Thank you all again. Did someone mention witchcraft? Following my previous, I (yet again!!!!) opened up the router config pages and for the umpteenth time tried to delete the protection function i.e. NO authentication. Applied selection and IT WORKED!!!
Why? Who knows? I am tempted to leave the thing "unprotected" - can't really visualise flocks of baddies converging on a tiny coastal village to snatch a few minutes of free airtime. Any way there is another site (unprotected) for a local amenity which might appear to be a better target!
To return to the original question, again the responses seem to indicate that it is acceptable to offer for sale an item which has a fair chance of failing to work and which will require technical assistance as a matter of course. Mike clearly identifies the reasons why but there would appear to be no impetus to improve the situation.
I tend to view proprietary goods, when new, as PnP, whether computer peripherals or not. One could be forgiven for getting a bit ratty if, for instance, a portable radio required the attendance of an electrical engineer before being able to listen. Somehow the wifi router has managed to enter the mainstream without any such customer complaints or, when such ARE made, the response is to point to professional help. Any other examples of such cavalier treatment of customers?
