Flashing a TP-Link Archer C7 V5.0 in detail

Installing and Using OpenWrt
19

After reading so much, I think I should have get this a bigger attention, although it is for version 4.

https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tp-link_archer_c20_v4#installation

On Linux:

  1. Download http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/18.06.1/targets/ramips/mt76x8/openwrt-18.06.1-ramips-mt76x8-tplink_c20-v4-squashfs-tftp-recovery.bin.

  2. Configure a computer with static IP 192.168.0.66/24 and a TFTP server. On Debian or Ubuntu you can use either the tftpd-hpa or tftpd server packages.

  3. Rename the downloaded firmware file to tp_recovery.bin and place it in the tftp server's root directory. (If using tftpd-hpa this is /var/lib/tftpboot/ ; if tftpd , it is /srv/tftp/ .) You can test that the file is downloadable with tftp localhost and get tp_recovery.bin .

  4. Connect the computer to one of the router's Ethernet ports while the router is off. Press and keep pressed the router's reset button and power it up. After about 7-10 seconds release the reset button. The power LED will flicker rapidly for ~3 seconds, indicating download of the firmware file.

  5. The router will write the firmware to flash during ~40 more seconds of occasional power LED blinks, and then will reboot by itself, ready for use.

It recommends tftpd-hpa, which works best for me.

Please can you confirm the flashing process.

Press and keep pressed the router's reset button and power it up

I do not have a reset button, but a tiny hole, where I can put in a needle, maybe not so easy to press at the same time the power button. Can I release the power button immediately?

After about 7-10 seconds release the reset button

What happens if I press longer, for example 15 seconds? Do I need a clock?

Sorry, if my questions sound stupid. I am very respectful when flashing devices, had to much problems with phones.