Unable to Recover N66U

[nxsmiggy]

Hi guys, Been lurking on this forum for a few days and really need your help as my N66u seems to have died

I tried updating the firmware from 3.0.0.4.247 to the latest one from the prompt, and it would always go to "proceeding" but never update the firmware.

Next I tried to update by downloading the firmware from the Asus website and using the upload browser but it still would not update.

Finally I tried Merlin's Build and that's where things went a bit funny (Not that I think its anything to do with merlins build at all ).

The web UI froze on proceeding, so after waiting about 10 mins I rebooted the router and it fell into recovery mode.

I used the Firmware utility to try and reset, using the official Asus firmware, and a static IP of 192.168.1.5, subnet of 255.255.255.0

It uploads the firmware but stalls on "unable to connect to router, is it in recovery mode".

I repeated this and left the router over night to see if that solves it as I read in a tread about waiting up to an hour.

This morning the N66u is still dead, however I was able to get into the web UI CFE recovery interface and try to reload the firmware. I uploaded merlin's and gave it 15 mins, then cleared the NVRAM but the router still boots back into recovery mode.

Finally I tried the 30/30/30 trick to force clear the NVRAM and it still boots into recovery mode.

Anything else I can try before I RMA, or have I bricked the unbrickable router?

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
Dumb question, did you unzipped downloaded file first? Recovery mode means router is asking for f/w(=give me the f/w) Just use utility on the enclosed CD and follow thru.
When f/w is loading go for a cup of coffee and give some time like 10 minutes or so. I give 30 mins. Be patient. This router is impossible to brick. Always comes back.

 

[nxsmiggy]

I did all of the above Tony. The firmware was unzipped and re-downloaded to see if that was the issue.

as for leaving it, its been sitting next to me un-touched for the last 40 mins since the last update. The CFE miniWeb server tells me the F/W uploaded correctly but the WiFi light has not come back on, which seems to be an indication of a problem (from what I have seen in other threads) and its now sitting in Recovery mode again with the power LED blinking every 10s or so

I think this could be a faulty router TBH

 

[jerry6]

Hi,
Dumb question, did you unzipped downloaded file first? Recovery mode means router is asking for f/w(=give me the f/w) Just use utility on the enclosed CD and follow thru.
When f/w is loading go for a cup of coffee and give some time like 10 minutes or so. I give 30 mins. Be patient. This router is impossible to brick. Always comes back.

Not impossible , mine was bricked , impossible to get it working again . Asus replaced it . They are hard to brick , but not impossible

 

[TonyH]

Hmm,
If CFE is bugered up it needs to be replaced but thru serial connection(now using serial-USB TTL converter. Some tricky soldering, patience may be involved but can be done. I am retired so I have all the time I need. Think there is a guy who does recovery service at dd-wrt forum as well. Only router I was unable to save was an old Netgear which was burnt inside. A cap shorted out melting some runs on the board. W/o getting your feet wet, nothing can be learned.

 

[nxsmiggy]

Thanks Tony but this is only 10 days old so back to amazon it goes. More annoyingly is the fact it's now £15 cheaper than when I ordered it lol

Guess I killed the immortal ;-)

 

[jerry6]

Tony , anything can be fixed , but why go through the trouble when Asus/Amazon will replace the unit ? If I buy a new car and the motor goes , sure I can take it apart and rebuild , but easier to bring it to the dealer for a replacement . Unless it's out of warranty send it back .