How to unbrick the Nighthawk R7000 using OS X and TFTP

The .42 release is the one folks say is the best. I no longer have a r7000. 

Sounds like time to cut your loses and go be something other then Netgear. Just be sure to read reviews and forums before purchase. If Asus make sure it supports RMerlin firmware, which is a fork of the OEM with fixes and additions. Since I do not need the child controls and NAS on router support, I just want a router that routes. I went to the next level of equipment from consumer grade. 

Thanks for all of your input. One last try using the .42 & if that fails the R7000 is in the trash. All started because Netgear app said upgrade firmware. It was working perfectly. $300 down the drain. 

A little late, but do not upgrade firmware on router by any means other then a wired connection between the PC and router, in other words  Ethernet connection. Apps and updates via the update app, PC connected wirelessly or selection in router seem to be shaky to say the least. I suspect this holds true no matter what brand of consumer grade router you have, not just a Netgear only issues. There have been warnings for as long as there has been 3rd party firmware that updates other then via Ethernet connection to router could have ugly results.  

I learned that lesson the hard way. As a non tech guy who has had very good success with this router - I even performed a firmware up date before with 100% success using the app - I was unaware of the non wired issues. It's a Nighthawk app, Netgear router and if one shouldn't update via the app, the option to do so SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION. This being said for those of us who plug and play and move on as well as those of us who do not follow the router industry.

I'm not being a smart ass, so please don't take it that way. I'm just pointing out a reality and fact that will set me back another $250 for a new router, a very maddening time ( 2 hours ) with two off shore customer service reps who couldn't give a tinkers damn about customer service, just my $140 if I wanted their help and about 6 hours trying to factory reset & TFTP/unbrick ( a term I've never heard of before ) a router. Netgear support & customer concern is nonexistent which has cost them this customer.

Regards

Firmwarefailure 

It not your fault.

As myersw pointed out, flashing via App, Genie, over wireless or automatically is risky at best and should always be avoided.  Those of us who post here regularly can't keep up trying to get the word out.  Recovery is typically possible, however.  Usually timing, coupled with proper execution...  and sometimes a little patience wins the day.

Given the unreliabiliy, I wish the option would be be removed as well.

> [...] The file could not be found. The file is on my desktop, [...]

> I am using a Mac [...]

   There's some basic Mac shell navigation guidance here:

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1758207

Plenty more on the Web.

> [...] Am I not saving the file to the desktop correctly? [...]

   With my weak psychic powers, I can't see what you're doing.

> [...] I copy and paste. [...]

   Ok.  Copy+paste of your actual commands and results might help, too.

   Before you run "tftp", do these:

      pwd           # Display your current directory.
      ls -l         # Show the files in your current directory.
      ls -l *.chk   # Show the ".chk" files in your current directory.

      cd            # Go to your HOME directory.
      cd Desktop    # Go to your Desktop subdirectory.
      pwd           # Display your current directory.
      ls -l *.chk   # Show the ".chk" files in your current directory.

   When you get to a directory where an "ls" command shows the firmware
image file, then the TFTP program should be able to find it, too.

      "It's a UNIX system. I know this."

I want to thank all for their help, support and advice. I was finally able to upload the new firmware. It was my fault that I had so much trouble doing so. Stupid rookie non tech savvy mistake. I copied the whole file to my desktop versus just the exe green file. Once I found the errors of my ways, the firmware loaded flawlessly and I'm up and running. 

Again, thanks to all.

YAH! Glad you finally figured things out and are up and running. Be sure, if you have not already, to turn auto update off. Since your MAC connects to the router via Ethernet you can do manual updates of the firmware which is way safer.

Done & thanks again.

> [...] I copied the whole file to my desktop versus just the exe green
> file. [...]

   I'll bite.  Which "the whole file"?  And what's a "the exe green
file"?