Before we install, we have to take certain measures to make sure we have the lowest chance possible of "bricking" the router. We have our files, now let's do some pre-install measures. Make sure your router and computer are on some kind of backup power because you never want to lose power when you are flashing the router. NEVER attempt to flash your router using a wireless connection, use a wired connection either directly connected to the router or using a switch. Also, do not press the reset button at any time during or after the flashing process. When I flashed my router I didn't touch anything not even the mouse to make sure it was going to flash successfully. Finally, if you can bare it, try to use IE because Firefox has script protection and that may stop the flashing process. Now let's do some pre-install tasks before we put the firmware on the router.
Disconnect all your connections, even the internet and exempting your computer from the router to avoid another computer from getting access to the router while flashing. Once you have all the connections except your computer disconnented, go into the web interface and apply factory defaults. You can do that by opening up http://192.168.1.1, or whatever ip your router's on, in the web browser, type in your password, and go to "Administration" --> "Factory Defaults". Click on "yes" and click "apply". Once the router restores back do this again to make sure everything is cleared. If you are using DD-WRT v23 SP2 and not the original firmware the username is root and password is admin. If not, on Linksys, there is no default username and the password is admin. On Motorola, the default username is admin and the password is motorola.
Installing the "mini" version
If you are using DD-WRT v23 SP2, skip this section and go to "Installing the 'standard' version". If you are using the original firmware that came with the router, continue on with this section. Let's get down to installing the firmware. While still in the web interface, go to "Firmware upgrade" and browse for the correct file. Before clicking "open" make sure it shows the "mini" version, not the "standard" version and that it's the "motorola" file if you are installing on a Motorola router or a "generic" file if you are installing on a Linksys/Alltel router. If you are upgrading a Motorola router, please change the file extension to ".trx" otherwise it won't accept the firmware. After that, click "upgrade" and DON'T even move until the "flash successful" screen comes up. Don't get impatient. The router will reboot and start up itself. Once it upgrades and reboots (it will take about 1-8 minutes), you should be able to open up http://192.168.1.1, login using root for the username and admin for password, and you should see the new web interface. If so, continue on will this tutorial. If you didn't get successful. You may have "bricked", go down the page and find the "What if I 'bricked' it" section.
If you were successful, thank God for nothing bad happening and remember to reset to factory defaults twice. Let's continue on with the installation.
Installing the "standard" version
If you're using DD-WRT v23 SP2, make sure you restore factory defaults twice before continuing on. Go to "Firmware upgrade" and browse for the correct file. Before clicking "open" make sure it shows the "standard" version, not the "mini" version this time. Also make sure it is "generic" file with that. After that, click "upgrade" and DON'T even move until the "flash successful" screen comes up. The router will reboot and start up itself. Once it upgrades and reboots (it will take about 1-8 minutes), you should be able to open up http://192.168.1.1, login using root for the username and admin for password, and you should see the new web interface. If so, thank God again for nothing bad happening and enjoy the new firmware. Remember to change your password so nobody can get into the router and to reset to factory default twice (yes, again). If you don't see the new interface, go down the page to the "What if I 'bricked' it" section.
What if I "bricked" it?
If you have waited for 15 minutes and the light on the router will not stop blinking, don't panic!!! Try to go to http://192.168.1.1 in your web browser and see if anything has come up. If not, let's try some steps to get your router working again. Ok, since you have the TFTP program and your original firmware we have hope. First, let's try the reset button trick. Hold the reset button on the router for 30 seconds and un-plug and plug in the router. If that does not get it working, disconnect the router from the power. Change your network card speed to "10MB half-duplex" and set the IP address to 192.168.1.10, the subnet mask 255.255.255.0, and the gateway to 192.168.1.1 and make sure there's no Instant Messenging program running. Open up a command window and the tftp program. Don't press enter, but type in "ping -t 192.168.1.1" without the quotes and have all the info put in for the tftp program. As soon as you plug the router in press enter and as soon as you get replies start the tftp program. Once the transfer is complete the router should reboot and startup. If this does not work at first keep trying and if after 10 times it still doesn't work you may have to use an alternate way that involves opening up the case and shorting pins, but I warn you, it is not recommended and can cause even more damage to your router than what's already done. You will have to google on this because I don't like nor advise anybody to open up the case of their router.
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Please note that I'm not responsible for any damages that may occur!!!
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