The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Got a dead-on-arrival router...

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Hahutzy, Dec 7, 2008.

  1. Hahutzy

    Hahutzy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I recently bought an Asus WL-520GU from DirectCanada.com, and it came today.

    I tried connecting 2 laptops to it.
    One got limited connectivity.
    The other jumped back and forth between connected and disconnected.
    I'm not impressed.

    I'm requesting them to cross-shipping me a replacement free-of-charge, which should be natural, right?

    If they decide to charge me for any of this, what actions can I take to complain about it?
     
    Hahutzy, Dec 7, 2008
    #1
  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,557
    Messages:
    6,682
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Are you sure you didnt set it up improperly?
     
    nizzy1115, Dec 7, 2008
    #2
  3. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

    Reputations:
    836
    Messages:
    3,682
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Most companies will charge your card and then issue a credit upon return of the defective unit. If you don't want that, then you'll have to send the router back and they'll ship a replacement when they receive the original.

    But - I ask the same question nizzy asked: are you certain you configured the router and the computers correctly? Did you try using ethernet cable to connect the laptops to verify your settings?
     
    kegobeer, Dec 7, 2008
    #3
  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    There should be a Reset button somewhere in the back. Press it in for about 20 seconds.

    Try do the setup fresh before sending it for DOA
     
    flipfire, Dec 7, 2008
    #4
  5. Hahutzy

    Hahutzy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yes I set it up properly. It's just a router, setting it up is trivial.
    I've tried with 3 different cables, all ended with same result:
    1 of my laptops have limited/no connectivity
    The other laptop flickers between connected/disconnected
    These are both on LAN, not WLAN.
    192.168.1.1 also does not load up.
     
    Hahutzy, Dec 7, 2008
    #5
  6. Hahutzy

    Hahutzy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I also tried to reset it. No dice.
     
    Hahutzy, Dec 7, 2008
    #6
  7. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

    Reputations:
    836
    Messages:
    3,682
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Sounds dead to me. You might get lucky and have them agree to send you one without getting yours back first without another charge, but I don't think they'll do that.
     
    kegobeer, Dec 7, 2008
    #7
  8. Hahutzy

    Hahutzy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    126
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well as it stands, their default RMA system charges 15% restocking fee, so I'll have to complain about that first, because this is completely ridiculous.
     
    Hahutzy, Dec 7, 2008
    #8
  9. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

    Reputations:
    836
    Messages:
    3,682
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    That's usually only for "I decided I don't like this" returns, not returns for broken equipment.
     
    kegobeer, Dec 7, 2008
    #9
  10. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    The 15% restocking fee is only for refunds. DOA means they will have to replace it for free (minus shipping)
     
    flipfire, Dec 7, 2008
    #10
  11. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,926
    Messages:
    8,178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    First start by calling the company to get any fees they've imposed waived - on that topic, don't accept "no" from whomever answers the phone as the final word on the matter - they've been trained to only say "no" - if the frontline customer service people won't waive the fees, ask to speak to that person's manager or supervisor - basically, work your way up the chain until you reach the level of someone with discretion to act.

    If that doesn't get you satisfaction, then give a call to the Ontario Consumer Protection Branch, they should be able to give you some pointers on your next steps, and possibly some help.
     
    Shyster1, Dec 7, 2008
    #11