Image check failed:
Tue Feb 18 10:53:07 CET 2025 upgrade: The device is supported, but this image is incompatible for sysupgrade based on the image version (1.0->2.0). Tue Feb 18 10:53:07 CET 2025 upgrade: SPI-NAND flash layout changes require bootloader update. Please run the UBI installer version 1.1.0+ (unsigned) first. Image check failed.
The device is already UBI. What am I being asked to do? I can't go back to scratch, the configuration of this router has taken years to get just right. Would appreciate any help.
The UBI data layout changed around February 2024 in snapshot. This change is now part of OpenWRT 24.10. If your device is currently running an older version, you'll need to run the installer v. 1.1.4 to perform the required changes. Sadly, this does mean your changes won't stick over the upgrade/install process.
At least some of the settings can be manually restored over the command line after the upgrade is complete, but you shouldn't apply the entire configuration backup. If you do, the error will return when you try to upgrade next. It's also possible that the configuration requirements for some of the packages may have also changed. If so, the old settings may not work on the new version and certain things may not work properly. I don't know of anything changed between 23.x and 24.x that would completely cripple this device, but depending on the version you currently have installed, WiFi may not work if you carry over its settings.
Please excuse my ignorance: what is installer v1.1.4? I usually just grab what I need from firmwareselector but can't find anything there.
It seems to refer to uboot 1.1.4?
No, it is about the special installer for E8450/RT3200, needed for the partition layout modification. Like above linked, it is available from Daniel's site, not the normal openwrt downloads. (If you have already installed OpenWrt to the router, you have used that installer for the original install process.)