Thanks for the suggestion. My router still under warranty, so I will try to claim the RMA first. If they didn't accept, i will try to use serial console based solution.
Anyway, could you or anyone in the forum share a proven usb to serial for wdr4900 that need less soldering?
I'm looking into this following cables (+3.3 V)
but not sure if the ebay one will work.
Thank you.
Regards,
Millhouse77 wrote:
Hi,
have you tried to connect to the serial console (with an USB-adaptor)?
I fixed my WDR4900 a few times this way.
(Sorry if i over-read that you have already tried.)
whitebox wrote:
Thanks Fleshi, I did try this, but no tftp request coming from the router. I have exactly same router as you (WDR4900(EU) ver 1.3), but i don't know why the router won't initate tftp request
fleshi wrote:
whitebox wrote:
another "victim" of this firmware. I have WDR4900 v1.3, exactly same issue, no tftp request with the wps/reset button pressed. these dangerous firmware should be pulled out from the beta download section.
if anyone has a solution, please kindly share.
thanks.
See solution it below worked for me:
jiri.dostal wrote:
Hi Koala,
last week I contend with the same as you describe.
Router TL-WDR4900(EU) ver. 1.3 + dd-wrt r30432 (16/08/16). I try flash last version v3.0-r31277 std (02/07/17) - result was unfunctional router.
My solution:
- NTB with Win10
- as TFTP server I download and install Solarwinds.net ver 8.7.2 link for download: http://www.stahuj.centrum.cz/internet_a_site/servery/ftp/solarwinds-tftp-server/
- after instalation the "root tmp" is located as "c:\TFTP-Root\"
- I find this FUNCTION original stock FW for WDR4900 http://www.friedzombie.com/tplink-stripped-firmware/ (revert FW from this forum doesn't work!!! in this case)
- download, unpack and rename file "TL-WDR4900-V1-FW0.0.3-stripped.bin" to "wdr4900v1_tp_recovery.bin" and copy to c:\TFTP-Root\
- disable wifi adapter at my NTB and set up static IP 192.168.0.66 NETMASK 255.255.255.0 for ethernet card
- run TFTP server (very simple SW) at status bar is tour IP 192.168.0.66
- clikc in menu File->Configure tab "security". Change to "Transmit and receive files", confirm "OK"
- connect ethernet card (RJ45) at NTB directky by wire to first LAN port at router (no WAN - blue port)
- plug in your router and power it then directly keep the WPS/Reset button pressed
- in the main window tftp server confirms the transfer wdr4900v1_tp_recovery.bin to router
- router reboot and.... original stock FW is running at IP 192.168.0.1
- after that I flash dd-wrt v3.0-30949 std (15/12/16) - you have to use factory-to-ddwrt.bin file
- my router is back in live )
Joined: 05 Oct 2016 Posts: 19 Location: Bremen, Germany
Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 17:12 Post subject:
Hi.
Seems very expensive, paid 7€ for mine.
I did no soldering at all. I used the wire from a paperclip, inserted three(~1cm each)pieces in the three sockets of the cable and connected them to the board.
People might roll their eyes, but it fits well and works flawlessly. Used it several times.
Seems very expensive, paid 7€ for mine.
I did no soldering at all. I used the wire from a paperclip, inserted three(~1cm each)pieces in the three sockets of the cable and connected them to the board.
People might roll their eyes, but it fits well and works flawlessly. Used it several times.
Based on my knowledge, your method (paperclip without soldering) is risky. Looking at the 4 pins assignment here:
I imagine when you are transferring the firmware into the chip and the 3.3V pin is lose from the PCB and therefore lost its connection, the result could be unpredictable.
I believe it is similar to upgrading via wireless and it is not a recommended method due to the risk of losing the wireless connection during half-way upgrading.
Joined: 05 Oct 2016 Posts: 19 Location: Bremen, Germany
Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:37 Post subject:
You are right, this is of cause not the recommended way, but soldering was not really an option for me. (My possibilities and skills are limited here.)
From my point of view there is not much risk: The connection to the PCB is reliable, but even if it was not: It is (only) a console-connection which means that you don't really transfer data this way. You just send the command to start a tftp-download via a connected LAN-cable. It is not really a problem if you would lose the connection to the serial console, no process would be stopped. You could "reconnect". Also the 3,3V pin is not connected during the whole procedure.
But I agree with you: Soldering the pins to the board is the better way. (If one is able to without damaging the board.)
koala wrote:
Millhouse77 wrote:
Hi.
Seems very expensive, paid 7€ for mine.
I did no soldering at all. I used the wire from a paperclip, inserted three(~1cm each)pieces in the three sockets of the cable and connected them to the board.
People might roll their eyes, but it fits well and works flawlessly. Used it several times.
Based on my knowledge, your method (paperclip without soldering) is risky. Looking at the 4 pins assignment here:
I imagine when you are transferring the firmware into the chip and the 3.3V pin is lose from the PCB and therefore lost its connection, the result could be unpredictable.
I believe it is similar to upgrading via wireless and it is not a recommended method due to the risk of losing the wireless connection during half-way upgrading.
last week I contend with the same as you describe.
Router TL-WDR4900(EU) ver. 1.3 + dd-wrt r30432 (16/08/16). I try flash last version v3.0-r31277 std (02/07/17) - result was unfunctional router.
My solution:
- NTB with Win10
- as TFTP server I download and install Solarwinds.net ver 8.7.2 link for download: http://www.stahuj.centrum.cz/internet_a_site/servery/ftp/solarwinds-tftp-server/
- after instalation the "root tmp" is located as "c:\TFTP-Root\"
- I find this FUNCTION original stock FW for WDR4900 http://www.friedzombie.com/tplink-stripped-firmware/ (revert FW from this forum doesn't work!!! in this case)
- download, unpack and rename file "TL-WDR4900-V1-FW0.0.3-stripped.bin" to "wdr4900v1_tp_recovery.bin" and copy to c:\TFTP-Root\
- disable wifi adapter at my NTB and set up static IP 192.168.0.66 NETMASK 255.255.255.0 for ethernet card
- run TFTP server (very simple SW) at status bar is tour IP 192.168.0.66
- clikc in menu File->Configure tab "security". Change to "Transmit and receive files", confirm "OK"
- connect ethernet card (RJ45) at NTB directky by wire to first LAN port at router (no WAN - blue port)
- plug in your router and power it then directly keep the WPS/Reset button pressed
- in the main window tftp server confirms the transfer wdr4900v1_tp_recovery.bin to router
- router reboot and.... original stock FW is running Smile at IP 192.168.0.1
- after that I flash dd-wrt v3.0-30949 std (15/12/16) - you have to use factory-to-ddwrt.bin file
- my router is back in live Smile)
I waste three evenings with this...
(sorry for my weak english)
I did exactly this and works until the point where the router should be accessible on the 192.168.0.1.
=> It is not.
Any ideas why it will not load/install the new image?
at IP 192.168.0.1