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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
874 Comments 214,916 Views
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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
2,351 Posts
Joined Sep 2005
Jan 24, 2019
pdp76
Jan 24, 2019
2,351 Posts
Quote from KMan :
Generic router question. I've been told by ISP techs that it's a good idea to get a new router every few years, especially if your current router's firmware is no longer being updated, for both security and performance reasons. Is this true, even if you have decent security SW and practice safe computing and surfing and don't have security issues (at least as far as you can tell), and are happy with performance? Or is it just something that router makers (or ISPs that charge you to use their routers) put out so they sell/rent more routers to people who don't really need new ones?
What you've been told isn't "wrong", especially if you get the cheapo bottom of the barrel routers (this one is not one of those), then yeah, I can see an average joe buying a new one every year or so for some of the reasons you mentioned. But if you have good security practices and an old router with slower performance is within your use case, why would you need anything faster or newer? Even a cheap one can last you more than 2 or 3 years, barring any hardware failures.

But a router like this should last an average joe well more than 2 or 3 years, again barring any catastrophic hardware failures, with its frequent FW updates and really good performance. That said, since this router has already been around for several years, it may not last THAT much longer from a features point of view, but I can still see myself using it for AT LEAST 2 or 3 more years from today.
Jan 24, 2019
121 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
Jan 24, 2019
photoagent101
Jan 24, 2019
121 Posts
It's stunning that buying this item through T-Mobile's website is so iffy. I tried buying one of these routers two years ago, and encountered the same issues -- "bad credit card", order not approved, call this 800 # to place an order. WTF? Surely T-Mobile can fix these problems.
It's also stunning that this and the Asus RT-AC68U have been around for 2-3 years and the prices for them have not gone down.
I bought an Archer C7 after giving up on trying to buy this router, and it's been great. It's worked well for 2 years, but recently out of the blue started disconnecting. One or two of the four Ethernet ports seem to have died, and the wifi started acting up. I upgraded the firmware and followed the tips on a website (thanks, "TP-Link Archer C7 Hangs Every Day. How To Fix? !") to disable Hardware NAT.

I am not a tech guy and have this question: if my Archer C7 has been working fine for two years, why would disabling Hardware NAT and upgrading the firmware solve any issues? I have not added a ton of new wifi devices to the network; the router just started hanging every other day or so.
Jan 24, 2019
1,224 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Jan 24, 2019
osv1
Jan 24, 2019
1,224 Posts
dang, oos again, with multiple browsers.
Jan 24, 2019
247 Posts
Joined May 2013
Jan 24, 2019
DewB
Jan 24, 2019
247 Posts
I bought one on ebay back when I failed to succeed in getting one from the tmobile website (that sucks, really bad). It has been a Great router. I didnt even bother flashing any other firmware, as out of the box, it does what I need it to, and then some. Very Nice router.
Jan 24, 2019
657 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
Jan 24, 2019
HairlessApe
Jan 24, 2019
657 Posts
I've jailbroken iphones before in the past, is this a difficult process to hack one of these?
I saw the instructions and they do look a bit daunting with their 20+ steps, can someone chime in for someone not so experienced with flashing devices? Thanks
Jan 24, 2019
411 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
Jan 24, 2019
nine00
Jan 24, 2019
411 Posts
Quote from Jim1883 :
I got that exact email the last time this deal came up. Still waiting...
Last time this deal was posted, i got the same email, but my order was in limbo until i called in and had them manually push it through their system.
Jan 24, 2019
203 Posts
Joined Apr 2008
Jan 24, 2019
zippy55513
Jan 24, 2019
203 Posts
I got this router over a year ago and put ddwrt on it. I must say, it was one of the most complicated process to get it converted. Do not skip any steps. I skipped some thinking they weren't important and ended up with a lot of headaches.

Now that it's been flashed, it's been working flawlessly since. I have an external drive acting as a NAS. I also have a guest network that is isolated from my main wifi and pushes all guest traffic on to a VPN while the rest of my traffic runs normally. This is an impressive router. I'm trying to get a second for a friend

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Jan 24, 2019
809 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Jan 24, 2019
glassr
Jan 24, 2019
809 Posts
Quote from dalethefarmer :
So I shouldn't bother with flashing a firmware and using AiMesh?
I have 3 setup Ethernet with 2 as access points. I have no need for mesh. I flashed the main one to Merlin for updates. But, stock worked fine. $120 for a great 3 AP setup. handoff for me has been seamless without mesh.
Jan 24, 2019
1,350 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
Jan 24, 2019
mojako
Jan 24, 2019
1,350 Posts
Quote from HairlessApe :
I've jailbroken iphones before in the past, is this a difficult process to hack one of these?
I saw the instructions and they do look a bit daunting with their 20+ steps, can someone chime in for someone not so experienced with flashing devices? Thanks
Jailbreaking iphones are normally a one-click affair or involves just a few steps so this is more complicated, but if you are good in following instructions you won't have a problem aside from it being time consuming. I just did one this weekend and it took me about 30 minutes involving updating to the most recent firmware.
Jan 24, 2019
657 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
Jan 24, 2019
HairlessApe
Jan 24, 2019
657 Posts
Quote from mojako :
Jailbreaking iphones are normally a one-click affair or involves just a few steps so this is more complicated, but if you are good in following instructions you won't have a problem aside from it being time consuming. I just did one this weekend and it took me about 30 minutes involving updating to the most recent firmware.
Perfect thanks I'll order one when its hopefully back in stock.
Jan 24, 2019
590 Posts
Joined Sep 2014
Jan 24, 2019
AdamHD
Jan 24, 2019
590 Posts
I got one of these last time the deal came around. Hands down, the best router I have ever had. I even kept it with the stock T-Mobile firmware. No issues. Rock solid performance. No dropped signal. I could not be happier with my purchase. At $40, it's a no brainer.
Jan 24, 2019
351 Posts
Joined Oct 2009
Jan 24, 2019
DaVinciB
Jan 24, 2019
351 Posts
Quote from glassr :
I have 3 setup Ethernet with 2 as access points. I have no need for mesh. I flashed the main one to Merlin for updates. But, stock worked fine. $120 for a great 3 AP setup. handoff for me has been seamless without mesh.
Yes agreed mesh is not always needed. AP or WDS are really what most people need.
Jan 24, 2019
220 Posts
Joined Dec 2013
Jan 24, 2019
Fluke8
Jan 24, 2019
220 Posts
I flashed this to be an rt-68u. I just got gigabit service yesterday, but I can't get more than about 330 dow 500 up. Anyone know how to get it to work for these speeds? I have qos off and hardware acceleration on.
Jan 24, 2019
9 Posts
Joined Oct 2015
Jan 24, 2019
merah
Jan 24, 2019
9 Posts
I have ordered this item 3 times. It was never sent out by Tmobile

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Jan 24, 2019
847 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Jan 24, 2019
SDNovice
Jan 24, 2019
847 Posts
Quote from babytrissi_19 :
should i get this for our att internet? my husband bought an ac1750 refurbished from micro center it really sucks. super slow. im really a noob at this please help 😪
The one you have is rated AC1750; pretty powerful ( this Tmo/ASUS device is rated AC1900); the ratings 1750 indicate 450MBs max speed on 2.4ghz and 1300 on 5ghz frequency; so if you are having problem on the 1750 device, you may not see a difference unless the problem is in the router. My guess, the issue may be with the set up or ISP. If the ISP is slow, router cannot fix or if it's a set up problem, then you may have to check those.

What's the device model or brand you have? And what kind of problem do you have? May be if you can detail , someone more knowledgeable can help.

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