Hey D-Link, you’ve got some unhappy customers

There are beaucoup problems with the D-Link DGL4500 router thanks to driver updates that cause periodic reboots, and customers claim that D-Link is brushing them off. Nerd rage is the best rage.

Iconeater writes:

Dlinks DGL4500 router, a year of defective firmware updates four in total. Must reboot it ever 3 to 4 days.

This story needs to be told as the DGL line was once a rock solid router and now, over the last year it’s been crippled by defective firmware.

Can not downgrade to original firmware 1.02 and some new routers are shipping with the first defective fw version 1.12 or 1.15 leaving customers no options.

Please share this story so others know. The price point for this router is down as low as $130 from it’s launch price of $250 which will be very attractive for those looking to buy. Other than the forum which is only accessible via the firmware page so potential customers might not find it there are no sites talking about this

1. [jerry6]

   http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=718133d675a5d2338c9844ec45516e20&

   visit d-link forums for info on products . a quick read will point you away from trouble

2. [zuzu]

   Unless it runs DD-WRT I would never even consider it.

3. [ioneater]

   Thank you so much for shedding some much needed light on this. You’re the best!

4. [Matt J]

   Get a Buffalo. I have this router with Tomato firmware installed. Runs for months on end without crashing. Only costs around £50.

5. [DLP]

   I’m glad this issue is finally becoming public knowledge. How does one file a class action lawsuit, anyway?

6. [iconeater]

   YIPPY!! They posted a Beta Firmware for testing. Lets hope they got all the bugs out of it. Personally I am not going to install this until I see positive feedback after the dreaded 3 to 4 day reboot mark.

   http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=5948.0

7. [iconeater]

   Here are the Release notes. You will notice they don’t say anything about the actually issues we have all been having.

   Also, you can see how long we have been dealing with this.

   Only the 1.02 had the router working properly with only minor hiccups.

   DGL-4500 Firmware Release Notes
   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.21NA BETA 01
   Date: 06/12/09

   1. Fix potential security leak with CAPTCHA.
   2. Fix When DCC set dns = 0.0.0.0,router don’t force setting dns ip.
   3. Fix SharePort for HP printer
   4. Win 7 Support

   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.20
   Date: 05/11/09

   1. New SharePort support PC/Mac (Requires New Utility Installed on PC or Mac to work)
   2. Added CAPTCHA (Cryptographic Authentication)
   3. Remove 3G feature (not a supported feature by North America ISP)
   4. Support Advanced DNS.
   5. Fixed cipher type default is TKIP and AES on wizard.
   6. Fixed 802.11n only not support WPA-Enterprise TKIP.
   7. Fixed schedule can¥t select data that include space char.
   8. Fixed can¥t save space char.
   9. Modify cipher type from TKIP to both.
   10. Fixed wireless title error word string.
   11. Fixed WPS does not support WEP-Shared KEY and WPA-Enterprise.
   12.Fixed WAN disconnect or release Network Status still show Establishing (include DHCP/PPPoE/PPTP/L2TP).
   13. Fixed the countdown = 40s when setting internet.
   14. This firmware can not be downgraded to previous versions.
   15. Support Mac Safari can display autograph pictures.
   16. Support Schedule cannot over 24HR issue.

   Note: This firmware does not allow downgrading to pre-1.2x. Please save your configuration file before the upgrade. After the upgrade, please reset to factory default, then upload the configuration file image.

   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.15
   Date: 11/10/08

   1. Fix Univision OLED bug.
   2. Remove Enhanced IGMP Proxy GUI.
   3. Add Routing page describe.
   4. Fix Port Forwarding issue.

   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.13
   Date: 10/01/08

   1. Added SharePort

   Note: Please download the SharePort Utility and see the SharePort manual before use.

   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.12
   Date: 08/07/08

   1. Fixed upgrade FW, lose mac address.
   2. Prevents downgrade to 1.02.
   3. Follow Wi-Fi Cerits. N only has HT40 mode.
   4. MAC Address Filtering Fix.
   5. Wireless Schedule ADD tab change to “Add Schedule”.

   ====================================================

   Firmware: 1.02
   Date: 11/21/07

   1. Updated OLED Display.
   2. Improved Overall Stability.

8. [solmssen]

   I’ve been running 1.15 with nary a hiccup since it came out. I like this router a lot.

9. [lobo]

   dlink lost my buisness back in the early 2000′s when i purched the di-624. it was always dropping connections and requiring a reboot.

   http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessrouters/gr/dlinkdi624.htm

   im glad to see they are staying consistent ! im also glad i have not purchased anything from them since then.

10. [iconeater]

    Seems the Beta 1.21 has NOT fixed any of the issues, and for some it seems worse, requiring even more reboots with an uptime now of only 2 to 3 days.

    A post on the form Cindy Brady who made a “Be a Tattle Tell” post with all the tech media links to report to has called this firmware update “cousin Oliver”.

    LOL!

    http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=5917.0

    Thanks again to Boing Boing Gadgets for their help covering this story.