Merlin. Please Help!

[IHazAQuestion]

Hello Merlin (and other potential gurus),

Long time fan. I've used your firmware since I purchased my router (N66U) B1. You've been a wonderful help in the past. Hopefully you can assist yet again. I know this router is virtually impossible to brick from what I've been reading, but nothing seems to work. Below you'll find a breakdown of what I tried in order.

I attempted to update my firmware.

Previous Version: _270.24
New Version: 372.32_beta3

I clicked "Factory Defaults" within the router GUI, router performed countdown, rebooted, everything was reset.

I tried to upload firmware through ASUS utility that I downloaded today from ASUS. It said the router is not in recovery mode. It wasn't.

Power down, hold reset for 5. Power up still holding reset. Router power light blinks slowly.

I tried to upload firmware through ASUS utility (372.32_beta3). Utility said router not in recovery mode. Should be, light is blinking slow.

Router power light is still blinking.

Normal reboot. Router power light still blinking.

I tried to upload firmware (372.32_beta3) through ASUS utility, since light is blinking. Utility said router not in recovery mode, despite the fact that the power light is blinking

Ping the router. Success. Yeah!

Navigate to 192.168.1.1, I see CFE utility. Select NVRAM. Watch router for 2 mins. Router seems unaffected. Select Reboot. Router does not reboot. Router power light is still blinking.

Search Google. This has occurred to a select few people. Most give up unsuccessfully. I'm worried. I Google some more and follow your instructions: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/sh...t=bricked+n66u


Here's the whole recommended method for recovery that I use myself in case of problem:

To reset the router settings:

1) Turn the router off
2) Unplug modem and every computers from ther outer except for one single computer
3) Press the WPS button, and keep it pressed
4) Turn the router on
5) Wait 10 seconds, then release the WPS button
6) Wait about 10 seconds, then turn it off

For the recovery flash:

1) Start the Firmware Recovery tool on your computer. Select the file, then click on Upload. It will start looking for the router.
2) Press the reset button, and while it's pressed turn the router back on
3) Give it about 20 seconds - the Recovery tool should then detect the router, and start uploading the firmware. (Utility said router not in recovery mode.)

Router still blinking. Uh Oh.

Ping router. Success. Yeah!

Browse to 192.168.1.1 See CFE. Yeah!

Pull out ASUS CD. Try Recovering via CD.

"Two or more Wired Connections are Detected" Really worried because it is connected *only* to a single computer with static IP of 192.168.1.3

Reboot.

Try Recovering via CD again. "Two or more Wired Connections are Detected". Stay calm. Breathe

Try Merlin steps again. Router still blinking. Sigh.

Pull out old DLINK router in meantime. Contact Merlin.

At this point. Nothing but power is connected. Router still blinking.

Unfortunately I have to leave for class right now. As soon as I return (few hours), assuming you have had time to respond, I will try everything you suggest. I know this router is supposed to be virtually unbrickable, but it seems like the few people that have encountered this, have never recovered. Hopefully you and I can make me the exception.

Thanks in advance for your time.
Edit/Delete Message

 

[IHazAQuestion]

Any ideas?

 

[Kobold]

Sorry for barging in, I just would like to clarify some things. AFAIK, ASUS Recovery tool is just a frontend for the router CFE web interface. When your router starts, CFE is the first thing that it loads. Just like PC BIOS. Then CFE tries to load a linux kernel from the flash. If it fails, CFE launches its own web server that allows to load a new trx file and reset NVRAM. So, the Firmware Recovery tool just checks if CFE web interface is available at 192.168.1.1.
And the thing I'd like to clarify is was your attempt of reflashing the router a success? If it wasn't, maybe your router has some troubles with its flash chip?

 

[IHazAQuestion]

Hi Kobold,

You're more than welcome to hop in, I'm open to help from anybody, I referenced Merlin in the title because he's the resident genius here. Thanks for explaining the recovery tool vs the CFE!

As to your question, reflashing has not been a success, at this point the power light keeps blinking slowly as if it's in rescue mode and going to 192.168.1.1 will only get me to the CFE. When I try the reboot or NVRAM options nothing happens (although it will respond to pings). It seems like there should be *something* I can do.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to have to go the RMA route, as no one seems to have ideas or suggestions. Which is a bummer, I was hoping to try some ninja-like troubleshooting and stumble on a fix that would help others too.

 

[Kobold]

it looks like I'm going to have to go the RMA route

If you can, then maybe it's an appropriate solution. Even if your problem is merely a firmware problem they'll fix it. Or you'll get a refund

As regards the router reflashing, CFE may perform it a bit slowly than nvwrite in the firmware. Unfortunately I don't remember if it shows a message of what it's doing, however, you just have to wait a little. If the router hardware is ok and the firmware is ok then the router eventually swallows the firmware, reboots and gets operational again.

 

[skymoose]

Same recovery sequence for 68U?

Can you use

Same recovery sequence for 68U?

Thanks