Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 17:18 Post subject: PinShortTrick OK with bricked WRT54gs V4?
Howdy Fora Folks, first post here by a nubie so be gentle with me if I don't use the proper dd-wrt buzz words as the cognoscente might.
I have bricked my WRT54gs V4 while trying to do an initial setup as per the device specific instructions at
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54GS_v4.0
Unless details on that are needed here I'll post that in a separate thread later for a post mortum. Suffice it to say I've got the blinking power light and all other lights lit except for DMZ and NO ping response.
After much searching of the forum threads I see a possible fix via the "Pin Short Trick"
http://voidmain.is-a-geek.net/redhat/wrt54g_revival.html
That however referenced Vers 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 of the WRT54GS and I have a V4.
- Is it safe to try this trick with V4 or not?
- is there a better option that I just missed in my search?
I did see the various serial cable stuff but the cable costs more than another ebay unit.
Further, assuming it is OK to do and I get to the tftp stage, should I go to the 1.06.3 Linksys Firmware or directly to the 14929 mini firmware?
Please advise
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 14:30 Post subject: Good Info
Howdy K-P69, Thanks for the links. I had looked at all those except for the Barryware one, I'll dig into that too. Yeah, I'm trying to decide if I should make a jtag cable just for the fun of the project. I've got an ebay 54gs coming as as replacement so I can play with the bricked one or just toss it.
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 17:11 Post subject: JTAG or Serial?
OK, I've been beavering away with various articles. In the Peacock thread section 6) he discusses various tests and then referenced the JTAG and Serial links. There is cost in the cables and shipping etc for both so I'm wondering if I should go straight to JTAG or try the serial first.
Doing the described test in the Peacock thread with the pings, I always get back "destination unreachable". My power light is blinking, DMZ light is OFF, and all port lights (LAN/WAN) are ON. Am I correct in thinking that there is no point in trying the serial procedure and that I should go straight to JTAG?
If setting a static IP on your PC (i.e. 192.168.1.5) does not allow you to ping the router / try a TFTP flash using either the linksys gui tool or DrayTek tool, then first step is serial. JTAG is an extreme case scenario where the bootloader has grenaded. It may be as simple as an nvram erase via serial and reboot. _________________ "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost
"I am one of the noticeable ones - notice me" - Dale Frances McKenzie Bozzio
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 18:23 Post subject: tftp flash?
Howdy Dale,
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think I can do that. According to the tftp flash page
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/TFTP_flash
I have to be able to get the router to respond with some form of ttl= response in order to start the tftp flash. My pings only return the "Destination unreachable" response, never get a ttl= response to trigger when I should try the tftp. Correct me if I'm missing something. Or are you indicating I should try the serial instead?
Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 11564 Location: Wherever the wind blows- North America
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:29 Post subject: Re: tftp flash?
Cosmic11do2 wrote:
Howdy Dale,
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think I can do that. According to the tftp flash page
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/TFTP_flash
I have to be able to get the router to respond with some form of ttl= response in order to start the tftp flash. My pings only return the "Destination unreachable" response, never get a ttl= response to trigger when I should try the tftp. Correct me if I'm missing something. Or are you indicating I should try the serial instead?
For the TFTP flash, yes...but Serial should allow you to clear the nvram...then you would get the response. Serial has nothing to do with the ttl response. You are looking at the serial output...not a ethernet port output.
Serial Port Pinouts (Linksys WRT54G(S,L)) - DD-WRT Wiki _________________ "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost
"I am one of the noticeable ones - notice me" - Dale Frances McKenzie Bozzio
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 21:05 Post subject: I'm recursing...
The morer I try, etc. Looking for the recommended Nokia CA-42 serial cable I find that it is likely obsoleted, all the sites show zero supply. I found one in GB but with $us20 shipping.
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 23:05 Post subject: Serial Cable and Board Pin-Outs
Dale, U Da MAN! Good find. Pin values noted right on the board and it even comes with cables that can slip onto a pin header if installed on the router board. I'll order one and report back as to how it goes. Again, thanks for that find!!
Earlier you referred me to a photo of pinouts for a WRT-54G with L and S referred but the photo is different from my GS.
Look at the attached photo of my headers. I'm assuming the 10-pin is Serial and the 12-pin is JTAG, right? What would be the Receive/Send/Ground pins there?