[rad89]

Got a wrt3200acm, installed from the router database page, and had wifi issues.

I switched partitions using dd-wrt commands tab, and still had OEM linksys firmware on partition 1. Wifi just works.

I'd still like to tinker with dd-wrt, try out different builds etc, but since I need to be able to use this as a wifi access point, I want to be careful to keep linksys firmware on one of my partitions until I can figure out my dd-wrt wifi issue.

Does the linksys GUI install to the opposite partition? If I just keep switching back to the partition with OEM and running "factory to dd-wrt" installers will I be able to avoid having dd-wrt on both of my partitions?

[kernel-panic69]

Relying on the router database is not advised. Please consider upgrading to current release with a hard reset and reconfigure from scratch. It is advised to start reading the stickies, announcements, and forum rules & guidelines. I don't advise retaining OEM firmware since nvram space is shared.

https://ftp.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2022/01-21-2022-r48141/linksys-wrt3200acm/

Firmware images can be found on the download server(s); again, DO NOT rely on the router database, it is not updated.

https://ftp.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2022/
https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2022/
https://dd-wrt.com/support/other-downloads/?path=betas/2022/

[rad89]

Thanks, I realized my mistake with the router database the hard way.

In case someone comes across this with same question, I found mention of the strategy of leaving vendor firmware on one partition in openWRT FAQ https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/troubleshooting/vendor_specific_rescue#dual_firmware_partition

I'll clear nvram and reconfigure each time when switching. Thanks for the reminder that it's shared.

[kernel-panic69]

You didn't necessarily have to go that far:

Sticky: DD-WRT Installation, Upgrade & Basic Setup–Cliff Notes

[blkt]

Instead of jumping back and forth, especially with DD-WRT ability to webflash WRT3200ACM stock firmware,

since the source of the problem was an old build it is much better to focus purely about configuring DD-WRT.