Resetting old router to factory settings.

Rusty190

I know very little/nothing about techie stuff so please be kind and speak to me like I'm a 4 year old.

I have just been plumbed in to full fibre to premises and all is up and running fine. 

I need to return my old router to my old provider. 

For my security, do I need to reset the router to factory settings - I understand that just involves pushing in a little button with a paperclip - or, is that completely un-necessary?

And, the daft question, if I do do this, presumably my desktop computer won't suddenly "forget" everything I've given it to remember - passwords etc?

Finally, do I need to return the electrical plug and ethernet cable with the router? - I can't find that answer on Plusnet's website.

Many thanks, in anticipation. 

ButterCheese

I have never reset a router before returning it - I'm not even sure the reset button acts as a "restore to factory settings" - you might have to access your router settings through a PC or laptop.  I can't remember how to do this off hand but if you do a google search for "hhow to access router settings", I think your router will have an IP address (a series of numbers broken up with dots) which you type into the address bar of your web browser.

Yes you have to return everything that came with the router e.g. power supply at the very least - I'd not bother with the ethernet cable unless they ask for it, unless you have been supplied with a new one.

Your desktop computer will remember passwords if you let it, but this is not reliant on the router itself; it will remember the password for your old router but as you're not using it anymore it will continue to remembe the password for your new one (which I presume you are now already using)?

GDB2222

I have no clue why Plusnet ask for the old equipment back, as they don’t reissue it to new customers? 

ButterCheese

GDB2222 said:

I have no clue why Plusnet ask for the old equipment back, as they don’t reissue it to new customers? 

They all do in my experience.  I would assume they have a box to tick to say they've disposed of their equipment properly.  Either that or they re-use or re-cycle the components.  Either way, you have to send it back else they charge you an extortionate amount for what is usually a rubbish bit of kit

Vitor

- do I need to reset the router to factory settings - 

The router will likely have stored the names of computers and any WiFi devices on your home network and a unique code number, the MAC address, for each device with the private IP address it allocated. For a home user that's not really a security risk but personally I'd factory reset any device before sending it back.

outtatune

Which one is it?
https://www.plus.net/help/broadband/router-information/

clive0510

When I left talktalk I just put everything I no longer needed in the shed, with the intention of taking it to the tip one day. a short while after that talktalk sent me a carboard box and a giant sae/jiffy bag asking for their equipment back. so I just packed up everything I didn't need and took to the post office. 

Rusty190

outtatune said:

Which one is it?
https://www.plus.net/help/broadband/router-information/

Plusnet hub zero. 

Rusty190

GDB2222 said:

I have no clue why Plusnet ask for the old equipment back, as they don’t reissue it to new customers? 

They say they reuse those they can and those they can't they strip down and use the component parts which are usable.
I suspect they are all just tossed into a big skip!

outtatune

Rusty190 said:

outtatune said:

Which one is it?
https://www.plus.net/help/broadband/router-information/

Plusnet hub zero. 

Just power it on, doesn't have to be connected to anything, in fact best if it isn't, then stick a paper clip into the reset hole thingy for about 10 seconds until the lights other than power go out. Job done.

Rusty190

@outtatune - perfect! My kind of instructions!