Difficulty installing Merlin 380_65 for RT-AC68U

[Patrick0525]

I was able to go from T-Mobile firmware to Asus 3.0.0.4.376.3626. When I tried to go to Merlin 380_65, it failed with message about system recovery. I went back to an earlier Merlin 378.50 and then tired again for Merlin 380_65. That failed too. For the firmware installation, I use the ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0

I have a new strategy.
Based on https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Installation
I need to start my RT-AC68U on firmware 378.55 (or the last 378.xxx version from Asus) before you can flash 380.xx, due to the partition size change.

So my steps are the following:
Install Asus 3.0.0.4.378.9313
Install Merlin 378.55
Install Merlin 380_65

I will also do a clear vram between each install by holding down the WPS button while powering the ON button.

Is this correct recipe?

 

[martinr]

I'll take your word for the Asus firmware; the intermediate flashing of 378.55 is right. But just to clarify one thing: you don't just need to restore to factory deault settings ("by holding down the WPS button while powering the ON button.") between each install but also AFTER the final one. So you'd be better off saying: "I will also do a clear vram AFTER each install by...."

Assuming it all goes well, do let us know, anyway.

 

[Patrick0525]

I'll take your word for the Asus firmware; the intermediate flashing of 378.55 is right. But just to clarify one thing: you don't just need to restore to factory deault settings ("by holding down the WPS button while powering the ON button.") between each install but also AFTER the final one. So you'd be better off saying: "I will also do a clear vram AFTER each install by...."

Assuming it all goes well, do let us know, anyway.

https://www.asus.com/uk/support/Download/11/2/0/103/svItyTHFccLwnprr/8/

Looks like Asus 3.0.0.4.378.9313 is the latest .378.XXX Asus load

What is the best way to clear vram? I thought it was the "holding down the WPS button".

 

[martinr]

This should help:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/faq-nvram-and-factory-default-reset.22822/

You'll find, if you search the forum, that some people may prefer the method you mention over other methods, but you can't do better than reading Merlin's information in the link above.

 

[Patrick0525]

This should help:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/faq-nvram-and-factory-default-reset.22822/

You'll find, if you search the forum, that some people may prefer the method you mention over other methods, but you can't do better than reading Merlin's information in the link above.

Thanks

 

[Patrick0525]

Thanks. The issue has been resolved and successfully installed to the latest Merlin 380.65 [2017-02-03 version]

Removed the original T-mobile Asus firmware, and used the ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0
to install the latest Advanced Tomato [tomato-RT-AC68U-AT-ARM-3.3-138-AIO-64K.trx].

I wanted to switch to Asuswrt - Merlin.

Issue: Could not install Merlin 380_65 via ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0 from Advanced Tomato.
The Result: Recovery system FAILED and remained in Advanced Tomato firmware.

The Resolution:
The Merlin firmware installation steps were based on the following information:
The RT-AC68U and RT-AC56U need to be at least on firmware 378.55 (or the last 378.xxx version from Asus) before you can flash 380.xx, due to the partition size change.

#1 Install Asus 3.0.0.4.376.3626 and use ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0:
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC68U/HelpDesk_Download/


#2 Update to Asus 3.0.0.4.378.9135 using Asus GUI Admin firmware update
Note: For some reason, could not directly install 9135 using ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0 and needed to do STEP #1.
Did not try to install 9313 version using ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0

#3 Install Merlin 378.55 and use ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool 2.0.0.0:
http://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/download

#4 Update to Merlin 380.65 and use Merlin GUI Admin firmware update


reference:
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Installation

 

[cdkao]

Awesome write up! I will try that tonight! Thank you!

EDIT -
Tried it... it didn't work on mine. I was not able to get my router to a recovery mode. Maybe it's because I have the latest T-Mobile firmware on it.

If anyone has a solution please post.

Thanks.