Router Model/Firmware Does NOT Compute

[goombawaho]

I bought one of these from NewEgg: NETGEAR WNDR3700-100NAS
The web admin page says the following as the model: WNDR3700v2 (see picture)
The router itself says WNDR3800

The naming issue is not a big deal as I believe the 3800 to be a "special edition" and no different from the 3700 hardware.
But, the problem is the firmware. The router says it can't find any newer firmware than 1.0.1.16 but I can't find that firmware under ANY of the WNDR3700 versions or the WNDR3800. So, what is this firmware?

The reason I'm concerned is not just esoteric - we have some wireless dropping issues and I want to be on the latest firmware.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[xwb]

The current version of the 3700 is v5

http://www.netgear.com/support/product/WNDR3700v5?cid=gwmng

 

[rclarke250]

I have the WNDR3700V2. It has Firmware v1.0.1.14 and says there is no newer. I also have a WNDRMAC which is the 3700V2 with time capsule support, but it works identical to the WNDR3700V2,It has FW V1.0.0.18, latest is 1.0.0.20. Opposite ends of the house with the WNDRMAC acting as an AP.

 

[goombawaho]

So, where did this 1.0.1.16 firmware come from. It doesn't match anything listed - past or present.
I'm wondering if they pulled the update after I got it due to bugs and I AM being bugged by problems!!!

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[rclarke250]

could be, can you download the .14 fw and force it?

 

[goombawaho]

This is a huge PITA. I have a customer that is going nutzoid due to wireless drops and reconnects with this router. I put a used Linksys EA6400 in yesterday and she reports that "everything is peachy now" so it has to be the router and not just interference in the building. This is making me look like an idiot.

Will the router take a lower firmware in the normal "point to the firmware file" method? Never tried to downgrade on one of these commercial routers.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[rclarke250]

Yes you can, I know that people that want to use DD-WRT have to downgrade to 1.0.0.0.12 because of a FW check installed by Netgear. I have no dropping issues on the .14 fw. And a lot of info at Open-WRT. As in how to tell what version you actually have and how to make it better.

 

[goombawaho]

I just want stock firmware for the stability, but then again I'm not getting any right now.
Sounds like the EA6400 is not giving them any problems after the first day. I may end up with their WNDR3700 via a router for router swap just to get this behind me.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.

 

[rclarke250]

I know, I run factory FW also, I do like to check out the other sites, as they give more in depth electronic and sometimes, support for models. Like were to find down level factory FW, if and how to flash it, if choosing the file from factory sw will not allow it. I have had to build JTAG to serial cables with signal change ( TTL to Rs-232 ) and then flash stuff that way. But this maybe too far down the rabbit hole for what you want to do.

 

[goombawaho]

Yeah - rabbit hole!! Me + JTAG cable = blue smoke. I'm kind of a spaz with delicate connections or soldering.

"Living tomorrow is everyone's sorrow.
Modern man's daydreams have turned into nightmares.