Password to router workaround?

[911paramedic]

A friend who runs a local club is offering wireless for it's members, however nobody can connect to it. The manager (my friend) asked me if I could look into it for him, so I did. After accessing the login screen for the router, I asked "OK, what's the username and password?" That got me a blank stare followed by a "How the hell should I know? That's why I asked you to do it." (He really doesn't like computers, lets just get that out of the way.)

The person that set it up is mad at the manager, so he isn't talking to him. (Too funny.)

So, besides resetting the router, which I don't want to do. (I'm sure he doesn't have the dsl connection info either, which I think I would need to enter back into the router.) Is there any way for me to do this? I don't think so, other than bringing down a password cracking tool of some sort, but I really don't want to do that.

Oh, it's a Motorola 985(?) or something like that. Lots of help, I know. I only know the version because I looked at the label on the bottom and googled it, now it's in his browser history.

The defaults don't work btw. (user/motorola, admin/motorola, root/motorola, or whatever it said on google.)

Thanks.

Mods: I'm not cracking a strangers router as I have stated. But, if you feel this would give others info you would rather not have on the forums I understand if you need to lock and/or delete it. I can even give you the phone number if you want to call and ask if this is legit or not. (moderator only)

 

[mooseracing]

I also have cablecom and router as default user and pwd in my list of defaults.


I'm assuming its a home style small router. I would reset it so you don't have to track down and see what else the upset employee has done to it. Its not that hard to contact the DSL company and get the username and login for the account.

 

[911paramedic]

Yup, small router. The manager doesn't even know who the provider is, it comes with the building lease. (That's what he told me.) If it's left up to him, he will never do it because he could care less, but it's something the membership wanted.

I've never used dsl, but you need to fill out usernames and passwords in the router right? I just know that a cable modem is provisioned, so you just use automatic settings on the router. If it works like that I will reset it in a second...

P.S. My guess is when the manager and this guy got into an argument, the guy did a "drive-by", logged in and changed the members access password... locking them all out.

 

[Diaonic]

Contact the ISP, get the account information.

Reset the router setup the new connection and for gods sake provide the owner with all credentials.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: Diaonic
Contact the ISP, get the account information.

Reset the router setup the new connection and for gods sake provide the owner with all credentials.

LMAO

OK, I guess I'll give him the bad news later this morning. He's never going to do it though, so it looks like my job is done. (At least this way I wont be the on-call network guy, which is a good thing.)

 

[JackMDS]

1. Reset? No.

2. Credentials? Unknown.

So what is the point?

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
1. Reset? No.

2. Credentials? Unknown.

So what is the point?

The router is currently connected to their dsl with the credentials, which are entered IN the router. The local computer has internet access because it is hard wired into the router.

Wireless access for members is not working, and that's what I needed to get into the router to troubleshoot. The problem is, the person that originally set it up is in a fight with the manager and they aren't talking, so I cannot get into the config area of the router. (The other person changed them from the defaults but did not tell the manager what they were.)

That's the point.

EDIT: dsl service is being provided as part of the building lease. The manager, like I said earlier, is no fan of computers or anything about them. Therefore, he will probably never call the leasing agent to get said credentials because he could care less. (Personally he could care less that is.) However, the members would like the service they were promised.

I was just trying to help him out because he asked. If there is no work around that is what I will tell him, and my part is done. I could care less as well, as I am not a member.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

I've never used dsl, but you need to fill out usernames and passwords in the router right? I just know that a cable modem is provisioned, so you just use automatic settings on the router. If it works like that I will reset it in a second...

So it has a modem?

On all my dsl setups i've just auto settings on the router and they work fine if there is an external modem.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Assuming that the Motorola router is a consumer model, the chances of it having DSL modem functionality built-in is pretty slim. Verify the setup. Wih DSL, there should be a DSL Modem between the router and the telco. If that is the case, all of the ISP-specific user credentials should be inthe modem, not the router. You can verify this by connecting a machine directly to the modem and checking for connectivity with the world. If you can get out, you are golden. Check the IP configuration on your clients to see how they are configured, reset the router to factory defaults, and configure appropriately for the clients.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

I've never used dsl, but you need to fill out usernames and passwords in the router right? I just know that a cable modem is provisioned, so you just use automatic settings on the router. If it works like that I will reset it in a second...

So it has a modem?

On all my dsl setups i've just auto settings on the router and they work fine if there is an external modem.

To be totally honest, I never looked.

I only saw a 10 year old computer, with 128MB of ram trying to run XP, and the router stacked on top of the printer. Not the ideal setup. I never followed the cables to see if there was a separate modem or not, just assumed the router was doing all the work. That's what I get for assuming.

I am going down there later today to give him the news, I'll look when I get there.

 

[911paramedic]

P.S. You may have guessed, its a non-profit organization.

 

[JackMDS]

Ok let be clear about it.

No reset, No one knows the credential, or and, wants to corporate (Not even trying to call the leasing agent is below stupidly).

I would walk away from this volunteer job since Hacking the Router is a solution that you would get here.

 

[911paramedic]

mooseracing and JDMnAR1 were correct, there was a modem hiding behind the desk.

I reset the router and got in just fine, now they have a new username/password and I made sure he stored in a safe place, and their wireless is now working.

Thanks guys.