Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 17:57 Post subject: ASUS RT-AC66U B1
Hi All.
Wanted to pick someone's brains about the above router. I have the B1 version and went to install the RT-AC68U build (01-30-2020-r42174) on it as this is what's recommended.
I can get the router into recovery mode, clear the NVRAM and flash the file, but then it gets stuck booting. Power LED and LAN1 leds light up, occasionally the power LED goes off and then comes back on (but not on off on off like it does in recovery mode).
Only option is to then re-flash either stock firmware or the Merlin variants. I noticed though, that although it's a B1 router, it's HW ver is B2 according to the sticker on the box). Do we know if B2 is likely to be supported?
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14217 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 19:52 Post subject:
Did you install the A1 or B1 version of the firmware? If I recall right, you have to use the RT-AC68U image for the B1. A1 is MIPS, the B1 is ARM. And yes, it DOES make a difference. AFAIK, the B2 is the same hardware as the B1, but I would have to find official confirmation.
Admittedly I only tried r42174. I can try with an older build tomorrow. Couldn't ping the router or seem to get any response out of it. That's when I noticed the power LED being weird.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14217 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 20:10 Post subject:
There seems to be some weird issues with Asus devices off and on lately. You can test an older build or a more recent build, but YMMV. There has been so much going on with development, who knows what may or may not be broken. I personally only clear nvram when going from stock to DD / Open / any flavor of Tomato / Merlin / etc. and not when upgrading unless any configuration changes I have made break things or the random rare case when the nvram has been corrupted. The problems are usually internal to the firmware image, though. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
Received a 2019 model with a hardware version of B2
Yes seems stupid to me
Asus RT-AC66U B1 ver. B2
any way I couldnt get the install to work using the information at
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-AC66U_B1
until I used the ip 192.168.50.15 for local ip of computer
and connected to http://192.168.50.1
to upload the new firmware in rescue mode.
then when dd-wrt is installed and its rebooted takes I dunno 10 min you need to change the local ip back to a 192.168.1.x
I guess setting it to auto address might work I didnt try that.
installed asus-rt-ac68u-12-14-2017-r34080.trx
then upgraded to asus_rt-ac68u-firmware-03-05-2020-r42617.trx from dd-wrt
not sure this is the correct spot to post this.. not sure if note should/could be added to wiki
then upgraded to asus_rt-ac68u-firmware-03-05-2020-r42617.trx from dd-wrt
not sure this is the correct spot to post this.. not sure if note should/could be added to wiki
The label says "B1 ver. B2" ? Interesting. Can you post a pic (not too big) of the label (mask your MAC) for reference, and I can update the wiki. Thanks _________________ #NAT/SFE/CTF: limited speed w/ DD#Repeater issues#DD-WRT info: FAQ, Builds, Types, Modes, Changes, Demo#
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When I switched from Merlin to DD-WRT, I don't recall having any issues. But the current firmware was the first and only DD-WRT firmware I installed so far in this model.
Asus RT_AC66U_B1 H/W Ver. B2 (Made in Vietnam 2020) confirmed working so far. Will update if the situation changes.
The flash procedure varies slightly from the standard AC68U instructions.
1. The power light does not flash when entering recovery mode with stock f/w. It remains solid, while the NIC LAN light will blink, but not rhythmically, just randomly. IP is 192.168.50.1, as per post above and official ASUS instructions.
2. After flashing DD-WRT f/w (I used asus_rt-ac68u-firmware-2018-06-29-36247, which may have a boot loop, not certain) and waiting for the device to reboot, it will enter a boot loop (even with prior 'erase nvram' via recovery mode). Use ARM hard reset instructions (power off, hold WPS, power on, wait for power light to start blinking, release WPS). IP is 192.168.1.1.
This only works once, after the initial flash from stock f/w. After that, the ARM hard reset procedure will boot to recovery mode.