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expired Posted by dailydealsforme • Jan 24, 2019
expired Posted by dailydealsforme • Jan 24, 2019

T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router (Certified Pre-Owned)

+ Free S/H

$40

$109

63% off
T-Mobile
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T-Mobile.com has T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router (Certified Pre-Owned) on sale for $49.99 - Extra $10 off w/ promo code CPOROUT (apply in cart) = $39.99. Shipping is free. Thanks dailydealsforme

Note, be sure to select the "No credit check" option before adding item to cart.

Includes
  • T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router
  • 3x External Dual-Band Detachable Antennas
  • Power Adapter
  • RJ-45 Cable

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
Be sure to apply your promo code while in cart to receive discount. Offer valid for online p purchase only - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by dailydealsforme
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: If item appears to show out of stock, you may try another web browser or try again later.

T-Mobile.com has T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router (Certified Pre-Owned) on sale for $49.99 - Extra $10 off w/ promo code CPOROUT (apply in cart) = $39.99. Shipping is free. Thanks dailydealsforme

Note, be sure to select the "No credit check" option before adding item to cart.

Includes
  • T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router
  • 3x External Dual-Band Detachable Antennas
  • Power Adapter
  • RJ-45 Cable

Editor's Notes

Written by Discombobulated | Staff
Be sure to apply your promo code while in cart to receive discount. Offer valid for online p purchase only - Discombobulated

Original Post

Written by dailydealsforme

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Top Comments

If I had to write a full up-to-date guide, it would be this:
(Up to date as of 5/2/19 with suggestions in this and later threads)
How to flash TM-AC1900 to RT-AC68U:

Install WinSCP, Putty, and a file archiver (click this link to download all 3 [ninite.com]). Install the Asus Restore Utility [asus.com], mirror [filedropper.com].
Connect your computer to the *yellow* port on the router by way of an Ethernet (LAN) cable
Check if SSH can be enabled - if so, enable it and jump to step #15
Go to Administration > System > Enable SSH > Yes > Apply
Ezlink: http://192.168.29.1/Advanced_System_Content.asp
Create a folder on your desktop, name it "router".
Download this file [mega.nz] and extract it to the newly made router folder. It contains a firmware to downgrade to, a firmware to upgrade to, and mtd-write.
Download firmware version 3.0.0.4.384.20308 from here [softpedia.com] and unzip the file
Disconnect the cellspot router from the internet if you haven't already
Set static IP for PC.
start > run > ncpa.cpl > double click Ethernet > properties > IPV4 >
IP: 192.168.29.5
Subnet: Default (255.255.255.0)
Gateway: 192.168.29.1
Place router into Recovery/Restore mode
a. Hold reset button 10 seconds
b. Power off router (keep holding reset)
c. Wait 10 seconds, keep holding reset
d. Power on router holding reset for 10 more seconds
Go to 192.168.29.1 in a web browser - you should see ASUSTek CFE miniWeb Server
If Mini-CFE webpage won't load, try Chrome Incognito mode, else use Asus Restore Utility (linked in #1)
If having trouble with this step perform NVRAM Reset (see #24) and try #9 again
Flash TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx from the "router" folder you created (hit the choose button, select the file, hit upload)
Wait for reboot at least 5 mins – WiFi lights on router will turn on when boot is complete
Log in to router (admin:password)
Go to Administration > System > Enable SSH > Yes > Apply
Ezlink: http://192.168.29.1/Advanced_System_Content.asp
Open Putty and WinSCP and connect them to 192.168.29.1 using a admin:admin or admin:password
Tip: In WinSCP select SCP as file protocol, in Putty SSH
In Putty type:
cat /dev/mtd0 > original_cfe.bin
In WinSCP refresh the window on the right side and note that original_cfe.bin is present
Copy original_cfe.bin to a local drive
Download the new .bin
a. Upload original_cfe.bin to http://cfeditor.pipeline.sh/
b. Select 1.0.2.0 US AiMesh as Source CFE for Asus/Merlin builds, (1.0.2.5 recommended for DD-WRT or Tomato)
c. Click Download
Rename the new .bin file to "new_cfe.bin"
Through WinSCP, Upload new_cfe.bin & mtd-write & FW_RT_AC68U_30043763626.trx to router
In Putty type:
chmod u+x mtd-write
./mtd-write new_cfe.bin boot
mtd-write2 FW_RT_AC68U_30043763626.trx linux
Wait until the CRC OK message comes up
Perform NVRAM Reset
a. Power off router
b. Wait 10 seconds
c. Press and hold WPS button
d. Power up the router and continue to hold WPS button for 15-20 seconds until power LED starts blinking very quickly.
e. wait 5 minutes
Reset PC IP back to default
Log in to router using 192.168.1.1 and the router is now an RT-AC68U with 64MB jffs
username:/password is now: admin:admin
If router isn't showing RT-AC68U, try Chrome Incognito Mode
Enable SSH (see #14) Ezlink: http://192.168.1.1/Advanced_System_Content.asp
Reconnect Putty (see #15)
In Putty, execute the code for fixing MTD5 partition.
cat /dev/mtd5 > /jffs/mtd5_backup.bin
mkdir /tmp/asus_jffs
mount -t jffs2 /dev/mtdblock5 /tmp/asus_jffs
rm -rf /tmp/asus_jffs/*
sync && umount /tmp/asus_jffs
ln -s /sbin/rc mtd-erase
In the router page, go to Administration > Firmware and upload RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_384_20308-gead790e.trx
This is the file you downloaded in step #6
Perform NVRAM Reset (see #24)
Enable SSH (see #14) Ezlink: http://192.168.1.1/Advanced_System_Content.asp
When going back into the router at this point, it may prompt you to update the username/password, not allowing you to go directly to enable ssh
Make sure you don't forget what you change the username/password to
Reconnect Putty (see #15)
In Putty, execute the code for fixing MTD5 partition.
mkdir /tmp/asus_jffs
mount -t jffs2 /dev/mtdblock5 /tmp/asus_jffs
rm -rf /tmp/asus_jffs/*
sync && umount /tmp/asus_jffs
ln -s /sbin/rc mtd-erase
./mtd-erase -d asus
rm -rf /jffs/.sys/RT-AC68U
nvram unset fw_check && nvram commit && reboot
You now can (and should) flash an updated firmware, such as Asus, Merlin, Advanced Tomato, Tomato, and DD-WRT firmwares.
To flash newer Asus firmwares at this point, go to the router page, go to Administration > Firmware and upload the latest firmware from this page [asus.com].
At this point, for security purposes I'd recommend to either disable SSH or change it to 'LAN only". Also, definitely change both the default login id and password.


Additional Notes:

Yes, step 34 is partially redundant, but this is the way I did it twice and it caused no issues.
If you complete all the steps successfully, but you plug in the router to your network and there is no internet, your cable/fiber modem may coincidentally be on the same default IP as the router is. To fix this, go to the router webUI and on the status page you'll see an error stating an IP conflict which you can click so the router will change itself to a different IP
if you want to set up AiMesh, follow these steps


Feel free to message me if you get stuck, I may not respond immediately but I will try to help
No, it is something Tmobile would issue to customers who had bad reception in their home. This doesn't broadcast mobile wireless signal, just regular wifi. Since TMobile uses wifi calling the idea is stronger wifi in your house will alleviate their weak network.

It does not connect to the Tmobile network, and does not require Tmobile service. It will not give you internet if you don't have an ISP. It is just a regular modem, but branded.
Seems you're mixing your metaphors. You "pulled the trigger", not the plug. And you have to jump through hoops, not over them. You jump over hurdles.

Good luck with the conversion - it's not easy but it isn't rocket surgery! (Didya see what I did there?)

873 Comments

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Jan 24, 2019
809 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Jan 24, 2019
glassr
Jan 24, 2019
809 Posts
Quote from slickdealer59 :
I don't suppose any of you guys have experience with this router and openvpn? Assuming I can follow the process to load a custom firmware. Just trying to find a cheap solution to utilize open vpn and obtain about 15mbps at least. Thanks for your help!
My FiOS 50/50 got choked to 12 download with nordvpn using openvpn.
Jan 24, 2019
123 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 24, 2019
gossipninja
Jan 24, 2019
123 Posts
just picked up a third, have 2 from previous deal.

They are nice, but noticed some wifi dropping, and it appears it was a known "old" issue, but even on latest firmware seem to have issues with it from time to time.

Disabling "beam forming" seems to have helped but not solved.

If anyone has any insight It would be appreciated.
(latest asus AI mesh firmware on both nodes both on 2nd floor of home at opposite ends of home, but signal likely overlaps a fair bit as the distance is like 60 feet between.)
Jan 24, 2019
904 Posts
Joined Apr 2009
Jan 24, 2019
irha
Jan 24, 2019
904 Posts
Quote from FairWallaby2369 :
Try using incognito if it shows oos. I got this when this deal came out in December. Got the router and flashed it with the actual firmware now working as a repeater for the TV. It's quite solid.
That didn't work for me (I even tried changing the browser), but when I changed the IP (by connecting to a VPN) it showed up in stock.
Jan 24, 2019
1,103 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
Jan 24, 2019
Teraman
Jan 24, 2019
1,103 Posts
In for 1 using a desktop and chrome:
Your order was successfully submitted.
Jan 24, 2019
2 Posts
Joined May 2006
Jan 24, 2019
MarkE
Jan 24, 2019
2 Posts
Thanks! Got one. Existing TMo customer and I think that's why it wouldn't let me add to cart. Went incognito and was able to put an order in.
Jan 24, 2019
46 Posts
Joined May 2013
Jan 24, 2019
fritfrat
Jan 24, 2019
46 Posts
Quote from gossipninja :
just picked up a third, have 2 from previous deal.

They are nice, but noticed some wifi dropping, and it appears it was a known "old" issue, but even on latest firmware seem to have issues with it from time to time.

Disabling "beam forming" seems to have helped but not solved.

If anyone has any insight It would be appreciated.
(latest asus AI mesh firmware on both nodes both on 2nd floor of home at opposite ends of home, but signal likely overlaps a fair bit as the distance is like 60 feet between.)
When I first did the full process of converting this, I updated to the latest stock. I was rarely getting some dropping as well, so a few months later I converted it to John's fork of Merlin. No dropping since. I'm not positive, but I think Merlin doesn't work with AI mesh, though, so I'm not sure if this will work for you.
Jan 24, 2019
7,445 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
Jan 24, 2019
KMan
Jan 24, 2019
7,445 Posts
Does the "Cellspot" mean anything, like it's a local micro-cell tower in addition to being a WiFi router, or is that just marketing fluff?

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Jan 24, 2019
1,359 Posts
Joined Jun 2013
Jan 24, 2019
maxbottomtime
Jan 24, 2019
1,359 Posts
Quote from KMan :
Does the "Cellspot" mean anything, like it's a local micro-cell tower in addition to being a WiFi router, or is that just marketing fluff?
No, read the thread. This has been addressed many times.
Jan 24, 2019
181 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
Jan 24, 2019
slideal
Jan 24, 2019
181 Posts
I have this one as my main router, wondering if I can get another one and set it as access point?
Jan 24, 2019
410 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Jan 24, 2019
genkam
Jan 24, 2019
410 Posts
What's the difference between this router when flashed to an Asus one and my current router (Archer c7)
Jan 24, 2019
14 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
Jan 24, 2019
MadaniA
Jan 24, 2019
14 Posts
Can this be used to extend wifi signals
Jan 24, 2019
7,445 Posts
Joined Nov 2006

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Jan 24, 2019
552 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Jan 24, 2019
3Dmented
Jan 24, 2019
552 Posts
Quote from MadaniA :
Can this be used to extend wifi signals
Mesh signals don't extend. It's 2019
Jan 24, 2019
123 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Jan 24, 2019
gossipninja
Jan 24, 2019
123 Posts
Quote from KMan :
Didn't feel like wading through oodles of unrelated technical jargon about modding this to be some other router. So, it's just marketing, no cellular features, unless you consider WiFi calling to be "cellular"?
Yes. It is just a wifi router that had special firmware to allow tmobile phones to make and receive calls over wifi

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Jan 24, 2019
28 Posts
Joined Oct 2015
Jan 24, 2019
munkieP
Jan 24, 2019
28 Posts
What happens if I didn't choose "no credit check" before I checked out?

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