Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 23:21 Post subject: [Solved] Help please, bricked router after installing...
Hello everyone!
Hope you are all ok!
Me? Could be better...
To the point:
After installing (web) version compiled in 31 of august from this year 2021 (from the router own command line interface), I issued nvram erase and subsequently rebooted. Only to find that the router got stuck into boot loop.. :'(
This router that I speak of is an Archer C9 v.4 from TP-LINK.
I am curretly trying to recover this router to shape with its factory (TP-Link's) firmware.
I managed to connect (to) a responsive serial ttl CFE prompt, but, no matter what I do, router doesn't accept served firmware at the request that seeks to download files from my, meanwhile, tftp server, standing at 192.168.0.0.
If someone could lend a hand it would be very nice.
I'll post more details after if need be.
Thanks for your time and patiance!
Cheers! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
And
NETGEAR R7000
Cheers to fellow villagers!
Last edited by mccurly on Wed Sep 08, 2021 19:02; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14221 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 23:47 Post subject:
TFTP server should be at 192.168.0.66; I presume you are talking about one of three alpha builds that were compiled on 8/31/21, and not the 8/30 public beta. No idea why you did a hard reset; not necessarily required...
@kernel-panic69 and @jerryjyrer , thank you both for your help.
I will follow both your leads. In the hope that I can still rescue this hardware.
I noticed that my OP has (at least) one mistake/typo, since I posted it almost "daydreaming" (or should I say "day...maring.."... ) I was very tired then, so instead of typing the address of the ethernet interface on top of wich was the tftp server, I typed 192.168.0.0. But, really, I did set tftp server up at of 192.168.0.66.
Well, as I said, time now for digging/following both your advices.
Will return for/with updates!
Thank you and see you soon! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
A) The serial console with the minicom program and the settings below (in the minicom program you configure and save the configuration through a text interface)
5. Then, taking good advice from @TheDoc , I proceeded to the tftp recovery process:
(at the same time I ran the command)
Code:
CFE>reboot
I pressed the WPS/RESET button and verified that the file
ArcherC9v3_tp_recovery.bin was flashed.
(I say this because, contrary to previous recovery attempts, and after what I describe below, I was able to access the recovery interface from a web page through the browser)
After flashing ArcherC9v3_tp_recovery.bin, the router went into bootloop. And, as I couldn't interrupt the bootloop from the serial console, I was forced to unplug the router from the plug and wait a moment.
Afterwards, I plugged the router back to to the mains, and managed to interrupt the bootloop process with the "Ctrl-C" keys. And then I notice that the router was available at the ip address 192.168.0.1. I point the browser to that address and "surprise!" there was a web interface available too!!!!
So I decided to try flashing the firmware:
Code:
"ArcherC9v4-1_3_0-up_boot-161018-ca_eu_us.bin"
(and... again astonishment!!!) it worked!!!
So, at the moment I have this version "ArcherC9v4-1_3_0-up_boot-161018-ca_eu_us.bin" installed and I will later see if I can flash the dd-wrt again.
@kernel-panic69 Hope I don't spend too much time turning my router to brick.
Anyway, thank you very much to everyone!!! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14221 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 19:33 Post subject:
I presume the older firmware ArcherC9v4-1_3_0-up_boot-161018-ca_eu_us.bin is required to flash DD-WRT from the webUI; I have one of these that is on the newer version Archer C9(US)_V4_161114 which will not allow flashing that version or DD-WRT and the only option is to TFTP flash either DD-WRT or the older ca_eu_us image. My intention was to figure out why the US firmware won't accept DD-WRT. P.S. all you had to do was read the wiki and forum threads like I previously said. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
I presume the older firmware ArcherC9v4-1_3_0-up_boot-161018-ca_eu_us.bin is required to flash DD-WRT from the webUI; I have one of these that is on the newer version Archer C9(US)_V4_161114 which will not allow flashing that version or DD-WRT and the only option is to TFTP flash either DD-WRT or the older ca_eu_us image. My intention was to figure out why the US firmware won't accept DD-WRT. P.S. all you had to do was read the wiki and forum threads like I previously said.
Yes that's what I did.
So thank you is in order.
And also you say that one shouldn't upgrade TP-Link firmware if one wishes to flash it to a dd-wrt firmware. Correct?
I am going to migrate to dd-wrt (again) so I will not upgrade TP-Link stock firmware.
One last thing: What dd-wrt version do you recommend?
Cheers! Thank you! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
If there are issues, you can always downgrade; just ensure that you read the build threads, first. Please flash and report in the correct build thread when you do flash. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
Contribute To DD-WRT Pogo - A minimal level of ability is expected and needed... DD-WRT Releases 2023 (PolitePol)
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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14221 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 20:50 Post subject:
Where do you think the information came from? The Doc's fix is linked, all the information is linked. The only 'new' information is the link to sowbug's git. BUT, I linked this thread FFR. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
Contribute To DD-WRT Pogo - A minimal level of ability is expected and needed... DD-WRT Releases 2023 (PolitePol)
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Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
(...)The Doc's fix is linked, all the information is linked. The only 'new' information is the link to sowbug's git.
Yes totally correct.
Besides, I think (although not 100% sure) that what happened to my router was something particular, which would not make this solution a general "wiki wise" eligible solution. But I am not making that call. If this type of problem/solution gets more and more frequent then why not. But until then I think it is not that a necessity.
kernel-panic69 wrote:
I always recommend the latest, which is currently 47381
Alright then. 47381 It'll be.
I'll post at that build thread the proceedings...
Cheers! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
If there are issues, you can always downgrade; just ensure that you read the build threads, first. Please flash and report in the correct build thread when you do flash.
Unfortunately router's bricked (semi) again. I think it can only bear TP-Link's own firmware now. No chance to get back to dd-wrt... At least with this... "beast" ...
I am pondering if posting back at the build's thread would even be relevant.
I am tired...
Gonna have supper now.
Cheers.. See you on some other occasion.
All the best! That's all for now! _________________ Villager of the Globe we all live in.
Used dd-wrt on:
ARCHER C9 - V.4 (EU)
(In a lingering "resurrection" state, will it revive? Stay tuned folks... )
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14221 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 22:56 Post subject:
I guess it's imperative that I focus on the one that's on my bench to come up with a solution, then. I think the only way this one can be flashed currently is via some kinda magic voodoo. The github site you linked said that the v4 uses the same jffs filesystem that the v5 does; the v5 is not currently supported because of that nonsense. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
Contribute To DD-WRT Pogo - A minimal level of ability is expected and needed... DD-WRT Releases 2023 (PolitePol)
DD-WRT Releases 2023 (RSS Everything)
----------------------
Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net