Just bought a US version of Archer C7 v4 and was wondering what can be done to flash this hardware with LEDE.
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It should be supported by the v2 image. I saw posts where people tested it.
It is 100% that v3 is supported. And only one feedback about v4.
If I could have a boot log, I could tell it for sure.
I was wrong. I see that it has a 8MB flash. That means that the v2 image won't go.
The question is what switch is there... Everything else looks similar.
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_Archer_C7_v4.x
If this is correct, then the difference is only in flash size.
Is there a bin I can try for 8MB flash size ?
There is a very good chance that this https://downloads.lede-project.org/releases/17.01.1/targets/ar71xx/generic/lede-17.01.1-ar71xx-generic-tl-wdr7500-v3-squashfs-factory.bin will work.
It is for a Chinese version of this device. Hardware versions look to be one in front in China.
But with the US firmware may have a block for custom firmware. For Archer C7 v2-3 with 16MB flash there are images with the unblocking included. In your case you will need to build it yourself.
And there is no guarantee that Tp-link did not change the flash layout, but this is unlikely. Beware that you can brick the device. A serial cable will be needed to unbrick.
Another way is to solder a 16MB flash to get a C7 v3.
Doesn't look like Wikidev is currently correct for Archer C7 US v4.
The flash chip is 16MB.
Flash: gd25q128c
WI1 chip1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563
WI2 chip1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9880
Switch: Atheros AR8337N
Part of the bootlog:
In this case there is a perfect chance that the V2 firmware should just work.
But ART looks to be in a different place.
v2 is QCA955x based and this one (v4), based on photos, is QCA956x, so image for v2 won't work.
Oops. I did not see it on the photo. It looks like Tp-Link is making a mess with these revisions. I get reports about different hardware on the same revisions. Maybe v4 for EU and US have it different. But it makes no sense.
I only have the US version board, but I've downloaded the EU source code and it seems to confirm that it is also based on the QCA956x.
http://static.tp-link.com/resources/gpl/ArcherC7V4_1_0_2.tar.bz2
ArcherC7V4_1_0_2/Archer_C7_V4/openwrt/qca/src/linux/arch/mips/ath79/Kconfig
config ATH79_MACH_ARCHER_C7_V4
bool "TP-LINK ARCHER C7 v4 support"
select SOC_QCA956X
select ATH79_DEV_GPIO_BUTTONS
select ATH79_DEV_LEDS_GPIO
select ATH79_DEV_SPI
select ATH79_DEV_USB
select ATH79_DEV_WMAC
select ATH79_DEV_ETH
select ATH79_DEV_M25P80
help
Say 'Y' here if you want your kernel to support the
Atheros AP152-Archer_C7_V4 reference board.
Where did you get this Kconfig?
Well you can add this config to target/linux/ar71xx/files/arch/mips/ath79/Kconfig.openwrt of LEDE source and build.
Also you will need to update tp-link.mk for modules and probably the unlock.
I've tried writing new firmware with tft and oem webupgrade methods. (using US image)
-
Tft method result: wrong size
-
Oem webupgrade result: wrong filetype
I can read the serial output but cant write to the serial port. I think Rx may be physically disconnected.
Did you use
mktplinkfw factory -C US
I didnt use that command directly but I had defined an Archer C7 v4 device in tp-link.mk and used the resulting firmware with US in the name.
I dont have the router right now . I cant do any more tests right now. I'm also new to the build system and probably dont know what im doing.
HI all,
I also get a new C7 v4.
According to this thread and checking the menuconfig, could I say the v4 is still not support so far?
Mars
Hi. I have Archer C7 V4 at hand and can help in making it working with LEDE.
So far I know it expects ArcherC7v4_tp_recovery.bin with TFTP. LEDE firmware for V2 doesn't work with this.
What can I do? Can I compile LEDE for it from source?