Asus rt86u "Format jffs at next boot"

[ColinTaylor]

The question is now where to look for this replaced command @RMerlin suggested to track down his code but i cant seem to see those commands there .

As I just said, Dave provided the link in post #29.

 

[podkaracz]

As I just said, Dave provided the link in post #29.

Nvm tried it just now and its not working i dont remember what i wrote that worked and needed reboot. mtd-erase and mtd2-erase is not an option i had to mistake it with hnd-erase

 

[podkaracz]

So i was looking at different forums and also watching my "log" once "format partition at next boot" is active and here is what i got.

"hnd-erase nvram" should be equal to "mtd-erase nvram"
"hnd-write FIRMWARE.U linux && reboot" should be equal to "mtd-write2 linux && reboot" < first thing after running this command it looks for jffs2 partition and throws error idk why


and here is what i got from log (@RMerlin was right on newer models using ubiformat mtd9 is misc2 which is jffs2 partition)

"
kernel: >>>>> For primary mtd partition rootfs, cferam/vmlinux.lz mounted as JFFS2, vmlinux fs mounted as UBIFS <<<<<
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: Secondary mtd partition rootfs_update detected as JFFS2 for cferam/vmlinux source and UBIFS for vmlinux filesystem
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: Creating 10 MTD partitions on "brcmnand.0":
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000006440000-0x00000bf00000 : "rootfs"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000000560000-0x000006000000 : "rootfs_update"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x00000f700000-0x00000ff00000 : "data"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000000000000-0x000000100000 : "nvram"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000000100000-0x000006000000 : "image_update"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000006000000-0x00000bf00000 : "image"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000006000000-0x000006440000 : "bootfs"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x000000100000-0x000000560000 : "bootfs_update"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x00000c700000-0x00000f700000 : "misc2"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: 0x00000bf00000-0x00000c700000 : "misc1"
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: brcmboard registered
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: brcmboard: brcm_board_init entry
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: print_rst_status: Last RESET due to POR reset
May 5 05:05:10 kernel: print_rst_status: RESET reason: 0x00000000
"

And now the question is given that information what is the UBIFS / hnd equivalent to mtd

mtd-erase -d jffs2 ?

umount /jffs2 ?

As we can see "mtd9" is jffs2 on ubi how to unmount it and "erase kernel: 0x00000c700000-0x00000f700000 : "misc2" "


After running : cat /proc/mtd

Here is what i can see

/tmp/home/root$ cat /proc/mtd
dev: size erasesize name
mtd0: 05ac0000 00020000 "rootfs"
mtd1: 05aa0000 00020000 "rootfs_update"
mtd2: 00800000 00020000 "data"
mtd3: 00100000 00020000 "nvram"
mtd4: 05f00000 00020000 "image_update"
mtd5: 05f00000 00020000 "image"
mtd6: 00440000 00020000 "bootfs"
mtd7: 00460000 00020000 "bootfs_update"
mtd8: 03000000 00020000 "misc2"
mtd9: 00800000 00020000 "misc1"
mtd10: 0559d000 0001f000 "rootfs_ubifs"

So how do i remove misc2? Actually @RMerlin was talking about removing misc1 in my case not misc2 which is jffs2 hmm. Im confused i want to remove it all just how.

#edit

hnd-write commands looks for jffs2 all the time at start stating its moving from 154 to 155 . Its like its moving the partition every time you run it instead of clearing it idk.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Nvm tried it just now and its not working i dont remember what i wrote that worked and needed reboot. mtd-erase and mtd2-erase is not an option i had to mistake it with hnd-erase

You were probably referring to the rm command in post #5 that deletes everything in jffs. jffs and nvram are two different partitions and their contents are in different formats.

 

[podkaracz]

You were probably referring to the rm command in post #5 that deletes everything in jffs. jffs and nvram are two different partitions and their contents are in different formats.

Yes thats it.

 

[podkaracz]

!WARNING! This is experimental so dont try to copy it if you dont need it.

I think i got my router is best shape atm at least it feels like this when using it.

1.Download and install merlin firmware
2.Tick "format jffs at next boot" as well as "enable custmo scripts"
3.hnd-write 3.0.0.4.384.45717 linux && reboot while "format jffs at next boot" is waiting for reboot ( you overwrite live file system )
4."initlialize" format in web ui
5. wps reset
6. reset button
7. hnd-erase nvram

Disable everything just keep basic functionality .

Ping is more stable than ever also everything is much sharper now. I would like to know how to know if this jffs2 was removed or not because right now i just rely on those commands doing its job instead of me actually looking inside folders for example and checking if everything was erased.

This is probably big overkill erasing nvram few times but who cares i used every reset command i know

!WARNING! This is experimental so dont try to copy it if you dont need it.

 

[podkaracz]

Is there a way to verify whether jffs2 /misc 2 got erased ? How do people know that they need to reboot 3 times for it to be cleared for example. Where to look for it?

 

[ColinTaylor]

Is there a way to verify whether jffs2 /misc 2 got erased ? How do people know that they need to reboot 3 times for it to be cleared for example. Where to look for it?

Just create some random files in /jffs and see if they're gone after the reboot.

 

[podkaracz]

Also to people from Poland flashing any firmware other than Asus-wrt stock will void the warranty on any asus device . Got this information from Asus themselfs. So would be nice to clear anything including jffs2 which is created exclusively on asus-merlin i believe or am i wrong because i dont seem to find info about this on stock/asus website.

 

[Val D.]

How do people know that they need to reboot 3 times for it to be cleared for example.

No need to reboot 3 times, no need to wait 10min between reboots.

 

[L&LD]

@podkaracz, the reason I suggest to 'reboot 3 times in the next 15 to 20 minutes, waiting 5 to 10 minutes between the reboots' is this:

• Select the 'Format JFFS at next boot' radio button.
  • Make sure to hit 'Apply' at the bottom of the page.
• The first reboot formats the JFFS.
  • Waiting 5 to 10 minutes after it boots allows the router time to do what it needs to properly populate/link it, internally.
    • I would not be using the JFFS partition at this time. But I would be using the network as normal otherwise.
• The second reboot ensures that the Format and the Set up 'took'.
  • Waiting for another 5 to 10 minutes before rebooting again ensures that the above processes will complete fully (and 'exit').
    • Here is where I would be using the JFFS as needed (to install scripts, edit config files, etc.).
    • Note I am not waiting for the 5 to 10 minutes to go by before customizing the JFFS.
• The third reboot is simply the last test that the customizations 'took' too.
  • On almost any router I've worked on that I've skipped this last reboot? I had to go back to do so.
    • For my personal router, this isn't a show-stopping issue.
    • Going back to a customer is.

 

[podkaracz]

@podkaracz, the reason I suggest to 'reboot 3 times in the next 15 to 20 minutes, waiting 5 to 10 minutes between the reboots' is this:

• Select the 'Format JFFS at next boot' radio button.
  • Make sure to hit 'Apply' at the bottom of the page.
• The first reboot formats the JFFS.
  • Waiting 5 to 10 minutes after it boots allows the router time to do what it needs to properly populate/link it, internally.
    • I would not be using the JFFS partition at this time. But I would be using the network as normal otherwise.
• The second reboot ensures that the Format and the Set up 'took'.
  • Waiting for another 5 to 10 minutes before rebooting again ensures that the above processes will complete fully (and 'exit').
    • Here is where I would be using the JFFS as needed (to install scripts, edit config files, etc.).
    • Note I am not waiting for the 5 to 10 minutes to go by before customizing the JFFS.
• The third reboot is simply the last test that the customizations 'took' too.
  • On almost any router I've worked on that I've skipped this last reboot? I had to go back to do so.
    • For my personal router, this isn't a show-stopping issue.
    • Going back to a customer is.

Yes i had in mind mostly your settings since they seem to be the most precise when it comes to setting up a router . Also how do you verify that jffs2 is cleared ? Where to look for it and is there a way to erase it without the asus-merlin usage? I would use merlin but its against asus policy so i want to put my router into default state and as far as my knowledge goes i can clear everything with traditional methods other than jffs2 and thats why i try to look for the commands.

 

[L&LD]

@podkaracz the post above by @ColinTaylor will give you a 'test' to ensure it was formatted.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt86u-format-jffs-at-next-boot.61429/page-3#post-549485

Sorry, I don't know of another way to format it safely.

 

[podkaracz]

@podkaracz the post above by @ColinTaylor will give you a 'test' to ensure it was formatted.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-rt86u-format-jffs-at-next-boot.61429/page-3#post-549485

Sorry, I don't know of another way to format it safely.

I want to know methods that are not "safe" too thats why i look for commands. Im sure @RMerlin would figure it out but hes too busy i guess. I will use merlin probably once my warranty time goes/ 86u will stop beeing supported and merlin will keep on going but until that time id rather keep stock with jffs2 cleared out.

#edit

What about removing /jffs manually with help of winscp?

 

[L&LD]

@podkaracz sorry I can't offer anything here to help you with your goal.

All I can say is that everything I've read points to potentially bricking the router when using manual/brute force methods.

Tread carefully, my friend!

 

[podkaracz]

@podkaracz sorry I can't offer anything here to help you with your goal.

All I can say is that everything I've read points to potentially bricking the router when using manual/brute force methods.

Tread carefully, my friend!

Yes im here to know those methods and then calculate if its worth or not. Would be nice if you share some of them brute force methods.

 

[L&LD]

There are scattered examples/attempts all over the forums here. I wouldn't be able to find all those posts now.

Listen to @ColinTaylor though, he's one of the storage experts here.

 

[podkaracz]

There are scattered examples/attempts all over the forums here. I wouldn't be able to find all those posts now.

Listen to @ColinTaylor though, he's one of the storage experts here.

Yes @ColinTaylor helped me a lot but the point is i looked all over the forum and its all for older models not newer ones. ( example mtd2 equivalent is hnd ). There is everything for older models but for new ones nothing.

 

[L&LD]

Take those older posts about the old models and extrapolate it to search for the 'new'.

Sorry, but I think you'll be creating these posts on this topic in the near future!

 

[podkaracz]

nvram unset jffs2_size
nvram set jffs2_format=0
nvram set jffs2_on=0
nvram commit
reboot


This seems to be the most commonly proposed but not sure if applies to 86u like i said there is 0 information for newer models.

Also this thread with interesting title : "
[rt-ac86u] very easy to brick"

Contains what is interesting but its really invasive like desoldering flash chip and using programmer to flash it from working unit . I would like to achieve my goals without interfering with hardware. Also i did not buy equipment to desolder flash chips and programmer . If i want this kind of work i have to visit local service shop.