. I am expecting them to replace my box. My box will not reset or accept any changes no matter what. Crazy!!! LOL

 

great!!!!!!!!!

 

after all that, the problem was nothing you could fix. How lame.

Good luck to ya though.