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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
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Includes- T-Mobile TM-AC1900 WiFi CellSpot Router
- 3x External Dual-Band Detachable Antennas
- Power Adapter
- RJ-45 Cable
Be sure to apply your promo code while in cart to receive discount. Offer valid for online p purchase only - Discombobulated
Top Comments
(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
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
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.pipeli
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
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
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
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.
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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if it says "ASUS" or something other than "RT-AC68U", then it is not the one you want.
Need it to come back in stock....
What happens (LED wise) during a cold boot?
What happens (LED wise) during a cold boot?
1. What firmware do you recommend? I'm primarily interested in AiMesh. I ask because I've read that some of the ASUS firmware versions are finicky.
2. The instructions in the wiki suggest that it is preferable to update firmware manually (via the dashboard) and then perform an NVRAM reset afterwards. Is that your suggestion too? Or should I go even more low-level and flash firmware via Putty (like we do in the conversion steps).
3. Won't I lose SSH capability if I flash to a more recent firmware (I am currently on 384.5 Merlin)? I thought the whole issue of downgrading was due to the lack of SSH in modern Asus firmware. Or is the reality that SSH is no longer needed now (which resolves my speculation in no. 2 just above)?
You've been a godsend. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help!
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1. What firmware do you recommend? I'm primarily interested in AiMesh. I ask because I've read that some of the ASUS firmware versions are finicky.
2. The instructions in the wiki suggest that it is preferable to update firmware manually (via the dashboard) and then perform an NVRAM reset afterwards. Is that your suggestion too? Or should I go even more low-level and flash firmware via Putty (like we do in the conversion steps).
3. Won't I lose SSH capability if I flash to a more recent firmware (I am currently on 384.5 Merlin)? I thought the whole issue of downgrading was due to the lack of SSH in modern Asus firmware. Or is the reality that SSH is no longer needed now (which resolves my speculation in no. 2 just above)?
You've been a godsend. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help!
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. Release WPS button and wait for router to fully boot ~ 5 mins
1. What firmware do you recommend? I'm primarily interested in AiMesh. I ask because I've read that some of the ASUS firmware versions are finicky.
2. The instructions in the wiki suggest that it is preferable to update firmware manually (via the dashboard) and then perform an NVRAM reset afterwards. Is that your suggestion too? Or should I go even more low-level and flash firmware via Putty (like we do in the conversion steps).
3. Won't I lose SSH capability if I flash to a more recent firmware (I am currently on 384.5 Merlin)? I thought the whole issue of downgrading was due to the lack of SSH in modern Asus firmware. Or is the reality that SSH is no longer needed now (which resolves my speculation in no. 2 just above)?
You've been a godsend. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help!
#1 I'm running the current Version : 3.0.0.4.384_45149-g467037b. It seems stable.
#2 Yes. erase NVRAM. There are differences between Merlin and ASUS, even though they are both from the 384 main branch. You can update from the gui or command line. In this case it shouldn't matter but it is much easier doing the manual file install from the gui.
#3 You are confusing this with T-Mobile firmware which eliminated the ssh checkbox in order to prevent conversion to stock ASUS firmware. However, whenever you erase NVRAM, that setting gets unchecked so you just need to login and enable it.
Going forward, it is kinda a rule-of-thumb to clear out NVRAM (same as a factory reset) when you go to a different major version (like when something greater than 384.xxxx comes out). However that is a huge pain and I usually try skipping that unless odd things start happening.
#1 I'm running the current Version : 3.0.0.4.384_45149-g467037b. It seems stable.
I can reset the router and get it to ASUSTek - CFE minWeb Server
I selected the trx file and it never gets to uploading beyond 0% and eventually I get "This site can't be reached"
Any suggestions I could try?
I can reset the router and get it to ASUSTek - CFE minWeb Server
I selected the trx file and it never gets to uploading beyond 0% and eventually I get "This site can't be reached"
Any suggestions I could try?
In that Wiki is
" Other Tips: "
I assume you have done EXACTLY what the guide stats to do.
Use google chrome, clean your cache.. maybe even use incognito mode as another said.
One mentioned putting the router in AP mode then trying. Even a Video on this HERE [youtu.be] Alex is very fast, you will need to pause, play slow motion, even replay parts. (Pay attention to his presets as 'putty' is auto filled when he clicks them, you have to manually put the information in.)
This is the hardest part of the whole guide, because you are experiencing the effects of a locked firmware.
don't give up.
NOTE
All you are trying to do is
Step 6 & 7 :Flash TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx
IF Bayareatechpro's Guide and the Video doesn't help, then you have to do the 'Google Doc Guide'.
Once done installing TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx, then you move back over to Bayareatechpro's Guide and continue to Step 8.
TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx is a downgrade T-Mobile firmware that allows SSH to appear in the Router UI... so you can turn it on. You need SSH to continue with the Guide.
T-Mobile did two things, stopped showing SSH... and locked there firmware to downgrade.
this is what all the steps are for up to step 8.
If it doesn't normally work using the Bayarea Guide, then the 'fix' for that is the Google Document Guide.
One method to help 'normally work' was to ping the router (as explained in the Video) so you time it exactly right.
That is why users have some tips and tricks to avoid doing the Google Doc Guide.
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In that Wiki is
" Other Tips: "
I assume you have done EXACTLY what the guide stats to do.
Use google chrome, clean your cache.. maybe even use incognito mode as another said.
One mentioned putting the router in AP mode then trying. Even a Video on this HERE [youtu.be] Alex is very fast, you will need to pause, play slow motion, even replay parts. (Pay attention to his presets as 'putty' is auto filled when he clicks them, you have to manually put the information in.)
This is the hardest part of the whole guide, because you are experiencing the effects of a locked firmware.
don't give up.
NOTE
All you are trying to do is
Step 6 & 7 :Flash TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx
IF Bayareatechpro's Guide and the Video doesn't help, then you have to do the 'Google Doc Guide'.
Once done installing TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx, then you move back over to Bayareatechpro's Guide and continue to Step 8.
TM-AC1900_3.0.0.4_376_1703-g0ffdbba.trx is a downgrade T-Mobile firmware that allows SSH to appear in the Router UI... so you can turn it on. You need SSH to continue with the Guide.
T-Mobile did two things, stopped showing SSH... and locked there firmware to downgrade.
this is what all the steps are for up to step 8.
If it doesn't normally work using the Bayarea Guide, then the 'fix' for that is the Google Document Guide.
One method to help 'normally work' was to ping the router (as explained in the Video) so you time it exactly right.
That is why users have some tips and tricks to avoid doing the Google Doc Guide.