Re: Can't upload firmware file D7800-V1.0.1.56 over V1.0.1.28 - Firmware file is incorrect.

Valis · ‎2020-03-03

I've just downloaded the V1.0.1.56 zip file, extracted the image file and tried to install it, but get the firmware is incorrect error. This box is not yet connected to the Internet, so can't try that method, but downloaded from the support site via a Linux Mint 19.3 PC. I am in New Zealand.

Thanks for any tips.

Valis · ‎2020-03-06

An update. When I put the D7800 on the net, I tried checking for a firmware update via the admin interface. It said there was no update available. When I went to write that up last night I wanted to get the error message correct, so did it again and it found 56! I asked it to fetch and install that this morning when it was quiet and all went fine, so I'm now running the latest firmware. I've no idea why these problems occurred or why it suddenly started working, but problem solved. Thanks for everyone's input.

Cheers.

View solution in original post

labatt · ‎2020-03-03

This is a modem router. The ISP is the one that updates firmware not end user.

Valis · ‎2020-03-03

Thanks, but this router wasn't supplied by an ISP. It was bought from a retail store.

antinode · ‎2020-03-03

> This is a modem router. [...]

True.

> [...] The ISP is the one that updates firmware not end user.

True for a cable-TV-type modem(+router), but not for a DSL
modem(+router). Like a D7800, for example. (As reading the D7800 User
Manual would reveal.)

Back to the real world...

> Model: D7800|Nighthawk X4S - AC2600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router

Is that accurate? Current firmware version?

> [...] extracted the image file [...]

Did you change its name? (I wouldn't.)

Netgear has issued some DSL devices with ISP-specific firmware
(identified by a suffix like "CH" or "SH" on what looks like a standard
firmware version, like "V1.0.3.6_1.0.63CH" or "V1.0.0.4SH"). Those
don't (easily) accept standard firmware.

It's also possible that the firmware in your D7800 is corrupt, and so
it can't tell "correct" firmware from "incorrect" firmware.

Possibly interesting:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1543374

> [...] This box is not yet connected to the Internet, so can't try that
> method, [...]

I wouldn't expect that to help, but I'd certainly run the experiment
if nothing else (easier) worked.

If you get desperate, then you might try using the TFTP recovery
procedure to cram a fresh firmware image down its throat. See, for
example:

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

Make sure that you have something appropriate to cram into your
gizmo.

Valis · ‎2020-03-03

@antinode wrote:

   Is that accurate? Current firmware version?

Yes, V1.0.1.26 is the current version.

   Did you change its name? (I wouldn't.)

No, just extracted file as is.

   Netgear has issued some DSL devices with ISP-specific firmware
(identified by a suffix like "CH" or "SH" on what looks like a standard
firmware version, like "V1.0.3.6_1.0.63CH" or "V1.0.0.4SH"). Those
don't (easily) accept standard firmware.

No suffix. The file name is D7800-V1.0.1.56.img

   It's also possible that the firmware in your D7800 is corrupt, and so
it can't tell "correct" firmware from "incorrect" firmware.

   Possibly interesting:

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1543374

Hmm, might try that.

   If you get desperate, then you might try using the TFTP recovery
procedure to cram a fresh firmware image down its throat. See, for
example:

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

Ok, thanks.

labatt · ‎2020-03-03

@Valis wrote:
Thanks, but this router wasn't supplied by an ISP. It was bought from a retail store.

Does not matter. Still up to ISP to update. Same for me with a Netgear CM1150V modem.I purchaced the modem and installed, knowing it would be upto the ISP to update firmware,

antinode · ‎2020-03-03

> Yes, [...]

> No, [...]

> No suffix. [...]

You seem to be doing everything right. Sounds to me like a confused
D7800. A report on the results of your attempts to coerce it back to
proper behavior would be interesting.

> Does not matter. Still up to ISP to update. [...]

What's true for a cable-TV-type device still "Does not matter" for a
DSL device, no matter how it was acquired. Which is why it's easy to
download a firmware kit for a Dxxxx model, and the corresponding User
Manual explains how to load it into the device. As the thread author
seems to have known without any "help" from the experts here.

michaelkenward · ‎2020-03-04

@labatt wrote:

@Valis wrote:

Thanks, but this router wasn't supplied by an ISP. It was bought from a retail store.

Does not matter. Still up to ISP to update. Same for me with a Netgear CM1150V modem.I purchaced the modem and installed, knowing it would be upto the ISP to update firmware,

Does matter for the D7800.

ISPs control the firmware on cable modems, such as the CM1150V. They do not control firmware on DSL modems.

michaelkenward · ‎2020-03-04

The jump to D7800-V1.0.1.56 from V1.0.1.28. Is quite a few versions.

In the past, for some hardware Netgear has created updates that won't jump too many versions, probably an earlier update has done some serious work on the firmware that breaks the update process on older firmware.

You could try installing an intermediate version, somewhere between the two extremes.

I have no idea if it will help, but it is worth giving it a shot.

You could also try a reset before you apply the new firmware.

TFTP could be a great way of breaking the thing permanently. Proceed with caution.

Valis · ‎2020-03-06

An update. When I put the D7800 on the net, I tried checking for a firmware update via the admin interface. It said there was no update available. When I went to write that up last night I wanted to get the error message correct, so did it again and it found 56! I asked it to fetch and install that this morning when it was quiet and all went fine, so I'm now running the latest firmware. I've no idea why these problems occurred or why it suddenly started working, but problem solved. Thanks for everyone's input.

Cheers.