[sassriverrat]

I tried installing DD-WRT using the "upgrade" in the linksys software and I've crashed the router I think....
I used the .bin file instead of the .chk....how do I get an IP address and then I presume I transfer a .chk into a temporary folder?

[amikot]

It might be you need tftp, but I have this router as well and I remember, several times it already looked dead, and after few reboots, or hard reset and few reboots it did boot.

[sassriverrat]

Well I've got one router with a blinking green power light that I've not tried loading anything on yet and the other one I put a .bin upgrade file for DD-WRT in the Netgear firmware and now I can't get an IP (via ethernet) and it's got a solid orange power light. Both of these are after several reboots.

[egc]

https://kb.netgear.com/000059633/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-TFTP-client

[jwh7]

I assume the v1 is similar... the tricky thing w/ the v2 is that it takes a

L
O
N
G

effing time to boot, as the CFE does a NAND CRC check at boot. When flashing, it's best to go on a vacation before touching it. If you can't get TFPT to work, i.e. any ping response 1-2sec after boot using a static IP, then you will need to use serial to fix. Luckily, Netgear devices are really easy to open up.

[sassriverrat]

So this is very interesting- here's what I came up with:


Router 1 (blinking green power light)-
I plugged in, set my IP address as 192.168.1.10, and then uploaded via TFTPD64 the DD-WRT firmware. The directions went exactly as said on the netgear page and it should have been successfully uploaded. However, the router, after 15 minutes, continues to blink with a green flashing power light. I tried a quick power cycle but that green, blinking LED doesn't stop.

Router 2 (solid orange power light)-
I plugged in, tried following directions and can't seem to get the LED to blink green as it should. My computer will eventually[i] get an "Unidentified Network" but only after cycling between connected and disconnected. The switch connection speed has also cycled....I first connected and the connection was a 100mb/s and then it finally shifted to 1Gb/s. Finally, a few times the router connection name (on my computer) has momentarily blinked the old LAN name ("house") before going back to a disconnected state and then reconnecting as unidentified network. Occasionally all LAN connections on switch flash green LED once. And I cannot push anything via TFTPD64 to router....ideas now?

[sassriverrat]

Update

Router 1 (the blinking green light) I was able to successfully upload the netgear firmware, recover, and then upload DD-WRT using the GUI. Router 2 (solid orange light) is still unresponsive.


Ideas?

[bushant]

Have a look at NMRPFLASH:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1139019#1139019

[sassriverrat]

That was a lifesaver! Thank you! Now I can continue with my project. I was able to recover after some time and taking the machine apart....interesting build and a great way to recycle old USB cords (cutting the type B end off and stripping the wires bare....)!

Thanks again

[sassriverrat]

Ok New Update:

So router 2 I can get unbricked reliably with my setup here....and I say that because I've crashed it multiple times now.....



So I can fully get the Netgear firmware back up and running but I can get the DD-WRT firmware to go. The netgear GUI shows the firmware uploading and everything looks great, then I lose the lights and go back to an orange power light and a green LAN light....and the router is bricked again. At this point I've tried it a few times to no avail and just left my USB serial wire soldered to the board.....

Firmware loaded fine on Router 1 so it shouldn't be an issue...but just in case, I posted the unmodified file name below:

WNDR4500-V1.0.1.46_1.0.76.chk