N66U Seek Details for Firmware flash

[thinkpadfan]

I have a Asus N66U running a very old Merlin Firmware, version 3.0.0.4.270.26

All works fine but wish to update to current firmware version.

I have been looking for detailed step-by-step instructions in the Best Practices to install the new firmware.

1) Download current firmware, login into router's GUI and make screengrabs or notes on the current configuration settings.

2) remove ethernet cable from cable modem and pull power to cable modem

3) remove other ethernet cables from router except for the one attached to whatever computer will doing the update firmware from.

This is where I get confused. I see talk of clearing NVRAM via using the WFS button on the router combined with a process of pulling the power cord; and found this forum post but was confused by the term of "Recovery Mode"

- Unplug the power of the router
- While plugging the power back in, hold the WFS Button (to clear the NVRAM)
- The power LED is flashing, then it took command and will clear the NVRAM
- After releasing WFS, all of the LEDs light up. This is when you start holding the Reset button.
- If you did this correctly, the Power LED will be flashing on and off, slowly. This means you have accessed recovery mode.

Is "Recovery Mode" the same as "Factory Default" ?


** Bottomline: I am seeking clear, detailed step-by-step Wiki instructions on updating very old Merlin firmware to current firmware on an Asus N66U (version B1 if that matters)

I simply prefer to ask for help BEFORE doing something I do not understand vs. seeking help after I screw something up

Thank you

 

[jlake]

1. Recovery mode is not the same thing as factory defaults.
2. To update the firmware, simply download it to your computer, and unzip it.
3. Then use the web UI to update the firmware.
4. After the firmware updates,reset n66u to factory defaults (restore factory defaults)
5. Your user manual says......to reset to factory defaults, press and hold the reset button for more than 5 seconds.
6. Recovery mode is only for rare and special circumstances.
7. All of this information can be found in your PDF user manual located on asus support website.
8. After you reset the router to factory defaults, follow the basic troubleshooting steps in link below. Since you've already done steps 1 and 2, start with step 3.


http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

 

[thinkpadfan]

Thank you so much, reading your link now.

1) if I'm logged into the router's GUI, on Admin/Restore-Save-Upload page, there's a mouse click for RESTORE (Factory default). How does simply pushing that button compare to doing a hardware (at the router itself) Factory Restore ?

re N66U hardware buttons:

Your note to me just now said to use the RESET button (using paperclip) on the router; but other instructions I am seeing direct from Merlin's brief sentence on the Install Wifi says to "turn the router on while holding down the WPS button"

confused

 

[thinkpadfan]

Confused:

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

direct from Merlin's wiki:
While it is generally not necessary to restore to factory defaults, it's not a bad idea, especially if there is a big jump in version number (from 112 to 178 for example). No need to do the 30/30/30 dance as required by DD-WRT - just do a plain Factory Default reset, or turn the device on while keeping the WPS button pressed (procedure can be different from one model to another)."
"

Where it says to use WPS button for the factory reset

NOTE: my current Merlin firmware is VERY old (N66U).

 

[thinkpadfan]

>2. To update the firmware, simply download it to your computer, and unzip it.
3. Then use the web UI to update the firmware.
4. After the firmware updates,reset n66u to factory defaults (restore factory defaults)
5. Your user manual says......to reset to factory defaults, press and hold the reset button for more than 5 seconds.

Please excuse my noob-ness when it comes to network issues.

(N66U using very old Merlin firmware).

Without reading what you just wrote, I would have used the WPS button to take it first to factory default; and then used the browser router GUI to update to current Merlin firmware.

However you state to simply use my very old merlin firmware, update thru the Web GUI; and then goto factory default using paperclip and the hardware Reset button.

so very sorry; but so very confused and I had wished to do this router upgrade this weekend, and I certainly truly would appreciate your help, again, thank you

 

[jlake]

There's several methods to reset the router to factory defaults. Use whatever method you want to use. Search this forum. There's hundreds, perhaps thousands of posts on the subject.

I just gave you an easy method that is described in your ASUS PDF user manual.

I figured if it was an official method described by ASUS in your official user manual, that there was no way you would be confused. I figured wrong.

 

[DrTeeth]

One only has to set it for factory defaults *after* flashing. There are several methods that do the same thing.

I also take screen shots of all the pages too. TBH, I find it easy just to work through the tabs and set things up as I like - it an take a few days to get every setting configured. As long as I have an internet connection I do not feel any pressure.

 

[thinkpadfan]

Thank you however, I simply prefer to ask questions BEFORE doing something. Yes, there are many comments however with many saying different things. Thus I simply wished to ask .

I am aware there are many methods to reset a router; but I lack the network professionalism to know how/if one method differs over another.

 

[thinkpadfan]

DrTeeth

>One only has to set it for factory defaults *after* flashing. There are several methods that do the same thing.

Thanks for the clarity; and yes, I've just spent the last hour making pretty screengrabs of each and every router GUI page. So helpful

 

[DrTeeth]

I am aware there are many methods to reset a router; but I lack the network professionalism to know how/if one method differs over another.

That is quite a reasonable thing to do. There is no difference at all AIUI. Good luck.
The only think that happened to me once was that the upgrade seemed to work but I could not login. Tried all my 'usual' passwords. The password had been reset to the default somehow. The main thing is 1) do not panic and 2) do not act in haste.

 

[thinkpadfan]

Thanks for your help yesterday, N66U updated to 374.42 went great; an hour of tedius time to follow my old screencaptures of prior settings and all is setup as it was.

Thanks

 

[Jettubby]

Thanks for your help yesterday, N66U updated to 374.42 went great; an hour of tedius time to follow my old screencaptures of prior settings and all is setup as it was.

Thanks

After you do it a few times you get used to it. Now that you are "hooked" on Merlin's firmware...........you'll be punchin' that time card a few times.

 

[thinkpadfan]

Yes, I can easily see how this is one of those things that is annoying as hell to figure out the Best-Way the first time but much easier in the future.