Connection problems new HiLink HLK-7628N

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Hello

i just picked up a couple of HiLink HLK-7628N routers.
but i cannot seem to connect to them in any way, the WiFi doesn't start, and i cannot connect to the LAN ports.

since it is both, i am assuming there is a problem with the firmware on them. but it is most likely old and needs a new version anyways.

so is there any trick to connect to really old firmware, or any way to update the firmware without the web interface (yes i know most likely stupid question but everyone has to start somewhere)

i have next to no experience with linux, so if i could get a link to a step by step guide that would be very much appreciated.

2

These devices are running OpenWrt?

3

according to the aliexpress listing they should be

and there is a firmware package on openwrt.org

4

Then flash it

https://git.openwrt.org/?p=openwrt/openwrt.git;a=commit;h=671c9d16e382bcace441d8ad07816f8ceeed3612

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5

hmm link says no such project.

but can i flash it when i cant get a connection ?
when i connect a lan cable between it and a laptop, the laptop shows cable unplugged

according to the listings, it should be running OpenWRT 14.07

6

Seems forum have a new feature, link fixed.

Flashing is done using serial, as long as it works, it should be doable.

1 Like
7

yep link is working, thanks

2 questions thou.
what serial interface is UART ? (RS232 ?)
can this U-boot run from windows ?

8

It's usually 3.3v USB TTL.

Yes.

You can find plenty Openwrt serial TFTP flashing videos on YT.
They're not for your device, but procedure is the same.

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9

great, i will start digging into the details
everything is alot easier when you have a few keywords for searching

thanks alot for the assistance

1 Like
10

FWIW: To flash the HLK-76x8N, it makes life much easier, to do it using the dev board . Then the serial console is on COM0, real RS232. Thus you need simple USB->RS232(DB9), only. 57,600;8;N .

11

Thanks for the info

I will look at it when I get home from my business trip

I have an rs232 converter, and there should be a usb to TTL cable arrived when I get home.

I don’t have a developer board, but I think I can manage with a soldering iron.

One f the things I have been struggling with is to find a program to update the FW using a windows machine.

Can’t seem to find a windows installer for U-boot

12

for u-boot, or through u-boot ?

git commit doesn't tell you to update u-boot, and "TFTP server windows" is a good search term for Google, when doing fw flashing via u-boot.

there's plenty of "router openwrt TFTP" videos on YT, watch one.
they don't need to be for your hw, the procedure's the same for most devices.

13

The instruction I was looking at on openers.org only had U-boot as the program used for the few update (assuming the router is empty)

I assumed it was needed for the job, that sounds like it is a wrong assumption on my end.

I will have to do some more googling.

Since I am not able to do any testing till I get home, it has not been a high priority.

14

if there wouldn't be any boot loader preinstalled, you'd have to use a flash writer to install .... well, anything.

15

Well that’s the big question :slight_smile:
Not sure if there is anything at all.

Will try to connect first with the rs232 port and after that the UART port.

I cannot get a connection on any Ethernet port, and the WiFi isn’t active

I have 4 of them and it is all the same.

I have a couple of HLK-7688, thouse I could connect with both Ethernet port 1 and WiFi.

But without problems, how would I learn new stuff :slight_smile: