About resetting a modem-router

I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?

Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Paul

Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said makes
sense.

On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting the reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on. I just had
to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it was powered on
wouldn't do anything.

Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems
but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers
may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on. I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset button
should be pressed?

On 9/16/2010 4:09 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems
but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers
may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on. I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset button
should be pressed?

I'm not sure about the WRT54G2, but I have seen that spelled out in user
manuals before.

Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 4:09 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems
but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be
pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers
may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't
so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area
and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like
that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to
reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have
or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said
makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting
the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on.
I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset
button
should be pressed?

I'm not sure about the WRT54G2, but I have seen that spelled
out in
user manuals before.

I got curious enough to download the user manual for the WRT54G2.
I didn't read through all the 44 pages, but I didn't see any
mention of the reset switch with a quick browse.

On 9/16/2010 4:25 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 4:09 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband router-modems
but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be
pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The manufacturers
may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't
so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area
and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like
that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to
reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal, and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers have
or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said
makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting
the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on.
I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset
button
should be pressed?

I'm not sure about the WRT54G2, but I have seen that spelled
out in
user manuals before.

I got curious enough to download the user manual for the WRT54G2.
I didn't read through all the 44 pages, but I didn't see any
mention of the reset switch with a quick browse.

It's on page 5, but it doesn't say that you have to press the power
button down while powering it up. Go figure.

Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 4:25 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 4:09 PM, Jacko wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 9/16/2010 3:20 PM, Jacko wrote:
Paul wrote:
Jacko wrote:
I've read user manuals for several broadband
router-modems
but
none of them says whether the reset switch should be
pressed
when
the unit is powered on or when it's off. The
manufacturers
may
think this point is too obvious to mention, but it isn't
so
obvious to me. Could anyone enlighten me please?



When the unit is ON makes sense.

The "resetting" function is a subroutine in the firmware.

The subroutine clears out the parameter non-volatile area
and
loads default values. It's a way of clearing things like
that
starting IP address value you forgot, and allows you to
reach
the web interface again.

Either the RESET signal is only polled, just as the power
comes on, or it takes the form of an interrupt signal,
and
is always recognized. It'll be something along those
lines.

Things that "reset when the power is off", involve
RAM devices where the reset button bleeds off the power
on them. I don't think a modem/router has any small
CR2032 batteries inside, so the reset function is not
likely to involve starving some RAM device of power.
And that makes it more likely, a subroutine in the
firmware carries out the reset function, when the
modem/router is powered or first powered on.

Thanks, Paul. No, I don't think standard modem/routers
have
or
need a backup battery for volatile memory. What you said
makes
sense.



There does seem to be a difference, though, between hitting
the
reset
button while powered on, and holding while you power it on.
I
just
had to reset my Linksys WRT54G2, and holding it down while
it
was
powered on wouldn't do anything.

Does the user manual say anything about _when_ the reset
button
should be pressed?

I'm not sure about the WRT54G2, but I have seen that spelled
out in
user manuals before.

I got curious enough to download the user manual for the
WRT54G2.
I didn't read through all the 44 pages, but I didn't see any
mention of the reset switch with a quick browse.

It's on page 5,

Oh yeah, I missed that.

but it doesn't say that you have to press the power
button down while powering it up. Go figure.

That's the way it is on the other manuals I read. None of them
says WHEN the button should be pressed.

I'm going out on a limb for someone to saw it off but suspect that the
reset button will only reboot the router after the boot program has
initialized the hardware and set up interrupts.