I have a Trueonline DSL account and today I plugged in a modem (better one), that I got from a friend. It worked straight away! Is that normal? I thought they had to be configured first. Would appreciate comments.

Had your friend previously used it for another TRUE ADSL account? If yes then perhaps it still had his PPPoE credentials stored.

 

That is the only way I can think of that it would successfully connect to the internet.

Many new xDSL modems can auto-sense and auto-configure (PPPoE, VPI/VCI, etc.), at least to many of the leading providers.

 

That said, you'd need to replace the username and password, often a 10 digit 02 telephone number @ truehisp, with the pw as the 10 digit number again.

 

My guess is that if it is working you may be utilizing his account credentials.

Thanks for the comments. Yes, he had a True account, but cancelled it when he moved to Europe in May.

I'm using his password for the wifi in my home. Maybe it configured itself, as mtls2005 says?

By auto-config I mean that ability to sync the device to the service at the lowest levels. But it can't connect to the True PPPoE server without having approved credentials. Short of a previously backed up configuration being restored (like-like modem), I can't see how you're getting service unless you entered your @truehisp username and password? And I'm not sure what "his password for wifi" refers to? Maybe you're using the previously configured SSID, and WLAN security protocols and passphrase? That should work fine, but might as well change that.

 

What is the make/model of the device? Are you able to log in to the management interface (web browser, maybe pointed at 192.168.1.1)? 

 

Often the set-up wizard will prompt you for the provider, auto-config the service, then prompt you for the username and password.

19 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

By auto-config I mean that ability to sync the device to the service at the lowest levels. But it can't connect to the True PPPoE server without having approved credentials. Short of a previously backed up configuration being restored (like-like modem), I can't see how you're getting service unless you entered your @truehisp username and password? And I'm not sure what "his password for wifi" refers to? Maybe you're using the previously configured SSID, and WLAN security protocols and passphrase? That should work fine, but might as well change that.

 

What is the make/model of the device? Are you able to log in to the management interface (web browser, maybe pointed at 192.168.1.1)? 

 

Often the set-up wizard will prompt you for the provider, auto-config the service, then prompt you for the username and password.

Strange thing is that I never enter any ID or passwords at all. By wifi password I mean to connect my phone and TV box to the modem via wifi. I'll try that, thanks

It's a Tenda ADSL 2 modem/router

And you have internet service? The DSL and Internet lights are flashing on the device?

 

Maybe your friend's account is still active? Or by using the modem you re-activated it?

 

Do you know your True Online username and password?

 

Can you access the modems user interface?

 

Maybe review the current WAN configuration to see if it is using your True credentials?

 

I'm not sure how the modem could have been enabled with your credentials if you, or someone else didn't enter them?

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

And you have internet service? The DSL and Internet lights are flashing on the device?

 

Maybe your friend's account is still active? Or by using the modem you re-activated it?

 

Do you know your True Online username and password?

 

Can you access the modems user interface?

 

Maybe review the current WAN configuration to see if it is using your True credentials?

 

I'm not sure how the modem could have been enabled with your credentials if you, or someone else didn't enter them?

I have full internet service. I followed some advice above and went into the modem settings. It has the username of my friend still in there with his password. He closed the account in April already, so I phoned True and they confirmed that the account was closed, I can use the modem.

 

I don't know my own True online username and password.

Not sure what to say, other than TrueOnline's provisioning system has some unique "features".

 

Personally I would:

 

reconfigure the router to use my personal True Online PPPoE username and password

notify my friend and recommend he double-check that his account has indeed been closed, in good standing

change the username (may not be possible, default may always remain "admin") and password for the Tenda device (used to gain access at 192.168.0.1, default may be admin/admin).

change the WLAN set-up and security protocols (find a decent fixed channel  stop broadcasting your SSID, use WPA, use a new passphrase)

 

What is the exact model number of the Tenda device?