Router Access Issue

Hey all.
I have a Dray Tek Vigor 2762n router
It's from a defunct company
I don't know the password and the reset button doesn't do anything
It boots up etc
Could they have disabled the reset button in some way?
If so I'm assuming I have a brick?
Cheers

 

Not likely. But it could have become faulty for some reason. That said, not sure you would actually "see" anything after hitting the reset button as that likely would depend on if the defaults were ever changed.

See if this helps: Draytek Passwords (portforward.com)

If not, then in the hopes that router is actually a rebranded router from a more common company, work your way through these lists and maybe you'll have some luck.

List of Router Default Passwords For All Brands [Tried & Tested] (bcca.org)

All Router Passwords (portforward.com)

 

Thanks for the reply.
Maybe I didn’t make myself clear.
Wouldn’t be the first time.
Pressing and holding the reset button doesn’t make the power light flash quickly which it is meant to do.
The router is old but brand new, still boxed.
The company never got as far as setting up in their offices.
I’ll take a look at your suggestions.
Cheers

 

Well, according to this page, there are 6 revisions of that device. But in looking at the manuals, the reset procedure seems to be the same.

Unfortunately, none of the illustrations are clear enough for me and my tired old eyes to see exactly what that reset button looks like but I note the instructions do say "hole". That suggests the switch is recessed and you need to use something like a toothpick or ballpoint pen to actually reach and press the button. When doing that, you should be able to feel the switch "give" and activate the circuit.

Can you feel that? If you do, and the blinking rate of the activity LED does not become more rapid, then it would seem the switch, or the entire router is faulty.

However, you said,

So no reset should be needed. It should already be at the factory settings.

 

Yes, I’ve done the right reset button and yes I can feel/hear it click so I know I’m pressing it. I’ve tried several times for up to half a minute. The light stays the same, no rapid flashing.

The router was new and boxed but had been set up for the company to use by a tech company.
Which is why I was wondering if the tech company had done something to stop it being reset. I’ll have another play but I’m starting to think a may be the answer! ‍
Cheers

 

Did you try the routers Web user interface?
Log into the router's web management page usually @ 192.168.1.1 (or similar) in your browser, then go to System Maintenance >> Reboot System.
On the web page, choose “Using factory default configuration” and click Reboot Now.
After the router reboots, it should be restored to factory default settings.

 

Ummm, duh! I was assuming the OP could not gain access through the normal admin menu with a browser. My bad for assuming again.

Of course, Replicator is right and this is something I should have mentioned for you to try first. And yes, according to a couple of the manuals noted above, the default IP address is 192.168.1.1 with "admin" and "admin" as the default username and password.

Now of course, success assumes the default password was not changed.

If so, then, sadly, the default admin log-in password most likely has been changed. That said, I don't understand why they would disable the reset - unless they REALLY did not trust their employees to keep their mitts out of it. That said I note any unauthorized reset would be immediately noticeable (assuming the default wifi passphrase would be changed upon initial setup) since every wireless device would instantly disconnect and fail to reconnect.

I will note if one of my employees decided to reset one of my company's routers without proper authorization, that employee would immediately be escorted out the door, pink slip in hand.

"IF" I wanted to disable the reset switch, it would be pretty simple. If the switch is wired internally, just clip one of the wires. If the switch is directly soldered to the circuit board, I would just use a scribe or other sharp tool to cut through the circuit trace. Either actions would be simple to reverse.

 

Sorry, been busy.
Now I will be even more busy with these suggestions!
For the life of me I can't remember what sort of company was going to use it, maybe high security is necessary.
One thing I've noticed, it has a sticker on it from a company called 4 Com https://www.4com.co.uk/broadband-internet/

I can't see that they are particularly involved with security but clearly the company that hired them wanted everything to run smoothly.
This has now become more than not being able to access a router, it's personal!
The thing that is making me think it's a security issue is the fact that the reset button does zilch.

Ahh, Digerati, I notice you state you don't see why they would disable the reset button.
Does that mean it's possible?

 

Of course its possible. I never suggested it isn't possible. Based on the information you initially provided, I just didn't see why it would be disabled.

However, now with this additional information, the scenario has changed. Had you mentioned the 4-Com sticker before, I would not have assumed you purchased this yourself from a regular retailer like Amazon. My bad for assuming. So now it appears this might be an ISP provided router. So yes, it is very possible they modified and changed the defaults in the router's admin menu, then disabled the reset to prevent users from changing them back.

ISPs often do this with the excuse it is for security. But in reality, it is so they maintain total control and won't have to send a technician out for a service call to manually change the defaults again. For the consumer, that can be annoying but it also prevents the ISP from accusing the user of dinking with it.

 

Yo Dig, no you didn't state it isn't possible, you stated unlikely.
I was just checking if it WAS possible, then I would know if it is more likely to be disabled or faulty.
No, not Amazon, as I put in my op, a defunct company.
I hadn't noticed the sticker but from what you are stating it looks like I'd be wasting my time trying to 'break into' this beast.
I never thought of them as an ISP but now you've pointed it out
So basically I'm up the creek without a paddle, but I do have a hammer!!

 

Yes, you said defunct company but that could mean one of several things. For example, you might have bought it from a defunct retailer. Or you got it from a previous employer that is now defunct. Or perhaps the router company itself is defunct. Either way, not important now.

I didn't say that either. In fact, as I noted in my post #7 above, it would be easy to disable the switch and then I added, that "would be simple to reverse".

If me, I would open the case and inspect the interior side of the switch, looking for a cut wire or broken circuit trace. A cut wire would be simple to correct. A broken circuit trace a little harder, but if handy with soldering pencil, still fairly easy. What is the alternative? Tossing the router in the electronics recycling bin.

 

Next instalment
I opened the beast, no obvious signs of tampering.
What I didn't think of doing was searching networks on my phone.
So I see the router on my network with the network name, so it's broadcasting.
I have the blinking power light = the router is operating normally.
Wireless LAN is solid = 2.4GHz access point is active.
DSL blinking = DSL connection not currently synchronising or not detected.
What I have discovered is, if I hold in the reset button while the router is off and then turn it on the power button flashes rapidly which it is meant to do when it's resetting.
I thought, BINGO!, alas, when the router reboots the SSID is still the same and password protected.
Although I'm still stuck with an inaccessible router, I do know the reset button works!! YAY.
Every cloud...

 

Okay, you do understand that DrayTek device, as seen here, is what is often called a "residential gateway" device, right?

These devices are "integrated" network devices, similar to a "wireless router". A wireless router is a single device that integrates the router, WAP (wireless access point), and 4-port Ethernet switch, 3 discrete network devices that happen to share a main circuit board, power supply and case.

A "residential gateway", in addition to the "wireless router" devices also includes a "modem". This is an important distinction because modems need to be registered/authorized or "authenticated" by your ISP in order to gain access to the Internet through the ISP's network. /

What you are seeing is your network indicating the router and WAP are indeed, as you noted, working. But you are not able to connect to the Internet (via DSL) because you have not registered it with your ISP so they could authenticate it, authorizing it to access their network - they want a service contract first!

Note to register this, your ISP will need the MAC address. If they cannot "see" it when connected, you will have to tell it to them. This is typically printed on a label on the device (so might the default password be printed, BTW).

 

Yes Dig, I was just letting you know what’s lit when it’s on. I just wanted to get in and reset so I can use it as a router, sell it or use it as an extender. But mainly I wanted to get in because ITS BUGGING ME .
Yes, it has the wifi password on a label but I don’t want to use it with any other ISP.
Brick

 

I understand.

That said,

This typically resets the password back to the factory defaults. You do normally have to hold the button in for 10 or so seconds. Then try the defaults from that list again. Otherwise, yeah, brick.

 

Hi Dig
Just to let you know, I have contacted 4Com, the ISP mentioned earlier.
Their reply.
The router that you purchased would have been programmed and locked down to the specification of the customer it was provided to. We will therefore be unable to assist with your enquiry as the equipment you have purchased should not have been resold.
The resold bit isn't correct, defunct companies have their assets sold to pay off debts.
That aside, anyone building a house in need of an extra brick?

 

It is correct. Yes, companies that fold for whatever reason do sell off available assets. But that does not mean they can sell all their assets.

This router was apparently being provided as part of the service agreement. In effect, the company was renting it from the ISP. It probably required being turned back in to the ISP when the service was cancelled. However, it was probably already outdated and obsolete and the ISP didn't want it back. This is common.

The ISP is correct. It should not have been resold. If you paid for it, you got ripped off.