Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 2:37 Post subject: Upgrading from within Linksys OEM Firmware
Before I try this and regret it, can a person upgrade DD-WRT from the Linksys partition using dd-wrt web flash so it doesn't overwrite the configuration files?
Typically, I always flash factory to dd-wrt from within OEM Firmware but I was just wondering if it can be done or is it not recommended?
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 4:24 Post subject:
I'm just guessing, but I would think the only reason that might work is you already have DD-WRT installed on one partition.
I'm curious too, but I still wouldn't risk it. It may turn out to be an hour long "why the hell did I do that" type of thing.
Unless you absolutely have to be able to quickly switch back over to stock firmware for some reason - I would just overwrite it and keep your configuration intact.
That's the way I've been mostly upgrading and I haven't had a problem.
With the ability to return to stock much more easily now and DD-WRT builds getting better, I don't think it's as important as much as before to keep Linksys firmware readily available.
Side note: It would appear that newer builds will have a 'Skip Factory Firmware' feature built in to the GUI reset.
Thank you Kong & Brainslayer!
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 15:04 Post subject: Re: Upgrading from within Linksys OEM Firmware
gainestr wrote:
Before I try this and regret it, can a person upgrade DD-WRT from the Linksys partition using dd-wrt web flash so it doesn't overwrite the configuration files?
Typically, I always flash factory to dd-wrt from within OEM Firmware but I was just wondering if it can be done or is it not recommended?
Just curious.
Simple answer, NO.
There is a way to install from the DD-WRT UI and have it install into the existing DD-WRT partition rather then writing to the inactive partition. It makes use of using the command line to trick the router by telling the router the inactive partition is actually the active one. Since the router always installs to the inactive partition you have now told it the partition where the DD-WRT install is is the inactive. He talks about a wrt1900acs, but since they all work the same that doesn't matter. Be sure to note the info in CAPS. They are important.
Just do the following, taken from forum.
How to update firmware without switching to the Linksys partition. Updating through the web interface of
dd-wrt instead of switching to Linksys UI to install/ upgrade.
I'm not sure if this trick is widely known or not, but it should be:
This works on my WRT1900ACS ...
Factory on boot_part 1
DD-WRT on boot_part 2
Running on boot_part 2
Run Command: ubootenv set boot_part 1
DO NOT REBOOT
Upgrade to new webflash - DO NOT RESET
Bingo! This fools the system into upgrading the current boot_part, leaving the Factory FW in place.
(Works if they're reversed too, just change the command accordingly.)
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:11 Post subject: Re: Upgrading from within Linksys OEM Firmware
myersw wrote:
This works on my WRT1900ACS ...
Factory on boot_part 1
DD-WRT on boot_part 2
Running on boot_part 2
Run Command: ubootenv set boot_part 1
DO NOT REBOOT
Upgrade to new webflash - DO NOT RESET
Bingo! This fools the system into upgrading the current boot_part, leaving the Factory FW in place.
That's exactly what I was looking for. I actually thought about doing that once but again, I was afraid to do it in case something went drastically wrong.
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:14 Post subject:
Thanks for posting that, Bill!
@gainestr Can you please post your success with this. When you have verified it works with no issues on the latest builds - I'll add it to the Tutorial Sticky.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
@gainestr Can you please post your success with this. When you have verified it works with no issues on the latest builds - I'll add it to the Tutorial Sticky.
Thank you both very much!
I can confirm that it works. Even better than expected!
I was able to upgrade from r33555 to r33607 and downgrade back to r33555 using webflash file NOT factory-to-ddwrt.
Typically, I would reboot into Linksys OEM firmware and flash factory-to-ddwrt file, then I would restore my backup configuration file, and then I would have to disable and then re-enable IPV6 in order for it to become active. Also, I would need to reboot my WEMO devices in order to get Node-RED to see them again (change in routers MAC address or change in routers IPv4 address made them quit working due to switching between Linksys and DD-WRT firmwares).
Using the procedure from above, the entire upgrade and reboot took less than a minute and my IPV6 settings and WEMO devices remained active.
I will definitely use this shortcut in the future.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 16:10 Post subject:
spuriousoffspring wrote:
Awesome! Thanks for the update. I will add it to the Tutorial Sticky today.
@myersw Do you have the original poster's user name so that I can give him/her the credit?
Thanks again to you both!
Sorry I do not. It was one of those things I saw in a post and grabbed thinking it could come in handy at some point. I have a text file that I keep stuff like this and I guess I should include the author, but never have.
--bill _________________ Unifi Security Gateway:Unifi Firmware Netgear r7800:Voxel Firmware Modem:Netgear CM500V voice and Data. ISP:Comcast tutorial for flashing "WRT" series: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=287813 DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117 Kong DD-WRT Config Tutorial: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-and-Configure-a-DD-WRT-Kong-Router/ I tried to be normal once. Worst 2 minutes ever.
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 16:25 Post subject:
It's all good! I'll do a search for the author. When I first read your post it looked familiar. Wish I had saved it too.
Thanks!
Side Note: My WRT32X arrived yesterday and I'm looking forward to setting it up today or tomorrow.
I'm gonna run on stock firmware for a little while and then DD-WRT it.
Will post my observations. _________________ DD-WRT Installation & Setup TUTORIAL http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 18:12 Post subject:
spuriousoffspring wrote:
It's all good! I'll do a search for the author. When I first read your post it looked familiar. Wish I had saved it too.
Thanks!
Side Note: My WRT32X arrived yesterday and I'm looking forward to setting it up today or tomorrow.
I'm gonna run on stock firmware for a little while and then DD-WRT it.
Will post my observations.
Will be interested in how the wrt32x goes. Little pricey for me at this time. Just installed a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter so now the wrt3200 is acting as a very powerful AP. Got the Ubiquiti router to play with something different. Probably my imagination, but browsing feels faster with this configuration. _________________ Unifi Security Gateway:Unifi Firmware Netgear r7800:Voxel Firmware Modem:Netgear CM500V voice and Data. ISP:Comcast tutorial for flashing "WRT" series: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=287813 DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117 Kong DD-WRT Config Tutorial: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-and-Configure-a-DD-WRT-Kong-Router/ I tried to be normal once. Worst 2 minutes ever.
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 23:57 Post subject: Re: Upgrading from within Linksys OEM Firmware
gainestr wrote:
myersw wrote:
This works on my WRT1900ACS ...
Factory on boot_part 1
DD-WRT on boot_part 2
Running on boot_part 2
Run Command: ubootenv set boot_part 1
DO NOT REBOOT
Upgrade to new webflash - DO NOT RESET
Bingo! This fools the system into upgrading the current boot_part, leaving the Factory FW in place.
That's exactly what I was looking for. I actually thought about doing that once but again, I was afraid to do it in case something went drastically wrong.
I really appreciate the help with that. Much appreciated!
Guys, I currently have a WRT1900AC V1 with firmware DD-WRT v3.0-r31924 std (05/02/17) for the last 3 days I have been trying to upgrade to the latest beta firmware 05-23-2018-r36006 › linksys-wrt1900ac every upgrade I try the current firmware remains the sam.
1st, I would like to know, how do you know where the current firmware is installed example par 1 or 2.
2nd, If I follow the above instructions will I finally be able to upgrade?
Sorry to be a hater but I am beginning to hate this WRT1900AC. I have never had problems installing DD WRT firmwares until I purchased this router.
Joined: 05 Apr 2017 Posts: 981 Location: Louisiana, USA
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 0:18 Post subject:
The only reason you should concern yourself with what partition currently in use is if you are wanting to keep the Linksys Stock Firmware on one partition. And even that isn't as important as it once was. Very easy to return to Stock if you wanted to.
FIRMWARE:OpenWrt SNAPSHOT r8217-2cc821e / LuCI Master (git-18.276.41146-280dd33) MODEM:ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 ROUTER:Linksys WRT32X USB NAS:Western Digital BLACK 1 TB Hardrive + Startech USB 3.0 External SATA III Enclosure
The only reason you should concern yourself with what partition currently in use is if you are wanting to keep the Linksys Stock Firmware on one partition. And even that isn't as important as it once was. Very easy to return to Stock if you wanted to.
I tried last night and this morning. I tried 2 different browsers, Firefox and Chrome and over the weekend I tried IE. For some reason my firmware is stuck on the old version DD-WRT v3.0-r31924. There has to be a different way to get these firmwares install on the WRT1900AC V1.
Got the Ubiquiti router to play with something different. Probably my imagination, but browsing feels faster with this configuration.
but I am beginning to hate this WRT1900AC. I have never had problems installing DD WRT firmwares until I purchased this router.