Router stuck in flash mode! Please Help

[peplogic1979]

Hi,

I've tired to update my netgear router to use with another ISP but I was useing vista at the time!! Now router is stuck in flash mode and the recvery program no longer see's the router.

What can I do?

[James67]

1. Open the Netgear Recovery Utility folder and move the .img file to somewhere else. Don't delete it - you'll need it in a minute
2. Download this firmware image for the DG834PN router and copy it into the Recovery Utility folder
3. Rename that image file to firmware.img
4. Start using the Recovery Utility as usual, but after you've selected the router, delete the firmware.img file from the Recover Utility folder, and then copy the DG834GT image back into the folder and rename it firmware.img
5. Once you've done that, finish the remaining steps of the recovery process

[peplogic1979]

will that work even though the program cant see the router?

[James67]

Yes, it should do.

The Recovery Utility looks at the image file in its folder and sees which router model that image is intended for. When it sees the firmware image for a DG834GT router, it looks specifically for that model.

But what happens sometimes when the reflashing process fails half-way through, is that the router can become "confused" about what kind of router it is and ends up thinking it's a DG834PN. So when you start up the Recovery Utility it looks for a DG834GT router, but all it can find is a router that thinks it's a DG834PN.

By following the steps in my earlier post, you can "trick" the Recover Utility into thinking that it needs to look for a DG834PN router. Once it's found your router, you then swap the firmware image files around, and it flashes the router with the DG834GT firmware that you actually want on the router.

EDIT: forgot to mention that it was forum user digitaldazz who came up with that little trick. It's saved many a bricked router.

[peplogic1979]

WOOHOO it worked!!! Thanks James67 (and digitaldazz) the router has been upgraded and is now working with my tiscali username!! cool this means I dont have to wiat 3 weeks for install!!

[miahm2]

James67 you the best. I really mean it.

YOu know what Netgear should hire u. Wont be suprised if they have already

[mattylad]

Hi, I have the same problem as above, it was 1/2 flashed using Vista before failing.

However even doing the above method it does not get recognised?
I get the top 2 field filled but nothing in the bottom fields.

Any suggestions?
James, do you know of any groups that have managed to take the flash chip off & reprogram it directly? IF it is borked then I'll go that far to try & get it working again. (I have the facilities).

Cheers,
mattylad

[richone54]

Moved to correct forum

[mattylad]

SO its "not" about a netgear router?

[James67]

Originally Posted by mattylad

James, do you know of any groups that have managed to take the flash chip off & reprogram it directly? IF it is borked then I'll go that far to try & get it working again. (I have the facilities).

Typically, you wouldn't remove the flash device, you'd reprogram it in situ using a JTAG adapter and suitable software. Google for "HairyDairyMaid" and you'll get loads of links you can look at on the subject of using JTAG with Broadcom-based routers.

But in all honesty, I've never managed to get a router so badly bricked that I've had to use JTAG. The worst I've done is where a router won't boot out of CFE (the Broadcom CFE does something similar to the BIOS on a PC). I was able tor resolve that with by soldering on a console connector and connecting the router (via a level converted) to my PC's serial port.