I think I know the answer here, but just want to check every possibility. I had a lightning strike nearby the other night that took out my cable moden and router. My WDTV Live Hub appeared to be working fine afterwards when viewing files on the internal hard drive. I replaced the router tonight, and after plugging everything back in, all the network settings on my WDTV Live Hub were gone. I tried automatic, not working. I tried manual, setting the ip address, and using the router ip for the gateway and DNS. It will not save the settings. I reset to factory settings and tried again, still not saving the network settings. When I test my connection, says incorrect ip address. My guess, as much as it pains me, is that the lightning fried the network connection on the hub even though everything else is working. Does anyone have any other suggestions before I give up? Why wouldn’t it save the settings even if the network connection is bad?
Hmm. It’s possible that the Network Interface was damaged due to the strike, but it sounds a bit unusual that the SETTINGS won’t save. I guess it’s possible the strike also damaged the internal flash memory, but I’d think you’d be observing other weird problems, too.
So, when you set the settings MANUALLY, when you go back in, they’ve been changed to something else?
When I manually set the network configuration, it says it is complete, but when I go back to view the settings, everything is zeroes. That is the piece I don’t get, everything else appears to be working fine.
Yeah, that’s weird.
Are OTHER settings not related to Network Settings saved?
You could try:
Rollback the firmware to a prior version: http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5860/
Then Re-Upgrade (Basically REFLASH the firmware)
I may try the rollback, but now I really think it’s the physical network connection on the hub. I was able to change the default workgroup to my home network name, and it took. I also realized tonight that my wife’s pc can’t connect to the network, either. The lightning surge fried the network connection on my hub and her pc, plus completely fried my blu-ray player and a network printer. My WDTV live survived, however. I’m putting together the list for the insurance company now.
So, lesson learned, all the surge protectors on the electric power doesn’t save you from the cable company’s lack of grounding. Now that everything has a network connection, anyone have any suggestions on how to protect all our network equipment from a cable surge? Do cable surge protectors work?
Wow, that really sux. Sorry you have to go through that.
Keep in mind, surge suppression is *NOT* the same thing as LIGHTNING protection.
It does provide SOME protection, but the type of surges that most surge suppressors are designed to filter are generally pretty normal and common to some extent. These surges are what one can see on the electrical line due to things like MOTORS turning off and on; in your refrigerator, washing machine, etc.
There’s not a “Surge Suppressor” around (that most people can afford) that can withstand a direct lightning strike. Actual LIGHTNING arrestor equipment costs THOUSANDS of dollars.
Ok, now let’s get back to reality.
Yes, there are various forms of surge suppression that MIGHT have helped, if the strike that killed your equipment was far enough away.
The GOOD ones blow internal circuitry in the pressence of a strong surge, sacrificing itself to save the downstream equipment.
The better ones have resetable circuit breakers that can be restored.
In my opinion, the BEST thing to do is use a UPS system that includes Telephone and Cable line protection. The really good ones have an EQUIPMENT GUARANTEE. Like my each of my APC UPSs have a $10,000 equipment guarantee. If ANYTHING connected to the UPS is damaged due to an electrical event, APC will replace it . I have never tested that guarantee, and I don’t know what’s required to PROVE that it’s their responsibility. But a UPS is a good protection from most common power issues anyway.
I don’t have the same issue you do with telephone and cable. All of my telephone and cable comes into my house on fiber optic cabling, which is immune from lightning strikes. Lightning would have to enter my ATTIC before it can reach the copper.
My home is protected by a whole-house surge suppressor (which is wired into the electrical load center) that activates at 600 joules. And all of my sensitive electronics are plugged into one of three UPS systems.