Asus tuf 3000v2 bootloader reinstallation

[lenovomen]

Hi,

How can I completely reinstall the firmware system of my Asus router including the bootloader? Where can I find instructions?

Suppose someone buys a second hand Asus router. That is why I ask.

How can I overwrite the tuf 3000v2 bootloader with the factory one? Where can I download it and what is the method?

 

[ColinTaylor]

You can't easily overwrite the bootloader (if that's what you really mean). You would have to try and get a copy from someone else with the exact same model and hardware revision as Asus does not make them publicly available. You would then have to flash it using a serial connection to the PCB or by desoldering the chip and programming it that way.

Normally people aren't concerned about the bootloader when buying second hand and just re-flash the normal firmware available from Asus' website followed by a hard factory reset.

 

[lenovomen]

You can't easily overwrite the bootloader (if that's what you really mean). You would have to try and get a copy from someone else with the exact same model and hardware revision as Asus does not make them publicly available. You would then have to flash it using a serial connection to the PCB or by desoldering the chip and programming it that way.

Normally people aren't concerned about the bootloader when buying second hand and just re-flash the normal firmware available from Asus' website followed by a hard factory reset.

But is it technically possible to put a virus in the bootloader? If infected, can it compromise the Merlin system? Can it gain unauthorized access to the system? Or should I not be afraid of this because the Merlin is well protected?

 

[ColinTaylor]

While anything is technically possible it's extremely unlikely. This is not a PC. I've never heard of such a thing happening with Asus routers.

 

[OzarkEdge]

Hi,

How can I completely reinstall the firmware system of my Asus router including the bootloader? Where can I find instructions?

Suppose someone buys a second hand Asus router. That is why I ask.

How can I overwrite the tuf 3000v2 bootloader with the factory one? Where can I download it and what is the method?

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize also clears data logged in /jffs partition

Install the firmware, Hard Reset that firmware to its default settings, and then configure it from scratch.

I can't speak to the health of your second hand router... if you can't trust it, buy a new router.

OE