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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
134 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Jan 24, 2019
ashynees12
Jan 24, 2019
134 Posts
Quote from MrSmithNV :
I'm not falling for this again!! I never get this router... it always crashes and burns at the last step... something went wrong.. my a**

sigh its doing the same things again!
I have two of these routers (one brand new and the other certified) and both are great. Not having to reset a router every couple days is one inconvenience that I'm happy to live without.
Jan 24, 2019
2,312 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
Jan 24, 2019
hpark21
Jan 24, 2019
2,312 Posts
Quote from gossipninja :
Yes. It is just a wifi router that had special firmware to allow tmobile phones to make and receive calls over wifi
Quote from Funksultan :
No it is not. It has firmware that T-Mobile uses to enable wifi calling (even from phones that don't have that option).
No, it isn't the case. This is just a regular router with special firmware which will PRIORITIZE VOIP packets. (QOS Prioritization)
If your phone does not have WIFI calling feature, it won't work with this router. IF your phone DOES have WIFI calling feature, then it SHOULD prioritize the packet such that you won't have dropped calls, etc. Once flashed, it becomes regular router without any special handling of VOIP packet.

Quote from Funksultan :
That's not how wifi calling works. You're just forwarding/converting the signal. There are a wealth of technologies that do this. The location of the firmware doesn't matter (phone, router, etc). In china, they often use USB dongles for this purpose.
There may be, but this router isn't it. T-mobile DID have real "cell spot router" which actually converts LTE signal into TCP/IP packets not just amplify the existing signal. This model is NOT it. It does NOT allow phones to go through WIFI if they do not have T-mobile compatible WIFI calling feature built in. That said, if one needs that feature, one COULD install and use DIGITS app so NEED for built in WIFI calling feature isn't as important as before BUT DIGITS app does have its own baggage.
Jan 24, 2019
37 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Jan 24, 2019
BevnotyA
Jan 24, 2019
37 Posts
Get it for free if you have bad signal....Just call customer service and they will offer it for free.
Jan 24, 2019
1,247 Posts
Joined Jun 2016
Jan 24, 2019
ChrisC7705
Jan 24, 2019
1,247 Posts
I'm glad I got one back when they were free
Jan 24, 2019
65 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
Jan 24, 2019
dalethefarmer
Jan 24, 2019
65 Posts
Quote from whappend :
Thanks, needed a 3rd one. They work well with Ethernet back haul, but folks do report handoff issues with certain devices.
Could you PM me a guide to setup 2 of these routers via ethernet to a switch?
Jan 24, 2019
285 Posts
Joined Apr 2008
Jan 24, 2019
jason79
Jan 24, 2019
285 Posts
Tell me why I need to buy this. I don't plan on doing anything T-Mobile with it and have flashed routers with DDwrt and tomato in the past. What does this offer in short that they do not with 3rd party firmware? Thanks!
Jan 24, 2019
2,312 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
Jan 24, 2019
hpark21
Jan 24, 2019
2,312 Posts
Quote from jason79 :
Tell me why I need to buy this. I don't plan on doing anything T-Mobile with it and have flashed routers with DDwrt and tomato in the past. What does this offer in short that they do not with 3rd party firmware? Thanks!
Get 3 for $120 and do 3 node mesh networking? Cheapest 3 node mesh networking setup I believe.. As stand alone router, this is a cheap and excellent router for $40.

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Jan 24, 2019
292 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Jan 24, 2019
seanblock82
Jan 24, 2019
292 Posts
Just grabbed one (in stock). Will try flashing for AiMesh for my house. Thanks!
Jan 24, 2019
1,084 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Jan 24, 2019
armharm
Jan 24, 2019
1,084 Posts
worked for me. used opera.
Jan 24, 2019
1,607 Posts
Joined May 2006
Jan 24, 2019
ifoundu
Jan 24, 2019
1,607 Posts
This or $137 for a AC86u when Amazon warehouse had it with 20% off?
Jan 24, 2019
650 Posts
Joined Feb 2018
Jan 24, 2019
DealFreak1
Jan 24, 2019
650 Posts
Quote from asting :
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.
Small correction: It is like regular WiFi router, NOT Modem.
Jan 24, 2019
439 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
Jan 24, 2019
ballerandco
Jan 24, 2019
439 Posts
Quote from BobbyFinstock :
Anybody know if you can return this to a T-Mobile store?
I'd like to know this as well as it's a certified pre-owned. hmm.

via old thread

Quote from hotcake :

Post #123868969 added 12-27-2018 09:12 AM by hotcake
You are right. You can not return the router to a TMobile store rather call this number for their virtual sales 1-800-672-5390

They gladly issued a return label for me.
Hope we get lucky and don't get unflashable return units from the last sale
Last edited by aznstyle January 24, 2019 at 09:08 AM.
Jan 24, 2019
78 Posts
Joined Mar 2013
Jan 24, 2019
ChaoticKinesis
Jan 24, 2019
78 Posts
Quote from nightanole :
Um you have never used Ai mesh have you?

You can not apply any of the above. First and foremost AImesh uses only 1 channel, so if you have 4 aimesh APs, they will all be using channel 1 or whatever. And disconnecting on RSSI min is like pissing up a rope with asus (even merlin).

Yes it sounds wonderful to think that if you have 3 aimesh APs, they all have different non overlapping channels, and you can tell the software that they are all 15ft away from each other so you can set the correct RSSI, but that doesnt happen...
You're right, I haven't used it and didn't realize that it essentially forces your router into basic config mode. As far as I can tell, there's no reason for people who understand how to change their router settings to be using AiMesh.

The same is true for other mesh wifi systems that are so popular today. They only exist because configuring these systems is hard for the average consumer. A proper manual setup will always be superior though.
Jan 24, 2019
237 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Jan 24, 2019
MrSmithNV
Jan 24, 2019
237 Posts
Quote from ashynees12 :
I have two of these routers (one brand new and the other certified) and both are great. Not having to reset a router every couple days is one inconvenience that I'm happy to live without.
Yeah, I think I was not clear. I have not even got this damn router... it always shows in stock for me and then on the last step says... something went wrong... ALWAYS! tried everything last time... mobile, different browsers, hanging upside down... grrrr.. nothing worked

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Jan 24, 2019
552 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Jan 24, 2019
3Dmented
Jan 24, 2019
552 Posts
Quote from chong67 :
Can I put Tomato USB on it?
Why? Go Merlin
https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca

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