Unable to Flash from 2018 to latest (or even fairly old) dd-

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BradS17601
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 18 Jun 2017
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Thu Jan 19, 2023 13:55    Post subject: Unable to Flash from 2018 to latest (or even fairly old) dd- Reply with quote
Build: r34315
Router: WRT1900AC V2 (Marvell Armada 385)
Mode: Eventually as primary router, not yet in use.
NVRAM Usage: 22 KB / 64 KB

Current State:
On one partition, I have the latest Linksys Stock Firmware 2.0.3.201002 (5/1/2020).
On the other partition, I have r34315 (but download was labeled 01-07-2018-r34411)
I am unable to load the latest dd-wrt built.

Background:
From current Linksys Stock Firmware, I found several references to lack of space, and solution to load an older version r34411.
I did this and was Successful.

Problem:
Now I am running dd-wrt and trying to load a recent dd-wrt build (webflash.bin).
Not able. Have tried 01-16-2023-r51362, 01-12-2023-r51288,
and even r34760 from early 2018 and r36006 from mid 2018.

Technique:
Using web-gui > administration > Firmware Upgrade > Don't reset
(although I've also tried with reset)

Have tried many different reset / reboot / cold boot
nvram erase && reboot (well erase nvram && reboot since the current firmware is 35681 and prior)
Have tried wait wait wait (overnight) power off, and power on after firmware upgrade.
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Per Yngve Berg
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 13 Aug 2013
Posts: 6858
Location: Romerike, Norway

PostPosted: Thu Jan 19, 2023 14:21    Post subject: Reply with quote
Try to install on the other partition.

The two of them are not the same size.
BradS17601
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 18 Jun 2017
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 0:51    Post subject: install dd-wrt on both partitions Reply with quote
thank you for the tip to install onto the other partition.
I've tried to do that but have not been successful.
If I understand the reading I've done, Linksys routers never will flash the partition that you are working on. They will always flash on the opposite.

So if I have stock on 1, and ddwrt on 2.... and from ddwrt I tryto upgrade, it should try to overwrite the stock on 1. Do I have this right?

That is what is not working for me.

If you have a pointer to instructions I should try, please let me know. I really appreciate your help.
dale_gribble39
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 11 Jun 2022
Posts: 1899

PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 0:59    Post subject: Reply with quote
Isn't partition 1 (or 0) the larger partition? Output of cat /proc/mtd from ssh/telnet should reveal for sure. The only thing(s) to try is switching boot partitions and rebooting into stock firmware to install factory-to-ddwrt.bin -OR- installing 01-07-2018-r34411 on both partitions and scrap stock firmware altogether -OR- trying to flash to the other partition via command line over telnet/ssh. This raises the question on whether or not this particular router's 01-07-2018-r34411 image is bunked and there's a need to choose a different one.

Sticky: DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes

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blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 3:05    Post subject: Check Model No. Try another web browser, or command-line. Reply with quote
CLI Flash: 'cd /tmp' then 'wget {file URL}' (http only) or 'curl -O {file URL}' (http, https, ftp). 'write {file} linux' then 'reboot'.
WebUI: Clear history or use a portable. Temporary cache bypass: Ctrl+F5, Cmd+Shift+R or new private window/incognito.

There are four WRT1900 series routers, so be sure to check the label on bottom. Label is in upper-right corner, 'Model No.'
No other label location is reliable only 'Model No.' so ignore all the FCC ID and IC info also front-facing router label as well.
Four variants are AC (V1), AC V2, ACS (V1), ACS V2 so match yours accordingly to the correct download folder for dd-wrt.

Do not worry about partitions, running DD-WRT there is no stock FW flash size limit & r51440 is not oversized for DD-WRT.
If attempting webflash be sure to use an Ethernet cable connected to LAN, also try an alternative web browser or portable.

BTW "Linksys Stock Firmware 2.0.3.201002 (5/1/2020)" if this is correct it would indicate you do have a WRT1900ACS V2.
So it seems to me just a case of using the wrong files, but if you do decide to Telnet command-line also uses webflash.bin.
rickmach55
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 30 Jun 2019
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 20:27    Post subject: Reply with quote
I had a similar problem trying to upgrade from and old to new ddwrt firmware and use using Google chrome. I tried with firefox and was successful. You might consider trying that.
anthonyoc
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 26 Apr 2022
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2023 8:28    Post subject: Just cannot get DD-WRT on WRT1900ACS router Reply with quote
I have three WRT1900ACSV2 routers that I have been able to successfully install the latest (r51838) DD-WRT firmware on so I know how to do this. I have one WRT1900ACS router (Linksys firmware version 1.0.3.187766 so I know it's an ACS v1) that simply will not work.

I have the Linksys factory firmware on the 1st partition (I assume because it came like that) and I have tried flashing the factory-to-ddwrt.bin and the ddwrt-linksys-wrt1900acs-webflash.bin of DD-WRT r51838. It seems to flash ok but the router will not start after the flash - the power LED just flashes constantly and I get no IP address from the unit. If I do a 10-second reset with the reset button, I'm back to factory firmware again.

I've tried the second most recent version of DD-WRT firmware and the very old r44715 version from 2020, but I still get the same result. I've done every possible combination of flashing, resetting, reflashing, factory resetting, reflashing. What am I missing here?

• Current DD-WRT build number in use: 02-23-2023-r51838
• Router brand / model and hardware version: WRT1900ACS
• Include operating & wireless modes: Router, no wireless
blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:01    Post subject: Reply with quote
https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2018/01-07-2018-r34411/linksys-wrt1900acs/

https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=330290&start=45
anthonyoc
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 26 Apr 2022
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:52    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you kindly. I was on the right track going back to much older versions, I just didn't go back far enough.

Is 01-07-2018-r34411 that latest version that can be run by this router? Or can I now upgrade to the latest version once booted into DD-WRT?
blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:25    Post subject: Reply with quote
Use r34411 factory-to-ddwrt.bin to install then r51887 with webflash.bin to upgrade. Then webUI factory defaults.
anthonyoc
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 26 Apr 2022
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:14    Post subject: Reply with quote
Another question Smile

Why restore factory defaults after upgrading the router to r51887?
blkt
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 20 Jan 2019
Posts: 5660

PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 13:30    Post subject: Reply with quote
Too much has changed since those years old builds, example athX is now wlanX, so best to wipe all old variables.

Config nvram space is shared no matter boot_part 1 or 2, so far too easy to clutter from previous environment(s).

Manually reconfigure after hardware reset (button 10 seconds), webUI Factory Defaults or nvram erase && reboot.
anthonyoc
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 26 Apr 2022
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 0:05    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ah, makes sense. Thanks for the info.
BradS17601
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 18 Jun 2017
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 20:46    Post subject: Resolved Reply with quote
I finally returned back and was able to solve the problem.

Ultimately here's what I did:
● Took advice of blkt. Thank you.
» used Portable version of Firefox
● Restored Factory Linksys WRT1900AC V2 Stock Firmware
» FW_WRT1900ACv2_2.0.8.187766_prod.img
● Tried to load recent beta of dd-wrt, but could not get it loaded.
» factory-to-ddwrt.bin
» Presumably too large.
● Loaded 2018 version of dd-wrt r34315 (but download was labeled 01-07-2018-r34411)
» factory-to-ddwrt.bin
» presumably because it is smaller than current 2023 versions, it worked.
● Celebrated
» Thank you for letting me know I should be able to get this working and for the portable browser tip.
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