RT-BE88U can't install merlin

[greig2000uk]

I am getting this delivered tomorrow - probably the first thing i'll do is instal Merlin,

is this still required before installing Merlin, and if so I can SSH in using PuTTY using the above command but what is the command to see the status of that nvram setting for before and after?

 

[Ripshod]

what is the command to see the status of that nvram setting for before and after?

nvram get DOWNGRADE_CHECK_PASS

 

[greig2000uk]

Thanks Ripshod, appreciated, unfortunetly I can't even open a PuTTY session now, keep getting this error "network error: software caused abort". I have tried editing the Connection settings for keepalives to 5 and "Enable TCP Keepalives" to no avail.

anyone have advice for this?

 

[greig2000uk]

OK, so used an older PuTTY 0.81 and can get in again, still cant use 0.83 though so any advice on this is welcome.

@Ripshod, that command does nothing to show me the currrent state of the DOWNGRADE setting in the nvram, are you sure thats the command, is there a way to check on the routers web page?

thanks

 

[Ripshod]

The DOWNGRADE option doesn't show until it's been set (usually by the installer) so the check returns a 1 if it's enabled. No response if it hasn't been enabled.
It's best to try the upgrade first - if it fails use the nvram DOWNGRADE setting.
I use PuTTY 0.81 on Linux with no errors, so if you're using Windows I can't help much with that.

*EDIT* Just had PuTTY 0.83 tested on Windows 11 and an RT-BE88U without issue so I can't understand your issue.

 

[greig2000uk]

Thanks for your patience Ripshod,
When the router arrives, I will try upgrading first, then move onto this if it's a no go
So I used 0.83 on my old RT-AC87U yesterday to set the DOWNGRADE to 1 hence asking for the command to check the status. 0.83 portable worked fine, logged in, put the command into the DOS window to change the DOWNGRADE to 1.
Never showed any errors so I assumed it was ok.
when it occured to me to check the status I tried later to log in wiith 0.83 and started getting that error, cant get rid of it now.
I got version 0.81 and tried logging in with that, there was a window that popped up asking something about allow once and eccept - I cant remember if this was on the 0.83 version but now I was paying attention and selected accept and worked ok.
I tried 0.83 on a laptop to router and same error so im thinking there is something in the router settings thats refusing the connection....
So 0.81 works fine (and the get command does indeed report a 1)and 0.83 doesnt connect, not a total loss but annoying I cant figure it out.

Is there maybe some setting in either PuTTY or the router that needs flushed after the"Allow Once/Accept" setting I wasnt paying attention about?

 

[Tech9]

So I used 0.83 on my old RT-AC87U yesterday to set the DOWNGRADE to 1

This doesn't even apply to your old router! What exactly are you doing? Stop worrying in advance about a router you haven't received yet. When you receive it - run it on stock firmware for some time to make sure it works properly and to get yourself familiar with the new 3006 firmware features. When you run fast you may trip and fall. What's the rush?

 

[greig2000uk]

I was trying out PuTTY for the first time so the old router is there, so why not? Im not worried about anything, simply asking questions out of interest.
If my post annoys you, sorry - but dont feel the need to reply

 

[Tech9]

I was trying out PuTTY

Try PuTTY, but don't attempt to find/change perhaps non-existing NVRAM entries on your decade old different hardware router.

 

[lgkahn]

new router running this firmware will not upgrade to merlin 102.5 even with the downgrade hack.. doesnt give any error just reboots to the same firmware

any ideas before i return it.

 

[lgkahn]

figured out issue. the mfrs amazon sent me a used product which was an 86u not an 88u sigh

 

[Tech9]

figured out issue

This is RT-BE86U:

This is RT-BE88U:

The difference is pretty obvious, no?

 

[lgkahn]

granted .. unfortunately i didnt look that close as i ordered a 88u and exptected that is what i was sent.. so of course a firmware update would not take.. lol.. sent it back.. thats what i get for getting an open box one at a 100 discount.

 

[lgkahn]

lol.. got correct (what i ordered from amazon) firmware flashes a lot better when flashing to the correct model.