Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 1:51 Post subject: [SOLVED] Netgear R8000 Firmware Not Compatible
Hello,
I just purchased a new Netgear R8000 X6 router and attempted to flash the latest Kong factory to DD-WRT firmware (with both prior web factory reset and 30/30/30 reset). This resulted in an error message stating "The Firmware Is Not Compatible With Your Router. Error -1" I also tried the same with BrainSlayer firmware with the same result. I thought maybe downgrading to an older stock firmware, but any older Netgear firmware gave the same result. The only thing I was able to flash was the newest stock firmware, but when I did, I could not longer revert to the previous firmware that came installed due to the same error.
This makes me think that either I have a "new" revision or Netgear is blocking any firmware that is not newer stock than what is installed.
I've searched the web and forums high and low for an answer, but came back with nothing. My router is made in Vietnam and is Revision 272-12664-01. Does anyone know if this is a different revision than the one that the firmware was made for?
My only other thought at this point is to try to tftp the firmware via TTL cable, but I'd like to see if anyone knows anything that might help first.
Thanks for any help.
Last edited by DaveKenroy on Tue May 15, 2018 3:08; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 13664 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 2:33 Post subject:
According to the linked page below, this is the model supported, but not sure if it's up-to-date. The line below the link is model, FCC ID and the minimum usable firmware version. As best I understand it, you must use the mini trailed build to flash DD-WRT to the appliance the FIRST go round, and then update from there.
There wasn't any mention of using the oldest valid build for the Factory to DD-WRT flash, so I hadn't tried it. I just gave it a go and it gave the same error.
The only file I could get it to accept was the latest stock Netgear firmware. After I flashed that, I could not flash to a previous stock firmware, including the version I had just flashed from.
That is strange. You said latest, I thought that meant the one in the test folder that is newer.
Maybe try the test build. _________________ I am far from a guru, I'm barely a novice.
I tried that with the same result. I hooked up my TTL to USB cable and watched as it attempted to apply any firmware updates. The result was always as follows:
The Netgear firmware currently installed is 1.0.4.12_10.1.46.
The fw_version when applying a DD-WRT file would always be the 1.0.2.99_1.1.99. However, when applying a Netgear stock file, it would state the firmware version I was attempting to apply.
Do you think my assumption that Netgear simply doesn't allow a "downgrade" in firmware might be accurate?
Try to flash using serial since you have the gear. At the cfe prompt type: tftpd and upload the kong build. I prefer to use tftpd32.
Or at the cfe type: flash -noheader : nflash1.trx and flash the kong build. _________________ I am far from a guru, I'm barely a novice.
Last edited by Malachi on Fri Aug 10, 2018 0:52; edited 1 time in total
I used the flash command which allowed me to push the firmware, however it now states:
Quote:
Checking crc...Invalid boot block on disk
Device eth0 has been deactivated.
Device eth0: hwaddr B0-39-56-E9-46-58, ipaddr 192.168.1.1, mask 255.255.255.0
gateway not set, nameserver not set
Start TFTP server
UPDATE:
I used the command flash -noheader : flash1.trx instead which gave output of 0 instead of -1 (nlasfh1.trx typo?), though it didn't change the invalid boot block.
I tried a few different things and one finally worked. Instead of flashing the .chk stock to DD-WRT file, I used the .bin file. After flashing, it rebooted and happily went to the DD-WRT webif with no obvious errors.
Thanks for your help Malachi, I definitely wouldn't have been able to figure out the solution without it. Hopefully my endeavors help anyone else that has the same problem.
DaveKenroy, am having the same issue, you mentioned you tried the .bin file instead of .chk? But the netgear is expecting a .chk file, did you rename it? pls help, thanks alot!
