Change region on RT-N66U @ 3.0.0.4.378_9313

[annapurra]

Hi,

I got an RT-N66U running stock 3.0.0.4.378_9313.

I bought it in EU, and I live in RU (russia), we happen to have all channels availible but I cant change my region. I read that Asus changed that on newer firmware, I tried to login with telnet and apply the recommended commands:

nvram set pci/1/1/ccode=RU
nvram set pci/2/1/ccode=RU
nvram set wl_country_code=RU
nvram set wl0_country_code=RU
nvram set wl1_country_code=RU
nvram set regulation_domain=RU
nvram set regulation_domain_5G=RU
nvram commit

and rebooting but it always resets to EU

Can I temporarily downgrade the firmware to the original, or any old firmware I can find on the asus site, then change the region and then update the firmware to latest or do I need to apply a custom firmware like: http://www.snbforums.com/threads/fork-update-for-374-43-available-v16e1.18914/ or dd-wrt/tomato/etc?

 

[mstombs]

Recent Asus firmware uses the CFE defaults, so not changeable using simple NVRAM commands. There are tools to edit the CFE, but a bit risky and little point - latest stable Merlin firmware is based off buggy Asus firmware which doesn't have the higher channels available that it should in the EU, don't know about RU!

I recommend John's fork which is based off last unlocked Asus firmware, with later security fixes but without latest Asus eye-candy and mobile router app etc.

 

[annapurra]

Recent Asus firmware uses the CFE defaults, so not changeable using simple NVRAM commands. There are tools to edit the CFE, but a bit risky and little point - latest stable Merlin firmware is based off buggy Asus firmware which doesn't have the higher channels available that it should in the EU, don't know about RU!

I recommend John's fork which is based off last unlocked Asus firmware, with later security fixes but without latest Asus eye-candy and mobile router app etc.

Thanks for the headsup, why does the fork seem more popular than the original (https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin) on this forum, is it because the older version was more stable?

 

[mstombs]

Thanks for the headsup, why does the fork seem more popular than the original (https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin) on this forum, is it because the older version was more stable?

It's the older wifi drivers, see lockdown imposed by Asus's dealing with US FCC which has global implications. John cherry picks fixes from later mainstream merlin releases, also supports the older N16 which the main does not. Personally never had a lot of joy boosting wifi signal - can't beat just playing with antennas and locating slave device at other end of house, but you don't want to cheat the rules, just get what you need!

The N66 CFE update thread is here, I have used it a couple of times, but never tried to change default nvram vars

http://www.snbforums.com/threads/cfe-bootloader-update.8259/