Unable to successfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1

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Joined: 18 Jul 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 8:52    Post subject: Unable to successfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
Router/Version: Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1
Mode: Initial Installation using Wired LAN port 1
File: asus_rt-ac68u-firmware.trx 07-12-2021-r47040
Status: I cannot access DD-WRT after flashing .

I would greatly appreciate your advice and help to be able to flash dd-wrt in my Asus R68U for the first time.

Mostly get timeout accessing 192.168.1.1 via browser; sometimes CFE Mini Server shows but is not stable (e.g. Reloading page gives timeout); Rebooting manually and also Rebooting via CFE Mini Server page and/or powering off and on again does not solve the problem.

I've followed this process:
1) Downloaded the .trx file from this location:
https://dd-wrt.com/support/other-downloads/?path=betas%2F2021%2F07-12-2021-r47040%2Fasus-rt-ac68u%2F
2) Set PC static IP to 192.168.1.2
3) telnet 192.168.1.1
4) login as admin
5) mtd-erase2 nvram
6) reboot
7) wait for reboot
8.) Go to ASUS Router Webui, Administration->Firmware update
9) Uploaded the .trx and waited for the router to complete the process and reboot itself.
10) Try to connect via browser to 192.168.1.1 and get timeout, I can see sometimes the router seems to reset/reboot because all lights flash in a particular order.
11) Try to switch off and on again and also tried reboot via CFE Mini server screen but it does not solve the problem.
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kushwavez
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:14    Post subject: Re: Unable to succesfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
forum wrote:

Mostly get timeout accessing 192.168.1.1 via browser; sometimes CFE Mini Server shows but is not stable (e.g. Reloading page gives timeout); Rebooting manually and also Rebooting via CFE Mini Server page and/or powering off and on again does not solve the problem.


Reset NVRAM via holding WPS button when start
egc
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Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12812
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:20    Post subject: Re: Unable to succesfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
kushwavez wrote:
forum wrote:

Mostly get timeout accessing 192.168.1.1 via browser; sometimes CFE Mini Server shows but is not stable (e.g. Reloading page gives timeout); Rebooting manually and also Rebooting via CFE Mini Server page and/or powering off and on again does not solve the problem.


Reset NVRAM via holding WPS button when start


Also do not use Chrome or Chromium based browsers, use waterfox classic, IE and FF without any exensions usually also works.

Be sure to use http://192.168.1.1 and not https

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kernel-panic69
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:00    Post subject: Reply with quote
I don't see that procedure for flashing DD-WRT to this device here:

https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-AC68U

I split this off the build thread as that was not the place for this topic.

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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
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Posts: 4

PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:43    Post subject: Re: Unable to succesfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
kushwavez wrote:
forum wrote:

Mostly get timeout accessing 192.168.1.1 via browser; sometimes CFE Mini Server shows but is not stable (e.g. Reloading page gives timeout); Rebooting manually and also Rebooting via CFE Mini Server page and/or powering off and on again does not solve the problem.


Reset NVRAM via holding WPS button when start


Thank you very much. Resetting the NVRAM by holding the WPS button worked. I can now see the DD-WRT page.

Now that I am more confident with the whole process, I can write here the steps I followed for the benefit of forum users:

Starting point:
AC68U C1 with old DD-WRT version installed

Process steps:
Step A) Use the Asus Firmware Restoration tool (aka "Rescue") to restore original ASUS AC68U Firmware (RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_384_32738-gc9a116a.trx)

Step B) Use the Asus Web UI option under Administration->Firmware Upgrade to apply the latest DD-WRT build file (asus_rt-ac68u-firmware-r47040.trx)


Step A: Restore original Asus firmware
--------------------------------------
Check the latest procedure here: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-AC68U

This is what I did:
0) Set your PC to fixed IP 192.168.1.2
1) Switch off AC68U
2) Start AC68U with WPS button pressed down until the power led flashes a few times then release and let the unit power up
3) Power off
4) Put the unit in Emergency recovery mode by keeping the reset button pressed down while switching on the router and keep until the power led flashes a few times.
5) Leave the switched on and connect LAN cable to LAN Port 1
6) Use the Asus Firmware Restoration tool (aka "Rescue") to apply your Asus Firmware file (in this case,RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_384_32738-gc9a116a.trx)
7) Very important WAIT for 15 minutes to allow the unit to process all updates
8.) Switch off
9) Start AC68U with WPS button pressed down until the power led flashes a few times then release and let the unit power up
10) You should be able to see the Asus Web UI by http:192.168.1.1 (make sure is not https; I use Firefox)

Step B: Use Asus Web UI to apply DD-WRT .trx firmware file
-------------------------------------------------

Follow the Firmware Install Procedure documented in the wiki here:
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Asus_RT-AC68U

This is what I did:
0) I kept my PC with a fixed IP 192.168.1.2
1) Navigate to your ASUS Router Web UI 192.168.1.1 and goto Administration->Firmware update
3) Select DD-WRT Firmware file, in this case "asus_rt-ac68u-firmware-r47040.trx".
4) The process will complete and the Asus Web UI will display a message asking for Manual reboot. Do not reboot at this point, wait around 15 minutes to ensure all the changes are applied.
5) Switch off the unit
6) Start AC68U with WPS button pressed down until the power led flashes a few times then release WPS and let the unit power up.
7) You should be able to see the DD-WRT webpage by navigating to 19.168.1.1 (make sure is not https)
8.) You can now change your PC to DCHP instead of fixed IP.

------------

One more question, now that I have DD-WRT installed. If I want to keep it up to date, say apply the latest version every 3 months, what is the procedure to apply new DD-WRT builds?

I am not clear if I need to use .bin files or DD-WRT firmware under the Broadcom folder here?:

https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2021/07-12-2021-r47040/
broadcom/
broadcom_K26/
broadcom_K3X/
broadcom_K3X_mipsel32r1/
kernel-panic69
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Location: Texas, USA

PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:09    Post subject: Reply with quote
The folder named asus-rt-ac68u. Flashing anything from those other folders will brick your router.
Device Wiki wrote:
Download the latest dd-wrt firmware from Where do I download firmware, asus-rt-ac68u folder.

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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 1:03    Post subject: Reply with quote
kernel-panic69 wrote:
The folder named asus-rt-ac68u. Flashing anything from those other folders will brick your router.
Device Wiki wrote:
Download the latest dd-wrt firmware from Where do I download firmware, asus-rt-ac68u folder.



Could you please clarify if I need navigate to DD-WRT->Administration->Firmware Update and upload the latest asus rt-ac68u .trx file?

Or do I need to restore the Asus firmware first and do the firmware update from the Asus Web UI: going to Advanced Settings > Administration > Firmware Upgrade tab?

Many thanks for your help!
kernel-panic69
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Joined: 08 May 2018
Posts: 14102
Location: Texas, USA

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 1:37    Post subject: Reply with quote
Administration -> Firmware Upgrade and do not select reset to defaults. Your other option is flashing via mini cfe webserver or restoration tool. A little intuitive searching would've told you all of this information I've given you.
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 2:25    Post subject: Reply with quote
My bad, will read through the documentation and many thanks for your prompt response, much appreciated.
wabe
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Posts: 889

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 15:18    Post subject: Reply with quote
forum wrote:
kernel-panic69 wrote:
The folder named asus-rt-ac68u. Flashing anything from those other folders will brick your router.
Device Wiki wrote:
Download the latest dd-wrt firmware from Where do I download firmware, asus-rt-ac68u folder.



Could you please clarify if I need navigate to DD-WRT->Administration->Firmware Update and upload the latest asus rt-ac68u .trx file?

Or do I need to restore the Asus firmware first and do the firmware update from the Asus Web UI: going to Advanced Settings > Administration > Firmware Upgrade tab?

Many thanks for your help!

In my opinion the safest and most failsafe way to uppgrade this router (rev C1) is to do it by transferring the file to the router eg. the /jffs partition and then running ‘write asus_rt-ac68u-firmware.trx linux’ from a telnet console

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Netgear R7000 on Build 55109
Asus AC-AC68U rev. C1 (AP) on Build 55109
Asus AC-68U rev. A1 on Build 54604
Asus AC-68U rev. A1 on Build 53339
mwchang
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 12:48    Post subject: Re: Unable to succesfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
forum wrote:

Starting point:
AC68U C1 with old DD-WRT version installed

Process steps:
Step A) Use the Asus Firmware Restoration tool (aka "Rescue") to restore original ASUS AC68U Firmware (RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_384_32738-gc9a116a.trx)


Did you download it from Asus' website? Or was it from the CDROM?

RT-AC68U|WiFi Routers|ASUS Global
https://www.asus.com/Networking-IoT-Servers/WiFi-Routers/ASUS-WiFi-Routers/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_Download/


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blkt
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 22:54    Post subject: Reply with quote
Be sure to expand all or show all after selecting OS within ASUS help desk download.
wabe
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Posts: 889

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:54    Post subject: Re: Unable to succesfully flash Asus RT-AC68U H/W Version C1 Reply with quote
mwchang wrote:
forum wrote:

Starting point:
AC68U C1 with old DD-WRT version installed

Process steps:
Step A) Use the Asus Firmware Restoration tool (aka "Rescue") to restore original ASUS AC68U Firmware (RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_384_32738-gc9a116a.trx)


Did you download it from Asus' website? Or was it from the CDROM?

RT-AC68U|WiFi Routers|ASUS Global
https://www.asus.com/Networking-IoT-Servers/WiFi-Routers/ASUS-WiFi-Routers/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_Download/


If DD-WRT is already on the router there is absolutely no need to revert to the original Asus firmware. Depending on how old it is you may have to erase nvram for proper operation.

_________________
Netgear R7000 on Build 55109
Asus AC-AC68U rev. C1 (AP) on Build 55109
Asus AC-68U rev. A1 on Build 54604
Asus AC-68U rev. A1 on Build 53339
blkt
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Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5650

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:28    Post subject: Reply with quote
OP had first time install problems with a CFE mini web server method. After failure tried restoration or rescue.

Probably could have flashed DD-WRT directly from a restoration tool, but wanted ASUS web interface method.

But confusing because he said WPS reset worked, maybe just running in circles. Whatever is safe and works.

(including directly from dd-wrt web interface or telnet command line write method)
Teddy Boom
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Joined: 09 Aug 2017
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2023 6:03    Post subject: Reply with quote
Not easy to find information on the CPU on the C1 version, so here it is:
RT-AC68U C1
CPU: BCM4708
Cores: 2
Clock: 1000 MHz
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