Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2022 18:45 Post subject: [SOLVED] Cannot flash R7800 NiP Edition
I have come by a second hand R7800 Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) Edition, apparently a Nordic model, which I would like to flash with DD WRT but the router’s Web UI will not accept DD WRT ”factory-to-ddwrt.img” files. The Web UI first displays the ”Checking firmware” message, followed by ”Wrong firmware” (or something along those lines).
I have downgraded the Netgear firmware to one of the earliest R7800 releases (v1.0.0.28 ) and tried to flash with DD WRT r47618 and r47942 to no avail. I have not opened the case, but all the markings on the back (R7800, X4S) indicate that the device is no different than any regular R7800. Factory R7800 Netgear firmware can be used to upgrade or downgrade the firmware.
Does anyone have an idea whether it is possible to flash this device with DD WRT? I was considering trying the TFTP method, but I have no idea whether this could brick the router permanently.
Thanks!
Last edited by gobkriiz on Sat Jan 08, 2022 0:58; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14222 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2022 19:50 Post subject:
Seems this model is only available in specific markets; no confirmation that there is any differences in stock firmware version that prevents flashing DD-WRT, but could be something in the bootloader(?). TFTP or nmrpflash should flash it successfully, though. Caveat Emptor and YMMV and all that stuff.
Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 666 Location: Helsinki, Finland / nr. Alkmaar, Netherlands
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2022 20:20 Post subject:
I have had an R7800 NiP edition router for more than a year. Bought by mail order from Denmark together with a coffee mug with NiP logo
I have never even used it with the stock firmware. Installed dd-wrt right away and never had a problem with it that would have had anything to do with it being a special edition. AFaIK it's just the logo that's different. At the time I got it, local shops had stopped selling R7800's.
I have had a 'normal' R7800 for much longer. Both behave the same way. The old one is in a remote location now.
It's great to have identical routers, especially R7800's.
Paperclip boot + TFTP method worked like a charm. 😊
I followed egc’s installation guide to the point and could not get the factory firmware Web UI to accept the DD WRT ”factory-to-ddwrt.img” file. I tried downgrading / upgrading factory firmware to three different versions.
I also could not get nmrpflash to work. Tried by setting the specific IP and even the Blind-mode. Each method recognized the router and started ”Advertising NMRP server on eth2”, but timed out eventually. I also tried the paperclip boot followed by the blind mode. This method stated that it tried to upload data and hang there indefinitely.