Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 19:25 Post subject: WNDR3700 Info is conflicting and fragmented.
I have a 3700 v1...or at least I think I do since it doesn't mention v2 anywhere. I have successfully flashed dd-wrt onto the router but ended up going back to the factory firmware because some of the features didn't work. I've got questions about what firmware I should actually be using because I keep semi-bricking the router and the info just isn't clear.
On the router database page for this router it has two firmwares. Here they are:
Netgear WNDR3700 Firmware: Special image for initial flashing wndr3700-factory.img 2010-04-23 5,94 MB
Netgear WNDR3700 Firmware: Webflash image wndr3700-webflash.bin 2010-04-23 5,9
Does this mean that I need to flash the first "special" image first and then do the second one? If so - the first one works(but not all the features do) but the second one bricks my router.
I already tried to follow the instructions found on the wiki page here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Netgear_WNDR3700
...but it appears this is a totally different firmware with different versions for US and international routers....Of course I tried them all and they all brick my router.
What gives with there being different versions and such depending on where you look? If I go to the WIKI - it says there are different firmwares depending on where you bought your router - but the router database page doesn't apparently care where you bought the thing???
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 20:39 Post subject: Re: WNDR3700 Info is conflicting and fragmented.
nondem wrote:
On the router database page for this router it has two firmwares.
Don't use the router database. The wiki is more likely up2date.
nondem wrote:
Does this mean that I need to flash the first "special" image first and then do the second one? If so - the first one works(but not all the features do) but the second one bricks my router.
Use the first one for initial flashing and the second one for all further updates.
So if an update is being "released" (everythings beta!), you flash via webflash.bin
For the first (and only) flash to dd-wrt, use the factory file.
Quote:
I already tried to follow the instructions found on the wiki page here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Netgear_WNDR3700
...but it appears this is a totally different firmware with different versions for US and international routers....Of course I tried them all and they all brick my router.
Sad
The original netgear firmware checks for a specific code based on your previous location before updating. As there are two regions in which the router is being shipped, there are two files for initial flashing.
So long story short:
- Flash once with xxxxxx-factory.img
- Flash further updates with xxxxxx-webflash.bin
I for myself cannot recommend any specific build, I just use the most recent one.
I hope this helps
PS: Do not use a too old build for initial flashing, as the first ones had problems, where every upgrade resulted in a brick. Which firmware is brick-free? I don't know, but the 2011 builds are for sure - if anything else works fine, they won't brick the device themselves _________________ WNDR3700-100PES 01R21 on [BS] DD-WRT V24 PreSP2 Build 21061
Several people have reported the 17201 semi-bricking their router from an initial flash, but indicated if they flash build 16785, they could then use the "webflash" to update to 17201.
I followed these directions exactly and the procedure went smooth a silk.
Firmware: DD-WRT v24-sp2 (06/14/11) std
Thanks again.
jblack wrote:
Several people have reported the 17201 semi-bricking their router from an initial flash, but indicated if they flash build 16785, they could then use the "webflash" to update to 17201.
