it's the top option in the menu just Luci
i can't find a covenant image atm
Yes, there is a lot in Luci subsection:
│ │ 1. Collections ---> │ │
│ │ 2. Modules ---> │ │
│ │ 3. Applications ---> │ │
│ │ 4. Themes ---> │ │
│ │ 5. Protocols ---> │ │
│ │ 6. Libraries --->
I think I will give up, it's too complicated, and if I break something it will be no good...
ok yes there are risks
better to cut our teeth on something old & disposable
Thanks!
I would rather wait for firmware if it comes and give the router to somebody than to break it and wasting time.
So thank You for your replies, but it's too complicated.
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I did some research on RS232, and how to plug it to the router. So I ordered the USB to TTL converter. Now I'm not so much scared of tinkering.
- My question is then, should I wait for official support, and how long is to be expected to come?
- Will it be possible, after installing compiled experimental firmware, to update it after official release?
First prerequisite: author should make suggested changes to the PR. Another option is open a new pull request if the first one is abandoned by the original author.
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this firmware is so close to its brothers
my self i would compile what you have
use that it get passed the initial recover image signature requirements
then force sysupgrade to the dir-1960-A1 release
add then manually add the missing 2.4G driver
the old thing is I'm not sure in the led where even checked "there is no mapping"
and the dir-1960-a1 allocates some LED to io pins
they could be going somewhere else now that may upset things
Thank You!
You've said that it's good to make a backup of the internal partitions in the router. It sounds safer than just only upload compilled firmware.
What should I back up after TTL connection established, can you point me to the tutorial for this router or similar?
I don't think there is a tutorial each device is different with these devises
once you have made an image presuming the flash layout is correct
you need to setup a tffp server I use "SolarWinds-TFTP-Server for windows" or just aftpd in openwrt
you will find the below menu you want option 1 "Load system code to SDRAM via TFTP. "
witch you load the "initramfs-kernel.bin" file
this will do 2 things check it it runs ok without flashing
and while in there you have the save MTD options to save the current untouched flash partitions
Please choose the operation:
1: Load system code to SDRAM via TFTP.
2: Load system code then write to Flash via TFTP.
3: Boot system code via Flash (default).
4: Entr boot command line interface.
6: System Enter UBoot to Update Img or Bin.
7: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via Serial.
9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP.
default: 3
I'm stuck.
- Bought USB to TTL
- Configured it with "sudo minicom -s"
- Setting the propper device to "/dev/ttyUSB0"
- Bit value pressing "E" is now 9600 7E1
- Saved and exited configuration, and there is nothing showing from the router.
The RX and TX wire is connected to the router from this USB to TTL device and Ground to GND. Only 3 wires.
dmesg shows:
cp210x 1-11:1.0: cp210x converter detected
usb 1-11: cp210x converter now attached to ttyUSB0
Tried two the same devices, excluding greatly that it's device's fault.
Tried also with putty connecting to "Serial" and the device is: /dev/ttyUSB0 with speed: 9600
Still nothing. Is my speed wrong value? What I'm doing wrong?
Mind you that when I'm pressing enter or any other key from keyboard the diode is blinking in the same time on the device when I'm on console from minicom program of in the putty console.
The router doesn't boot when I'm pressing power button with the 3 wires attached to it (waiting for the console output), but when I remove wires and power the router, it starts normally.
As if it waits for serial connection, because the diode is not bright. And when I remove wires from the router, the router boots and shine bright light from the diode while booting normally.
this device will be the same serial setting as yours
Serial connection parameters 57600, 8N1
FYI most of the time you don't connect the + power pin
just gnd tx & rx
gnd > gnd
tx > rx
rx > tx
tho you never can tell the way every one labels the rx & tx
Thank you!
Now it's working. My problem was obviously data rate.
Lucky1 data Bps is correct > 57600 8N1
Also, a little bit embarrassing was that I connected TXD from USB controller to TX in router and it should be in reverse:
TXD -- RX in router
RXD -- TX in router
It's my first time working with TTL USB, so thank you!
How do I have to enter the state of the router to get to menu you've presented?
When I'm booting via serial I have only this options:
Press the [f] key and hit [enter] to enter failsafe mode
Press the [1], [2], [3] or [4] key and hit [enter] to select the debug level
And also at the end it says:
dlinkrouter16BF login:
And it's impossible to login, even with the correct password.
The TX and RX are working, because I can press enter and after that it responds:
Password:
Login incorrectPlease press Enter to activate this console.
I'm presuming as i don't have that exact model that it's the same as my DIR-878-A1 & DIR-1960-A1
and if you look at the "OpenWrt bootlog" on the blow page
it's very quick after power on you kinda keep hitting the key a few times to catch it
Please choose the operation:
1: Load system code to SDRAM via TFTP.
2: Load system code then write to Flash via TFTP.
3: Boot system code via Flash (default).
4: Entr boot command line interface.
6: System Enter UBoot to Update Img or Bin.
7: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via Serial.
9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP.
default: 3
I have TFTP server running on Linux, and it's working, because I flashed with it other Tp-Link router via LAN cable. How should I setup TFTP, via LAN or via serial? How to do it if it's via serial cable?
it's still Ethernet you just start it via the serial console
I think it asks you server address ect
can't remember been a while
OK, done!
I compiled with your instructions again, and added at the end:
make -j 4 (to compile with 4 cores).
Before that in menuconfig added everything that was "Luci".
Then connected USB to serial to the router and spammed "1" key, the enter doesn't stop it.
And yes, it asked me for it's IP address and then it asked me for the TFTP server address.
After that it successfully uploaded openwrt-ramips-mt7621-dlink_dir-2150-a1-initramfs-kernel.bin, which I renamed to initramfs-kernel.bin before upload and put it in the TFTP folder.
Everything went smooth. After that, I could also ssh to the router and it reported that its on OpenWrt:
BusyBox v1.36.1 (2023-10-12 19:24:14 UTC) built-in shell (ash)
_______ ________ __
| |.-----.-----.-----.| | | |.----.| |_
| - || _ | -__| || | | || _|| _|
|_______|| __|_____|__|__||________||__| |____|
|__| W I R E L E S S F R E E D O M
-----------------------------------------------------
OpenWrt SNAPSHOT, r18012+6111-9f90a89655
-----------------------------------------------------
=== WARNING! =====================================
There is no root password defined on this device!
Use the "passwd" command to set up a new password
in order to prevent unauthorized SSH logins.
--------------------------------------------------
root@OpenWrt:~#
The logs from the new boot is there:
I couldn't access router via browser, only via ssh. Presumably, the initramfs-kernel.bin file doesn't contain Luci?
In the logs, the only thing I changed was the ARP request from the MAC of my PC, the rest is original.
This boot was like booting Linux Live USB? What's the next step?
Is it possible to boot the whole system with Luci read-only?
Should the next stem be 9 option?:
9: Load Boot Loader code then write to Flash via TFTP.
ok so far a lot is working 
with Luic it's only one thing needed to add it
you will find luci & put a * next to it
then it will be included
you are forgetting the 1st mission
backup the flash before changing any of it
so when luic is working you can save all the MDT's in
"System > Backup/Flash Firmware > Save mtdblock contents"
I didn't change anything right?
openwrt-ramips-mt7621-dlink_dir-2150-a1-initramfs-kernel.bin
Is only read only, right?
So, how do I back up mtdblock when I don't have Luci?
Are You saying that I compiled without Luci?
Should openwrt-ramips-mt7621-dlink_dir-2150-a1-initramfs-kernel.bin contain Luci, but I compiled it bad, so it's not working?
OK, I see now it says "M" instead of "*". I will recompile it again.
***Update:
WARNING: Applying padding in /home/a/openwrt/bin/packages/mipsel_24kc/base/Packages to workaround usign SHA-512 bug!
Compiled with this warning.
yes its read only
yes you didn't compile with luci but need to
just a workaround should be ok just a warning