Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 20:46 Post subject: Re: Basic DD-WRT Install FAQ for WRT1900AC?
Preamble
I'm new to it too but it's not hard to figure out. If you read the long thread it's not hard to figure out, read it backwards... I didn't have to go far to figure it out... but I'll write what I learned here the last couple days anyway, here's your newbie how to guide for all WRT1900AC units
Installing DD-WRT
1. Visit the DD-WRT FTP to get the latest BS build, pick the year (2015), pick the current build (the latest is 12-01-2015-r28397) and find your current WRT1900AC (Just press Ctrl+F, type in wrt1900ac since there's a lot of routers in the list... it begins with linksys-) and pick the model you have (it currently shows the ac, acs and v2).
2. Download the factory-to-ddwrt.img
3. Login to the router stock firmware at 192.168.1.1 (or whatever address you have it configured as) and click connectivity on the side. There will be a way to upload firmware called "Manual". Choose the img file you downloaded and click start. You will get a few warnings... just say yes and let it upload. The router will reboot eventually and you'll need to navigate back to 192.168.1.1 (The screen will show waiting... but it will be waiting forever until you renavigate).
Congratulations. You just installed DD-WRT. You can now go from there and setup your user/password and configure your router.
I read somewhere to upgrade to a newer build you should return back to the stock firmware and upgrade from there rather than using the DD-WRT interface so you don't overwrite the partition stock is on. Doing so would make it harder to recover the unit in the event of misconfiguration or if a setting bricks the unit.
Booting back to stock from other patition
When you install DD-WRT over stock, it installs on a different partition. You can use the following command by entering it in DDWRT commands on the administration tab, Telnet or SSH to determine what partition DD-WRT is running on.
Code:
ubootenv get boot_part
The last number it returns is the partition (it will return 1 or 2). In my case, DD-WRT is on partition 1, so to return to Stock, enter (If yours returns 2, put 1):
Code:
ubootenv set boot_part 2
and then reboot. You can use the command
Code:
reboot
To reset and boot to stock if you brick DD-WRT installation
1. Assuming the router is on, turn it off.
2. Turn it back on... the power light will illuminate and then go out briefly as it prepares to boot. As soon as it goes out, turn it off again. Repeat this step three times, leaving the router on after the third time you turn it off.
3. Let it boot. It should return to stock after you let it boot.
Hope this is helpful now and for future reference. If there is anything confusing just reply and I can attempt to clarify. If anyone feels anything here is wrong or incorrect let me know and I'll edit it or moderators can update it. _________________ Want to get ahold of me? Contact me via one of the links here: http://jse.io/ or via discord at https://discord.gg/NmYX6enh
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Current Router Setup:
OEM Satellite internet -- I'll likely get back to DD-WRT again when I get better internet
Last edited by jsebean on Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:55; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 10 Jan 2016 Posts: 62 Location: California, USA
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 17:22 Post subject:
This is great info, Thanks!
To make it easier to find these links and since this tread is not too long yet its a good place to note the two build links. BrainSlayer vs Kong discussions are all over the forum, both builds are useful depending on how you want to beta test.
BrainSlayer (BS) Builds - Main builds that support over 500 routers. The official release builds eventually are chosen from these builds. Kong's code is included in these builds.
ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas
Kong Builds - Experimental builds that cover just the routers Kong tests personally. May be more reliable beta builds only because they are vetted by physical testing.
http://desipro.de/ddwrt _________________ Linksys WRT1900AC-V1 (BS 29048) • Motorola SB6141 • Netgear Gigabit Switches • 16 Wired/12 Wireless
Joined: 10 Jan 2016 Posts: 62 Location: California, USA
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 17:12 Post subject:
The guide in this thread does not mention reseting before and after the firmware install.
Are you guys with the Marvell hardware doing factory resets to clear the nvram when going from factory to ddwrt? _________________ Linksys WRT1900AC-V1 (BS 29048) • Motorola SB6141 • Netgear Gigabit Switches • 16 Wired/12 Wireless
Joined: 14 Dec 2015 Posts: 774 Location: 127.0.0.1
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 18:26 Post subject:
marksanctuary wrote:
The guide in this thread does not mention reseting before and after the firmware install.
Are you guys with the Marvell hardware doing factory resets to clear the nvram when going from factory to ddwrt?
From what I have read some do, some don't. I do, keep all my settings in a spreadsheet since I can't remember them all. _________________ Tutorial for flashing WRT series WRT Installation,Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes
r52242: WRT3200ACM, WRT1200ACv1 & 1 Velop in bridge mode(IoT subnet), r52242 WRT1900ACv1 AP
Velop:2 WHW0101, RE6500, RE9000(AP)
Spectrum - 1000/50
SysLog Watcher 5, New security Onion box coming soon, Fingboxes, PiHoles, NEMS, Cacti, rpisurv
The guide in this thread does not mention reseting before and after the firmware install.
Are you guys with the Marvell hardware doing factory resets to clear the nvram when going from factory to ddwrt?
I'm doing a reset before upgrading.
Then I actually boot back to Linksys stock in partition 1 and re-flash. That way I keep Linksys stock in the 1st partition always.
I just remember my settings, it's not really that elaborate for me. _________________ Routing:.......Asus RT-AX88U (Asuswrt-Merlin 384.14) Switching:....Netgear GS608_V3 & GS605_V4, TrendNet TEG-S82G & TEG-S50G
Joined: 10 Jan 2016 Posts: 62 Location: California, USA
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 16:36 Post subject:
htismaqe wrote:
I'm doing a reset before upgrading.
Then I actually boot back to Linksys stock in partition 1 and re-flash. That way I keep Linksys stock in the 1st partition always.
Sounds good. I think the stock to dd-wrt method using the .img file is the safer way to manage the dd-wrt updates. I have let the WRT1200AC just auto update the stock firmware so I am not sure if I am currently sitting in the 1st or the 2nd partition.
How do I know if the router is currently using the 1st partition?
Do I need to make sure that the latest stock firmware is in the 1st partition? _________________ Linksys WRT1900AC-V1 (BS 29048) • Motorola SB6141 • Netgear Gigabit Switches • 16 Wired/12 Wireless
Then I actually boot back to Linksys stock in partition 1 and re-flash. That way I keep Linksys stock in the 1st partition always.
Sounds good. I think the stock to dd-wrt method using the .img file is the safer way to manage the dd-wrt updates. I have let the WRT1200AC just auto update the stock firmware so I am not sure if I am currently sitting in the 1st or the 2nd partition.
How do I know if the router is currently using the 1st partition?
Do I need to make sure that the latest stock firmware is in the 1st partition?
Boot into DD-WRT and telnet or SSH to the router.
Type:
ubootenv get boot_part
It should echo like 3 lines of stuff. The last line will be an integer - the number of the partition that is currently in use. _________________ Routing:.......Asus RT-AX88U (Asuswrt-Merlin 384.14) Switching:....Netgear GS608_V3 & GS605_V4, TrendNet TEG-S82G & TEG-S50G
Then I actually boot back to Linksys stock in partition 1 and re-flash. That way I keep Linksys stock in the 1st partition always.
Sounds good. I think the stock to dd-wrt method using the .img file is the safer way to manage the dd-wrt updates. I have let the WRT1200AC just auto update the stock firmware so I am not sure if I am currently sitting in the 1st or the 2nd partition.
How do I know if the router is currently using the 1st partition?
Do I need to make sure that the latest stock firmware is in the 1st partition?
There's a secret status page in the linksys stock firmware web interface that will tell you which boot partition you're currently in:
192.168.1.1/sysinfo.cgi
where 192.168.1.1 should be replaced by your router's IP address.
Just bring that page up, and look for something like "nandboot part" or something like that near the top of the page, and that will tell you what boot partition the stock firmware you're currently in, 1 or 2.
Looks like I am on currently in partition 2 with the linksys firmware.
Quote:
fw_printenv bootcmd: bootcmd=run nandboot
fw_printenv boot_part: boot_part=2
What I still am confused about is do I have to do the work to get the latest Linksys firmware to live in partition 1 and dd-wrt testing in partition 2?
And if so how do I move the latest linksys firmware to partition 1?
Does it work the same to have Linksys firmware "home base" to be in partition 2 and dd-wrt testing in partition 1? _________________ Linksys WRT1900AC-V1 (BS 29048) • Motorola SB6141 • Netgear Gigabit Switches • 16 Wired/12 Wireless
It's really not a big deal to have them like that, or swapped the opposite, as long as you have one of each, IMO. _________________ Routing:.......Asus RT-AX88U (Asuswrt-Merlin 384.14) Switching:....Netgear GS608_V3 & GS605_V4, TrendNet TEG-S82G & TEG-S50G