Instructions to install Johns fork

[OMNI619]

Hello I need help were I can get instructions on how to install Johns fork I'm doing it at this moment but it gave me a failed to update firmware RT-N66R /U I did a factory reset on on the latest 380.79 Merlin any help please thanks

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[Grisu]

Hello I need help were I can get instructions on how to install Johns fork I'm doing it at this moment but it gave me a failed to update firmware RT-N66R /U I did a factory reset on on the latest 380.79 Merlin any help please thanks

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https://www.snbforums.com/threads/fork-asuswrt-merlin-374-43-lts-releases-v34e3.18914/
Have a look at installation notes and use Asus restauration tool with factory reset before and after.

 

[Sanna1967]

You tried with this ?: every steps are important

https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1000814/

*The N66 is very long to flash with this method, so be patient, it can take up to 30 mins to flash

 

[loveleeyoungae]

From my experience, the best method is to ssh into the router and use the mtd-write command.
You can read more in this post of mine.

 

[OMNI619]

One more thing why does it take 30 minutes for the firmware to finish the update? I don't want to brick the router at this moment is the only one I have thanks

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[ColinTaylor]

One more thing why does it take 30 minutes for the firmware to finish the update?

Because most (all?) hardware versions of the RT-N66U have very slow flash memory. My N66U would take about 40 minutes.

 

[RypeDub]

Were you able to downgrade so that you could install John's fork?

 

[OMNI619]

No I been dealing with this for hours do I have to downgrade in order to use John forks? I did a reset on Merlin 380.70 I attempted over the web GUI and asus restoration tools but I get failed to update firmware

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[RypeDub]

Do I have to downgrade in order to use John forks?

Yeah, what I did was use the ASUS tool to downgrade to 374.43 stock, then you can use the GUI to install john9527's fork.

I have your exact router.

 

[OMNI619]

Ok thanks for the info I'm trying out today

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[loveleeyoungae]

Ok thanks for the info I'm trying out today

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As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't trust Asus Tool for downgrading as they do not have a way to clear the nvram after flashing the firmware (i.e. your newly flashed firmware would have to boot once with the old nvram value).
You'd better ssh into the router, upload all necessary files, clear nvram and then write the firmware to the linux partition.

 

[M@rco]

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't trust Asus Tool for downgrading as they do not have a way to clear the nvram after flashing the firmware (i.e. your newly flashed firmware would have to boot once with the old nvram value).
You'd better ssh into the router, upload all necessary files, clear nvram and then write the firmware to the linux partition.

I've had little to no issues using the recommended ways to recover, upgrade or downgrade firmware by using the WebUI or the Asus Restoration Tool. Nothing that couldn't be solved by a factory reset and a power cycle. The fact that you prefer mtd-write doesn't necessarily mean it's a fool proof method for less experienced forum members.

 

[loveleeyoungae]

I've had little to no issues using the recommended ways to recover, upgrade or downgrade firmware by using the WebUI or the Asus Restoration Tool. Nothing that couldn't be solved by a factory reset and a power cycle. The fact that you prefer mtd-write doesn't necessarily mean it's a fool proof method for less experienced forum members.

I think the "YMMV" statement might be true here. I recently got an issue and Asus Tool could not do anything, so I had to cracked open the router to perform a serial flash (even though what all both methods do is basically tftp transloading, right?).
And I honestly think the ssh method is not difficult (I don't consider myself as an advanced user either). However, I just suggested a method that I think that would be better for him to downgrade to john's fork per my experience. After all, if any other methods would work for him, that's still fine.

 

[OMNI619]

Were you got the the 374.version I can't find it anywhere

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[Grisu]

for rt-AC68U here: https://rebyte.me/de/asus/88462/file-460597/

 

[OMNI619]

I have a RT-N66R/U

for rt-AC68U here: https://rebyte.me/de/asus/88462/file-460597/

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[OMNI619]

I have flashed many router before DD-WRT. MERLIN TOMATO SHIBBI this is killing me

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