Actiontec mi424wr wont hard reset

Question

First I will preface this, I have setup a fair amount of networking and computer equipment. I am home for the holidays.  My parents have FIOS TV and internet.
I needed to get into my router to change a WIFI BROADCAST CHANNEL TODAY. My set user id /password wont work.
I use a password keeper software ( roboform), nothing changed.
So i pulled the trigger and tried using the hard reset button ( used before probably a year ago). MI424wr resets and goes through power cycles. I tried this at least 10x. Even a full 30 second hold down of reset, i know its contacting as when i release about 10 seconds later it power cycles.
None of the settings change, I know because the SSID of the router is the same, it should default after a hard reset.
And the password is still not working. All permutations of defualt.
So based on the SSID being my custom one after it cycles through reset, some memory issue i think.
So i wonder if there is some other sort of problem as it doesn't reset or even respond through weblogin. Otherwise internet and router are fine.
I think i need advice from a FIOS tech on if there is some trick to get this router to respond

Answer 1

if leaving the power disconnected 3 - 4 minutes, then hold the reset button IN as you give the router POWER, and hold it in for at least 15 seconds does not fix it,  your router has been pwned and you need to call for a replacement.   although attempting a firmware upgrade might also help.  
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