Repair a dead unit (which does not boot after playing with NVRAM)

[Technik]

Try to follow instructions in this post:
http://wl500g.info/showpost.php?p=10155&postcount=11
You can find the mentioned files at Oleg's website:
http://wl500g.dyndns.org/wl500g-clear-nvram.trx
http://wl500g.dyndns.org/wl500g-recover.trx

[tase]

The links are out of services. If is possible to repair...i've a dead unit.

thanks

[Antiloop]

The links are out of services. If is possible to repair...i've a dead unit.

thanks
the links are working fine?

which link are you refering to ?

[tase]

the links are working fine?

which link are you refering to ?


Logic... my windows is bad :mad:. Links are ok. Sorry

[sandoval]

My asus 500G deluxe is really F'ed up. When I plug in the power LAN LED 1,2,3 and 4 and the WAN light up, but no cables are connected.

Holding reset botton does not work eigther...

HELP TIA.

[Oleg]

pin 10 trick would help you for sure.

[sandoval]

Oleg, thx for quick response.

NIC @ 10 half duplex IP:192.168.1.2

Connected PIN 10 to ground, LAN 1 light now blinking. But router still does not respond to ping. Am I missing someting?

TIA

[Oleg]

Power cycle it - it should enter firmware restoration mode.

[sandoval]

It seems to be stuck in a power loop of some sort. Power led is on, AIR is on, LAN 1 is blinking.

Time-out bij opdracht.
Antwoord van 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 tijd=1011 ms TTL=64
...4 more...
Hardwarefout.
Hardwarefout.
Hardwarefout.
Time-out bij opdracht.
.....
Time-out bij opdracht.
Antwoord van 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 tijd=996 ms TTL=64
...3 more...
Antwoord van 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 tijd<1 ms TTL=64

@EDIT

Shorted pin 9 and 10, powerlight is now blinking, and LAN 1 is blinking.. But still no pings..

[Oleg]

TTL=64 is linux. It's rebooting in the loop. Just press RESET button to enter recovery mode, as described on the forum.

Do not short pin 10 anymore.

[sandoval]

IT's alive.. Where is the donate botton? I love you guys...

[KLPD_agent]

Hello,

I have a WL-500G not deluxe! I have the folowing issue:

Router powers on, ehternet LED flashes, Powerled flashes, the router does respond to ping on 192.168.1.1. Asus firmware recovery fails every time, TFTP sessions always timeout.

Ping response is alway 100%: Antwoord van 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 tijd=10 ms TTL=128

I tried PIN 10, but is does nothing else then boot powerled flashes, ethernet flases and fail recoveries.

Does someone have any idear on how to get this sucker back to life?

M van der Kruijk

[KLPD_agent]

Seem to have fixed it, I removed the wireless card, unit booted straitaway. Does someone know where to get a replacement card??

[rj.2001]

If you can't ping you unit or you can't access the unit via telnet or the unit is simply confused then you can unbrick the devices by following the instruction below:

WL500g Deluxe:
* open the case (screws are under the rubbers) (guarantee lost)
* turn on the router
* on the flash memory (29LV320ABTC-90) short circuit PIN 12 often (several seconds) to ground
* on the flash memory (29LV320ABTC-90) short circuit PIN 10 often (very short) to ground
* turn off your unit
* wait 10 seconds
* turn the WL500gP on by holding the reset button
* now, you can flash again via the ASUS-Recovery-Tool

WL500g Premium:
* open the case (screws are under the rubbers) (guarantee lost)
* remove the cover inside with a little screwdriver
* short PIN 9 or the marked solder point to ground (e.g. to the outside of the power connector) with a cable and a needle.
* turn the WL500gP on for approx 15 seconds.
* turn the WL500gP off
* remove the short circuit bridge
* turn the WL500gP on by holding the reset button
* now, you can flash again via the ASUS-Recovery-Tool

To use the full 32MB ram on the WL500gP use the following commands via telnet:

nvram set sdram_init=0x0009
nvram set sdram_ncdl=0
nvram commit
reboot
I made a photo for the PIN 10 trick. Here is it:
907

Good luck! http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2507 :rolleyes:

[xtraya]

well, my unit worked perfectly, i wanted to setup an ddwrt in wl500g
with sp2 release

folowing instructions (first clearnvram,then restore and then ddwrt fw) i put clearnvram fw,and after that (i done it with restoration utility) unit won`t back from restoration mode.

whenever i power it, pwr light blinks (0,5 sec continously)

ofcourse immidiatly after power on, unit goes to 192.168.1.1 (pingable)

i tryed every method described on this forum or on the net (pin 10 trick),but after succesful flashing (on a restoration utility) unit won`t reboot,and when i plug it in, immidiatly goes in restoration mode

what to do?

[cybero2912]

does wl500g-recover.trx also works for wl500gx?

[Oleg]

Use wl500g-clean-nvram.trx to reset settings.
wl500g-recover would not work on deluxe

[cybero2912]

hi oleg thanks for the quick reply ;-)
at the moment I have DD-WRT on my WL-500gx but I want to change to your firmware due to easyer SMB/USB support. What would be the best way to change from DD-WRT FW to your FW?

[Oleg]

I've no idea. Never used DD-WRT. :)

The thing which should work for sure is flashing in the restoration mode.

[cybero2912]

OK I'll try this - hope it works

[cybero2912]

it works...
and here is what I have done:

1. Full reset
2. renamed original ASUS 1.9.5.0 Firmware file from .trx to .bin
3. flashed ASUS 1.9.5.0 via WEB interface of DD-WRT
4. Full reset
5. Flashed latest Oleg FW via WEB interface of original FW
6. Full reset
7. :D done -> works great

[eurorpeen]

Hi,

Everything seems fine with my de luxe, green lights and so on BUT i cannot ping it or connect it either by wifi or wired lan.

The detection utility from asus see nothing
The firmware restoration utility seems to work but results in nothing.

The firmware is upload, the asus reboot and still I cannot connect to it either in dhcp mode or in fixed ip mode.

Any ideas ?

[pajur]

Hi,

I cannot ping my WL-500g Deluxe. Power LED doesn't light, but the others LEDs do when cable is connected, adapter seems to be OK (voltage is 5V/3V on measure PBC points). Everything was OK till last week night storm.

I have tried pin10 trick and reset (20 seconds), but power LED has not light up.

Is there any electric scheme of board or testing (repair) manual?

Thanks for any response

[5over12]

I cant believe and accept that my WL-500G is dead. I installed for fun the ddwrt firmware.. and it actually worked... (from that moment I should not have touched it anymore...but me so stupid wanted to try another version of ddwrt).. :mad:

So situation now is when I pwr it on the pwr light goes on steady. I am not able to put the thing in recovery mode.

wireless led not going on. When I connect utp cable to my pc it will light up the port that is connected... and when trying to put static ip adres.. I see the light reacting... but that is about it... cant ping it what so ever :(

so now I want to try the pin 10 trick... but .....

Most simple question is how to open the damn thing... (YES I guess I am a noob with opening stuff lol)

Anybody have idea if its really nececarry to do the pin 10 trick or are there other possibiliities? or maybe I should give up?.

[cocas]

I think my Wl500g is dead!

-I've my computer with 192.168.1.2.
-I can enter in the upgrade firmware mode (pressing reset while powering on), but got no answer for ping.
-Even without pinging I can force the restore utility to start importing the wl500g-clear-nvram.trx, led lan1 blinks while progressing, but sudently it fail at 66%. Try the command tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put wl500g-clear-nvram.trx. Always ends with timeout
-I've also tried the pin 10 trick....but w no sucess

I've no access to the wl500g. The lan1(where i'm connected) stays fixed.

[jimmy_cr]

1] As I know, there's no ping response
2] try restore utility directly with latest firmware

[cocas]

I've tried to restore the last firmware...and it didn't solve my problem. My router died after I tried to expand the memory to the double....I think some models come with the double of the memory (not my router case) ;( bua

[amine]

After some stupid manipulation on nvram command my WL500g is dead :(. It seems in recovery mode but with firmwarerestor tool , the upload stops at 1059840 bits. Do you have any idea to help me.
My idea is to make a firmewire smaller than 10500 bits :confused: . is'is possible to make this?


Thanks a lot.

[MiiiZ]

Hello Amine,

I have the exact same problem. can't restore nvram using the restore tool. it bugs at 1059840.

did you get to find any solution?

Thanks a lot

[drysoft]

Hello
After some manipulation on nvram WL-500G PREMIUM R1.14 is dead.
Holding reset button does not work!! Is there something as pin 10 trick for my router?????
I repeat a I have this stuff: http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=5593
many thanks for help
please please please please please please please please

[kortas]

For my asus 520gU worked trick PIN 9. Here are some photos and links to the other forums http://diy.sefikuv.net/asus-wl-520gu-trick-pin-9-without-warranty-loss
I was not sure if that was working also for asus 520gU - now I know it does work :D

Kortas

[filjoa]

Hi

I Asus 500GP death :(

I have DD-WRT v24-sp1 (07/27/08) std on 1 year but yesterday begin problems...

I start have many cracks with LAN and WIFI it go down frequently, after I tourn off power, but when I connect them to the power it never generate more IPs

now LAN LEDs 1/2/3/4 and WAN stay on without connections.

is possible I make somethink?

PS: sorry my ingles, I'm a Portuguese

king regards

[avberk]

If you didn't change anything.... my first thought is a defective power supply.

try another one if you have the possibility. (Remove any USB devices to see if it gets better..)

[filjoa]

Hi

thanks avberk you have reason, problem stay on power supply.

tudo I go buy one

kind regards

[ZeManel]

I have a WL-500g in my hands which after a failed firmware upgrade failed to respond.

Please note that it isn't any of the newer, fancier models - just a plain 500g.

The situation now is as follows:
The router is always in recovery mode, although it responds to pings. I.e. when one turns it on, the power led starts blinking. It doesn't come out of the cycle.

So, by now I have tried everything:
tftp always times out. Tried to start a normal ftp session, but it cannot login (times out). Tried the pin 10+12 trick. Even tried grounding pin 9, removed the wifi card and replaced it again (as suggested by another user in this forum), but nothing changed.
Everything is unchanged. Always stuck in recovery mode.

Asus utility can't detect it.

I can however always ping it. It responds to all ping requests.
Windows can detect it as a switch and it can see its mac address.

Long story short: I can ping but not upload a file through tftp. Can anyone please help me? I'm out of ideas.

cheers

[mihaich]

Hi guys.

I found an Asus WL500g Deluxe in old network and I can't get it to work. I pretty much tried everything I found here, except pin shorting. Symptoms are:

Normal power on: the router seems to boot -- all leds light up for a second, then only the power led remains on. If i plug any computer in it the corresponding port lights up, it blinks (windows shows it sends packets but receives zero). I cannot access it by web interface and I cannot ping it. I tried with an IP scanner and I cannot find the router's IP even after resetting it to factory default. Wireless seems to be off.

Restore configuration power-on: power-led starts blinking but I cannot ping the router. I connected my laptop to it (disabled all other NICs, static IP) and firmware restoration cannot find it. Wireless is still off. I've used a cross patch cable, if it matters.

Please let me know what else can I try. Also, maybe I should try with a different ping scanner, mine is pretty simple and I cannot get wireshark to work.

So.. please help... you guys are my only hope

[yo3gts]

Hi guys.

I found an Asus WL500g Deluxe in old network and I can't get it to work. I pretty much tried everything I found here, except pin shorting. Symptoms are:

Normal power on: the router seems to boot -- all leds light up for a second, then only the power led remains on. If i plug any computer in it the corresponding port lights up, it blinks (windows shows it sends packets but receives zero). I cannot access it by web interface and I cannot ping it. I tried with an IP scanner and I cannot find the router's IP even after resetting it to factory default. Wireless seems to be off.

Restore configuration power-on: power-led starts blinking but I cannot ping the router. I connected my laptop to it (disabled all other NICs, static IP) and firmware restoration cannot find it. Wireless is still off. I've used a cross patch cable, if it matters.

Please let me know what else can I try. Also, maybe I should try with a different ping scanner, mine is pretty simple and I cannot get wireshark to work.

So.. please help... you guys are my only hope

Same problems...resolved by jtag....tjtag3-0-1. First try to erase nvram...for me works.

[alegatorul]

Have you tried this ?

open case
id the pin 16..power should it be off,
put this pin to case negative,
keep it there connected,
power on the router,
still keep the connectors till the led blinks again as it were ok,
remove connector from pin 16 and U-
reset router,
install other firmware !!!

Good Luck !


http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=94643

[freezeghost]

Hello guys
I found here same problem. i have had death power supply (giving just 3V instead of 5V). So I substitute by other power supply with 5V(10Amps). But after power on lit power led and one LAN (there is my pc) after aprox 5sec goes lit LAN 1~4 and WAN, power led turn off. I tried wl500g-clear-nvram.trx and wl500g-restoration.trx after those steps I can see unit running in some safe mode. I can connect through putty I can see running services, can ping to 192.168.1.1. When I tried any other FW, I'm getting same issue like before for few seconds it seems ok but after lit on LAN1~4 and WAN. Any pin trick?
Thanx for your response
FG

[freezeghost]

Hello guys
I found here same problem. i have had death power supply (giving just 3V instead of 5V). So I substitute by other power supply with 5V(10Amps). But after power on lit power led and one LAN (there is my pc) after aprox 5sec goes lit LAN 1~4 and WAN, power led turn off. I tried wl500g-clear-nvram.trx and wl500g-restoration.trx after those steps I can see unit running in some safe mode. I can connect through putty I can see running services, can ping to 192.168.1.1. When I tried any other FW, I'm getting same issue like before for few seconds it seems ok but after lit on LAN1~4 and WAN. Any pin trick?
Thanx for your response
FG

So I've solved this issue.
There I'd two wrong things.
1st - so soft power supply after booting providing just 4,5V. In this time OK. Power supply must be minimum 5V and 1,5A without any connection to the USB
2nd restarting in loop. Helped following:
With Firmware restoration utility:
1st wl500g-clear-nvram.trx
2nd wl500g-restoration.trx
3rd after boot press RESET button for min 10sec => factory reset (very very important point!!)
4th install any FW (working well for me:) )

FG