Adjusting Settings on NetCombo Wireless Box
Printed From: Gringoes.com
Category: Brazil
Forum Name: Living in Brazil
Forum Discription: Surviving in Brazil
URL: http://www.gringoes.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15325
Printed Date: 20 June 2013 at 06:22
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05a - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Adjusting Settings on NetCombo Wireless Box
Posted By: coolbloo
Subject: Adjusting Settings on NetCombo Wireless Box
Date Posted: 06 May 2012 at 18:34
So we signed up for NetCombo 10MB. NetVirtua is the distribution agent for NetCombo in our neck of the woods in Floripa. All we wanted was the internet... just the internet... happy to do without cable TV and a home phone. We use cell phones and more and more, given the costs to make phone calls in Brasil -- Skype. So again, all we wanted was internet service, and the attendant explained that it's less expensive to get the whole package -- 10Mb internet, basic cable TV and phone for about R$100 per month versus R$128 for just internet service. 
A NetCombo Service Tech came to our house (where there'd never been cable before) and ran a cable in from the street, hooked up a NetCombo cable modem and ran a cable from the modem to the NetCombo wireless device -- pretty standard procedure. Then he programmed the boxes and assigned a name to our wireless network (NetVirtua + our street address), and entered a 10-digit security encryption code for wireless network. Again, pretty standard stuff, though I was a tad disappointed because I'm accustomed to a 26-digit security code and 128-bit encryption. I think the 10-digit code only provides 40-bit encryption. Also wasn't crazy about our street address being part of the name of the network but was willing to let it slide for now. Then the other day, I'm looking at our first NetVirtua/NetCombo bill and realized that when they program the encryption code for your wireless network, they use the last nine digits of your account number + 0! -- a number that is clearly printed on the outside of your invoice envelope (until you go paperless) and hardly what I'd call secret nor secure, so we called NetCombo and asked how to (a) change the name of our wireless network and (b) how to change our 10-digit security/encryption passcode. The attendant was not helpful and tried to discourage us from changing the settings -- even said that we lose some kind of warranty if we change the settings but in my view, I prefer that possibility to not having what I'd consider a more secure wireless network. Back in the USA, I was able to do this easily by hooking up my laptop to the wireless box with an ethernet cord, opening a browser page and inserting a URL which would give me access to a login page to access the wireless device's programming fields. As I recall one simply typed "admin" into the password field and then a simple matter to change the network name and passcode. When we asked the NetCombo Agent about this, she more or less confirmed as much (after she spoke to several different people while we waited on hold), but also told us that we have to hit the reboot button which I don't ever recall doing before. She also was unable to provide the URL access to the box. She said she'd email it. That was several days ago. We're still waiting. 
Has anyone ever done this? Does anyone know the URL and how to execute this procedure? I want to make sure we do it correctly so we don't lose our wireless connection or internet service. Thanks! 
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Replies:
Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 06 May 2012 at 19:25
| If you are using the Thomson DWG850 Modem you can try disconnecting the internet connection as well as your telephone and then enter 192.168.0.1 as the URL in your web browser. A window will appear asking for a user name and password which should provide a page where you can select the Setup Page where you can change the Password. Normally you would do a reset as well first but I cannot take responsibility if your Modem goes upside down.This is tricky stuff so best to have the Net tech come out if all else fails.Good luck. |
Posted By: 3casas
Date Posted: 06 May 2012 at 19:25
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we have wireless and net, and i bought my own wireless modem. i suspect bandwidth-leeches here but when i tried to fool around with configs - something i had done before but not with net- i managed to make my whole system go ass-over-teakettle and had to call a friend to come and fix my mess. i suspected my own inability but maybe it is a NET thing. my only suggestion to you is that in future conversations you mention Procon. Not sure if Anatel applies to internet too, if they do, drop that name too. it's the only way NET seems to do anything. actually, one more suggestion- if you have a new account, watch it like a hawk. make sure that your promotional fees are charged as they are supposed to be (3 months @50R, for example, not 1 month @ 50 and the rest at 150. or billing twice for the same month. we've had both happen with NET.) ------------- |
Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 06 May 2012 at 20:17
Yes SegundaVida... we do in fact have the Thomson DWG850. I will try this URL to access the setup page. Question: When you say "User Name" ... do you mean the Wireless Network name? Or do you mean the name on the NetCombo account? Or do you mean the User name for our online access (cadastro). I would not think it would be the online Cadastro name because we didn't create our online account access until a week or so after the service and network were installed. 3Casas... Yes, they totally overbilled us right out of the gate. The salesperson told us when we signed up -- $R68.80 per month for the first three months including 10mb net, telephone, and basic cable TV. They billed us way more than that and told us the phone was not included. Again we clearly stated and showed that the salesperson said it was ALL included. Rather than take responsibility for the representations made by their employee, they threw their hands up and said basically, "Nothing we can do. Tudo bem?" (with a big smile like we're all getting ready for a big Sunday picnic) Our reaction was, "No... tudo not bem!" It was one more lesson learned on the road to accountability or the absence thereof in the land of Brasil! 
Lesson learned... from now on... before we sign up for anything or agree to anything... get it in writing. No contract... no deal.
Anyway... we're learning as we go... albeit the hard way. But at least the caiparinhas are great! 
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Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 06 May 2012 at 20:44
| Yes the caiparinhas are to be enjoyed but maybe not when you are resetting your modem LOL. I'm not sure what user name and password to use but http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=917IuC6Qf0s - Here you will find a tutorial on this process albeit in Portuguese and I would turn off the audio for a less annoying experience. |
Posted By: tamte
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 15:39
I got Net 10MB last October and got just the cable modem, Cisco 2100. I told them to throw away their wireless router (even it was free). I'm not going to rely on some Brazilians to setup my wireless or any other home or business networks.
It is funny though, the NET 10MB only is R$129.90, Combo (internet, TV phone) R$99.90, but again I wanted just banda larga and if I want more than local FTA's on TV, I'll get SKY with HD programing (need to do that before 2014 of course).
Net did not have HD channels.
------------- life's too short to be living without you, babe. |
Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 16:51
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Ohhh my , if the OP don't even now what user name /pass for the modem refers to then he should stay far, far away.
Anyway Username: (no user name it seems) Password:admin Or Username:Admin Password = the MAC address of your modem. |
Posted By: sven
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 17:32
Unless he has other means to access GOOGLE
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Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 17:41
| @coolbloo if you look at the bottom of your modem you will see various MAC id's as well as the SSID number if you still are trying to solve this problem you can try some of these. |
Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 18:42
Hmmm... I don't see anything in my original post inferring lack of understanding per what the Username/Admin fields are for. Obviously I know what they're for and demonstrate that clearly in my post. What I didn't know were the particulars... the information required for the Username and Password fields. Even a chimpanzee could understand that from reading the OP. So I reached out to members of the board for whatever additional info could be provided. Not sure how we go from there to Twirly's comment. Probably best to actually read and understand the OP prior to offering... whatever. SVida... Inlaws are here for a visit. Can't get anywhere near the box for now. I'll try it tomorrow night. I do appreciate the helpful info per MAC addresses possibly being part of the mix. You get a gold star. Twirly gets a banana... maybe... if he can figure things out. |
Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 19:27
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LOl Coolbloo, Twirly is quite tech savvy and perhaps lacks some social skills at times but I'm sure he means well.I got a good laugh out of your banana comment, after all without some humour in our lives it becomes very dull indeed.Good Luck again and I have done this very thing on other modems with success but not the net model so what you are tring to accomplish is most definately possible
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Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 19:55
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OK... fair enough... point taken... hitting reset
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Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 20:09
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Thanks for the banana, don't slip on the peel.
Even a monkey knows how to log in to a modem/router. So what does that make the person who don't?
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Posted By: tamte
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 20:23
Brazilian  ------------- life's too short to be living without you, babe. |
Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 20:44
Even monkeys have social skills so what does that make the person who lacks such skills? |
Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 21:02
| Brazilian? |
Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 07 May 2012 at 23:37
Just a regular guy with diverse skills looking for additional information, whereas it makes you, the guy who made the comment, a dork -- a major dork!  SNAPSHOT FROM THE WEBCAM ON TWIRLY'S LAPTOP  Well... I guess the rumors are true! |
Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 11:39
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Posting while drunk fail.
Now use your diverse skills and figure this one out
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Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 13:34
Ouch! So profound and hurtful ...breaking out the intellectual big guns are we?
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Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 14:00
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Lol, did you actually spend time doing a shop?
Unemployed I take it? |
Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 14:22
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Actually no... highly successful COO & entrepreneur...
You may want to think about buying a new hat. 
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Posted By: Twirly
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 14:54
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Posted By: Gringodude
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 15:09
Stop it you guys!
 ------------- Keeping the BrazilianLifestyle "Have a great day everyone" - Ray "You know who you are, now go and reflect!" - Esprit |
Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 15:18
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Posted By: coolbloo
Date Posted: 13 May 2012 at 18:05
I disabled the wireless connection on all the wireless devices in our house and connected to the DWG850 from my computer with an ethernet cord. Per SVida's instructions, I entered the 192.168.0.1 URL in my browser and was prompted for a User Name & Password. Per SVida's (and Twirly's  ) advice I left User Name empty and typed admin in the Password field. Bingo!
Was immediately routed to the Thomson Set-up page. On the top right of the toolbar, click "Wireless" From the Vertical Menu on the left, click "Primary Network" and you'll have access to the fields. Change the Network Name (SSID) to whatever suits you. There may be a limit to the number of characters but it wasn't an issue for me. Change the WPA Pre-Shared Key to a new 10-digit code. Though there are fields below that for 26-character WEP encryption, I would leave these alone. I don't think NetCombo is set up for this so I personally would not push my luck. Proceed at your own risk. Once you've altered the Network Name and WPA Pre-Shared Key, hit the Apply button. You will again be prompted for a User Name and Password, but ignore this. Hit "cancel" and move on. Your new settings WILL have been applied and you're good to go. Also... there is a setting from that lefthand menu... perhaps under Access Control, allowing or denying access to the DWG850 admin page and controls via the wireless network itself. The default setting is set to allow access to your box via the wireless network which means any yo-yo or bad guy with your NetCombo default passcode (clearly accessible on the outside of your monthly invoice) can pull up in front of your house and have access to your wireless controls. I would suggest you change this setting to "Deny" such that the only way to access the box controls is with an ethernet or USB cable. My 2¢. Anyway, I know I'll sleep a lot better knowing that our Network Name is no longer our street address and that WE are the only one's in possession of the encryption code for this now truly private wireless network. Thanks SVida & Twirly!
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Posted By: Segundavida
Date Posted: 13 May 2012 at 18:12
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Cool and congrats Coolbloo, as the I Ching says "Perseverance Furthers"
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