Homeplug adaptor needed

[Col]

A couple of years ago Martin (my brother) bougth a pair of Zyxel PLA-401 v2 homeplug adaptors. They are exactly the same as what I have here. Now, one of them appears to have blown a fuse or just stopped working. No lights, no data activity and the unit is cold.

Apparently, it's not supposed to matter which brand of Homeplug product you buy, as long as they're the same spec. ie. all adaptors on the same homeplug network must be Homeplug AV. However previous experience, demonstrated by Kevin, shows that different branded homeplug AV adaptors don't seem to work together, and we now have two homeplug AV networks on the same mains power ring.

So I'm wondering what would be the best course of action for Martin? He now has only one Homeplug AV adaptor and can't get on the web. After extensive searching, I have found that the Zyxel PLA-401 adaptors that he is using have been discontinued, and aren't easy to find on the web, Tea Tray or the south American river.

Should he be looking for a new pair of Homeplug adaptors or just one to replace the faulty one? Should they be the same make/model? Why doesn't Kevin's Homeplug AV network work with mine?

Cheers for any help.

[Marv]

Have u updated the firmware for all homeplugs involved to the latest?

[Col]

No, but as far as I am aware there's no way to update the firmware, no new firmware available, and the PLA-401's that he's using have been discontinued.

He's now talking about moving his PC down into the living room, so that he can connect it directly to the router and use the main TV as his display.

[Marv]

I had a brief look and there's an update firmware tool mentioned in the pdf manual and it says the firmware is included in the software.

I think this is it http://www.zyxel.com/web/support_download_detail.php?file=20070726104543200 7072610394120041105154230_20080402_1.0.0%28AW%29-PLA401V2_1.0.0%28AW%29.zip&model=PLA401%20v2#

Includes Firmware version 3.05; 1/11/2008

Worth a try anyway. gl

[Col]

Well the homeplug with the problem won't work anyway. No power, no lights, no activity, and the unit is cold.

[Marv]

I meant it for getting the remaining Zyxel PLA-401 work with another brand of homeplug... I wasn't expecting a firmware to bring a dead plug back to life. ;)

I assume u still have another brand to test it with?

[Col]

Yeah at home I'm using two PLA-401s and Kevin is using these weird unbranded ones. I can't find the firmware on the site though. Are we looking at the same page? I see Software, data sheets, quick start guides and instruction manuals, but no firmware.

Edit: Found it. It doesn't appearto do anything though, and says in the documentation that it's only supported by 32-bit Windows. I'm using Windows 7 x64.

[Marv]

Then u'll probably need a 32bit OS for it to work properly. Any other pc's with a 32 bit OS u can use?

Maybe the device has a firmware version written on the actual device? Sometimes included after the model number. At least then you know for sure it's up to date if it says 3.05.

p.s. I did actually give u a direct link to the software in my previous post but nvm, you've found it now.

[Marv]

Also, u could try and contact the manufacturer and ask if v3 is backward compatible with v2.

[Burn-IT]

Found it. It doesn't appear to do anything though, and says in the documentation that it's only supported by 32-bit Windows. I'm using Windows 7 x64.

My guess is that the firmware update program itself only runs under 32bit. Once updated ANY OS can use it as Networking is OS independent.