USB swap for M.2 SSD with "soft" option?

[xmanyes]

Hi,

I see my USB is probably failing with some files locked and no way to make updates for a few addons in amtm... So I saw several posts with the same problem and all suggest either replacing USB or, better version, SSD (M.2) 256Gb. As I have 4 routers (main AX58 + 3 older in AI mesh) and 38 devices, parental supervision, setting up everything from scratch would be a major PITA... MAJOR! Probably a day or two with gradually workable solution for 2 families, which means I will be eaten alive in the process by each and everyone...

So I am asking, if there is any "soft" solution to just swap the USB for 256 Gb M.2 SSD and somehow continue with the existing setup outlined above? How & what are the best steps? What size should be the swap file and are there any other suggested settings that should be specifically taken care off for, hopefully, some peace of mind?

Luckily for now only few minor amtm addons are locked (connmon & scMerlin, which I cannot even uninstall due to a lock) and even if amtm addons would need to be re-created/re-installed, it shouldn't be any major issue, except maybe Adguard, I have "tons" of settings that I am not sure how to backup/restore...

Tips here highly desirable, thank you community & wish everyone happy holidays and New Year!

 

[bennor]

Maybe see if the BACKUPMON addon script may be of use for what you seek or desire.

BACKUPMON - BACKUPMON v1.9.1 -Oct 28, 2025- Backup/Restore your Router: JFFS + NVRAM + External USB Drive! CIFS/SMB/NFS! (Available in AMTM!)

BACKUPMON v1.9.1 Released October 28, 2025 First off -- HUGE thanks to @Jeffrey Young for sharing his original backup script. His script is the main engine of BACKUPMON, and all credit goes to him! BACKUPMON is simply a wrapper around Jeff's backup script functionality, adding easy-to-use...

www.snbforums.com

Edit to add: From that BACKUPMON link:

Use-case: BACKUPMON was designed to backup from, and restore to an already configured router from an external network resource, given a situation of a corrupted USB drive, botched Entware environment, or other general corruption issues. It can, however, also restore you back to a previous state if you decide to completely wipe your router or external drive from scratch. You can use it to move from one external USB drive to another... say, upgrading from a flashdrive to an SSD! You could also use it to restore your environment to a similar router if your old one dies, and you pick up the same model + hardware revision + firmware level as a replacement (at your own risk).

 

[Ripshod]

However, using the BACKUPMON method will not repair your damaged files. If you're lucky you may just have to edit a few config. Worst case you lose everything and start again.

 

[xmanyes]

Seems BACKUPMON is also affected... I can open it, but none of the changes in the setup are really saved so I cannot change the location to point to correct IP/folder...

Trying also swap file addon...

Getting from fwupdate.asuswrt-merlin.net
! Module swap.mod download failed
! using fallback server diversion.ch
! Module swap.mod download failed

Bollocks... This USB is soooo over.

 

[underdose]

Here's what worked for me when I was in the same situation (dying USB):

1. Remove the dead USB drive (I did this while the router was running)
2. Plug in the new SSD and run amtm > fd to format it and create a swap file.
3. Uninstall and re-install Skynet so it points to the correct/new swap file.
4. Re-install Diversion (which installs Entware).
5. Re-install every other script via amtm.

All of the essential router settings (WiFi properties, connection information, clients list etc.) and most of your add-ons and their settings are saved in either NVRAM or /jffs, so the loss should be minimal.

However, it's worth noting that I have a very basic network topology set up (see my signature) and the list of installed scripts might differ from yours, so YMMV.

 

[xmanyes]

Something's off... new/empty USB and trying to run amtm would make it loop with en error listing previous scripts:
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/diversion.mod': Read-only file system
2 open Skynet 8.0.7
8 open MerlinAU 1.5.7

Trying to remove amtm from previous posts (https://www.snbforums.com/threads/segmentation-fault-in-amtm.86496/page-3), but only get read-only system:

2022admim@RT-AX58U-9920:/tmp/home/root# rm -fr /jffs/addons/amtm
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/ntpmerlin.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/sc_update.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/a_fw/amtm.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/a_fw': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/mail/emailpw.enc': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/mail/email.conf': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/mail': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/.amtm_theme': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/YazDHCP.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/email.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/uiDivStats.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/.ash_history': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/MerlinAU.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/entware.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/connmon.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/mount-entware.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/shell_history.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/AdGuardHome.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/scmerlin.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/backupmon.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/disk_check.log': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/disk_check.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/diversion.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm/skynet.mod': Read-only file system
rm: can't remove '/jffs/addons/amtm': Read-only file system

At this point dreaded factory-reset seems to be the only option, unless someone has some other ideas... Seems like read-only is not the problem of the USB.

By the way, router has been rebooted before I tried this

 

[ColinTaylor]

Before you go any further, go to Administration - Restore/Save/Upload Setting and create backups of your settings and JFFS partition.

 

[xmanyes]

Before you go any further, go to Administration - Restore/Save/Upload Setting and create backups of your settings and JFFS partition.

Did that, of course.