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2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

bull117
Aspirant

2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Ok...now pissed. After first firmware update debacle...believed I fried the hardware where I only got wireless lights with flashing on light. So I bought a new R7000 a few months ago. Now I tried to update the firmware through Genie and it crashed again!!! Tried even the reset button. This should not be this hard!!!
Message 1 of 13

Accepted Solutions
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> o I then opened the TFTP client that I downloaded: [...]

 

   You should have been able to use the TFTP client which comes with

macOS:

 

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1622096#M102004

 

   And, as it says at https://kb.netgear.com/000059633 :

 

      [...] Make sure to extract the file from the zip folder. The
      firmware file format is either a .img or .chk file.

 

   If you're on a Mac, and using Safari for the download, then I'd
expect Safari to extract the zip archive contents automatically.  (At
least that seems to happen here, whether or not I want it to.)  If you
use another browser, then double-clicking on the ".zip" file should do
that job.

 

   And, for an R7000, the firmware image file type should be ".chk".

View solution in original post

Message 11 of 13

All Replies
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> [...] flashing on light [...]

 

   Did you try using the TFTP recovery scheme?  See, for example:

 

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1622096#M102004

 

> [...] it crashed again!!! Tried even the reset button.

 

   Not a very detailed description of what you did, or what happened
when you did it, or what the router does now.

 

> [...] This should not be this hard!!!

 

   I agree, but there is a recovery mechanism.

Message 2 of 13
IrvSp
Master

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Wireless is not the best way to upgrade firmware... too many things can go wrong.

 

What is the state of ALL LED's?

 

Might need to do the TFTP process. Seach the forum for TFTP or use Google to search NETGEAR TFTP, should be some video's on what to do.

 

Since this IS a new router though, contact Netgear Support via SUPPORT, MY SUPPORT, and open a CASE on the problem.

Message 3 of 13
bull117
Aspirant

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Thanks IrVsp...

 

I have a Mac.  I was not updating via wireless...the router is directly connected to the computer and modem.  The TFTP process is great for someone versed in computer geekdom...I am not.  This is besides the point...if I have to replace, (again) I will surely look for a new router that will surely not be a NetGear!  This issue should not even be...if NetGear is advocating a firmware update...then it should be seamless in doing!!!  

Message 4 of 13
bull117
Aspirant

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Router does nothing but the white flashing on light (as mentioned in the first post).  Details...the computer stated it could not complete the update.  The router indicated a flashing white light and the computer direct connect.  I clicked out of the genie.  Powered off the modem and router...no luck.  powered off just the router...no luck.  Reset the router...no luck.  Now folks want to use this TFTP program...a bandaid that NetGear should fix.

 

Message 5 of 13
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> I have a Mac. [...]

 

   So?  There's a TFTP client program in macOS, too.

 

> [...] The TFTP process is great for someone versed in computer
> geekdom...I am not. [...]

 

   I wouldn't call it "great" for anyone, but using it should be
possible for anyone who can follow instructions, and has (access to) a
computer with an Ethernet interface.

 

> [...] This issue should not even be [...]

 

   Ok.  Now, do you want to throw a tantrum, or repair your disabled
router?  Either way works for me, but my time is too valuable to waste
on a tantrum.

Message 6 of 13
bull117
Aspirant

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Well...both really...a tantrum and a rant!  In today's word, firmware updates should be seamless.

So...here is the status after spending hours on the phone.  I used the TFTP and uploaded the zip file for the recent update to the router. It indicated successful after about an hour.  Let it sit for 4 minutes per the instructions...and nothing.  Still flashing power light.  Called them back...they said try the reset button again for 1 min.  Nada.  Still flashing power lit.  They want me to return it.  Thus, I tried the older R7000 that I had with the same symptoms.  Uploaded older firmware updates and nada...still a white flashing power light.  Tantrum...you bet.

Message 7 of 13
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> [...] I used the TFTP and uploaded the zip file for the recent update
> to the router. [...]

 

   What, exactly, does "I used the TFTP" mean to you ? Which file,
exactly, did you try to send to the router?  (Hint: A ".zip" archive
would be the wrong answer.)  How, exactly, did you do whatever you did?

 

> [...] Uploaded older firmware updates [...]

 

   Not a very detailed description of what you did, or what happened
when you did it.  The TFTP recovery scheme is a multi-step procedure
which offers multiple opportunities for user input, hence user error.
Saying that you "used" or "tried" TFTP, with no details, is not a useful
problem description.

Message 8 of 13
bull117
Aspirant

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

I used these instructions given to me by NetGear help desk:

https://kb.netgear.com/000059633/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-TFTP-client

 

  • I then opened the TFTP client that I downloaded: TFTP Client 9, which gave a pop-up window asking for the 192.168.1.10 address and the file.  I loaded the R7000-V1.0.9.88_10.2.88.zip in the file window and hit start. It did what the instructions stated it would do...show the file being loaded to the router and showing successful.  Now, if the wrong file was used...that is my bad for sure...but did verify over the phone to use that file.
Message 9 of 13
IrvSp
Master

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

You missed step 6:

 

Download and save the router’s firmware onto the desktop of your computer. Make sure to extract the file from the zip folder. The firmware file format is either a .img or .chk file.

 

It is inside the ZIP file which needs to be extracted.

 

Error 2, don't use the .88 f/w, buggy as can be. Most people agree V1.0.9.42 is the last good working firmware.

Message 10 of 13
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> o I then opened the TFTP client that I downloaded: [...]

 

   You should have been able to use the TFTP client which comes with

macOS:

 

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1622096#M102004

 

   And, as it says at https://kb.netgear.com/000059633 :

 

      [...] Make sure to extract the file from the zip folder. The
      firmware file format is either a .img or .chk file.

 

   If you're on a Mac, and using Safari for the download, then I'd
expect Safari to extract the zip archive contents automatically.  (At
least that seems to happen here, whether or not I want it to.)  If you
use another browser, then double-clicking on the ".zip" file should do
that job.

 

   And, for an R7000, the firmware image file type should be ".chk".

Message 11 of 13
bull117
Aspirant

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

Well...that worked,  The .zip file was the wrong file to upload.  I now have two R7000...just in case it crashes again on a firmware update  🙂 (it really shouldn't happen and makes people nervous doing the update).

Regardless...my thank you for your patience and perseverence.  Best

Model: R7000|AC1900 Smart WIFI Router
Message 12 of 13
antinode
Guru

Re: 2nd time crashing R7000 on firmware

> Well...that worked, [...]

 

   Thanks for the report.  (What could go wrong?)

Message 13 of 13
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