Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:33 Post subject: How to flash a new Linksys WRT-1200ac
Yesterday I read about DD-WRT, ordered a new router immediately (Linksys WRT-1200ac) and want it to flash today . I read the peacock article and the wiki quite a few times, but there are some questions remaining and the suggestion was just ask the forum.
- according to me this modem is supported (http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices)
- I have version version 1.0.3.166464, which I take as version 1
- There are several downloads from which I can choose:
Kongs version (http://desipro.de/ddwrt/K3-AC-MVEBU/)
version of 2017-01-08
WRT1200AC_factory_to_dd-wrt.img
ddwrt-linksys-wrt1200ac.bin
According to this topic (http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=303202&sid=480e773c8bd3d467bf8ac94a0fb11ed5) the version of Kong should be the best. Should I use that one? It's the most recent but the peacock article mentions that new is not always better. From my knowledge I cannot judge.
Now I can start flashing:
- hard reset (is that really necessary for an out-of-the-box router?)
- manual flash the router (connectivity tab, choose file start)
- modem reboots, have a beer somewhere else, return after at least 5 minutes
- switch off, wait 5 secs, switch on
- hard reset
And next I am ready??
I noticed that all versions come with two files, the factory-to-ddwrt is for the first flash I guess, but why are some .bin and others .bin?
For what do I need the ddwrt-linksys-wrt1200ac files?
Sorry for being so nooby , but I could not find a real instruction for this router so I'd like to verify whether these are the right steps.
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 15:50 Post subject:
If you have not already read this thread it would be a good place to start. Has all the info you are asking and more in one place. It references the wrt1900ac, but the info holds true for the wrt1200ac, just substitute wrt1200ac where you see wrt1900ac in file names.
Thanks for your reply. I followed your link and did as adviced. I took Kong's version of 8 jan. 2017. It all worked like a piece of cake. The link you mentioned does not answer all my questions. I still couldn't figure out what the .bin files are for, but that's probably not that important.
And thanks for all builders for this fantastic product! For me the most relevant was openvpn, works like a charm, but so many other options!
Thanks for your reply. I followed your link and did as adviced. I took Kong's version of 8 jan. 2017. It all worked like a piece of cake. The link you mentioned does not answer all my questions. I still couldn't figure out what the .bin files are for, but that's probably not that important.
And thanks for all builders for this fantastic product! For me the most relevant was openvpn, works like a charm, but so many other options!
In Kong's case, the .bin files are used when upgrading from an existing DD-WRT to a new version of DD-WRT. The .img files are used only when you are going from stock to DD-WRT. However, with Brainslaiyer version, both are just .bin files.
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 23:41 Post subject:
The .bin files on Kong's site are for doing an upgrade if you have DD-WRT already installed. You do the upgrade through the DD-WRT UI. I personally do not do this and always flash from the Linksys UI. If you do an upgrade from within DD-WRT you will overwrite the Linksys firmware. I like the freedom of being able to easily go from DD-WRT to LEDE and back. I would have to reinstall Linksys OEM firmware if I had overwritten the Linksys firmware before I could switch from one to the other. On further inspection, you will see that Brainslayer's builds both are .bin. There you take the file that says from factory to dd-wrt for the first install then the other for updates through the DD-WRT UI. I assume you know where his builds are, but if not here is the link. Select the year and then the date. You will see a long list of routers as he supports over 500 routers.
This helps indeed. Thank you very much for your help and time. I got everything op and running now, including openvpn. I am so amazed by the functionality of DD-WRT compared to that of Linksys.
I used to do what Bill did and boot back to the Linksys firmware before doing any new firmware flashes. It was a "safe" fallback and also provided a baseline if I had to do any testing. Because of how the 2 partitions work, the installer overwrites the other partition, so that's why I'd boot back to the Linksys firmware with the command:
ubootenv set boot_part 1
Assuming you are on partition 2. You can always check with:
ubootenv get boot_part
(the last number tells you the current partition). Anyway, I read a post a couple months back on how to overwrite the current partition while doing an upgrade from the current DD-WRT web gui. Once you set the boot partition back to 1 with the above mentioned command (assuming you are on partition 2), do not reboot the router at that point. Just do the flash and now the installer gets tricked into overwriting the current partition instead. I've been able to retain the Linksys firmware this way while saving a lot of time. Not only that, but you can choose to retain your settings. For me this was a bonus because it also keeps my firewall rule script, otherwise I'd be re-importing it from FWBuilder every time.
I'm doing it for months now!
My routerstation pro, 10 years old, I believe is abandoning me, it restarts every time I download many files so i'm looking for a new router. (first i try one more time to update firmaware).
my first choice was asus but then reading the various problems I switched to Linksys. I prefer the 1200 because it is more economical of 1900 and even more suitable for me but i can change to 1900 if there is good rason!
Because I read that are tried different firmware rather I go without fail with a stable and give less trouble as possible.
If you can spend little bit extra please go with WRT1900acs because of better signal and coverage and u will newer regret. I have spent $190 on Amazon for 2 Linksys certified refurbish WRT1900acs_V2 units for main router and remote wired AP. Works like a champ with latest Brainslayer build
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 1608 Location: SE Michigan USA
Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 0:46 Post subject:
vit5421 wrote:
If you can spend little bit extra please go with WRT1900acs because of better signal and coverage and u will newer regret. I have spent $190 on Amazon for 2 Linksys certified refurbish WRT1900acs_V2 units for main router and remote wired AP. Works like a champ with latest Brainslayer build
Agree. Get the wrt1900acs. I am using a wrt3200acm now. The wrt1900acs i have just worked no matter what 3rd party software I installed, DD-WRT. LEDE or Gargoyle. When I got the wrt3200acm I knew I would be exposed to wireless issues which will be fixed soon I hope. Just wanted a new challenge. _________________ Unifi Security Gateway:Unifi Firmware Netgear r7800:Voxel Firmware Modem:Netgear CM500V voice and Data. ISP:Comcast tutorial for flashing "WRT" series: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=287813 DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=311117 Kong DD-WRT Config Tutorial: http://www.instructables.com/id/Install-and-Configure-a-DD-WRT-Kong-Router/ I tried to be normal once. Worst 2 minutes ever.
. I read the peacock article and the wiki quite a few times, but there are some questions remaining and the suggestion was just ask the forum.
