Thanks! I think I had one of the CFEs error out thats why i ended up with the version I had but maybe I could try.
For now I am going to bask in having it at the latest version. Everything seems to be working well (slightly slower wifi) but zero crashes. In 12 months its never crashed yet.
Its a refurb modem for $60.00 so I'm pretty happy for the money.
Have you gone over to slickdeals to see who I am?
You used the wrong CFE.
It is not a hit and miss. You chose the higher number CFE.. or you bought a Cellspot from Amazon from a private party not Amazon. THEY put in the wrong CFE.
Either way, it doesn't matter. It is the wrong CFE.
ALL (the 3 antenna) "Cellspots" from T-Mobile are the model U (The OP mentioned that in a screenshot of the models from snbforums)
People thought the higher number CFE was the most recent, which is for the P.
The P has different radios and runs at a higher mhz. This is why the most recent ASUS firmware (that Merlin's firmware is based off of) is now causing issues (as reported on several forums/threads) with the U model's using P CFE's.
People used to use the P CFE's to overclock the router.
I have read overclocking the router only makes the interface snappy. There is no point! haha the router is quick as it is.
So do Lazymocha's guide again, use 1.0.2.0 US AiMesh CFE
Clear the NVRAM when told during the guide.
Do the MTD5 commands, AS SAID IN LAZYMOCHA'S GUIDE.. but the last 2 do on an ASUS firmware 384.
THEN PUT MERLIN ON.
Because if you don't, any mention of issues you say from now on is pointless to discuss.
Respectfully speaking
For those needing a video , I just discovered one for you that is NEW.
ASUS TM-AC1900 can't update firmware (Merlin) to newer then 384.6
Don't forget, this video does not show you the last two MTD5 commands..
So might as well do them while your at it.
Here is the
VIDEO (video by jasonbuechler from Slickdeals) but he forgets the last 2 commands:
- ln -s /sbin/rc mtd-erase
- ./mtd-erase -d asus
Those 7 MTD5 commands look like this:
If you are following the Lazymocha's Guide, you will be on Firmware version 3004.376.3626 during this step. (Step 23)
As you see in the video, the firmware is Merlin's so it obviously works!
Enable SSH, then in Putty do the 7 commands below.
Code:
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# cat /dev/mtd5 > /jffs/mtd5_backup.bin
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# mkdir /tmp/asus_jffs
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# mount -t jffs2 /dev/mtdblock5 /tmp/asus_jffs
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# rm -rf /tmp/asus_jffs/*
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# sync && umount /tmp/asus_jffs
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# rm -rf /jffs/.sys/RT-AC68U
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# nvram unset fw_check && nvram commit && reboot
The last 2 MTD5 commands:
In order to do the
last 2 MTD5 commands you
must be on Firmware 384.xxxxx or higher or the command will
not be effective.
As you see in the video. Merlin's is 384.xxxxxx (Crafted off of ASUS 384.xxxxxx firmware)
Enable SSH, then in Putty do the last 2 commands below.
Writing all FFs to the mtd5, the
green text should appear in Putty after issuing the two commands. (you will see green text in Putty)
Code:
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# ln -s /sbin/rc mtd-erase
admin@RT-AC68U:/tmp/home/root# ./mtd-erase -d asus
Erasing 0x0 - 0x1ffff
Erasing 0x20000 - 0x3ffff
Erasing 0x40000 - 0x5ffff
Erasing 0x60000 - 0x7ffff
Erasing 0x80000 - 0x9ffff
Erasing 0xa0000 - 0xbffff
Erasing 0xc0000 - 0xdffff
Erasing 0xeffff - 0xfffff
Erasing 0x100000 - 0x11ffff
Erasing 0x120000 - 0x13ffff
"asus" successfully erased.
/tmp/home/root#
--
Hmmm I just noticed this behavior on my TM --> AC68U 384.9 Merlin, CPU1 is showing 100% whereas CPU2 is doing its normal thing, however the Tools/Sysinfo is showing
CPU Frequency 800 MHz
CPU Load Average (1, 5, 15 mins) 5.20, 5.19, 5.16
Is there a way to confirm if my TM-AC1900 is indeed a rebranded 68P as opposed to the 68U? I don't think I used the 1.0.2.5 CFE at all, if I had used the 1.0.2.5 CFE, the CPU frequency should show up as 1000 MHz in theory, right?
Thanks
Is there a way to confirm if my TM-AC1900 is indeed a rebranded 68P as opposed to the 68U?
One thing for sure, when you look at the motherboard, it says RT-AC68U.
You can see it from this guide on how to retrieve the router after you brick it..
https://yum3.tistory.com/65 has some pictures of one torn down.
I have opened one of my cellspots and seen the same brand mark. (different version).
The mention about CPU frequency... It depends on a few things to /bug it. Many firmware upgrades without reset NVRAM. Bugs in the firmware that have been patched over in updates.. a bug in Merlin's..
I remember reading people using CFE for 'P' not achieving that overclock anymore. As I mentioned this newer ASUS 'smart' firmware that looks for cellspots ( all 4 on the website ) ..anything over 384.20308... I started reading issues with the CFE for P version of RT-AC68's.
This is why 'we' over on Slickdeals never installed the 1.0.2.5 CFE.
But you having 100% load could simply be updating your system and clearing NVRAM.
/shrug.
