Hi, sorry if this comes across as a noob question. I have searched already, and I have also retraced my steps when I originally flashed this router.
I have a T-Mobile AC1900 that has been flashed to RT-AC68U firmware, and then flashed with a quite old version of dd-wrt. 3.0-r366988M.
Im attempting to update it to something more recent, like r47182.
The .trx file isn't working to update within the dd-wrt GUI, and I suspect that's not the correct way for this device (I would have expected a .bin file for the update within the GUI).
The guide I used to flash this to RT firmware and dd-wrt goes through the mini-CFE web UI in rescue mode with a 10-second reset sequence and 192.168.29.1. That rescue mode doesn't seem to activate since the RT and dd-wrt flash. (Yes, I change my local IP to that subnet).
It would be great if the wiki page for this device could be updated for how to do regular updates after the flash. But in the absence of that, anyone care to share pointers on how to do routine updates on this device?
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14246 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 15:51 Post subject:
This thread may shed some light, may not. Perhaps @dTX or one of the other folks in the thread may chime in with some wisdom. I don't have one of these converted devices in hand.
Joined: 10 Jan 2015 Posts: 270 Location: Minnesota
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 19:27 Post subject:
If you are using a build with an M after the version number, sounds like you are using a Kong build which prefer .bin files to be flashed in the firmware update section.
.trx files are what traditional BrainSlayer builds for RT-AC68U and similar models use in the beta downloads section.
Since Kong no longer provides DD-wrt builds, you will need to upgrade using BrainSlayer builds in.trx file format.
My suggestion is to use the mini-cfe web server that starts up at your router's IP address when it is in recovery mode, to then flash the .trx file. If that does not work at first, try erasing nvram from the mini-cfe webserver page and try uploading the file again.
It may help that you are uploading when connected to LAN port 1 on the router to prevent upload timeout through the cfe webserver page.
Reset button on ARM-based routers only restart the device and should not be used for the traditional 30-30-30 reset.
Holding the WPS button on the Cellspot while turning the power on until the power LED starts rapidly flashing, will clear the nvram settings. _________________ LATEST DD-WRT FW IS LOCATED HERE: https://dd-wrt.com/support/other-downloads/?path=betas%2F
use the mini-cfe web server that starts up at your router's IP address
That's what did it, the CFE is starting at the router's IP address. I was looking at 192.168.29.1 all this time, because that's what was mentioned in the original conversion guide.
The recessed reset button on the back is what put it in recovery mode (holding it when powering on, and power light blinks slowly). Then the CFE was accessible.
Many thanks for the explanation about the Kong and Brainslayer builds.
I was able to successfully load r47182 via .trx file via the CFE.