Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 17 Location: California, USA
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:30 Post subject: nvram erase
I have a asus wl500gp v2 acting as my main router. After awhile I am unable to access the web interface on it. I figured out that I could just telnet to it and reboot it to get it back up. I have reset it but not necessarily done a 30/30/30 reset. The router is actually in a different building that I dont have access to all the time. I was thinking of doing this and then setting it back up remotely....
Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 5266 Location: CENTRAL Midnowhere
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:49 Post subject: Re: nvram erase
luders wrote:
What is the nvram basically? By erasing it will the router be reset to factory settings?
The jtag wiki is worth reading to explain the differences between the cfe, nvram, and kernel. But basically the nvram is where all variables are stored, such as IP addresses, passwords, configurations. Clearing it will set the router to DEFAULT configurations, by the kernel rebuilding the nvram variables to their defaults (not factory...that would be Asus variables. You have dd-wrt!) _________________ Warning: I'm "out of my element!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjYJ7zZ9BRw&NR=1
Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 17 Location: California, USA
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:47 Post subject:
Alright... that all makes sense. I went ahead and did nvram erase and reboot via telnet and the router rebooted and came back up like nothing happened. Anyone know why that might be? I thought it was suppose to be default dd-wrt settings after that.
Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 11564 Location: Wherever the wind blows- North America
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:40 Post subject:
ReadtheAnnouncements! wrote:
Guys, don't tell a noob to use the mtd command. They should stay far from it especially if they don't understand syntax! What is the syntax that will destroy everything on the router with mtd? Isn't it mtd erase nvram or mtd nvram erase?
the accidental command to wipe out everything is
erase mtd nvram
DO NOT USE THIS COMMAND....it will clean off your entire flash chip including the CFE....and on routers without JTAG...this would be the routers demise.
redhawk _________________ The only stupid question....is the unasked one.
Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 17 Location: California, USA
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:50 Post subject:
So if erase nvram does the same thing as a 30/30/30 reset then why wouldnt the option in the web interface to restore factory defaults just issue the erase nvram command?
Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 7401 Location: Little Rock
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:06 Post subject:
luders wrote:
So if erase nvram does the same thing as a 30/30/30 reset then why wouldnt the option in the web interface to restore factory defaults just issue the erase nvram command?
Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 1380 Location: Pacific North West, USA
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:37 Post subject:
The 30/30/30 was primarily for a lot of the older hardware.
Newer routers don't always respond to the reset button like the older ones did.
Some can actually be bricked with a 30/30/30 reset.
Just a warning, as I have seen it happen myself, sometimes the
'Reset to Defaults' hangs the router and a power-cycle is necessary to get back to the GUI.
It hasn't happened a lot, but it does happen occasionally.
Something to keep in mind since that remote building isn't always accessible. _________________ Soylent Green Is People !
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Netgear Nighthawk R7000 - DD-WRT Build R46220
Linksys EA8500 - OpenWRT IPQ806x Trunk R16375 5.4 Kernel