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R8500 bricked
Hi All. This is my first report. I purchased on purpose the above router on Ebay. I can not register it Serial 4DG65B7G019C5 it is used like mint. The reason i found it is the best range router an...
This is my final procedure after I fixed the second router r8500.
1) J4 connector pins : 1 2 3 4 pins are visable by looking the motherboard and they are located in the front view.
and j4 mark is located next to #1 pin. 1 gets green color, 2 gets white color, 3 gets green color, 4 is not connected.
2) open the bottom cover by removing the 6 tork screws.
Take the cover half way out so you can see the j4 plug and plug the serial cable.Turn on the router.
3) Start Putty let it run for a minite or so and start sending control c commands until you will see CFE.
4) on CFE type nvram erase you will see a 0 as an answer.
5) On CFE type tftpd you will get tftpd server ready ::
6) go on comand mode dos cmd>tfttp -i 192.168.1.1 put C:\r85.chk
r85.chk will be your old firmware located on the c:\ main directory
7) Now you will see a blue led on the #1 port flickering comminicating.
8) if what you did is correct then you will get from dos and putty file tranfered successful.
9) Now hold the reset button with a pin and turn the power off.
10) with the pin on reset turn power on and waight for 3 reboots let the pin go.
11) waight for 2 minutes you will see many led's comunicating and final the main led will be normal.
12) The router is now ready to be configuerd.
13) The network name and password is located on the white paper top right or at the bottom of the router.
I did 2 units the first one it took 1 week the second one it .5 hour.
Good luck.
peter11742
Lan.
Thank you.
Now the unit goes in a loop and the Putty is not stopping with control C 10 of them.
I think the software is corrupt and the memory storage in the nvram is good.
I need a better software to stop the sequence and try to load one more time the R5800 firmware.
I cannot see the ping on the router's IP address Now i use win 10 and a good laptop.
Let us asume the software is bad in nvram how should I try to load it again.
Also let me know if there is better software than PUTTY.
I also have a different software KiTTY in there I see an option to send a script and when I load the R8500 firmware it goes but I do not know if writes on the nvran.
As far the PuTTY gives the same loop messages it sets an input and receives a bad output all of them are the same.
I did not see any message from the PuTTY after I input the command control c the CFE had no indication on any function was blank.
Best regards
peter11742
OP, you said you are a retired EE, not understanding serial comm. protocol, router CFE, firmware layout, by the time you figure things out probablly you mess up the CFE. See if you can find a copy of CFE some where. CFE can be reloaded. Or cmpare the file between good and bad CFE and edit the bad one. I myself am EE class of '60. Evolved thru vacuum tubes upto nanotech. Spent whole working life in military worldwide comm. network, digital electronics. I always apply critical path or PMO when I tackle something to minimize wasting time. Good luck.
Hi.
I have a good CFE because i tried code: nvram erase and I get o return.
I am nort familiar with this software but give some time and I will master it.
If you please tell me why I get 0 in one second putty has simle commands only.
Now I have some time to find how to erase the nvram that it is corrupted.
If you know pass the command.
peter11742
I forgot to salut you my fellow engeneer.
How about fixing MRI'S and Cat scanners and special procedures cardiology cath labs, x-ray units nuclear units and complex x-ray units.
When you know the above you do not know software for routers or serial communicatios.
My CFE is part of putty free software that i have only 3 days play with it.
It works well and informs me the transfer is done but I still have the red light.
Now I know the fellow that sold me this unit on ebay had hard time fixing it so now will be my hard time, the router is new.
As you see i am almost there if I erase the nvram then i can install the firmware because this part I learned on my own.
Best regards.
peter11742
I didn't see some of those earlier images, they show the CFE is passing control to the firmware kernel and the router is starting its boot.
So it looks like the firmware has been successfully saved, as you thought.
I'm not sure but it looks like the boot stops after getting an error so, yes, settings need to be re-initialized and the CFE command "nvram erase" should do that.
After running the erase how far does the router get into the boot?
Do you still get an error message and the boot stops, that's what it looks like, even after the "nvram erase"?
If you do then perhaps using the reset button with the Netgear firmware does more than just an erase.
Perhaps, once you see the CFE has loaded and passed control to the firmware, pressing and holding the reset button until the orange light starts blinking and then releasing it will do what's needed to erase the settings.
Thanks.
I tried as they say at CFE command nvram erase.
It gives me an answer 0 in one second.
I reload the firmware and I have still a red light.
If any one knows that the 0 answer is correct then the command nvram erase is not working on the r8500 it may be good for older routers.
I still have the problem eventually we will find what is wrong with the nvram.
I tested with the reset switch but still it reboots with a orange led solid and reboots every 2 minutes.
Untill we will erase the nvram and we veryfy that is erased then we will decide this was the fix.
Best regards.
peter11742
Try erase nvram.
It's slightly frustrating because you seem to read only half of what we tell you and only respond with half of what we ask you. Hopefully, we are almost there, but please do read everything twice.
peter11742 wrote:Thanks.
I tried as they say at CFE command nvram erase.
It gives me an answer 0 in one second.
I reload the firmware and I have still a red light.
If any one knows that the 0 answer is correct then the command nvram erase is not working on the r8500 it may be good for older routers.
Yeah, I don't know.
We could grab a copy of the CFE source and check but Broadcomm or Netgear may have modified it for their developer kit (for the board).
So only way to know is to run the erase and see if the device boots ok.
Using "erase nvram" may do what's needed.
FWICS the CFE command should be "nvram erase" but, as was suggested, "erase nvram" may be what's needed, I have seen that mentioned in forums too.
Give it a try.
Hi.
Thanks.
The command with CFE is nvram erase.
The other way erase nvram is not acceptable by the software.
I like to see that I do the proper procedure to rerase the nvram.
In my discution I discribed what happened with this nvram erase.
Now days the new routers are more compex that the old ones.
But we will make it to work some day.
peter11742
Sure but it's hard to know the answer to the question about the "nvram erase" becuase the CFE could have been modified by either Broadcomm or Netgear, or both.
Within a shell script a return of 0 is success but in C programs 0 is false (a fail), so unless it's known the CFE hasn't been modified, looking at the published source to find out (if we could find the correct version) might not be accurate.
All that can be done is to try it and it sounds like you have and haven't been successful.
Very unfortuneate after all the effort, sadly.
Ian
Btw, if you want to go further with this then you could download the Netgear R8500 firmware source code.
But things get much, much harder from this point.
To locate the firmware source for the R8500 do a Goolgle search for "netgear gpl source code" look for the R8500.
I see the latest firmware version has a source code download there already, 1.0.2.80.
Note that not all the objects used in the firmware have source code available, some only have a binary object alone.
Thanks.
First the firmware that I have is 1.0.2.80 and other numbers behind it.
As far the zero on CFC it is fake is not doing anything, I make directory and i see it there all the codes.
I must find a new way how to deal this nvram erase.
I know now the router can be fixed it is matter of time.
What I like the most is other people will appreciate what we all try do do.
peter11742
HI all.
I told you I will fix it.
I found people at dd-wrt have this problem because they load a different firmware on the R8500.
This is the issue the firmware 1.0.2.28 can not be loaded to the router it is made this way.
But the first firmware 1.0.0.28 it loads and works.
The procedure is the same.
First you connect your serial usb connection and make the putty to work.
At any time now press control c untill you see CFE run nvram erase get a 0.
On CFE enter tftpd and waight there.
Now open DOS CMD have the command run with tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put C:\R8500-v1.0.0.28_1.0.15.chk enter.
You will see the the file transfered from the dos and the cfe.
Now hold the reset button and turn power off the router.
With the reset button stil on start power and count 3 times reboot.
Now go back and start the putty and let it run you will see a surprise you got your green light.
Now we have acomplish to have the first firmware working.
The next time we will discuss how we update to the lates firmware.
Best regards.
peter11742
I experiance a small problem.
The router starts with the red light with power on but in 1 minute it works good.
This is my first netgear router.
I can not login for a reason.
peter11742
Updates.
The red light is only for rebooting the green comes later.
I had the router for hours and it works good.
Now I said is time to update it, netgear dowloaded the updates and they installed them.
Now I got the problem back is rebootnig.
NEVER ASK FOR UPDATES they do not work.
peter11742
To all.
This is my last report we are done.
The people that they do not like the R8500 router are wrong.
This router is confiquered and it covers all my house it beats my new Linksys by a mile.
When i read the specifications I new this router is champ it has the best lenth coverage from all of them.
Good luck to all and happy holidays.
I will still answer all my emails I will help any one that has problems with this good router.
The next project will be the x10 that will bricked let us get ready.
The router is not getting hot just worm.
Best regards.
peter11742
Glad to hear you finally got there.
I agree, my R8500 is unusually stable compared to quite a few other high end routers I have.
Thank you.
We are in agrrement.
With the old software the router boots in 2 minutes but it boots and is good.
Happy holydays.
peter11742
This is my final procedure after I fixed the second router r8500.
1) J4 connector pins : 1 2 3 4 pins are visable by looking the motherboard and they are located in the front view.
and j4 mark is located next to #1 pin. 1 gets green color, 2 gets white color, 3 gets green color, 4 is not connected.
2) open the bottom cover by removing the 6 tork screws.
Take the cover half way out so you can see the j4 plug and plug the serial cable.Turn on the router.
3) Start Putty let it run for a minite or so and start sending control c commands until you will see CFE.
4) on CFE type nvram erase you will see a 0 as an answer.
5) On CFE type tftpd you will get tftpd server ready ::
6) go on comand mode dos cmd>tfttp -i 192.168.1.1 put C:\r85.chk
r85.chk will be your old firmware located on the c:\ main directory
7) Now you will see a blue led on the #1 port flickering comminicating.
8) if what you did is correct then you will get from dos and putty file tranfered successful.
9) Now hold the reset button with a pin and turn the power off.
10) with the pin on reset turn power on and waight for 3 reboots let the pin go.
11) waight for 2 minutes you will see many led's comunicating and final the main led will be normal.
12) The router is now ready to be configuerd.
13) The network name and password is located on the white paper top right or at the bottom of the router.
I did 2 units the first one it took 1 week the second one it .5 hour.
Good luck.
peter11742
Hi.
A small correction.
Pin #1 green Pin #2 white pin #3 blk which is the gound Pin #4 is not connected red.
peter11742
I have established a PuTTY connection but only get garbage. I have verified my serial connection to be appropriate, i.e. transmit and receive and ground. CTRL C does not work for me. I have tried numerous times. restarting the router and trying etc. Any suggestions?
Hi.
It is your computer causing this issue. Check your serial settings and much them with our explained settings.
Read all my my problems and you will see I had to get a good laptop with a good win 10 and it worked.
If your establist comunication is good then you will see good text.
All my settings are explained and all my issues are answered.
Good luck.
Peter11742
Alabama62 wrote:I have established a PuTTY connection but only get garbage. I have verified my serial connection to be appropriate, i.e. transmit and receive and ground. CTRL C does not work for me. I have tried numerous times. restarting the router and trying etc. Any suggestions?
What does "I have verified my serial connection to be appropriate, i.e. transmit and receive and ground." mean?
How do you know it is correct since you clearly have a problem that usually indicates it isn't?
Have you tried switching transmit and receive around?
Hi.
Please verify that the red cable is not connected.
Verify that the name of the plug is locating your #1 pin green.
Verify that your blk cable will be the third pin and the fourth pin is not connected.
Now you have to hit control c at the beginning of the reset of the router when you will see a lot of numbers.
Your serial port baut rate has to changed until you see real characters.
Good luck.
peter11742
It was the baud rate. 115200 worked. Loaded firmware, router working like new. Thanks for all the help.
Hi.
I am very happy to hear this.
Now do not make the mistake and update the router, if you do you have to start all over again.
peter11742
peter11742 wrote:Hi.
I am very happy to hear this.
Now do not make the mistake and update the router, if you do you have to start all over again.
peter11742
Not being able to update the router firmware is not really acceptable.
I expect that no-one on this thread will be willing to subject themselves to Netgear support particularly to discuss an issue like this, they'll probably play the "not supported" card anyway and not even bother to collect any information to pass on to engineering.
But it would be good to get this infomation to Netgear engineering and even better to get some feedback as to what might be happening.
AFAICS this, or a very similar problem, is causing considerable cost to Netgear in terms of replacing faulty units so it should be something we can get their attention for.
So, to the Netgear folks watching the forum, how about opening a dialogue with engineering?
