Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[bobdragon12]

Ok , If possible some screen shots of the Putty would be appreciated so I know i'm doing the correct thing . I see no reason to go back once i have done this so not worried about going back , can I PM you my email so you could email me the firmware with boot already removed ?. Thanks once again

[hacktrix2006]

No need to give me your e-mail address i can just upload it and link it up for everyone else as well.

I can give you screenshots of how to set putty up for connecting but as the data feed after connection is live from the router it would be difficult to do so.

TFTP i can also screenshoot as well. If the Original poster to the method agree's i can make a proper tutorial for the Kitz Forum. I will contact the original poster first for that.

I will upload the images tonight and then PM you the links as I have Images for both ways with Boot removed and they worked as it was what i used myself during the flashing stage.

How ever i don't want to step on someones toes so to speak so i will PM the original poster first and get permission and then make a Tutorial after that.


Edit: Tutorial is now drafted up and i am awaiting approval from @vs1 Before Posting it. However, how one is going to turn a 9 page document into a 1 Post thread is anyone's guess. It does however have links to everything thats needed and a few pictures of the PCB and Settings for Putty and the TFTP.

[bobdragon12]

I didnt think it would be long until I had to post , Write I have put PINs on the board I have received my Serial cable . Serial Cable drivers installed I have putty installed but don't seem to be able to get a connection , as soon as I switch the router on it locks putty screen ? . Any help greatly appreciated

[cheese9k]

Hi,

Let me first say sorry for bringing this thread back.

I've been following this thread periodically since I bought my W8980 in Octoberish. I'm going to attempt to do this tomorrow (when my serial adapter arrives) and just want to go through a few things.

1. I've tried cutting the firmware down from 0 - 20200 and I'm left with 79FFF0 instead of 7A0000 (one line before), am I cutting it to early or what? 

2. Could this be because I'm using the latest firmware? (I think I tried with the firmware linked at the start of the thread and came back with the same results)

3. After I've done this once, it's just a case of updating through the web gui instead of using serial, correct? (Meaning no further cutting of firmware unless flashing back to stock)

If you could just help me with those three points that would be great.

Thanks,
Chess

[hacktrix2006]

Check your PM. Also cross flashing can not be done via a webGUI its done via a Serial connection which requires the Router to be modded to accept a communication between the Computer and Router at a lower level.

I have sent you a link to the Cut images (Which has Boot partition removed, done myself in linux using DD) and a unfinished guide i was making which would give you a very ruff idea on whats involved.

[ejs]

I've flashed the 9980 141215 firmware onto my 8970 via the web interface. First I uploaded a modified config file with some model numbers set to 9980 values. I wasn't really expecting it to work, but it did, and of course the config was reset to factory defaults. Everything at least superficially looks like it works OK, obviously it still doesn't have 5GHz wireless.

[hacktrix2006]

Nice one @ejs just a shame about open-wrt with 5ghz issue

[ejs]

I bricked my 8970 yesterday morning. First I downgraded the firmware to 9980 140613 via the web interface. I learnt nothing particularly useful about that firmware version apart from the saved config files are compressed somehow, the same way as with the latest. So I decided to upgrade back to the 9980 141215 firmware again - which bricked it. Not really surprising since all this messing about flashing firmware is going to be risky, but I was more expecting it to break at the first attempt to flash 9980 firmware, not the third time.

I'll have a go with the serial port in a few weeks time if/when the USB TTL serial adapter I ordered arrives. It wouldn't surprise me if I find that the bootloader is also trashed since TP-Link seem to upgrade or downgrade uboot in every different firmware version, in which case I might as well see what I can do with JTAG.

[hacktrix2006]

Oh dear. Its always best to use cut images when downgrading @ejs which requires TTL but it might no be a full brick it might be unpacking of the kernel at boot which is after uboots boot up. So long a uboot boots you should be OK unless uboot is messed up. Good luck mate if you was local I'd let to use my TTL and laptop to revive it. I even have the pins for TTL. Good luck all the same.

[Mooingall]

Hi all, is the W8980 end of life now? I picked one up last monthish for £30 from Argos. Nice and stable currently running just as a wireless access point.

Is the crossflash process still applicable to the latest G.INP Beta firmware TD-W9980v1_0.6.0_1.10_up_boot(150409)_2015-04-09_11.19.29.zip


Is the hardware really identical between the W8980 and W9980? If so why do we need to butcher bootloaders and such?

After upgrading will future updates always have to be done via serial?

Thanks for the info

[hacktrix2006]

Yes cross flash rules still apply for the latest beta w9980 firmware. Currently on that firmware myself. However you can flash the old precut image w9980 firmware then upgrade to the beta one via GUI after.

[Mooingall]

Yes cross flash rules still apply for the latest beta w9980 firmware. Currently on that firmware myself. However you can flash the old precut image w9980 firmware then upgrade to the beta one via GUI after.

Thank you for the weirdly fast reply 

Great to hear all is working.

[hacktrix2006]

Just make sure you have a secure serial connection and don't downgrade the w8980 firmware else it might go funky just get the precut w9980 image and flash over via ttl serial

[Mooingall]

Thanks for the advice, I found a precut image here, is that the one you meant?

My soldering adventure was a total failure but at least I didn't brick anything. Wobbling my pins around actually gave me some (garbled) booting messages before the pin broke 

Trying to think what I could steal a header from to recycle for serial attempt #16.

[hacktrix2006]

LOL, i used Break-Away 0.1" Male head stripe (3 pins only needed in total). Basically with the 3 pins you solder that on to the clump of 3 pin holes. There is a image of the connection i put in this thread somewhere lol. The trick my father used was to pull the plastic sleeve holding the pins up slightly and then tin the bottom of each ping with flux and solder then place the pins into the hole then solder to the PCB after the solder has set push the sleeve back down carefully.

I have pre-cut images in my mega account for all the thats required if you need it. As for Garbled screen output that would suggest you might have placed the RX and TX in the wrong place.

But goodluck if you need a helping hand just PM me. Just do not put a pin or connect to the pad near the Heatsink as that is VCC which is not required.