WRT54GS V1.1 - brick issue

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labigre
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2021 22:15    Post subject: WRT54GS V1.1 - brick issue Reply with quote
Hello guys.

After 2 days going through lots of posts on the forum, and trying lots of potential solutions to "unbrick" my router without success, i would need your help.

My router is a Lynksis WRT54GS V1.1
I need it to set up a client VPN connectivity
When i got it, it was under Tomato 1.28 firmware but with no VPN client. I decided to move to DD-WRT.

I proceeded a first upgrade with build version 44715. Unfortunately this version was not stable. Then i flashed the router with build version 40559.
I discovered a bit late (i know i know .. Rolling Eyes ) that this one was not stable either.

After this step i can't access the web interface anymore.

Below are the symptoms : following
- The power LED flashes very fast and after some seconds the DMZ LED lights up for approximately 5 seconds.
- I can ping the router. TTL=100

Quote:
luluAir:Desktop lulux$ ping 192.168.1.1
PING 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=100 time=1.309 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=100 time=0.656 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=100 time=0.659 ms



Of course i read the Peacock Thread-FAQ : https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486

i also read "Recover From A Bad Flash" and tried the 30/30/30 workaround without success: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Recover_from_a_Bad_Flash#Linksys_Firmware

I tried to recover using TFTP client from my MACbook using the following command (after disconnecting and reconnecting the plug, and after having found the potential right firmware if i'm not mistaken) :

Quote:
connect 192.168.1.1
binary
rexmt 1
timeout 60
put dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin

But every time i face a timeout issue :
"Transfer timed out."


I also tried to upload the Official Linksys firmware, but result is the same.

Well i do not know what could be the next step. DO you have any idea ?

Tx for your help
Sponsor
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:23    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the exact same router (it's my primary router for general use) and I am currently using r45735 mini (from Feb 11th 2021) and have 45 days of uptime so far. so I can confirm that will flash and run well enough at the very least. but I never used any VPN stuff in relation to it so far, so I can't comment on that much.

Peacock thread says... "Note: WRT54GS v1.1, GS v2, and GS2.1 models can brick after a hard reset no matter how it is done. See this thread and the solution in Vulcan's post:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=45024" ; but I never do a 30/30/30 on my router as I noticed just holding reset for a full 30 seconds is good enough to properly reset it if anything gets out of whack. I also run mine overclocked a bit @ 240Mhz as it seems to default to 216Mhz.

I have flashed a older Belkin router I got using TFTP on Linux (Linux Mint) but it's been a while. but I think one needs to get the timing right for it to take the firmware file. in fact, I found a piece of paper I use to flash (from a Linux Mint machine) that which might be worth a shot on your WRT54GS v1.1...

1)Configure PC to 192.168.2.2 (netmask 255.255.255.0).

2)Startup TFTP with router switched off...
tftp 192.168.2.1 *enter*
verbose *enter*
trace *enter*
rexmt 1 *enter*
binary *enter*
status *enter*
timeout 60 *enter*

3)put dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin (NOTE: only press *enter* briefly after plugging in router power)

NOTE: I noticed for that tftp (linux command) to see the .bin file, the bin file needs to be in ones home folder.

NOTE: if flash starts you will see stuff happening on screen that ends with something like... "sent 1746029 bytes in 14.8seconds etc". then it's finished and back to 'tftp' prompt. NOTE: at this point wait a full 5 minutes just to be extra safe! ; after waiting the full 5 min, hold reset button on router for a full 30 seconds (or a little more), release it, then you should be done and just put your PC back to normal and use as usual and then configure router to your liking.

EDIT: here is another link worth looking into... https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Tftp_flash where it says "Special for Linksys WRT54GL Users" might apply to your situation since it specifically mentions a fast flashing light with a TTL=100 continuously. but something quick for you to try with your current method is make sure you manually adjust your computers IP to something static! (i.e. 192.168.2.2 or 192.168.1.2)

EDIT: I just noticed kernel-panic69 mentioned he suggests people use... "For K2.4 (WRT54* series and clones): 45955+ due to kernel and webUI patches." ; but I have not tested anything newer than what I am currently using (but it's probably safe enough at the moment).

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:12    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just flashed r46239 (Apr 1st 2021) to my WRT54GS v1.1 and in short, it's out of whack. so don't flash that build!

r45735 (from Feb 11th 2021) works as expected (I had roughly 45 days of uptime there and everything was good) unlike r46239 (Apr 1st 2021). it seems the reset button does not function correctly in r46239 as it seemed the only way I could bring it to life temporarily to get access to the 192.168.1.1 page was to remove the power cord, wait a bit, then hold reset button, plug in power and wait 30 seconds, release reset button and it seems that I could access the 192.168.1.1 page once again. but I noticed if I tried to hold reset button it does not seem to do anything (or if it does, upon reboot it's like the router's 192.168.1.1 page is dead (along with no internet) even though the lights on the router seem okay). or another thing I noticed is once I can access the routers configuration page and I attempt to configure like I usually do and after 'apply settings' take effect and router goes through usual boot up process, it never comes back online as the lights on router appear to be normal but the 192.168.1.1 page never comes up and I have no internet.

so basically once I got the r46239 build to give me access to the routers configuration page, I basically went back to the 'Adminsistration > Firmware Upgrade' and flashed back to r45735 and the router works as expected once again.

so those using a WRT54GS v1.1 router I would be cautious of using builds fairly recent as I am not sure at which point the builds got out of whack, but it was sometime between r45735 and r46239. because r45735 is safe on my WRT54GS v1.1 router.

NOTE: I am going to make a quick post over on the r46239 page to let others know to avoid it.

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:27    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks it is important to use the build threads for reporting as that is what user will read for information and it is also read by the developer so that he can take note of the problems!

So please report everything in the appropriate build thread.

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
labigre
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:30    Post subject: Reply with quote
Tx a lot for all those informations/advises Very Happy

I'll try to follow its, and let you know the results.

Labigre
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:31    Post subject: Reply with quote
egc wrote:
Thanks it is important to use the build threads for reporting as that is what user will read for information and it is also read by the developer so that he can take note of the problems!

So please report everything in the appropriate build thread.


Yeah, I edited my above post saying I was going to make a report of my issue in the proper r46239(Apr 1st 2021) build thread, which I just finished doing.

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:32    Post subject: Reply with quote
labigre wrote:
Tx a lot for all those informations/advises Very Happy

I'll try to follow its, and let you know the results.

Labigre


DO NOT flash r46239 to your WRT54GS v1.1 router!

I can confirm build r45735 (Feb 11th 2021) is stable enough on it though. so you can try flashing to that if you want to. but I would avoid using newer builds at the moment.

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
labigre
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2021 17:07    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, Thanks to you i could manage to restore te access to my routeur. I used the information given in the thread https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486 you mentioned. I used the K24 build :

ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2010/08-12-10-r14929/broadcom/

I could upload it via TFTP without any pb and could get access to the Web interface Wink

then i have upgraded to r45735

Also Great Thank you for your help.


However, i'm a bit disapointed because with that build the VPN client is only PPT client and not Open VPN client from what i understand. Rolling Eyes

Anyway, i'll try to find out why, and find the solution to my pb.

Labigre
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:09    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah, you might have to use a different build as I am using 'mini' which is the stripped down version.

so maybe try a different 45735 build etc as they got 'std' etc.

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
labigre
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 01 Apr 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 18:01    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah i tried with a VPN Build. I have the right VPN client now. Still got an error when connecting to my VPN provider, but it's link to a configuration setup. I'll try to find out why.

anyway, thanks again for the help ! Smile
ThaCrip
DD-WRT User


Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 338

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 15:05    Post subject: Reply with quote
After playing around with stuff some more, I am not 100% sure but I am thinking the problem is due to the overclock (I was running 240mhz instead of stock 216Mhz). so those reading this, it seems you can ignore my bug report here for now. although it is odd that r45735 works fine when router is @ 240Mhz where as with r46239 (Apr 1st 2021) does not seem to like that as I currently have it back to running at stock speed of 216Mhz. I did initially have some issues with r46239 when returning back to default clock speed of 216Mhz but it seems like once I removed power, wait a little, held reset button, plugged in power, and while still holding reset button counted 30 seconds, released reset button and after router came back online I configured router to my liking, minus the overclock, and so far everything seems good.

so in other words... it appears one can use r46239 (Apr 1st 2021) which is probably a slightly better idea anyways given OpenSSL is newer.

_________________
Primary Router: Linksys WRT54GS v1.1 /w dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021) ; new Panasonic capacitors Feb 11th 2020 | Backup Router: Linksys WRT54GS v6 /w dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic (r46640 May 13th 2021)
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