OpenWrt installation on MR200 flybox orange

[frollic]

Amazon.com: DSD TECH SH-U09C5 USB to TTL UART Converter Cable with FTDI Chip...

Not, the cheapest, but comes with cables and its actually in a casing, not bare.
Supports 1.8v, 2.5v, 3.3v, 5v.

[murtada]

thank you
so this things that show what is the problem that all ? or its fix it also ?

[gurangax]

There are people who managed to send the upgrade file via UART. This is done with the thing that you need to buy. So it is possible to fix it with this only. but just be prepared for the worst. You may or may not need an EEPROM Programmer.

[frollic]

As gurangax said, it'd show the issue, but depending on what the issue is, it might not be able to fix it.

[maurer]

I was able to recover my orange branded mr200 with this procedure (https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_mr200#debricking - rpi3 + pomona soic 8)

[gurangax]

So here is a link of someone who have a broken ethernet during boot, and he managed to send upgrade file using UART. Personally I have never tested it, but it works for him. Maybe you can try it first before resorting to other methods.

Bricked TP-Link MR200(EU)v1

OK, so I gues I'm able to upload right firmware via Serial (using Kermit 95 on Windows 10...) I just have no idea about the right adresses. If I will upload sysupgrade file, are those the right parameters please ? deleted, possibly wrong As mentioned https://forum.archive.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=52625&p=8 for C2 AC750 ? Can I simply download sysupgrade from http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.0/targets/ramips/mt7620/openwrt-19.07.0-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bi…

[murtada]

thank you so much i will buy the UART probably its need a month to arrive . thank you so much guys

[pepo73]

Hello There,

I'm new in flashing ... I've read all topics regarding M200 and I would like to try flash my ISP Orange Flybox to better version
Original ISP firmware:
"https://www.orange.sk/uploads/tx_oskdeviceinfo/archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n.bin"

Would I use as target this OpenWRT version?
"http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.8/targets/ramips/mt7620/openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin"
If I understood correctly:

1. We need extract bootloader from original ISP firmware
2. Replace bootloader part in target firmware (OpenWRT or OEM from TPlink site)
3. Rename file to ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin
4. Flash to MR200 via TFTP server
5. Enjoying...
   That is correct?

Thanks

[frollic]

seems to be correct, based on https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_mr200#oem_installation_using_the_tftp_method

[pepo73]

Thanks,

I have no experience with cutting binary file so are my commands correct:

Steps:

1. Download the sysupgrade file for this model
   file: openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

2. Download the latest firmware from the official tp-link site, is it work also for ISP?
   file: archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin from ORANGE ISP download site

3. cut the tp-link header from the beginning of the downloaded stock firmware (the first 0x200 bytes)

   command:
   dd if="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin" of="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin_without_header.bin" bs=512 skip=1

4. now extract the bootloader from the stock firmware (the first 0x20000 bytes). (unfortunately, there is no guarantee that all future firmware versions include the bootloader. If you're in doubt, ask)

   command:
   dd bs=512 obs=512 skip=1 count=256 if="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin_without_header.bin" of=ArcherMR200_bootloader.bin

5. Append the sysupgrade firmware to the extracted bootloader file

   command:
   cat ArcherMR200_bootloader.bin openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin > ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin

6. rename it to ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin

7. prepare the tftp server environment, put the file there and trigger bootloaders tft recovery session

are commands OK?
Thanks

[frollic]

looks just about right

[pepo73]

Thanks frollic,

So I will proceed with approved path and files, and hope at the end no new bricked MR200

[pepo73]

Hello gurangax,
I've tried create ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin file for my MR200 currently running on ISP firmware
Original ISP firmware:
https://www.orange.sk/uploads/tx_oskdeviceinfo/archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n.bin
Would like to install this:
http://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/19.07.8/targets/ramips/mt7620/openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
I follow this:
Steps:

1. Download the sysupgrade file for this model
   file: openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
2. Download the latest firmware from the official tp-link site, is it work also for ISP?
   file: archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin from ORANGE ISP download site
3. cut the tp-link header from the beginning of the downloaded stock firmware (the first 0x200 bytes)command:
   dd if="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin" of="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin_without_header.bin" bs=512 skip=1
4. now extract the bootloader from the stock firmware (the first 0x20000 bytes). (unfortunately, there is no guarantee that all future firmware versions include the bootloader. If you're in doubt, ask)command:
   dd bs=512 obs=512 skip=1 count=256 if="archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin_without_header.bin" of=ArcherMR200_bootloader.bin
5. Append the sysupgrade firmware to the extracted bootloader filecommand:
   cat ArcherMR200_bootloader.bin openwrt-19.07.8-ramips-mt7620-ArcherMR200-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin > ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin
6. rename it to ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin
7. prepare the tftp server environment, put the file there and trigger bootloaders tft recovery session

Can you check and confirm to avoid new bricked MR200
Thank you

[gurangax]

Sorry for late reply. Yes pretty much you are correct. But please be reminded that the bootloader might be different from what you have originally. If you have an eeprom programmer, its a good idea to backup your eeprom first just in case.

[pepo73]

Hello gurangax,

Thanks for reply, i have no eeprom stuff, but my MR200 currently running on
archer-mr200v1-0-9-1-0-0-up-boot-build-180608-rel-52037n_ORANGE.bin from ORANGE ISP download site, so bootloader should be included in this file, or? Is there any chance to check if my created file is OK? let say view via any software to see if all is OK?
Thanks

[gurangax]

Even so, I have no way to confirm that you have the same bootloader. You need to experiment with it yourself. There are some mixed results for some people. I can only guess since I dont have the orange/amena devices. Make sure you are using the correct hardware version and firmware. You'll know if the bootloader is wrong if you don't have access to tftd after flashing a firmware. But it will still run openwrt.

The bootloader is included in the tplink/isp firmware website. You can use any hex editor to see the data. It should be easy to recognise the data as it have patterns. If you are unsure about your created firmware, you can post your firmware first so we can compare them.

I think I will make a gui windows app later to help with creation of the firmware for tftp flashing.

[pepo73]

Hello gurangax,

i've uploaded my files to https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iYYjccms82qAGMjyeBjkmwA0T5iXxeYc?usp=sharing
If you have time for check. Thanks

[gurangax]

You have the wrong bootloader. Please dont use your file. I'll upload the correct one later.

[gurangax]

Here is the link. You can make comparison if you like.

pepo73_ORANGE

[pepo73]

Hello gurangax,

Thanks for saving my router :-), so commands used in my previous post are not correct? What was different?
Thanks