Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 3:01 Post subject: Bricked DD-WRT NVRAM on D-Link DIR-860L rev A1
Unfortunately due to some misconfiguration, my DD-WRT setup has failed. The system only boots with an amber light and cannot be accessed from a browser.
After scouring the forums and various guides, I was able to boot into the CFE / Recovery Mode / Emergency Room and flash the factory firmware v1.11b01. And I had reset the stock firmware to it's factory defaults.
However, all attempts to load DD-WRT via the factory-to-ddwrt firmware files has resulted in the router reverting to it's bricked amber-light state.
I've tried multiple IPs just in case:
192.168.0.1 (default factory firmware IP)
192.168.1.1 (default DD-WRT IP)
192.168.2.1 (the IP that I had my previous config set to)
I've also made sure to change my computer's manually-assigned IP to match the above (though ending in .2 rather than .1)
It seems that there may be residual misconfigured data in the nvram, which dd-wrt is attempting to load when installed, despite being reflashed.
It seems like others have had similar issues with this router.
Attempts to access via ssh/telnet also fail.
I've even tried using a python script to enable telnetd on the factory firmware using a known exploit for other models so I could attempt to erase the nvram (I also used CFE to reflash an older factory firmware v1.10b4 and then trying this).
If anyone could offer any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.
So far my options seem to be:
Use the stock factory firmware
Find another router from a resale site like facebook marketplace
Disassemble / solder to the serial port, then erase the nvram over serial
And this thread, which may or may not be relevant, whatsoever:
D-Link DIR-860L A1: Known defects _________________ "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost
"I am one of the noticeable ones - notice me" - Dale Frances McKenzie Bozzio
You had not mentioned Which build you are using/trying to flash?
Basically you can go back to oem but not successfully flash the factory-to-dd-wrt image without soft bricking the dir-860l a1? Had you tried an earlier factory build?
If the amber led is on then of course ssh/telnet will not work but will only after successfully flashing dd-wrt onto the d-link and only afterwards you can enable those services I do believe they are disabled by default.
You could solder to the gnd, rx, tx pins and monitor what is failing but let me ask you does the d-link allow you to access it's UI to restore to defaults?
Before soldering try an earlier factory build image then update to a recent webflash image.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14249 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 18:07 Post subject:
The version(s) of stock firmware in question will likely not allow flashing DD-WRT except from Emergency Room, which will require vintage IE or Firefox/FF ESR.
There is nothing wrong with v1.10b4 oem image in fact I have used that particular build. It is unknown why the "op" is having problems with r51043, both factory/webflash worked just fine using firefox 64-bit under Debian 10.
al though I do have serial connection, it wasn't needed.
Flashed through d-link 1.10b4v interface upgrade procedure with factory-dd-wrt.bin later flashed webflash.bin, no reset configured a routine network setup/qos some issues with qos.
