TL-WR1043ND Ver:1.8 [ Reset, FailSafe, Revert back to stock Factory ]
As a beginner, I always screw up the device which I often have to do the following:
- Perform Reset the router - if still can access via webgui
- Perform FailSafe procedure - if unable to access via webgui but still accessible via Telnet
- Revert back to Factory firmware - either if want to claim warranty or give up the test
Note:
- Not all devices have FailSafe, always check the OpenWRT wiki and do some research first before flashing
- Individual device restore firmware back to factory method might be different, again, research first!
After bricking some units before while testing those WRTs, I always try my best to find out the restoration methods & procedures before embarking the WRT journey ....
Perform Reset ( If still can access the webgui )
Go to " System --> Backup / Flash Firmware tab "
Click Perform reset to reset the device back to OpenWRT default
DO NOT touch anything until the process complete !!
The device restored back to OpenWRT default
FailSafe ( If unable to access the webgui )
- Turn off the device & unplug everything
- Only connect a cat cable from PC to the device's LANport 1
Assign PC with static IP 192.168.1.2 as follows
Now do the following steps, careful, all must be done within 10 seconds !
Once the SYS light blink non-stop faster, that means it's on "rescue mode"
Back to PC, launch PuTTY, enter the following and Telnet to the device (no password require)
At command prompt type: " mtd -r erase rootfs_data " and hit enter
DO NOT touch anything, wait ....
When the word " Rebooting " appeared, that means the device has been re-set
Wait for few more seconds before closing the PuTTY windows
Back to PC, set IP back to Auto DHCP as follows
Unplug the network cable, wait for a min, then plug-in again
Open browser, type 192.168.1.1, the default OpenWRT webgui will appear
Revert Back to Factory
Mostly, OpenWRT does not stop you from going back to original stock factory
For this device:
- Go to official website HERE .
- Download any stock firmware, must have the word " xxxxupxxx.bin " in it
- DO NOT use any stock firmware with the word " xxxbootxxx.bin" in it !!
Reset the device first (refer above section)
Login the device, go to " System --> Bakcup / Flash Firmware tab "
Browse to the stock firmware, unselect Keep Settings option, then click Flash image
Re-confirm filesize & MD5, then click Proceed
DO NOT touch anything, wait, observe the device's lights .... and pray hard ......
After a while , the device's all lights will blink once and off, then the power light will resume, later the rest of lights will back to normal.
This mean the device has been restored !!
Enter default IP 192.168.1.1 (Note: Some newer stock firmware use 192.168.0.1 as default IP)
Default user ID & password = admin
Phew , happy to see green again !
WAIT ! Go straight to " System Tools --> Factory Defaults tab", click Restore to reset the device again
DO NOT touch anything until the process complete !!
Finally, back to original stock firmware again !
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