They're identical. I use the same stuff on ac68u, ac1900 and ea6900. You don't use tomato. Flash the cfe and use the recovery to load merlin. You edit the cfe for your macs, so I guess that's the extra steps you're talking about. It's simple.
They're identical. I use the same stuff on ac68u, ac1900 and ea6900. You don't use tomato. Flash the cfe and use the recovery to load merlin. You edit the cfe for your macs, so I guess that's the extra steps you're talking about. It's simple.
Ok, just start at telnet. I'll upload the CFE. I opened the stock cfe and just copied the macs over (while following the +4 instruction). Yeah, flash the new cfe (you may need to copy mtd-write with the cfe, I'll upload it, too). Don't bother with the nvram dump.
No need to flash tomato, just get to the recovery page and upload merlin 374, let it boot, then reboot back to recovery and load newest merlin.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/1l837o9zbvz8zf1/ac1900+flashing+stuff.7z/file I've done several devices across all three models with no issue. I came up with it as part of hybrid approach dealing with new firmware ver blocking stuff and something to work across all of the models (this forum guide was the unifying part of getting them all to work the same). There's been lots of flashing older/custom firmware and opening them to get to the pins to flash cfe and stuff lol.
Ok, just start at telnet. I'll upload the CFE. I opened the stock cfe and just copied the macs over (while following the +4 instruction). Yeah, flash the new cfe (you may need to copy mtd-write with the cfe, I'll upload it, too). Don't bother with the nvram dump.
No need to flash tomato, just get to the recovery page and upload merlin 374, let it boot, then reboot back to recovery and load newest merlin.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/1l837o9zbvz8zf1/ac1900+flashing+stuff.7z/file I've done several devices across all three models with no issue. I came up with it as part of hybrid approach dealing with new firmware ver blocking stuff and something to work across all of the models (this forum guide was the unifying part of getting them all to work the same). There's been lots of flashing older/custom firmware and opening them to get to the pins to flash cfe and stuff lol.
1) in the router went to the administration>>firmware upgrade page.
2) Don't click check for updates, it fails
3) Click on link "Get the latest firmware version from the download site at https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/download/"
4) DL FW after cruising around that page to mirror page
5) Upload FW on Router Firmware Upgrade page by clicking "Manual firmware update "
1) in the router went to the administration>>firmware upgrade page.
2) Don't click check for updates, it fails
3) Click on link "Get the latest firmware version from the download site at https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/download/"
4) DL FW after cruising around that page to mirror page
5) Upload FW on Router Firmware Upgrade page by clicking "Manual firmware update "
Nice, thanks. I guess I'm overthinking, last update I followed the steps on post #13. I was under the impression that every time I update I'd had to run the same commands again. So, actually not, as long I'm already on a FW newer than 384.6 I'm good, the challenge this whole thread is about is crossing this critical 384.6 "wall" imposed by Asus. Is my understanding right?
Nice, thanks. I guess I'm overthinking, last update I followed the steps on post #13. I was under the impression that every time I update I'd had to run the same commands again. So, actually not, as long I'm already on a FW newer than 384.6 I'm good, the challenge this whole thread is about is crossing this critical 384.6 "wall" imposed by Asus. Is my understanding right?
I was in 386.3 but I downgraded to 384.14 because I couldn’t set up aimesh. It looks like aimesh 2.0 is better than 1.x in 384. Is there something special you need to do to get a flashed 68 model to work fully on 386.x?
Hi all. I've been using the converted 1900 to 68U for a few years now. However, no matter what Merlin 68U version I flash, the GUI always says at the top that it's a 68P. I followed the baytecharea instructions 4 years ago, so it's possible I made a mistake back then. I'm guessing I didn't flash the right CFE or edited the MTD correctly.
Since I'm already on the latest merlin for 68U, what is the simplest way to reflash the CFE and correct the MTD?
Not sure the GUI showing 68P instead of 68U is causing you any real problems. With regards to checking the MTD5, open a Putty Terminal and SSH into your router.
You can verify the MTD5 partition is empty with this command:
"People that have TM-AC1900 are going to have trouble flashing. Even if they never did before. Asus has implemented new hardware checking and that device will not update on account of it. My advice is seek help from outside of this forum. Putting Asus-merlin on a TM-AC1900 is illegal."
Does this work:
Followed these steps to flash to 384.5 via wired Ethernet---
(From anonymous SNB member prior to being removed by moderator)
Used Putty to SCH into router, then entered in sequence:
1.a. ln -s /sbin/rc mtd-erase
b. ./mtd-erase -d asus
c. rm -rf /jffs/.sys/RT-AC68U
d. nvram unset fw_check && nvram commit && reboot
2. Copied new firmware with WinSCP to tmp/home/root/ and ran
mtd-write2 RT-AC68U_384.5_0.trx linux
3. Did a hard reboot of router
As mentioned, I was able to flash 384.6 via routine GUI upgrade method without issue.
EDIT (11.18.2018) from post # 5 below (with minor changes):
Update: After reading some current and old posts I decided to try the section that said YOU MUST UPDATE THE MTD5 Partition.
This is meant to be a quick dirty guide to update and assumes you have some past experience.
This also assumes you are working with an already converted router: mine was already on 384.5 but would not update.
Save config settings from router, Under "Administration". (as a precaution, you will need to reload settings from scratch)
EDIT: Do a factory reset through the GUI before proceeding. (you can enter SSID and Password for minimal setup)
You need to enable SSH under the Administration tab / System Enable SSH LAN + WAN LAN only Allow SSH Port Forwarding Yes SSH PortAllow Password Login Yes Enable SSH Brute Force Protection No
Set computer IPV4 to static IP: pick number greater than router's IP: (Example, 192.168.1.70)
From Putty run these commands, one at a time, (so "enter" after each line of code.)
( you need your current router login ID and password ID and router IP address)
After router reboots
Using Device Discovery log into router and flash new .trx from within the router's built in GUI utility.
If you were on 192.168.29.1 to access control page the above will now revert to stock 192.168.1.1
You can change it back or keep it stock.
This is the reason for using the ASUS Device Discovery application from above. So you have access to router settings.
Stock Username and Password:
admin and admin
You need to reload settings from scratch.
IPV4 set back to automatic or whatever yours was.
*Please read additional posts below from other contributors who have also provided additional working methods.*
From Post # 17 : Thanks to "maxmalta"
Upgrade Asus AC-68U (real TM-AC1900) from 384.5 to newest version:
1) Enable SSH Connection (Administration -> system -> Enable SSH -> Lan Only -> Allow SSH Port Forwarding -> Yes
2) Open SSH ( if you use macOS , then use app telnet lite -> download MacOS App Store)
set new connection: 192.168.x.x (router ip), username and password. Set Use SSH2 (port 22).
Hi. Thank you for this . I converted via Bayareatech site instructions a few years ago and I am not sure if I did the MTD5 Partition Fix already because it was a while ago. I have updated my firmware without issue very recently , and I am on stock 3.0.0.4.386_49703 . Is there a way I can check without going through the steps, is the fact that I am able to update the stock firmware within the GUI indicate its safe to update to Merlin within the GUI ?
Hi all. I've been using the converted 1900 to 68U for a few years now. However, no matter what Merlin 68U version I flash, the GUI always says at the top that it's a 68P. I followed the baytecharea instructions 4 years ago, so it's possible I made a mistake back then. I'm guessing I didn't flash the right CFE or edited the MTD correctly.
Since I'm already on the latest merlin for 68U, what is the simplest way to reflash the CFE and correct the MTD?
