Use Sky Router for another ISP? - Sky Broadband

skywalker1981 · 10-01-2007, 14:09

Hi. My father had so much trouble with Sky broadband (

) that he ended up cancelling his subscription and switching to another provider.

Now Sky were supposed to collect the router but 4 months on they still havent and thus I have a new router which I would like to use on another ISP, if at all possible. It seems such a waste to not be able to use the router for a purpose other than collecting dust!

Im not sure if this is possible as I know that it has different firmware than the standard Netgear DG834GT router. I did try and download the Netgear Recovery Utility and attempted to flash with the netgear firmware but at the point where the router is supposed to be listed in the Devices section of the Recovery Utility, no device appears!

Even if the task is somehwhat long winded or it has the potential of frying the router then its no problem as it doesnt do anything useful at the moment anyway!

If anyone can help many thanks in advance.

Thanks in advance. Luke

fildowns · 10-01-2007, 15:53

Instead of using the util, have you tried upgrading the firmware from the router itself? Using the Upgrade link from the routers web menu. You get a text box and browse button to point to the ".img" file...

v1.02.04 img file:
ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/dg834gt_1_02_04.img

skywalker1981 · 10-01-2007, 15:58

Yes I have done this and it states that it is an incorrect image file...im guessing this is something that Sky put in place to prevent people from putting the wrong firmware onto the router.....now some people will say that ive just answered my own question, but am really looking for a way around this protection.

Any ideas???

Luke

fildowns · 10-01-2007, 16:54

blow....suspicious lot ain't they??

jwball · 10-01-2007, 19:00

connect the router with the ethernet cable then hold the reset button in with a ball point pen and disconnect and reconnect the power cable. Two lights on the router will flash alternately if you do this correctly. Now run the utility and your router will be displayed in the device list.

Run the reflash then your free to use the router on any isp.

skywalker1981 · 11-01-2007, 09:21

Brilliant....I will try this tonight and let you k now how it goes!!

Thanks for your help.

coopermanyorks · 13-01-2007, 20:02

Hi

Looking at Ebay I see a few Netgear Sky routers for sale and stating

Quote:

To use with other ISPs the firmware which sky use can be change with a free download form Netgear. Use the follow link for the download.

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/DG834GT.asp

See the base of the router and make sure you download the right firmware

Adam D · 20-01-2007, 11:49

can someone comfirm this will work? I will Be getting sky bb soon and would like to have the netgear firmware. Do i just click upgrade under Maintenance and upgrade?

-Bal- · 21-01-2007, 00:51

Yeh it will mail me n il send you the utility and instructions, ive done it and it works a dream

Rotara · 23-01-2007, 14:25

I've got an opposite question...

I'm using Sky BB & experiencing no problems but would like to change my DG834GT for a better Wireless Router (one that will handle sharing video files across a WLAN & TV stuff etc).. Just called Sky to get the login script for the new Router but they say they don't support any other device! I tried pleading with the guy that I'll be using a Netgear Router & that their one is only a re-badged Netgear too! It was to no avail!

Anyone know the connect script for the login to the Sky servers?

thanks

beerhunter2 · 23-01-2007, 17:24

See my reply on your other post.

Rotara · 23-01-2007, 21:20

Thanks BeerHunter.

cmiyc · 16-04-2007, 18:51

Hi. Can anyone confirm that this procedure works. I've tried it several times but with no joy. I have a badged Sky DG834GT and like the original poster would like to use it on another (not sky) isp. Many thanks.

bprecey · 16-04-2007, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmiyc

Hi. Can anyone confirm that this procedure works. I've tried it several times but with no joy. I have a badged Sky DG834GT and like the original poster would like to use it on another (not sky) isp. Many thanks.

It does indeed work. Also the utility is on the disk that came with the router. I am in fact using the router to send you this message!

cmiyc · 17-04-2007, 19:58

Still no joy. I've tried the utility on the sky disk and it doesn't recognise the router in the devices part. When it states to run drv do you just click on it and then press any key to close it down or am I doing something stupid. This router is not one that has been used previously and is straight out of a new box - does this make a difference.
Many thanks

irvin38A · 19-04-2007, 15:59

Hmmmmmmmmm...... I did what jwball said and got the two lights flashing, it recognised my device and i started the upgrade but then it stopped on 30% and told me to turn router power off then on.

I did this and now my power light light won't come on!!!! My ethernet light comes on but no power light. It won't recognise the router now either and i can't get into it via 192.168.0.1 either!!!

Is the router toast?

trleighton · 23-04-2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by irvin38A

Hmmmmmmmmm...... I did what jwball said and got the two lights flashing, it recognised my device and i started the upgrade but then it stopped on 30% and told me to turn router power off then on.

I did this and now my power light light won't come on!!!! My ethernet light comes on but no power light. It won't recognise the router now either and i can't get into it via 192.168.0.1 either!!!

Is the router toast?

Force flash it again -- in my DG834G v2 manual it states to keep trying to flash it until it works.

irvin38A · 24-04-2007, 22:34

I would do, but it won't recognise my device in the list!!!

trleighton · 25-04-2007, 08:14

Even if you hold the reset button for however long?

irvin38A · 25-04-2007, 10:12

yep. Tried allsorts! Guess i've killed it!!

trleighton · 25-04-2007, 11:07

LOL Sent it back and say it *died* on you. :P

finnsta · 15-11-2007, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwball

connect the router with the ethernet cable then hold the reset button in with a ball point pen and disconnect and reconnect the power cable. Two lights on the router will flash alternately if you do this correctly. Now run the utility and your router will be displayed in the device list.

Run the reflash then your free to use the router on any isp.

Worked a treat for me too! Turned a paper weight into a functioning modem/router now serving it up on another ISP
Thanks for the advice jwball.

jline199 · 26-10-2009, 14:14

Just to say that a few days ago I went through this procedure to use the Sky-provided router with a different ISP! It works wonderfully well.

All I would say is get the router into "flashing lights mode" before attempting to flash the router.

10-01-2007, 14:09	#1
skywalker1981 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Use Sky Router for another ISP? Hi. My father had so much trouble with Sky broadband ( ) that he ended up cancelling his subscription and switching to another provider. Now Sky were supposed to collect the router but 4 months on they still havent and thus I have a new router which I would like to use on another ISP, if at all possible. It seems such a waste to not be able to use the router for a purpose other than collecting dust! Im not sure if this is possible as I know that it has different firmware than the standard Netgear DG834GT router. I did try and download the Netgear Recovery Utility and attempted to flash with the netgear firmware but at the point where the router is supposed to be listed in the Devices section of the Recovery Utility, no device appears! Even if the task is somehwhat long winded or it has the potential of frying the router then its no problem as it doesnt do anything useful at the moment anyway! If anyone can help many thanks in advance. Thanks in advance. Luke

10-01-2007, 15:53	#2
fildowns Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13	Instead of using the util, have you tried upgrading the firmware from the router itself? Using the Upgrade link from the routers web menu. You get a text box and browse button to point to the ".img" file... v1.02.04 img file: ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/dg834gt_1_02_04.img

10-01-2007, 15:58	#3
skywalker1981 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Yes I have done this and it states that it is an incorrect image file...im guessing this is something that Sky put in place to prevent people from putting the wrong firmware onto the router.....now some people will say that ive just answered my own question, but am really looking for a way around this protection. Any ideas??? Luke

10-01-2007, 16:54	#4
fildowns Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13	blow....suspicious lot ain't they??

10-01-2007, 19:00	#5
jwball Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nottinghamshire Services: Panasonic 50PZ80B, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, Virgin TV, BB, Phone, Humax HDR Posts: 618	connect the router with the ethernet cable then hold the reset button in with a ball point pen and disconnect and reconnect the power cable. Two lights on the router will flash alternately if you do this correctly. Now run the utility and your router will be displayed in the device list. Run the reflash then your free to use the router on any isp.

11-01-2007, 09:21	#6
skywalker1981 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3	Brilliant....I will try this tonight and let you k now how it goes!! Thanks for your help.

20-01-2007, 11:49	#8
Adam D Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK, Services: Sky+/+mulitiroom. SkyBB, iPhone3G 16GB, AcerAspireOne+Windows7, VistaLaptop Posts: 4,700 Blog Entries: 5	can someone comfirm this will work? I will Be getting sky bb soon and would like to have the netgear firmware. Do i just click upgrade under Maintenance and upgrade?

21-01-2007, 00:51	#9
-Bal- Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 58	Yeh it will mail me n il send you the utility and instructions, ive done it and it works a dream

23-01-2007, 14:25	#10
Rotara Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central London Services: SkyHD => SlingBox => Virgin 20Mb BB => iPhone 3G 16Gb => MacBook Posts: 832	I've got an opposite question... I'm using Sky BB & experiencing no problems but would like to change my DG834GT for a better Wireless Router (one that will handle sharing video files across a WLAN & TV stuff etc).. Just called Sky to get the login script for the new Router but they say they don't support any other device! I tried pleading with the guy that I'll be using a Netgear Router & that their one is only a re-badged Netgear too! It was to no avail! Anyone know the connect script for the login to the Sky servers? thanks

23-01-2007, 17:24	#11
beerhunter2 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hampshire, England Services: BT Broadband, BT Vision, BT Broadband Talk, Freesat Posts: 5,212	See my reply on your other post.

23-01-2007, 21:20	#12
Rotara Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central London Services: SkyHD => SlingBox => Virgin 20Mb BB => iPhone 3G 16Gb => MacBook Posts: 832	Thanks BeerHunter.

16-04-2007, 18:51	#13
cmiyc Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Hi. Can anyone confirm that this procedure works. I've tried it several times but with no joy. I have a badged Sky DG834GT and like the original poster would like to use it on another (not sky) isp. Many thanks.

17-04-2007, 19:58	#15
cmiyc Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Still no joy. I've tried the utility on the sky disk and it doesn't recognise the router in the devices part. When it states to run drv do you just click on it and then press any key to close it down or am I doing something stupid. This router is not one that has been used previously and is straight out of a new box - does this make a difference. Many thanks

19-04-2007, 15:59	#16
irvin38A Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Services: Sky+HD Sky Talk Sky BB Max Posts: 667	Hmmmmmmmmm...... I did what jwball said and got the two lights flashing, it recognised my device and i started the upgrade but then it stopped on 30% and told me to turn router power off then on. I did this and now my power light light won't come on!!!! My ethernet light comes on but no power light. It won't recognise the router now either and i can't get into it via 192.168.0.1 either!!! Is the router toast?

24-04-2007, 22:34	#18
irvin38A Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Services: Sky+HD Sky Talk Sky BB Max Posts: 667	I would do, but it won't recognise my device in the list!!!

25-04-2007, 08:14	#19
trleighton Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Services: Sky (Cancelled, FTA/FTV) Posts: 89	Even if you hold the reset button for however long?

25-04-2007, 10:12	#20
irvin38A Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Services: Sky+HD Sky Talk Sky BB Max Posts: 667	yep. Tried allsorts! Guess i've killed it!!

25-04-2007, 11:07	#21
trleighton Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Services: Sky (Cancelled, FTA/FTV) Posts: 89	LOL Sent it back and say it died on you. :P

26-10-2009, 14:14	#23
jline199 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Just to say that a few days ago I went through this procedure to use the Sky-provided router with a different ISP! It works wonderfully well. All I would say is get the router into "flashing lights mode" before attempting to flash the router.