Netgear R7900 Convert to R8000 Full Instructions

[STRUZZIN]

Netgear R7900 to R8000:

*Do not change any settings on stock or OpenWRT*
**All this was done over LAN**

1. Flash latest Stock Netgear R7900 firmware.

2. Wait 5 minutes

3. Download OpenWRT 18.06.2 for Netgear R7900

4. Flash OpenWRT

5. Open Putty 192.168.1.1 with SSH

6. Login Putty – name: root / no password needed

7. Type the following – nvram set board_id=U12H315T20_NETGEAR

8. Type the following – nvram erase && reboot

9. Login 192.168.1.1 will still be on OpenWRT

10. Flash your pick of R8000 Firmware (DD-WRT / Fresh Tomato)<bin file firmware only>

11. Wait 5 minutes

12. Turn off router

13. Turn on router count 5 seconds then press reset for 15 seconds then let go.

14. Wait for LEDs to come on like normal.

15. Reset to default settings (to ensure cleared)

16. Done – Enjoy

STRUZZIN

 

[STRUZZIN]

**Forgot to mention when you flash the R8000 (Step 10) only flash the bin no need for the factory to DD-WRT or tomato initial files **

 

[Insanim8er]

I'm trying to do this now, but I'm running into problem. I'm using a MacBook Pro. I type nvram erase && reboot, but I get "Unknown Option 'erase'

Usage:

nvram show

nvram info

nvram get variable

nvram set variable=value [set ...]

nvram unset variable [unset ...]

nvram commit

 

[Internet Man]

I'm trying to do this now, but I'm running into problem. I'm using a MacBook Pro. I type nvram erase && reboot, but I get "Unknown Option 'erase'

Usage:

nvram show

nvram info

nvram get variable

nvram set variable=value [set ...]

nvram unset variable [unset ...]

nvram commit

nvram erase may only apply to DD-WRT. Perhaps one of these OpenWrt reset methods would work better since the instructions start by flashing OpenWrt.

 

[Insanim8er]

nvram erase may only apply to DD-WRT. Perhaps one of these OpenWrt reset methods would work better since the instructions start by flashing OpenWrt.

Ya, before I posted that, I tried freshreboot as well as holding down reset, but it still didn't install the firmware. Then I realized I neglected to use a BIN file for the firmware. I was using a CHK. I got a BIN file and Voila! it works... It's now using an R8000 firmware and shows it's an R8000.

Thanks for the help, and thanks to the Op for the directions.

Does anyone know if it'll now accept chk firmware files or does it have to remain a BIN?

 

[STRUZZIN]

Not a problem and you are welcome
I just flashed the Fresh Tomato 2019.2 its working great.
I did get mine back to stock but I forget how I did it.
I may have flashed OpenWRT then flashed stock.

STRUZZIN

 

[e38BimmerFN]

Just curious, how would a user get back to stock settings and using stock FW on the R7900?

 

[goitalone]

Netgear R7900 to R8000:

*Do not change any settings on stock or OpenWRT*


1. Flash latest Stock Netgear R7900 firmware.


2. Wait 5 minutes


3. Download OpenWRT 18.06.2 for Netgear R7900


4. Flash OpenWRT


5. Open Putty 192.168.1.1 with SSH


6. Login Putty – name: root / no password needed


7. Type the following – nvram set board_id=U12H315T20_NETGEAR


8. Type the following – nvram erase && reboot


9. Login 192.168.1.1 will still be on OpenWRT


10. Flash your pick of R8000 Firmware (DD-WRT / Fresh Tomato)<bin file firmware only>


11. Wait 5 minutes


12. Turn off router


13. Turn on router count 5 seconds then press reset for 15 seconds then let go.


14. Wait for LEDs to come on like normal.


15. Reset to default settings (to ensure cleared)


16. Done – Enjoy

STRUZZIN

How to connect to pc? Wan port?

 

[e38BimmerFN]

LAN port.

How to connect to pc? Wan port?

 

[STRUZZIN]

Yes All of it was done on LAN.
Will note above thanks.

 

[KevTech]

Netgear R7900 to R8000:


7. Type the following – nvram set board_id=U12H315T20_NETGEAR

8. Type the following – nvram erase && reboot

Seems to me that when you issue the nvram erase in step 8 it would erase what you entered in step 7.
Also since there is no nvram commit after step 7 I don't think what you entered would be set in nvram but it would not matter as it is erased in step 8.

 

[Gar]

I just picked up an R7900P at a garage sale for $15 so feeling brave. Since this thread is old I thought I'd ask if there are any changes or experiences people have had with it before I maybe brick my new toy?

Edit: Thanks

Edit2: experiences with the mod, not the unit in general.

 

[bmihlfeith]

Worked for me!
Got mine at Goodwill for $5.49! Didn’t come with an AC adapter and it’s a quite unique 19V, so had to jimmy rig a new adapter, but no problems!

 

[Abishek22]

Is it possible to go to stock netgear R8000 from the DD-Wrt or Tomato?

 

[STRUZZIN]

When I attempted this it did not work.
It would only flash the 7900.

 

[avtella]

At one time you could actually change board ID in the original firmware. That’s how we tested XR500 firmware on the R7800 a while back during a beta. Granted even telnet is now removed in NG firmwares.

 

[netgearuser]

Netgear R7900 to R8000:

*Do not change any settings on stock or OpenWRT*
**All this was done over LAN**

1. Flash latest Stock Netgear R7900 firmware.

2. Wait 5 minutes

3. Download OpenWRT 18.06.2 for Netgear R7900

4. Flash OpenWRT

5. Open Putty 192.168.1.1 with SSH

6. Login Putty – name: root / no password needed

7. Type the following – nvram set board_id=U12H315T20_NETGEAR

8. Type the following – nvram erase && reboot

9. Login 192.168.1.1 will still be on OpenWRT

10. Flash your pick of R8000 Firmware (DD-WRT / Fresh Tomato)<bin file firmware only>

11. Wait 5 minutes

12. Turn off router

13. Turn on router count 5 seconds then press reset for 15 seconds then let go.

14. Wait for LEDs to come on like normal.

15. Reset to default settings (to ensure cleared)

16. Done – Enjoy

STRUZZIN

I cannot get putty to SSH. Does anyone have a solution?