The Wireless Router

The day before we left for our new year holiday, Tai-Tai was working on the computer, using the wireless signal in the house when it went kaput.  The would always happen to us...we'd have to go up to the modem and switch it on and off, and then unplug the router and reboot it also.  After waiting a few minutes, all is right with the world and back to work we can go.  This time, this didn't help.

We had to enlist the help of the management office to check out the dsl modem to ensure things were OK...turns out, the dsl was fine, my router had died.  Perfect timing, just before we leave. 

While on holiday, I had completely forgotten about it...until I switched on the main computer and saw the router sitting in silence. 

Tai-Tai needed to get out and do some shopping to get some veggies and basics to refill the fridge after our trip, so I tagged along and went to the computer market.  This was the first Monday after the holiday, so I was taking my chances on not finding anything, as many of the shops would be closed...and I was right.  I know one guy that absolutely sold the router I wanted...closed.  I headed upstairs and found a stall that had what I needed and for a price that was acceptable. 

Back home, it was time to install.  I slid in the installation CD, selected my language and started the installation process.  This router had been a bit more user friendly in that is would locate my login information and install it automatically.  After a few clicks of installing the hardware, it was time for it to do this automatic installation...I clicked and it thought...and thought...and then opened up the router interface...Chinese.  Uhhh...but I selected English!?!  Try again...select 'English'...same...back to the Chinese interface.  Ugghghghhg...the firmware is in Chinese. 

I could either reinstall the firmware, or just find something that could guide me through the process...I opted for the latter.  I was able to head back to the Netgear website and find the full installation manual for the router, complete with pictures of the interface pages, so I could wing it with my set up.  After some plucking around...I got a signal.  Wooot!

Just another day of success in China.  It's always satisfying when you can buy something you need, when you need it at the price you want it...and then fight through the installation without instructions, by finding what you need on the internet.  I can't tell you how many household appliances I have had to find owners manuals for, so we could figure out how to use them, because the boxes and manuals are all Chinese here.