Flashing DDWRT (on WRT54GL)
Recently I was talking with a friend (Jones) about DD-WRT and Tomato, he told me that an hard reset is always required before and after flashing a firmware, something I didn't know. I always just flashed the firmware...
So basically how to flash a WRT54GL with the original Linksys firmware on it (using GUI):
- Download Micro or Mini to start with,
If you want to install another DDWRT version, afterwards also download it (STANDARD, VOIP, or VPN versions)
DDWRT Firmwares - Hard reset (original Linksys firmware)
- Upgrade to Micro or Mini
- The Waiting...
- Hard reset
- Upgrade to the STANDARD, VOIP, or VPN versions.
- The Waiting...
- Hard reset
What is a Hard reset (30/30/30 reset):
- Hold down the reset button for 30 seconds (with the router powered on)
- Still holding it, pull the power cord for 30 seconds.
- Still holding it, plug the router back in and continue to hold the reset button for 30 more seconds.
(When the hard reset is performed correctly, you will be asked to change your password when you login to the webgui)
The Waiting:
After you flash the firmware, and before you do the hard reset, the router will be building some nvram settings. YOU MUST WAIT FOR THIS TO FINISH PRIOR TO DOING ANYTHING WITH THE ROUTER INCLUDING A HARD RESET. Usually, you can tell when this process is completed by the WAN light coming on, but it does take several minutes. Go have a beer. There are starting to be more and more people who BRICK their routers by not waiting until the nvram is rebuilt, PRIOR to doing a hard reset. YOU NEED TO WAIT!
The reason for the hard resets:
You want to flash to a "clear" nvram. This helps to prevent problems. That is the reason the chip is being cleared prior to flashing. Old values can corrupt things. So can failing to power cycle. Without doing a hard reset it is possible that your WRT54GL will get slow.
Links:
Linksys WRT54GL
Peacock Thread-FAQ: EVERYTHING you NEED to know! Really!! (very handy)
Flashing Your Router with DD-WRT Firmware