RT-AC56U - what are the bootloader versions?

[Sky1111]

Hello folks,

Does anyone know anything about different Bootloader versions on AC56U?

If there are different versions available, what is difference (like changelog)?

How can one update or reflash bootloader?

Merlin mentioned that in the newer versions of bootloader memory clock is increased to 666Mhz, but at the same time overclocking is crippled if I am not mistaken

And I assume that the bootloader update does not with the firmware update, correct?

My current version of AC56U is showing as 1.0.1.9 - what does that mean in terms of if this is a new bootloader, issues/limitations, etc.

 

[Sky1111]

and the sad truth is - I cannot overclock my AC56U anymore - an I blame the bootloader...

Merlin FW .38-2: occasionally I can get it boot at 1200/800 (BogoMIPS are ~2300), but it will crap out after few reboots and I have to clear NVRAM to recover the router.

Merlin .39, .40 - no love at all - the router either hangs on reboot, or resets itself to default clocks.

Any ideas?

 

[RMerlin]

Overclocking is about pushing hardware beyond its specs. There's never any guarantee that you will be able to push it beyond their official specs - not two devices or CPUs are totally alike.

 

[Sky1111]

Overclocking is about pushing hardware beyond its specs. There's never any guarantee that you will be able to push it beyond their official specs - not two devices or CPUs are totally alike.

Completely agree - that's exactly why some people can get reliably only 1GHz on CPU, and some extremely lucky ones managed to squeeze 1.6GHz out of 800Mhz CPU.

However, that still does not explain the issues I am seeing with bootloader.

Questions:
- is there any way to reflash the router to earlier version of bootloader?
- can the bootloader be modified somehow?
- what is the current working version of bootloader on AC56U?

FYI - I tried few versions of Merlin firmware, latest ASUS firmware, and latest DD-WRT (BrainSlayer), and I found that even without overclocking the router is not stable - changing setting and applying them resulted in router hang. Or could be the RMA refurb unit I got is just defective...

 

[RMerlin]

Questions:
- is there any way to reflash the router to earlier version of bootloader?
- can the bootloader be modified somehow?
- what is the current working version of bootloader on AC56U?

There's no bootloader available for download. And it's not just an image that can be flashed (assuming there would be any available for download), you need to extract some settings from your bootloader and update them inside any potential image you would want to flash, such as MACs, WPS PIN, radio region, etc...

 

[Sky1111]

How about that DDR Config Upgrade tool for AC68U - that one does update the bootloader, right?

Please educate me:
- Bootloader is similar in function to the system BIOS or video BIOS - correct?
- Firmware is somewhat similar to OS image with device drivers in it - correct?

thanks!

 

[RMerlin]

How about that DDR Config Upgrade tool for AC68U - that one does update the bootloader, right?

Yes. As you can see, it's not just a simple file that you upload - Asus had to write an actual application to handle the update.

Please educate me:
- Bootloader is similar in function to the system BIOS or video BIOS - correct?
- Firmware is somewhat similar to OS image with device drivers in it - correct?

That's correct. This is why a failed bootloader update will brick your router, while a failed firmware update will be recoverable.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Hello folks,


My current version of AC56U is showing as 1.0.1.9 - what does that mean in terms of if this is a new bootloader, issues/limitations, etc.

Same version I have. I have overclocked (via telnet)at one point a while back to 1000/800....without issue. Never tried higher.

 

[Sky1111]

Same version I have. I have overclocked (via telnet)at one point a while back to 1000/800....without issue. Never tried higher.

Hold on... which firmware version did use when you overclocked? the current ones listed in your signature?

Did BogoMIPS confirmed performance boost?

 

[speedingcheetah]

Hold on... which firmware version did use when you overclocked? the current ones listed in your signature?

Did BogoMIPS confirmed performance boost?

It was a few stock firmwares ago. Not sure what version. But my bootloader version has not changed far as I know. I believe RMerlin said that firmware flashes do not update bootlloader.

Currently, I have it set to 900/600 and the BogoMIPS is: 1998.84 for processor.