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Forum Discussion
iRenaissanceMan
Jan 19, 2020Aspirant
Bricked R8500 unable to get to CFE
Hi, I've been trying to resurrect my bricked R8500. I've read most of the forum material on bricked R8500 and followed peter11742's journey. https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Route...
- Jan 20, 2020
Yes you need to have the USB cable plugged in and terminal active when you start the router up as the CFE comes right after the power up. If you are plugging in after you start the router then you will miss the CFE unless very lucky. I suspect, as I said earlier, you have a defective USB serial cable. Have had similar issues with bad ones. They are CHEAP and do not hold up well and had one that was defective out of the box.
Best I can do for you at this point is to wish you good luck.
iRenaissanceMan
Jan 20, 2020Aspirant
Thanks for your reply. Yes, only 3 wires connected. Rx, tx, and ground. It's J4 pins 1, 2, 3. I am not using the +3v red wire.
I did get into CFE one time... That's how I was able to load the current file. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get back into CFE. I am pressing Ctrl + C from the very beginning, but no luck.
Any advice would be fantastic. Thanks
I did get into CFE one time... That's how I was able to load the current file. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get back into CFE. I am pressing Ctrl + C from the very beginning, but no luck.
Any advice would be fantastic. Thanks
labatt
Jan 20, 2020Mentor
Cannot really offer any other thoughts. I assume you are following something like this. Works for any Netgear router not just listed.
I have never had issue getting into CFE.
- iRenaissanceManJan 20, 2020AspirantThanks. Yup, that's exactly the steps I've implemented/attempted.
One issue that troubles me... I am not able to keep the USB cable plugged in at initial power on of the router. I have to start the router first and the. Plug in the USB cable to my laptop. Could this be an issue resulting in my failed CFE attempt? I would imagine the router should behave the same regardless of USB cable plugged into Laptop or not. However, the router behaves differently when the USB cable is plugged in and then router started. I get absolutely nothing on Putty if I have the USB plugged prior to starting the router.
It seems like most people have the USB cable plugged in and putty running BEFORE powering the router.
Any thoughts on that?- labattJan 20, 2020Mentor
Yes you need to have the USB cable plugged in and terminal active when you start the router up as the CFE comes right after the power up. If you are plugging in after you start the router then you will miss the CFE unless very lucky. I suspect, as I said earlier, you have a defective USB serial cable. Have had similar issues with bad ones. They are CHEAP and do not hold up well and had one that was defective out of the box.
Best I can do for you at this point is to wish you good luck.
- iRenaissanceManJan 24, 2020Aspirant
Thanks! Just closing the loop on the topic. I took your advice and purchased a new cable from Amazon. Viola! CFE up immediately. Definitely a cable issue. I opened up the original cable and found a solder bridge across 2 pins on the IC. Ughhh... What a waste of time trying with that other cable. Didn't think to open up the cable to check!