TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

[#1]

Agreed, but I am struggling to see how to set up the DCHP through the TP interface.  The TP helpline person did not sound at all confident  about guiding me through that and i'm waiting for further instructions from them.  Unfortunately I don't have a laptop, so I'll need to drag the desktop upstairs to check whether taking the switch out of the picture helps.  So much to do ...

[#2]

Unfortunately I don't have a laptop, so I'll need to drag the desktop upstairs to check whether taking the switch out of the picture helps. 

Surely, wherever the switch is, you can bypass it with cables direct from the desktop without moving it ?

[#3]

Yes, but I have to shut down my existing router and set up the Deco.  It might be possible to leave both WiFi systems running at the same time, but I haven't tried that yet. Given the difficulties in getting the Deco set up in the first place, I have routinely shut everything else down before starting the Deco.  May not be necessary now, of course.

Hopefully there will be enough slack in the desktop cable at the switch end to be able to plug it into the Deco directly.  I guess I was being a bit pessimistic about that possibility.

There is only one DSL port on the Huawei modem, so definitely either-or. 

[#4]

Surely the way to get a clue as to whether or not it's a DHCP problem is to simply put the old Dlink router back and set the deco mesh to AP mode? It won't matter if both are transmitting wireless to prove the point.