Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:59 Post subject: Did I brick it? Archer C7 v2
Hi community, need some help... believe I may of made a grave mistake.
I have a Archer C7 v2 router I had not used in a long time, It was running DD-WRT LEDE and in my attempts to update it to latest DD-WRT firmware (last update was 2015) I think I may of bricked it, looking for help on how to recover if possible.
Initially back in 2015, I bought the router new, flashed
ArcherC7v2_en_3_14_3_up_boot(150427).bin
then flashed factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin and eventually was able to flash and utilize the Lede firmware version - lede-17.01.4-ar71xx-generic-archer-c7-v2-squashfs-factory.bin.
Everything was great for years, then I moved and had no need for router so it sat and collected dust, now I want to use it again and was attempting to flash it to a more upgraded version using the webGUI, I tried to apply tplink_archer-c7-v2-US.bin and perform a reset to default before and after on router. Now I am stuck the router has lights and boots but when I start it up and plug in a ethernet direct connection the LAN port lights but a PC directly connected only gets APIPA address and even setting the IP configuration on this locally direct connected machine manually as 192.168.1.5, 255.255.255.0, 192.168.1.1 the router at IP 192.168.1.1 fails to ping and I can no longer communicate with it?
Anyone have ideas of what I can try next?
I can't reach WebGui, can't connect ssh, trying TFTP via tftpd64.exe but no responses in logging.
I performed a Advanced IP Scanner process from the locally connected machine (the Ethernet jack connected to router lights up when connected). No results returned to identify the router IP
command line "arp -a" returns three IP's 192.168.1.255, 224.0.0.22, 224.0.0.252 all of which when attempting to ping requests completely time out.
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 12877 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2023 15:54 Post subject:
I will move your thread to a more appropriate forum, see the forum guidelines with helpful pointers about how to research your router, where and what firmware to download, where and how to post and many other helpful tips:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
I will move your thread to a more appropriate forum, see the forum guidelines with helpful pointers about how to research your router, where and what firmware to download, where and how to post and many other helpful tips:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
Joined: 16 Nov 2015 Posts: 6435 Location: UK, London, just across the river..
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:13 Post subject:
well.... it seams you don't clearly know what you are running on your router...
Just in case of TFTP not working than your last resort is serial recovery...
Here is all you need to know on the OpenWRT side https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_c7
there are few recovery options described...very well...
Do in mind for successful TFTP you may need:
-a hardware switch in between the router and PC
-recovery file renamed as the name required, the file name that recovery console is asking for..
you can see it in tftp log or use wireshark to monitor the router LAN port
-in some cases you'd need to disable firewall and antivirus, as those may block the TFTP
-when TFTP recovering you either use factory to ddwrt firmware (if you are on DDWRT at all) or stock firmware.... https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/download.php?id=30565
Most of the times, when moving from different firmware you go back to stock...and than flash with factory-to-ddwrt build first...
At the end of the day, when flashing to a 3rd party firmware reading/knowing the matter helps a lot, so no rush take your time... _________________ Atheros
TP-Link WR740Nv1 ---DD-WRT 55630 WAP
TP-Link WR1043NDv2 -DD-WRT 55723 Gateway/DoT,Forced DNS,Ad-Block,Firewall,x4VLAN,VPN
TP-Link WR1043NDv2 -Gargoyle OS 1.15.x AP,DNS,QoS,Quotas
Qualcomm-Atheros
Netgear XR500 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoH,Forced DNS,AP Isolation,4VLAN,Ad-Block,Firewall,Vanilla
Netgear R7800 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoT,AD-Block,Forced DNS,AP&Net Isolation,x3VLAN,Firewall,Vanilla
Netgear R9000 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoT,AD-Block,AP Isolation,Firewall,Forced DNS,x2VLAN,Vanilla
Broadcom
Netgear R7000 --DD-WRT 55460 Gateway/SmartDNS/DoH,AD-Block,Firewall,Forced DNS,x3VLAN,VPN
NOT USING 5Ghz ANYWHERE
------------------------------------------------------
Stubby DNS over TLS I DNSCrypt v2 by mac913
So appears after lots of trying I may of officially bricked my router.
I was doing the 30/30/30 reset to try to fix.
I now have been successful getting firmware to upload to ram, but it won't load any of it, not ddwrt, factory, or even original lede.
Completely unopened brand new TP-Link C7 Archer v2 (US) - could someone guide me to a link or exactly the steps I should follow if I wanted to load this one with the latest compatible version of DD-WRT?
Objectives I would like to use this device for are to segregate my network into two VLANS (home/work) [with different DNS rules for each] - as well as have a secondary identical router (on its way) serve as a AP extension for extending Wifi Signal further.
Anyone mind giving me the short-hand steps to flash these brand new routers so I don't mess up a second time? Also any suggestions whether DD-WRT will service my requirements well is appreciated.
well.... it seams you don't clearly know what you are running on your router...
Just in case of TFTP not working than your last resort is serial recovery...
Here is all you need to know on the OpenWRT side https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_c7
there are few recovery options described...very well...
Do in mind for successful TFTP you may need:
-a hardware switch in between the router and PC
-recovery file renamed as the name required, the file name that recovery console is asking for..
you can see it in tftp log or use wireshark to monitor the router LAN port
-in some cases you'd need to disable firewall and antivirus, as those may block the TFTP
-when TFTP recovering you either use factory to ddwrt firmware (if you are on DDWRT at all) or stock firmware.... https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/download.php?id=30565
Most of the times, when moving from different firmware you go back to stock...and than flash with factory-to-ddwrt build first...
At the end of the day, when flashing to a 3rd party firmware reading/knowing the matter helps a lot, so no rush take your time...
Hi Alozaros thanks for your reply, you're right - I was completely unaware I was running openwrt instead of dd-wrt, I think at one point I had to load dd-wrt prior to being able to flash openwrt (lede).. I am however starting over as I cannot seem to get the flash to occur only files to upload to RAM, I don't have serial functionality to see what is going on. I will definitely take my time in the future.. I had a lot to do on the day of this activity and was trying to rush it lesson learned, a $40 mistake had to re-buy a new router. Maybe in the future I'll obtain a serial cable and try recovery, when I have the time.
I did learn two things...
1) TFTP wasn't working at first due to firewall being enabled. I turned it off.
2) I needed switch between my PC and router configured manually to reach 192.168.1.68
So now I am ready to take my secondary out of the box and start over but wish to load only latest DD-WRT from its stock factory firmware using this setup.
You do not have to flash DD-WRT to flash OpenWRT on this device. Are you sure that the router answers at 192.168.1.86 or 192.168.0.86? Your TFTP server should be at 192.168.0.66 (or 192.168.1.66) and this device should not require a stripped stock or OpenWRT Factory or DD-WRT factory-to-ddwrt firmware file to recover. _________________ "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 do not have to flash DD-WRT to flash OpenWRT on this device. Are you sure that the router answers at 192.168.1.86 or 192.168.0.86? Your TFTP server should be at 192.168.0.66 (or 192.168.1.66) and this device should not require a stripped stock or OpenWRT Factory or DD-WRT factory-to-ddwrt firmware file to recover.
The broken router does answer at 192.168.0.86 and I see the firmware file upload to RAM but then nothing, it never flashes. so I am now working to update a brand new unopened secondary router of same "Archer C7 v2" (I bought a spare).
I want to flash it to DD-WRT right out box... I am connected to it, logged into TP-Link gui, but I do not want to make the same mistakes twice... Can someone guide me as to which of the two files below are proper for first time flash after downgrade to version 150304 from TP-Link website.
The router is the US version. (Version 2 Archer C7).
This link
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Firmware_FAQ#Which_router_should_I_buy.3F
mentions use "factory-to-ddwrt.bin" under "Installation" step 3. The filenames are very similar and I do have the US version, so I just want to make sure I use the right one. I can't tell from the way its written whether the trailing "US" is for upgrading or should be used for initial jump to DD-WRT, and all files have same date...
I think... the link I posted above this is the expectation for my router? Please when able someone help confirm....
factory-to-ddwrt.bin -- initial jump update from TP-Link firmware to DD-WRT
or
factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin -- used to upgrade from older DD-WRT version to current dated version 06-JAN-2023?
The router is the US version. (Version 2 Archer C7).
Therefore given I am desiring to update to the latest now and jump directly from TP-Link version ArcherC7v2_en_3_14_2_up_boot(150304).bin I should be able to apply "factory-to-ddwrt.bin" only and it would put me on the latest DD-WRT dated 06-JAN-2023, correct? no further updates required?
TP-Link Archer C7 V2 installers & upgrades are basically same sizes, so nothing is missing.
Compatible yes, but low-spec router can only expect basic functionality, little performance.
Joined: 16 Nov 2015 Posts: 6435 Location: UK, London, just across the river..
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:43 Post subject:
yes follow the blkt advise ... if its US version stick to the firmware for it as its marked US..
so, for first flash from stock web interface use correct factory-to-ddwrt file, take your time...no rush..
on reboot you can see your router at 192.168.1.1, set username and password and all is ok..
on the next update from DDWRT interface use the appropriate tplink_archer-c7-v2.bin file for your
router version if its US version use the correct one
last firmwares https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/01-09-2023-r51275/tplink_archer-c7-v2/ _________________ Atheros
TP-Link WR740Nv1 ---DD-WRT 55630 WAP
TP-Link WR1043NDv2 -DD-WRT 55723 Gateway/DoT,Forced DNS,Ad-Block,Firewall,x4VLAN,VPN
TP-Link WR1043NDv2 -Gargoyle OS 1.15.x AP,DNS,QoS,Quotas
Qualcomm-Atheros
Netgear XR500 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoH,Forced DNS,AP Isolation,4VLAN,Ad-Block,Firewall,Vanilla
Netgear R7800 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoT,AD-Block,Forced DNS,AP&Net Isolation,x3VLAN,Firewall,Vanilla
Netgear R9000 --DD-WRT 55779 Gateway/DoT,AD-Block,AP Isolation,Firewall,Forced DNS,x2VLAN,Vanilla
Broadcom
Netgear R7000 --DD-WRT 55460 Gateway/SmartDNS/DoH,AD-Block,Firewall,Forced DNS,x3VLAN,VPN
NOT USING 5Ghz ANYWHERE
------------------------------------------------------
Stubby DNS over TLS I DNSCrypt v2 by mac913
You do not have to flash DD-WRT to flash OpenWRT on this device. Are you sure that the router answers at 192.168.1.86 or 192.168.0.86? Your TFTP server should be at 192.168.0.66 (or 192.168.1.66) and this device should not require a stripped stock or OpenWRT Factory or DD-WRT factory-to-ddwrt firmware file to recover.
The broken router does answer at 192.168.0.86 and I see the firmware file upload to RAM but then nothing, it never flashes. so I am now working to update a brand new unopened secondary router of same "Archer C7 v2" (I bought a spare).
Anticipation window of at least 1024 in tftpd32/64, dumb switch in between PC and router lan port, or you can pay me $85 plus shipping both ways and I will take the 15 minutes to recover and flash DD-WRT on it for you. _________________ "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
