Sorry, I don't check this thread as often anymore. If you don't see the CFE> prompt, you may have missed the timing - you have to mash CTRL+C during the very early boot sequence to get the prompt.
Perhaps for further assistance, you should elaborate on what symptoms you're having - if they're...
Someone reported having the issues you describe with PuTTY on Windows 10 64-bit. They reported success with "Tera Term", though I've not used that program before.
I missed this question, sorry. The symptoms you describe are different than I had and I don't recognize them off-hand. In my case, only the power light was slowly flashing. I don't know what it means if only the USB light is on. I also don't know the exact reason why the red VCC cable shouldn't...
@qwertytheasdf I was not able to access to GUI or ping the router on any of the possible IPs. If you can still ping the router and don't have the "painfully slow blinking power LED", you might be able to recover without cracking it open.
@Sablaky If you can't ping the router, the symptoms you...
I appreciate your feedback @mckeven. I used Windows 7 Pro SP1 32-bit, so good tip regarding TeraTerm in Win10 x64. Also, I just noticed I had step 4 (broken tabs) listed twice. I've edited out the duplicate.
Output from nvram erase and show devices commands:
CFE> nvram erase
*** command status = 0
CFE> show devices
Device Name Description
------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
uart0 NS16550 UART at 0x18000300
uart1...
Step 10:
Install drivers: https://www.adafruit.com/product/954 or here http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41. I was on Windows 7 Pro SP1 32-bit.
Step 11:
Configure putty
Step 12:
Turn on router and either 1) Watch it boot to see what's going on or 2) Mash CTRL+C to...
Step 7:
Unscrew 4 larger screws holding PCB to back side of case and gently lift PCB up, toward you, and out of the case (watch the antenna connectors at the top poking through the case)
Photo of serial header/connectors:
Step 9:
Connect wires of USB TTL Serial cable
Cable:
Red: Power...
Step 3:
Patiently pry open case (I used a combination of an old credit card [anybody get a mail in rebate lately?] and the plastic prying tools included in my toolkit)
Step 4:
Take inventory of broken tabs (I'm going to call it 2 and 2 fourths)
TM-AC1900/RT-AC68U Disassembly
Step 1:
Peel off ASUS sticker on back of router
Step 2:
Unscrew two screws on back (note the warranty seal sticker on the bottom screw)
Success!
I ordered this cable: JBtek® WINDOWS 8 Supported Debug Cable for Raspberry Pi USB Programming USB to TTL Serial Cable
And this toolkit: Professional Opening Pry Tool Repair Kit with Non-Abrasive Nylon Spudgers and Anti-Static Tweezers, 8 Piece Set
Got serial access and ran these...
Doing some more research, it looks like the steps I need to proceed with:
Remove long ASUS sticker from back of router (enough to expose screws)
Remove 2 screws
Pry open case
Connect GND to GND, VCC to VCC, TX to RX and RX to TX
Open Putty set to: Baud: 115200 Data bits: 8 Stop Bits: 1 Parity...
Leaving the router on for 12 hours didn't help. And, just confirmed Wireshark's findings - the switch isn't switching traffic on this router.
I gave one PC an IP of 192.168.1.10/Mask 255.255.255.0 and another with 192.168.1.11/Mask 255.255.255.0. Confirming the Windows firewalls were off, I...