My RT-N66u just died.

[danstek]

Today is a sad day. It looks like my router's GigE controller has bit the dust. None of the ports work, all 4 LAN and the WAN no longer respond. Everything else is still functional though. But without a working WAN this thing is now as useful as a brick.

It lasted for 1.5 years and I'm a bit disappointed as this router is highly regarded for its hardware. Of course, I would be the unlucky one to end up with a bum unit.

Currently using my old Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 with the original version of Tomato firmware as my backup, lol. Unfortunately, I can't really afford another RT-N66 right now and definitely not an RT-AC66 or AC68. These are damn expensive routers for sure. I'm thinking about picking up the older RT-N16 as a replacement. Do you guys think that's still a good pick for today or are there any other Asus models around the same price (~$80) that's might be worth looking at?

 

[RMerlin]

This router comes with a 3 years warranty. Have it replaced by Asus, it will only cost you shipping cost (one-way).

 

[danstek]

This router comes with a 3 years warranty. Have it replaced by Asus, it will only cost you shipping cost (one-way).

Unfortunately for me, it was running TomatoRAF when it just randomly died so I can't really send it in for warranty. And without any working LAN ports there's no way for me to flash stock firmware back to it. I believe I'm pretty much screwed.

 

[RMerlin]

Unfortunately for me, it was running TomatoRAF when it just randomly died so I can't really send it in for warranty. And without any working LAN ports there's no way for me to flash stock firmware back to it. I believe I'm pretty much screwed.

I would still give it a try. Asus has never shown to be overly hostile to custom firmwares, their own website was even promoting DD-WRT support for the RT-N16.

Dead hardware is still dead hardware and is covered by warranty. It's very, very unlikely that Tomato would be the cause.

 

[RMerlin]

Did you flash Toastman's Tomato by any chance?

If you did, remember that the DHCP server is DISABLED by default on his firmware. That means you have to put a static IP on your PC to be able to configure the router.

 

[danstek]

Did you flash Toastman's Tomato by any chance?

If you did, remember that the DHCP server is DISABLED by default on his firmware. That means you have to put a static IP on your PC to be able to configure the router.

If shipping isn't expensive then I guess I'll give warranty a try. And no I'm not using toastman tomato. It's been running victeks tomatoraf for the past 4 months but today all Ethernet (both LAN and WAN) ports failed so definitely a hardware issue.

 

[jerry6]

RT N-16 is a great router , if you don't need the 5 ghz band . My rt 16 has the best range and signal of all my routers , and t is still getting FW upgrades , great router .
I just sent my AC 66 in for warranty , using my n 66 backup , get better signal and transfer rates than the ac 66

 

[Pierino]

Why not flash the factory fw wirelessly?
Many here have done it over wireless.
Change the .trx ending of the asus firmware to .bin.
I've done it with dd-wrt.

 

[danstek]

Why not flash the factory fw wirelessly?
Many here have done it over wireless.
Change the .trx ending of the asus firmware to .bin.
I've done it with dd-wrt.

Is that possible? I always assumed that's a definite way to brick a router by flashing over wifi.

 

[Pierino]

It's possible. Not advised but it's not like you have a 100% functioning router.

 

[netware5]

Is that possible? I always assumed that's a definite way to brick a router by flashing over wifi.

I remember that somebody posted in this forum about his experience in flashing successfully the FW using wireless connection. You may try to search in the forum.

 

[Pierino]

I just said I did it. Why search for it? Lol

 

[r00t4rd3d]

I flash wirelessly all the time, have for years and never had an issue. With Asus routers firmware updates are preloaded before they get installed.