Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:04 Post subject: Asus RT-AC66u first time install
Hi, I have Asus RT-AC66u, the A1 hardware (original), and this is the first time I tried to load DD-WRT.
I read and followed the Wiki carefully, and I also searched for the correct Beta versions. I tried these betas:
r25648, r26339, r42729, and also the r45859 to no avail.
Most of them I didn't get response at all from the router, and one gave me this screen (please see attached screenshot).
So far, I was always able to "unbrick" it using Asus recovery (Rescue).
When I followed the instruction in Wiki, my stock firmware behaves a bit differently, it always asked me to set a new password for the admin and go thorugh setup wizard. I don't know if this force the NVRAM to be always populated and render the erase I performed to be nullified.
1. Get it into recovery mode, clear nvram
2. reboot
3. flash ddwrt from recovery mode (restoration tool or mini cfe web interface)
4. Restore factory defaults from ddwrt GUI
You should have the mini CFE webserver available at 192.168.1.1, if I am not mistaken. You can also flash DD-WRT from that interface in recovery mode, if memory serves.
1. Get it into recovery mode, clear nvram
2. reboot
3. flash ddwrt from recovery mode (restoration tool or mini cfe web interface)
4. Restore factory defaults from ddwrt GUI
You should have the mini CFE webserver available at 192.168.1.1, if I am not mistaken. You can also flash DD-WRT from that interface in recovery mode, if memory serves.
1. Get it into recovery mode, clear nvram
2. reboot
3. flash ddwrt from recovery mode (restoration tool or mini cfe web interface)
4. Restore factory defaults from ddwrt GUI
So, I tried this, and in step #1, in recovery mode I didn't see a way to clear NVRAM. It didn't respond to telnet. How am I suppose to clear NVRAM in recovery mode?
From the mini CFE webserver interface that should be available at the default IP of 192.168.1.1. I guess I should've been more specific.
I think that is what your screenshot is of (?)
Oh.. is that screenshot of DD-WRT's mini CFE webserver when it's in recovery mode? I thought it's Asus's recovery mode webserver
Telnet is not available, and also the only way to clear NVRAM is via that web interface. I did that, but then it's nothing. I rebooted manually, and it went back to that webserver again.
Clicking "choose file" after reboot and going back into the *asus* mini cfe webserver (it's not DD-WRT's), and choosing the dd-wrt-45863-Asus_RT-AC66U.trx file you should've already downloaded and then clicking 'upload'.
I did, and here where it landed at 192.168.1.1/f2.html (please see attached screenshot).
So, I rebooted the router manually, and still, it went back to that mini cfe webserver again.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14244 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:51 Post subject:
Don't use Chrome or a Chromium-based browser, for one.
Firefox ESR / FF ESR Portable, Pale Moon, Safari, Internet Explorer.
You may have to temporarily disable your firewall and anti-virus software at most, but usually one of those browsers in private browsing mode should work. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
Contribute To DD-WRT Pogo - A minimal level of ability is expected and needed... DD-WRT Releases 2023 (PolitePol)
DD-WRT Releases 2023 (RSS Everything)
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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
Step A: Pale Moon
1. I held the reset button when turning on the router, brought it to rescue mode and I saw that mini cfe webserver.
2. I used Pale Moon to load the dd-wrt. I got connection reset (see screenshot attachment).
Step B: Use ASUS Firmware Restoration
1. I held the reset button when turning on the router, brought it to rescue mode and I saw that mini cfe webserver.
2. I run "Firmware Restoration" to load dd-wrt.
3. Reboot the router.
4. Back to square one, mini cfe webserver appeared again.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14244 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 14:24 Post subject:
Ok, this is where I'm probably going to have to ask what version of stock firmware you're running, because it may be too new to allow it to flash, perhaps. And the oldest version of Merlin I can find is RT-AC66U_378.55_0 and not sure flashing the latest FreshTomato freshtomato-RT-AC66U_RT-AC6x-2021.1-VPN-64K.zip or freshtomato-RT-AC66U_RT-AC6x-2021.1-AIO-64K.zip would be an ideal go-between. I would try going back to the *oldest* stock firmware available on the Asus site:
I was trying to find the 3.0.0.4.140 file which would likely work like a charm, but came up short. Not sure if it's attached to a post on this forum or not. Way too much information to sift through....
