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[jclarkw]

Anyhow, I'll watch for the problem on my end and post back if it repeats...

Well, it happened again this morning:  I had saved the current configuration file, changed the setup (just turned wireless off), saved a new configuration file, and then decided to try the power cycle again.  On power up, **the password is blank**!  Could this have something to do with changing or saving configuration?  Is anyone else still seeing this?

I'm very close to returning this unreliable router (whose only real benefit seems to be very long wireless range) and switching to another brand...  Disgusted! -- jclarkw

[jclarkw]

Well, it happened again this morning...  On power up, **the password is blank**! ...

OK, so a second power cycle (without changing anything) and the password, which I had re-entered in the Tools/Admin page after finding it blank as described in the previous message, is still there.

I haven't tried to explore the entire parameter space of possible combinations (saving configuration, changing configuration, power cycling, others??? -- I've never tried restoring a previously saved configuration), but "the user is strongly cautioned!"  I guess I should be glad that this unreliable router (together with my cable modem) is on a UPS...

But now (as commented in an earlier post this thread) the Setup/Network Settings page shows only one host listed under Number of Dynamic DHCP Clients, although there are manifestly three computers connected (and also shown on the Status/Device Info page under LAN computers, although here only one of them has its name listed there).  This peculiarity had straightened itself out after the earlier report, but I repeat that this whole accounting of device connections is flaky in the router's Web interface.  (I admit that I have yet to try Furry's suggestion to assign permanent IPs to my various devices in the Setup/Network Settings/Add DHCP Reservation feature...)

[FurryNutz]

How many characters was this PW and did it have any special characters?

Since you stated some steps to take to produce this I'll attempt this again on my 645.
What OS platform and Browser are you using currently when this happens?

[jclarkw]

How many characters was this PW and did it have any special characters?
What OS platform and Browser are you using currently when this happens?

I'll collect all apparently relevant information here for completeness:

Password 15 characters, mixed upper/lower case alpha, numeric, and special.
     (Since my original tests showed the router would tolerate this maximum length and this complexity, since it remembered the password over an extended period, and especially since I was unable to reliably reproduce password-loss problem  -- see prior posts -- I've never tested it with the simpler password structures that you suggested previously.)

DIR-645, H/W A1, F/W 1.03 (flashed from original 1.01), S/N PVU41C2002342

Windows XP SP3 on the only two machines ever used for router administration.
 
Additional possibly relevant details:

Windows 7 is running on the third computer on LAN.

All three computers have distinct names and are connected to wired Ethernet ports.

The two XP machines have NetBIOS and Messenger disabled -- file sharing between them is via NetBEIU only -- and are each running the Windows Firewall augmented by Windows7FirewallControl.  Behind the firewall each shows only Service "msrpc" active on port 135.  They do not share files with the Windows 7 machine, which is managed by my wife's corporation and has unknown settings.

There is always a wired Ethernet printer connected with a static IP address of ...101, so the DHCP range of the router is set to begin at ...102.)

One computer with each operating system, in addition to two Kindles, can successfully connect wirelessly while the three wired connections (plus the printer) are maintained -- a total of 7 DHCP connections -- but we are not using any wireless connections right now.

Thanks again for your help.  I did fill out a Web form on this issue at D-Link/"Contact Support," but I'm not expecting much since my previous two requests for routine information have received no replies. -- jclarkw

[FurryNutz]

What browser are you using on XP?

Please test your router out using simpler PW combinations.

I'll test your more complex out using my XP box with IE.
Please PM me a sample of one of your more complex PW so I can have an idea of what you are using and will use this has my sample test PW as well.

[jclarkw]

What browser are you using on XP?
Please test your router out using simpler PW combinations.
Please PM me a sample of one of your more complex PW...

I use Firefox (currently 20.0, updated frequently), generally from inside Sandboxie 3.76 and always with some security add-ons like NoScript, unless it fails to operate properly on a particular Web site, in which case I have IE 8 available.  Either Firefox or IE 8 outside the sandbox seems equally good at accessing the D-Link Web-administration pages.

Until we have figured out a way to reproduce the password-loss conditions reasonably reliably, I don't see what can be learned by trying simpler passwords.  Please explain.

I've just PM'd you the password that I've been using for the past week or two.  (Please confirm receipt in this thread, since I've never used a PM and don't rely on it.  (I've now changed my router to a different password of similar characteristics, which seems to have been accepted equally well, so you don't need to regard it as secret.)

I'll try some more power cycles as I have time -- especially since the password change -- and report results. -- jclarkw

[jclarkw]

Until we have figured out a way to reproduce the password-loss conditions reasonably reliably, I don't see what can be learned by trying simpler passwords.  Please explain.

Fuzzy -- I tried several more power cycles after setting the new strong password, but without getting the router to forget it:

Immediately after the new password was set.

After saving another configuration file and powering up while all (wired) connections were unplugged.  (Plugging them in one-at-a-time seems to result in a complete report under "Number of Dynamic DHCP Clients" at least sometimes.)

With all connections plugged in.  (The DHCP Clients list shows only one this time, although all are listed under "LAN Computers."  Again only one shows its name, but all are functional.)

 No "joy."  How you? -- jclarkw

[FurryNutz]

I believe we have a Save Configuration to File process problem here, and not a type of PW characters used:

XP Pro XP3/IE8 no add-ons

1. Saved current configuration in IE8 using the currently loaded 3 numerical PW.
2. Entered in complex PW, Saved Settings and rebooted router from UI.
3. Attempted to copy and paste complex PW and received User Name or PW is incorrect.
4. Click on log in and got in to UI. Complex PW was not saved.
5. Entered in the following PW: !@#$%^&*()!@#$% Saved Settings and rebooted from UI. CLosed IE8.
6. Attemped to copy and paste the alternate complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
7. Saved the new configuration to file. Closed IE8.
8. Powered OFF the router and back ON.
9. Attempted to copy and paste the alternate complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
10. Turned OFF WiFi, Saved Settings and rebooted router from UI. Closed IE8.
11. Attempted to copy and paste the alternate complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
12. Powered off the router and back ON. Closed IE8.
13. Attempted to copy and paste the alternate complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
14. Copied and Pasted initial complex PW into admin again.
15. Powered OFF the router and back ON. Closed IE8.
16. Attempted to copy and paste the initial complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
17. Closed IE8 and reopened it and copied and paste the initial complex PW and it got log in correctly with out an error.
18. Rebooted router from UI. Closed IE8.
19. Attempted to copy and paste the initial complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
20. Saved current configuration in IE8 using initial complex PW.
21. Rebooted router from UI. Closed IE8.
22. Attempted to copy and paste the initial complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
23. Turned WiFi back ON. Saved Settings. Closed IE.
24. Powered off the router and back ON.
25. Attempted to copy and paste the initial complex pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
26. Set PW back to 3 numerical pw. Saved Settings.
27. Rebooted router from UI. Closed IE8.
28. Entered in 3 numerical pw and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
29. Restored my inital main configuration file done at step #1. Rebooted. Closed IE.
30. Typed in the 3 numerical PW and received User Name or PW is incorrect.
31. Clicked on log in and got in to UI. Complex PW was not saved.
32. Reviewed Admin page and PW boxes were empty.
33. Typed in the 3 numerical PW under Admin, saved settings and rebooted from UI. Closed IE8.
34. Typed in the 3 numerical PW and it got logged in correctly with out an error.
35. Powered off the router and back ON. Closed IE8.
36. Typed in the 3 numerical PW and it got logged in correctly with out an error.

[jclarkw]

I believe we have a Save Configuration to File process problem here, and not a type of PW characters used:.

Brilliant!  I think you've nailed it!

Below is my somewhat cumbersome attempt to duplicate your results on my system.  Again everything with done IE 8 and Windows XP SP3:

1) Open router Web-admin, paste in current complex password, logged in OK.
**2) Save configuration file.**
3) Enter simple 3-digit password in both new-password fields and save settings.
$$4) Re-boot router from UI.$$
5) Attempt log-in with simple 3-digit password, **log-in failed**
6) Attempt log-in with blank password, OK, password fields are blank.
7) Re-enter simple 3-digit password in both new-password fields and save settings.
Close IE and re-open.
9) Attempt log-in with simple 3-digit password, OK.
10) Close IE 8 and @@power down router with push button@@.  Power up and re-start IE 8.
11) Attempt log-in with simple 3-digit password, still OK.
**12) Save configuration file.**
13) Paste complex password in both new-password fields and save settings.
14) $$Re-boot router from UI.$$
15) Attempt log-in by pasting complex password, **log-in failed**
16) Attempt log-in with blank password, OK, password fields are blank.
17) Re-paste complex password in both new-password fields and save settings. ##No save configuration##
18)  Close IE 8 and @@power down router with push button@@.  Power up and re-start IE 8.
19) Attempt log-in by pasting complex password, OK.
20) $$14) Re-boot router from UI.$$ -- unnecessary step
21)  Attempt log-in by pasting complex password, OK.
22) Enter simple 3-digit password in both new-password fields and save settings. ##No save configuration##
23)  $$14) Re-boot router from UI.$$
24)  Attempt log-in with simple 3-digit password, OK.
25) Re-paste complex password in both new-password fields and save settings. ##No save configuration##
26)  Close IE 8 and @@power down router with push button@@.  Power up and re-start IE 8.
27)  Attempt log-in by pasting complex password, OK.

Conclusions:
A) Any change in password immediately following [corrected here] a configuration save does not survive UI reset (failed to test power cycle).
B) Without a configuration save, any change in password survives either UI reset or power cycle.
C) Device is OK with a 15-character password containing upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Hence I agree that the configuration save is the step that causes the problem, not the password structure.  (I did not directly test the effects of configuration restore.  Note that these tests do not guarantee that configuration save is the **only** cause of password loss!)

Short-term solution: If configuration is ever saved, extraordinary measures (TBD) may be required to retain or restore any password change that is made subsequent [corrected here] to configuration save.

Long term solution:  A firmware fix undoubtedly required.  How do we make sure that D-Link logs this as a real bug that should be fixed in the next firmware version? --  jclarkw

[jclarkw]

...I did not directly test the effects of configuration restore...

OK, I fooled around with configuration-file restoration some this morning.  All tests done with IE 8 under XP SP3.  Wireless was initially OFF and is used as a simple indication of whether the restored configuration "took":

1) Log on to Web-administration pages with new (current) complex password -- OK.
2) Restore latest configuration file, saved after above password had been set and with wireless OFF, and attempt login with corresponding password -- failed.
3) Login successful with blank password; password fields are blank.  Wireless is still OFF.
4) Restore earlier config. file, saved with earlier complex password and wireless ON, and attempt to login with corresponding password -- failed.
5) Login successful with blank password; password fields are blank.  Wireless is now ON.
6) Set old complex password (corresponding to this config. file) into password fields, reboot from UI, login OK.
7)  Restore latest configuration file again (as in step 2 above) and attempt login with corresponding password -- failed.
  Login successful with blank password; password fields are blank.  Wireless is again OFF.
9)  Set new complex password (corresponding to this config. file) into password fields, reboot from UI, login OK.  Wireless still OFF.
10) Checked configuration in detail and it appears to be what it should (although I did not at any time restore a config. file for a substantially different configuration).

Conclusion:  Restoration of a previously saved configuration file always leaves password blank, probably by design since you might not be expected to remember what password corresponded with what config. file or you might want to share your configuration with another user.  (I think FurryNutz said something to this effect elsewhere, but of course it isn't in the user manual...) -- jclarkw

[FurryNutz]

I'll check on this...I don't think I've seen this with other model routers. I'll see if I can get some info from DLink about the 645 and this process. Yes, I did mention that this could be something new or maybe only on the 645. It does make some sense though if they took out the saving of the admin PW, should a user forget the PW, then thats a safety feature. 

[jclarkw]

I'll check on this...I don't think I've seen this with other model routers. I'll see if I can get some info from DLink about the 645 and this process...

Furry -- It would be great to know anything more you can find out about **restoring** the configuration file (if that's what you're referring to).

But how about losing the password when **saving** the configuration file?  It's hard to imagine that is deliberate, since it leads to a potential and unexpected security risk.  Do you have a good mechanism for getting the attention of D-Link regarding new firmware bugs?  Is there any use in my trying to badger them also?  If so, how? -- jclarkw

[aeon07]

Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.

Should resolve any conflicts...

in my case, I thing there is the bug regarding reserving IP-s from DHCP
I will try a short explanation:
I can reserve one IP from " the section ADD DHCP RESERVATION" and all is fine. But, after the first reservation, I'm unable to set up the second; the combo box from the right side where I can choose the computers from the network begins blank or contains only one or two computers, but can't be selected and added on the left text boxes (using the button <<)

moreover, even the port forward or virtual server can't be set-up, the router did not recognize the computers from the network (combo-boxes are blank or almost empty)
I tried to manually add MAC, name and IP of the computer, but nor working, the router said something "please turn on the computer...", I not remember well (but the computers are online, and the internet work perfect

to solve the issue, I must reboot the router (or unplug from the power)
after reboot, I can set a new reservation IP (reboot in need for all IP reservation that I need)


on topic: the password is still in place, no forget and it is about one week
I did nothing from my last post, no reset, no reboot, no reservation IP's, only hour setup (here is another bug on "Daylight Saving Dates", did not keep the DST start and end dates)
the password was set up last time over internet, using maxthon browser (OS windows 7), 8 chars

[FurryNutz]

Glad your PW is still remaining. The testing I did seemed to work and remain. I did manage to reproduce the blank password issue. I only use a 3 character simple PW for my needs so I usually don't see any problems. I think we can eliminate special characters and quantity as well since the testing I did seem to keep the PW after doing a full power OFF and ON and using the UI to reboot the router. It's only when the Save Configuration to File comes in to play that we see this behavior.

I have forwarded this on to D-Link. I'll post back if I get any replies.

[aeon07]

one more thing
after 1 or 2 days after last set up of the password there was 2-3 short power intrreruptions (electrical problems); after this the password remains in place

maybe after password is configured it is a good thing to unplug the power of the router for short time

with other models of dlink I experienced some strange things that was solved by unplug and reconnect the power supply (for example, PPPOE settings ok but the router didn't connect; after power disconnect work perfect, without any other modifications)