Linksys WRT54G v8.0 & v8.2

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NOTE: During configuration or flashing a device, the only that should be hooked to the device is the computer and power.
NOTE: These instructions only apply to the Linksys WRT54Gv8.0 and WRT54Gv8.2. They do not work for the WRT54Gv8.1. If you want to flash a WRT54Gv8.1, pls read this.

Contents

[edit] How To Flash the WRT54G v8.0 and v8.2 Using v24 (including sp2)

NOTE: During configuration or flashing a device, the only thing that should be hooked to the device is the computer and power.

[edit] Background Preparation

  1. Failing to prepare and do your background research can cause considerable frustration, loss of time, and render your router absolutely useless (bricked). In other words, you may have to literally throw it away. With an hour or so of research, you'll save hours of time in frustration.
  2. Before you begin, it is recommended that you look through the installation wiki [1] (particularly its precautions - not necessarily its implementation per se). Also, the notorious peacock thread [2], and basic techniques such as Hard_reset_or_30/30/30 and Tftp [3]. These may have some sections in some pages that are not relevant, which you can skim.
  3. You will need to review many of the recommended sites to download below. You'll want to save this page (see below) and come back here, but you will want to get the background first. Be careful about implementation on the wiki. Come back here for the best guide for your router.
  4. According to multiple sources (peacock, wiki), you are going to do almost everything offline with a LAN connection (how to Disable your wireless). The wiki recommends that you download everything you need before you start. Given the many types of problems you can encounter that can prohibit you from getting help, the process of reactivating and deactivating your security settings if you actually can get back online, and the likelihood for browser crashes if you try to just keep the pages up, this makes a lot of sense.
  5. Make sure to save all webpages as HTML. Do not save as compressed html files (some computers default to that) or bookmarks. Do not skip the saving step.
  6. Here are the websites to save:
    • This page.
    • The peacock thread [4].
    • The wiki [5].
    • Recover from a Bad Flash.
    • FAQs [6]
    • Tftp Flash instruction [7]. It describes how you may have to enable Tftp, which is very quick and easy (just one check box).
    • The wikipedia instructions for Compound TCP, if applicable [8].
  7. In addition, you will probably also need:

Before Implementation clock

  1. Do not try to skimp on the Hard_reset_or_30/30/30 reset before or after each change to your router's firmware. The peacock thread goes into extensive justifications. (clock used a stopwatch.) Be sure to follow all power cycling and reset instructions as described.
  2. The wiki recommends that you only use Internet Explorer as a browser for this process.
  3. Log off your wireless (see the right way to do it).
  4. Disable all firewalls and security (how to Disable Security. You should do this AFTER you are offline. Restore before you go back online, something your browser may automatically prompt you to do.

[edit] Implementation

  1. Configure your computer's local lan ethernet address to 192.168.1.100, subnet 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1 (this is for Linksys/most routers). (How to Change Ethernet Address). Then connect an Ethernet cable to your computer and port 1 of your router. (Do Not Use Wireless)
  2. Power cycle (ie, unplug the power cord from the router).
  3. Perform a Hard_reset_or_30/30/30 reset.
  4. If you are using certain operating systems, such as Window's Vista, an additional step to Disable Compound TCP may be required.
  5. Open your browser to http://192.168.1.1. A hard reset may leave you at a page titled MANAGEMENT MODE. If so, power cycle the router and reload. You should be in the Factory Setup GUI.
  6. Use the firmware upgrade dialog to flash ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/others/tornado/Gv8/vxworkskillerGv8-v3.bin]. If a page opens that says "Management Mode", close your browser and try again. (It may take a couple times.)
  7. WAIT for at least five full earth minutes before you continue! (longer is better) Give vxworks killer plenty of time to do its magic! After the FIVE minutes is up, if you notice a dialog asking you to reboot the router, go ahead and power cycle the router by unplugging the power cord and plugging it back in again.
  8. You will not be able to browse the WRT54 at this point, but you should be able to ping 192.168.1.1. If the router doesn't reply you haven't set your computer's network settings correctly (on step 1)
  9. Now it's time to flash the DD-WRT firmware using TFTP.
    • For Windows, enter tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin at your cmd shell (Vista users will need to install TFTP first) If you don't wish to use command line, follow the instructions for using the tftp.exe program (at note 11 of the peacock thread announcement [10]). (The peacock thread will redirect you to [11] for more specific instructions based on your operating system. This is a good resource and may be all you need - .
    • For Linux (distros other than Debian or Ubuntu), enter tftp -m octet 192.168.1.1 -c put dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin

Debian or Ubuntu -- The above instructions won't work. Open Terminal and run:
~$: tftp 192.168.1.1
tftp> mode binary
tftp> rexmt 1
tftp> timeout 60
tftp> put dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin
.

    • Alternatively for Linux (ie. if you get "error code 3" while trying to flash it), enter atftp --option "mode octet" --verbose -p -l dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin 192.168.1.1
    • For OSX, enter tftp -e 192.168.1.1. At the tftp> prompt enter put dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin at your shell
  1. The file will now be transfered and flashed to your router. After this is done, dd-wrt will automatically boot. WAIT for at least two minutes before you continue! (longer is better) Give the router plenty of time to to boot. Make note (perhaps copy) any on-screen instructions.
  2. Perform a Hard_reset_or_30/30/30 reset again.

After about a minute, you can browse dd-wrt on your router at http://192.168.1.1. According to the Peacock thread, if the hard reset was done correctly, you will be asked to change your password when you get to the webgui.

You may then go on to any of the other options you wish to pursue, such as linking routers [12]. Please see the Peacock thread to make sure that you are pursuing the correct one - do not assume! .

If you had previously flashed your router with a beta/RC version of v24 and are currently experiencing issues with LAN port 4 and/or wireless, an upgrade to the CFE-Updater and v24 stable should fix it.

Be sure to use the webgui to update to a newer build such as 12548 Newd_Micro.bin once you have dd-wrt running. See the peacock thread announcement for further information. http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486 When selecting a build, do not use any build with NEWD2 in the name. NEWD Micro Only!


[edit] How To Return To Your Original Linksys Firmware V8

  1. Open the Administration tab in dd-wrt and choose the Firmware Upgrade Tab
  2. Choose reset to default settings from the drop down.
  3. Browse and select vxworksrevert-Gv8-v3.bin. It will install the revert firmware and give you a rebooting indicator on the screen. When it is done it will give you a Confirm button on the screen. Click on Confirm. Your power light will be flashing on your router.
  4. Power cycle the router by unplugging the power cord and plugging it in again.
  5. Open your browser and enter into the address bar http://192.168.1.1
  6. Use the firmware upgrade dialog to flash your original linksys firmware WRT54Gv8_v8.00.0_fw.bin. When the upgrade success screen comes up wait 2 minutes.
  7. Power cycle the router by unplugging the power cord and plugging it in again.
  8. Open your browser and enter into the address bar http://192.168.1.1

You are now back to your factory firmware.

[edit] How to update if dd-wrt is already installed

  1. Set your computer to a static IP of 192.168.1.8. (or to whatever subnet the router is on) Disable all firewalls and security. Disable wireless on your computer and only have the router connected to the flashing computer by the ethernet cable between the two.
  2. Hard reset prior to flashing. Wait. Check for password page on re-login and change password.
  3. Flash firmware. You can use the webgui except if you have a belkin router. (For belkin use tftp.exe to flash)
  4. Wait...at least three minutes. Lights should return to normal. See important2, below. Failing to wait is how most people brick their routers.
  5. Do a power cycle of the router. (Unplug the cord, count to 30 and plug it back in.)
  6. Wait for the lights to return to normal usually about 2 minutes.
  7. HARD reset again. Wait. Check for the password page and re-login to change the password. Then you can reconfigure your settings manually.
  8. Once configured set your computer back to autoIP and autoDNS.


[edit] Notes on challenges

  1. In Vista/IE, after attempting to upload the initial killer software, the process appeared to not work several times as clock received a browser error screen. The router looked like it may be bricked (broken). The Peacock thread [13]] said, "If reply has TTL of 100, the bootloader (CFE) is responding. This is the best time to start the TFTP transfer. In most cases you should be able to flash dd-wrt firmware if you are getting any ttl=100 responses." The user was able to do the subsequent tftp using the tftp.exe referenced in previous sections.

[edit] Other Notes

A CFE compressor is available for the Gv8.0, and 8.2. It enables micro_plus to be put on the router. Click here.

DD-WRT v24 RC1 micro supports this router.

[DD-WRT v24 RC3] The the WRT54 Gv8 and WRT54GSv7 is now fully supported, but requires a special flashing procedure (which is simpler than the v5 and v6 vxworks killer procedure).

See http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20095

[DD-WRT v24 RC4] There are some issues with RC3 which are resolved in RC4. CFE update is critical if updating from RC3. There is an issue with port 4 not working on some routers using RC4.

[DD-WRT v24 RC5] How To Flash the WRT54Gv8 Just follow the instructions as listed, be sure to restart your router when the install is finished and don't forget the login is root with a password of admin. headpin11

[DD-WRT v24 RC6.2] Supported -> Broadcom Generic / Micro

[DD-WRT v24 Final] As of late April 2008, the WRT54G v7.2 is now supported via the micro version of DD-WRT. (Note that the micro and the mini versions are different. For the differences, read What is DD-WRT?#File Versions).

Eko's detailed instructions are HERE in English, German, and French.

And the relevant files are HERE.

The best thread in the forums on this topic is HERE.