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Trying to install DD-WRT on a R7800 but I am stuck

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Juel74
DD-WRT Novice

Joined: 31 Jul 2021
Posts: 8

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 0:05 Post subject: Trying to install DD-WRT on a R7800 but I am stuck

Hi,

I'm trying to flash a Netgear R7800 with DD-WRT. I am following the instructions in "Netgear R7800 Install Guide v29.pdf" from https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614 but am stuck at "Backup stock firmware" step 4e.

"cat /proc/mtd" gave me the following:

Quote:

dev: size erasesize name
mtd0: 00c80000 00020000 "qcadata"
mtd1: 00500000 00020000 "APPSBL"
mtd2: 00080000 00020000 "APPSBLENV"
mtd3: 00140000 00020000 "ART"
mtd4: 00140000 00020000 "ART.bak"
mtd5: 00220000 00020000 "kernel"
mtd6: 01de0000 00020000 "rootfs"
mtd7: 04480000 00020000 "netgear"
mtd8: 02000000 00020000 "firmware"
mtd9: 00080000 00020000 "crashdump"
mtd10: 00380000 00020000 "language"
mtd11: 00120000 00020000 "config"
mtd12: 00120000 00020000 "pot"
mtd13: 00010000 00001000 "m25p80"
mtd14: 0001f000 0001f000 "cert"
mtd15: 0005d000 0001f000 "pot.bak"
mtd16: 001b2000 0001f000 "traffic_meter"
mtd17: 001b2000 0001f000 "traffic_meter.bak"
mtd18: 001b2000 0001f000 "dongle"
mtd19: 037b4000 0001f000 "overlay_volume"

The instructions in the PDF are "a little vague" for a noob like me. I suppose the point is to back up each partition on the router to separate BIN files. So I extrapolated and did the following:

Quote:

root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd0 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd0_qcadata.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd1 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd1_APPSBL.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd2 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd2.APPSBLENV.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd3 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd3.ART.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd4 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd4.ART.bak.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd5 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd5.kernel.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd7 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd7.netgear.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd8 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd8.firmware.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd9 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd9.crashdump.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd10 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd10.language.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd11 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd11.config.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd12 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd12.pot.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd13 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd13.m25p80.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd14 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd14.cert.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd15 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd15.pot.bak.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd16 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd16.traffic_meter.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd17 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd17.traffic_meter.bak.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd18 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd18.dongle.bin
root@R7800:/#
root@R7800:/# cat /dev/mtd19 > /tmp/mnt/sda1/mtd19.overlay_volume.bin
cat: /dev/mtd19: Device or resource busy
root@R7800:/#

I cannot seem to copy "overlay_volume". The file shows as 0 bytes on my USB stick. This is where I am stuck.

Also, how can I see if the router has a case of bad blocks? Apparently this can be seen by using the command "dmesg", but..I can't see any message indicating a bad block. I do however notice the following at the end:
"[Warning] skb_warn_bad_offload!!!"

Is this something of significance? Am I screwed?

I do not want to brick my router. Awaiting further instructions. Thank you.

Sponsor

egc
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12875
Location: Netherlands

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 7:35 Post subject:

Making a backup is usually not necessary even if you have bad blocks, you can just go back to stock.

You do not have to backup overlay volumes (and you cannot)
_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

kernel-panic69
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 08 May 2018
Posts: 14207
Location: Texas, USA

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 9:55 Post subject:

Uhm, did we leave the door open for people to nuke this out? Flash latest factory-to-ddwrt.img and go. Was there a specific update to address the bad blocks issue that would require all this?

https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2021/
_________________
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blkt
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5690

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 10:10 Post subject:
Shrug, I think it is interesting egc went the extra mile with different methods and utilities to enable telnet, nvram show, commands, dmesg, and in case of different firmwares how to back up partitions in advance. I flash first and ask questions later but would have been nice with original backups, you know just in case.

egc
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12875
Location: Netherlands

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 10:17 Post subject:

The latest firmwares are huge, about 9 MB larger.

You never know if the latest is good.

I would stick to the proven method Smile

But as said backups of the partitions are usually not necessary
_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

kernel-panic69
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 08 May 2018
Posts: 14207
Location: Texas, USA

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:01 Post subject:

Well, I know at some point bad block handling was added to the Official firmware images. That is always a safe bet starting point, I just don't remember which version. I do know if you leave room for people to nuke it out, they will, which only creates more unnecessary confusion. But hey, it is awesome that you went to that depth! Cool

P.S. I should probably clarify "nuke it out" (see #4):

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nuke
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Contribute To DD-WRT
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egc
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12875
Location: Netherlands

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:37 Post subject:

From the manual for bad blocks try build 44809 or later Smile

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

kernel-panic69
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 08 May 2018
Posts: 14207
Location: Texas, USA

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:06 Post subject:

Sorry for not being 100% on top of every change to the manual Rolling Eyes

. Perhaps this should migrate to the wiki and maintain updates there? If you don't have a wiki account, I'm sure we could transcribe it Cool

https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2020/11-15-2020-r44809/netgear-r7800/
_________________
"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)
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blkt
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5690

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:22 Post subject:

Juel74 wrote:

Is this something of significance? Am I screwed? I do not want to brick my router.

Not related or significant, certainly not screwed. It is extremely difficult to brick this router, so not to worry.

My R7800 used r40270M provided by egc to install because the factory stock firmware version was too old.

I could have upgraded stock firmware or bypassed netgear web interface completely, TFTP recovery mode.

Juel74
DD-WRT Novice

Joined: 31 Jul 2021
Posts: 8

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:32 Post subject:
Thanks for all the responses. I like to backup where I can anyway.. So if I understand correctly, I should just choose a firmware version starting with build 44809, flash factory-to-ddwrt.img and I am good to go, even with potential bad blocks?

blkt
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5690

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:42 Post subject:
Well, the key word here is potential. You may not have this problem at all, so no need to worry about it now. Guessing the safer route is 40270 to install because the file is much smaller, maybe some offset adjustment. You may be able to install a factory file from today, past week, with zero issues but only one way to find out.

Juel74
DD-WRT Novice

Joined: 31 Jul 2021
Posts: 8

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:56 Post subject:

I was able to install DD-WRT version 40270 onto the router, but now I am stuck again at step 11 of "First Flash" in the PDF.

I tried logging in with telnet via Windows and via Putty..but all I am getting is "login incorrect" or something.. Also, I cannot see the password I am typing and the telnet window disappears after a while. I am able to login via a browser (I am using Palemoon), but not always. I had to turn off the router a couple of times because I couldn't connect. Everything seems unstable..

Please advise. Thank you.

ho1Aetoo
DD-WRT Guru

Joined: 19 Feb 2019
Posts: 2963
Location: Germany

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:17 Post subject:
"login incorrect" wrong username or password in the "intall guide" under point 11 it is also stated that the username is always "root"

Juel74
DD-WRT Novice

Joined: 31 Jul 2021
Posts: 8

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:27 Post subject:

ho1Aetoo wrote:

"login incorrect"

wrong username or password
in the "intall guide" under point 11 it is also stated that the username is always "root"

Thank you for pointing that out! My mistake (I'm pretty tired).. I am able to proceed now.

Last edited by Juel74 on Thu Aug 05, 2021 13:45; edited 1 time in total

Juel74
DD-WRT Novice

Joined: 31 Jul 2021
Posts: 8

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 13:39 Post subject:

I was able to upgrade to DD-WRT version 47074. I notice some issues though.
- The GUI sometimes freezes in both Firefox and Palemoon.
- The 5GHz wifi doesn't appear on my phone when enabled, only the 2.4GHz.

Also, is there any way to change the MAC addresses of the device (LAN and wireless)? I tried "MAC Address Clone" but this apparently impacts only the WAN port (correct?). The option for "wireless" doesn't change anything as far as I can see..

Btw, can I just shut down the device by pressing the power button?

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