Asus

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A major clean-up of the Asus Install section was needed (and done) in the fall of 2009 - see Asus WL500-- old descriptions for the old but working guides. Valuable information from the old guides should be generalised, summarised and added to the Install list below, in an manner that would keep the Initial Install page looking good.

Contents

Microsoft

Microsoft MN700

  • See MN-700 Page - summary of steps include:
    • Similar to Asus Deluxe.
    • First perform MN-700 hack to enable Linux-based firmware to be installed.
    • Install DD-WRT firmware using Asus Recovery Utility in recovery mode
    • Clear filter_services variables if necessary (SP2 and earlier)

v23 SP2 and earlier work but require filter_service NVRAM variables to be cleared and reset button does not work. Full support in SVN 3949+ (you can get SVN 3953 here)

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi R100 Gateway

  • The Mitsubishi R100 is a relabeled Asus WL500G that is only available in Australia. As such, you can use the Asus tools on the Mitsubishi product. The R100s are usually found at lower prices compared to the Asus product. They also come with a three year warranty. Obviously, flashing with a third-party firmware voids this warranty.

All Asus WL-500xx series routers

  • For all Asus WL-500xx series routers there are a number of ways to do the initial flash.
  • The TFTP method using the two Asus specific clean-up files is the "works every time-almost" way.
  • Other methods like using the Asus Recovery tool (recommended). or even using the web-GUI (not recommended) have also been reported to work for some, for the initial dd-wrt flash. So your mileage may vary.
  • Pick the one that is easier and works for you - You have now been notified of the method that is guaranteed to work!
  • The firmware files for the Asus WL-500xx series initial flash and the main builds are found under Downloads › others › eko › BrainSlayer-V24-preSP2 › 09-08-09-r12874 › broadcom. You will need the mini-asus.trx for the initial flashing - Read on to see when the ...asus.trx file should be used and then how to upgrade the build for your needs.


The TFTP recommended Asus way for all WL-500xx routers

NOTE: This method should only used when you're not a windows user or do not have Administrative privileges in Vista or Windows 7 . The better method is using the provided Asus Firmware recovery Utility that came with the router. You may also obtain it from Asus' website See below this entry for instructions.


Asus Recovery Utility

You can get the utilities here, or you can browse the Asus site to download the latest version. Asus only seem to provide these for Windows.

  • Under Vista and Win7 this utility must be run as administrator.
  • In case you have multiple network interfaces and are unable to find you router, disable all but the one that is connected to your router.
  • You should also turn off your firewall, in order to allow the Asus Recovery Utility to be able to connect and send data from your PC to the Router.

Steps:

  1. Remove the power connector of the WL series router.
  2. While holding the reset button, plug the power connector back in. (WL500gP - button labeled "restore")
  3. When the power LED flashes, release the reset button. The router is now in recovery mode.
  4. You need to manually set the address of your Pc Network LAN card to 192.168.1.10 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0
  5. Use the Asus recovery utility to upload the DD-WRT mini-asus.trx file.
  6. After the upgrade the Utility will ask for a router reboot. Give it about a minute to be on the safe side before removing the power. Once plugged back in, you should be able to access the web interface.
  7. DO NOT use Firefox for upgrading builds! Use Internet Explorer!!!!
  8. Type 192.168.1.1 into your browser and set your username as root and pick a password.
  9. Navigate to Administration->Firmware Upgrade and upload either the recommended build provided on the main page of the site, or another of your choice.

IMPORTANT:

If flashing with a WL500xx (not 520xx) Mega or Big build (Firmware image 5MB or larger) it will take ~ 3-5 minutes AFTER the timer has reached 0 for the firmware to complete. The best thing to do is hit Upgrade and walk away for 10 minutes so you don't inadvertently disturb the upgrade process.

Asus Brand Models

Asus WL500G (Original)

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

Asus WL500G Deluxe

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

Here is the Asus WL-500g Deluxe specific wiki page with pictures, comments and more

Asus WL500G Premium

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

Here is the ASUS WL-500g Premium specific wiki page (in german)

Brick recovery: Try Hard reset, Serial RS-232 connection, and as a very last resort there is the "pin 9 short option" [1]. Unfortunately no known JTAG option on this model.

Asus WL500G Premium V2

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

Here is the WL500G Premium v2 specific wiki page with pictures, comments and more

"Old" wiki about Initial flash of WL500gP v2

Asus WL500W

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

As this router has a N-type NIC it is recommended to use a new firmware that supports this, this means no v24SP1. The firmware should be newer, like v24-pre-SP2 versions (also called v24_TNG)

IMPORTANT

For those of you who plan to use JFFS2 on this model Asus, consider the following or you run the risk of BRICKING your WL500W:

Brainslayers mega flash size - 7.33MB

Eko's Big Flash size - 5.9MB

Now, the error only occurs when JFFS2 is enabled and the router reboots, so you are safe if you DONT enable JFFS2.

Total available JFFS2 size for BS's build is 640KB which overwhelms the kernel and causes a panic. Even using a storage device with the command mount -o bind /mnt/jffs /jffs will still cause a kernel panic.

Eko's JFFS2 partition size is 1640KB+, allowing much more room.

I tested this on BS's 12996,12874 and 12533 builds and partially bricked my router several times. (A simple power disconnect for 30 secs will allow it to recover)

Eko's build however works flawlessly AND provides the SAME features (except for connection warning) as BS's.

One thing I am still unsure of is why this particular model Asus router is subject to this bug, but in the mean time, I suggest using Eko's Big build until the dev's can work it out..


See download section -> others -> eko -> either BrainSlayer-V24-preSP2 [2] or EKO V24_TNG [3]. Pick date 07-21-09 (or newer) and/or svn number 12533 (or higher).


First of all, the WL500W is Extremely temperamental by nature. Once you have flashed a fresh firmware image, you should always wait 3-5 mins after flashing before making ANY config changes. This is because the CPU is still writing NVRAM variables. Watch the CPU usage, once it falls Below 50%, then start making the changes, and click APPLY settings after every config page. Trying to save everything on a huge firmware, and then executing it all at once can/will cause this router to throw a kernel panic and temporarily brick..


Unplugging it after making config changes is not wise either. Never unplug this router if there is ANY CPU load whatsoever. Configure it, exit out of the Web-inf, and wait for a good safe 5 mins before unplugging it.


"Old" wiki about Initial Flash of the Asus WL-500W

See this for a HowTo make the most of your Asus WL-500W guide.

Asus WL550gE

For initial flash see Asus WL-500xx series

Asus WL520G

  • Simply upload dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin through the web interface of the original Asus firmware. Everything works flawlessly
  • Firmware cannot be uploaded through a wireless connection, must be connected via ethernet.

ASUS WL-520GC

Because this router has only 2MB of flash, you must use a micro-generic build of DD-WRT.

This router supports Micro-plus

Users have experienced successful flashes directly from the web interface on the default factory firmware i.e. the ASUS Flash tool is not required. If this fails, revert to using the tool. (See notes below if you are using ASUS FW newer than 2.0.0.8.)

Other notes

  • Same as Deluxe, but DO NOT flash the clear_nvram or recover files - it will brick your router. Only flash the firmware file itself and then do a reset to factory settings via web GUI.
  • dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic should be used.
  • Using web-based firmware update (rename .bin to .trx)
  • Web interface from Asus firmware 2.0.1.0 and newer doesn't allow to upload DD-WRT firmware, it reports corrupted file. You have to downgrade to 2.0.0.8 Asus firmware in order to flash DD-WRT firmware using the GUI.
  • There also could be unable to downgrade to 2.0.0.8 Asus firmware from newer version through web interface, easily soulution could be rename in order to flash DD-WRT firmware. Easy solution could be to rename a old firmware file (up to 2.0.0.8) for example to "newer" WL520gc_2.0.1.2_EN.trx
  • Uploading via TFTP may not reset the router. Wait for 10-15 minutes and then power it down and up manually.


[Added by zorruno 11 Sep 2008]

  • confirmed with new WL-520GC out of box, using web interface only
  • needed first to downgrade Asus firmware to 2.0.0.8 (here) using the method above by renaming it to WL520gc_2.0.1.1_EN.trx (version 2.0.1.0 was in the router originally)
  • don't worry about looking for a .trx file for the next step, dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin is fine (here). Did not need to rename this file as .trx, it uploaded fine with the .bin suffix.

[artemv, 16 Nov 2008]

  • needed to hard-reset the router after downgrading to 2.0.0.8 (from 2.0.1.1) to be able to load dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic

[[[User:Vermonohue|Vermonohue]] 20:24, 6 November 2009 (CET)]

(Original Asus FW: v2.0.1.1)

I used the following steps:

INSTALLING DD-WRT

  1. Make sure you have another router to connect to the internet! Just in case you need help while your wl-520gc is mid upgrade.
  2. Download FW v2.0.0.8 from Asus web site.
  3. Download dd-wrt.v24_micro_generic.bin (build 13064) from "router database" link on dd-wrt site.
  4. Factory reset router through original FW web interface.
  5. Change your computer's IP address to 192.168.1.1, mask 255.255.255.0. (may have to reboot pc.)
  6. Power cycle router.
  7. Rename new Asus FW from ...2.0.0.8_EN.trx FW to ..fake.2.0.1.2_EN.trx. Keep .trx name. (Or some version higher than the one you have if you have higher than 2.0.1.1 installed.)
  8. Upload fake Asus FW from previous step using Asus FW upload on web interface.
  9. Power cycle, do a restore factory defaults from web interface, Power cycle when it is done.
  10. Use web interface to upload "micro" dd-wrt FW. Leave router on for 5 minutes after uploading!
  11. Power cycle, browse to 192.168.1.1.
  12. Change user, pass, and restore factory defaults from web interface. Leave power on for a few minutes.
  13. Power cycle.

I also managed to brick the router a few times learning how to do this. This is how I recovered:

UNBRICKING

  1. Power off router, push and hold reset button, plug in power, wait for power light to flash slowly, then release the reset. This should put you in the restore mode.
  2. Verify you can ping the router. Try 192.168.1.1 if you don't know what the address is. You may need to use nmap if you are really stuck. You should see ttl=100 on the ping replies. If ttl=64, you may not be bricked!
  3. use tftp to connect to the router, and "put" the fake 2.0.0.8 Asus FW. On OS X Tiger I open a terminal window, change to the directory with the FW, and type the following:
    • tftp 192.168.1.1 (or whatever your router's IP is)
    • tftp> binary
    • tftp> put fake.2.0.1.2.trx (use the name you used in step6 from INSTALLING)
  4. LEAVE ROUTER ON for 5 minutes after tftp reports it is done uploading!!!
  5. Disconnect all cables, power cycle, wait 5 minutes with router on.
  6. Power cycle, restore factory settings from web interface.

I did NOT need to start a tftp server or daemon.

I did NOT use the mini_asus FW pre-load.

I did NOT use the clear_nvram.trx file.

I did NOT use the recover.trx file.

Asus WL520GU

For initial flash use same procedure as Asus WL-500xx series. also see: wl520gu.googlepages.com

Here is the WL-520GU specific wiki page with pictures, comments and more

Asus RT-N12

See Asus RT-N12 Page.

Asus RT-N16

See Asus RT-N16 Page.