[robsclone]

After successfully putting dd-wrt on a Buffalo WBR2-G54, I attempted to get it going on the WLA-G54C.

Steps:

Couldn't get tftp to work, so used the alternate method described in the Buffalo WBR2-G54/WLA-G54/etc wiki:

- used ddadder to modify dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin
- went through the Web interface, directed to new file, and had it update
- It started going, and then received error:

"An error has occurred during upgrade.
Rebooting...
If you want to continue configuration, please close browser software then execute it again."

Then it automatically rebooted, and it hasn't come back since.

Can not connect through tftp, telnet, web, or ping, through 192.168.11.1, 192.168.11.100 (read somewhere), or 192.168.1.1

Wireless LED no longer comes on, but Ethernet does when cable connected.

30-30-30 has been attempted many times.

It seems that the next thing to do is build some sort of serial cable, or try to short out pins in the chip. I took it apart (when apart, can see that the Wireless LED is faintly on) but to get below the miniPCI card there's some soldering to undo, and I don't want to touch that unless i know what I'm doing.

I found what may be a pinout for debricking here:
http://filer.case.edu/jkm26/img/Buffalo Airstation DD-WRT Mod.pdf

But I can't find enough info elsewhere to make it a doable project.

Does anybody know of any instructions posted to debrick this WLA-G54C? Searches have come up empty so far, though there was one thread from 2006 where people were debricking them, I just couldn't follow it.

Thanks for any direction or help with this issue!

[zerofire]

Buffalo routers have TFTP enabled after a few seconds after boot only and only answer to a specific IP for TFTP. Set your IP to 192.168.11.2 and issue a TFTP to 192.168.11.1 when the diag light comes up alone after all the lights come up once and go out.

[robsclone]

[Eko]

It can be done with jtag only.

[robsclone]

Thanks for the reply, but that's a bummer. I think I'd rather put the $10 in parts towards another router rather than fixing this one and having it fail again.

Any idea what I may have done wrong in case anybody else finds this thread?

thanks again!

[zerofire]

It seams like it was a partial flash or a bad firmware. You would use JTAG to clear the memory locations with the settings and firmware. Then feed a OEM firmware from Buffalo to start over. It would also be possible to load DD-WRT instead of the OEM to try to bypass the flash part and see if the firmware mods were correct.

Eko is probably right about needing JTAG to fix that unit.

[nn5i]

I have never bricked a router -- not yet anyway -- but when I do, I will probably follow the following recommended procedure:

(1) Take router out on back patio.

(2) Place router carefully on the concrete surface.

(3) Strike router smartly with 20-pound sledgehammer. If you are a Judo practitioner you may kiai (emit a loud shout) while striking.

(4) Repeat (3) until frustration is eased.

By this process you may stop worrying about whether the consarned thing can ever be fixed.

[jasper502]

I followed the same procedure and got the same error message and I have a brick too.

[yoshio_will]

I followed the same procedure and got actually same result.

I opened enclosure and desolder mini-PCI card, and removed it.
Detach 4.7K register from JTAG pads and soldered wires with 100ohm register.

Connect it to pararell port, initiate jtag flashing with following:
tjtag3 -flash:wholeflash /nocwd /nobreak /fc:71

...it seemed work propery.
but it still no answer to tftp, http, ping.

I used distribution V24SP1 this time.
Next, I'll go with V23SP2 and post result here.

[yoshio_will]

I misunderstood about jtag flash..

My understand is:
CFE is bootloader, placed on Flash block 1, 2.
CFE is not contained in distributed dd-wrt .bin files.
Kernel is actual firmware and is placed on Flash block 3-32.
NVRAM contains settings and is not placed on Flash. (another device)

Is this right?

First, I flashed distributed .bin file using jtag.
(tjtag3 -flash:wholeflash /nobreak)
But this will write bin file to Flash block 1-32. CFE is overwritten.

Next, I got CFE file from Eko's post
( http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=43660 )
and flash this with -flash:cfe.
In prior to flash, cleaned other memory.(nvram, wholeflash)
After done it, flash distributed dd-wrt .bin file (V23 Generic) to kernel area (-flash:kernel).

As result, I can get answer to arp requests, but ping is still timed out.
I think that CFE is loaded and properly work, but because of some reason, kernel did not work.

I'm tired because kernel flash needs very long time (over 100 minutes!).
I wonder my jtag cable is too long (about 25cm) but I take rest first.