TP-LINK Archer MR200 v1 | Getting from Orange FW through OpenWrt FW to TP-LINK Stock FW

[AgamemnonPrime]

Hello everybody,

I am not very good with Linux, but have spent some time studying this forum and some other forums to understands what should be done and what not to do to prevent bricking the device.

So far so good, I have not bricked it :).

My initial situation was D-LINK sitting on an Orange FW, probably this one:

Archer MR200v1_0.9.1_0.0_up_Build_170801_Rel.68010n.bin

What I have done so far ...

Following instructions provided here:

https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_mr200

I have used TFTPD to flash OpenWrt FW

ArcherC2V1_tp_recovery.bin

... Success.

Downloaded latest OpenWrt FW and flashed it via FW Upgrade menu

... Success.

I am now sitting on OpenWrt FW version

openwrt-23.05 branch (git-24.086.45142-09d5a38) / [OpenWrt 23.05.4 (r24012-d8dd03c46f)]

I can access the web console of OpenWrt FW without any problems, however there is no Modem module in it.

I have studied my 2 options how to get to a fully functional piece of technology.

1. Add Modem module into OpenWrt FW
2. Upgrade to D-LINK Stock FW

My undestanding is, that both options require some skills to avoid bricking the device.

My preference would be to get to D-LINK Stock FW.
However I am not confident enough to do it without consulting with more experienced people, thus this topic started.

Have these 2 Stock FWs downloaded:

Archer MR200(EU)_V1_160905
Archer MR200(EU)_V1_180502

Source:

https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/archer-mr200/v1/#Firmware

I guess, both should work, but if anyone can tell me, which one to pick, would be thankful.

I also have Orange FW:

Archer MR200v1_0.9.1_0.0_up_Build_170801_Rel.68010n.bin

From which I need the bootloader to be combined with Stock FW.

This is where I need help.

I understand it can be done using dd command in Linux.
Have working Linux installation (Ubuntu).
Can use command line in Linux (I guess).

But please give me someone precise instructions how to extract the bootloader from Orange FW and how to combine it with the D-LINK stock FW into one working piece of firmware.
I read about first removing header, that bootloader etc.
Also not sure what D-LINK stock FW contains (header / bootloader / firmware) and how to extract just the firmware from it of whethere there is just firmware (no header / no bootloader).

Thanks a lot in advance for anybody's help ...

[brada4]

You can try if you have compatible flash programmer in hand. Whats wrong with OpenWRT?

[AgamemnonPrime]

There is no menu for SIM card in this OpenWrt for now.

[brada4]

Check this part - settings go to modem and it supplies double NAT without dhcp.
https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_mr200#the_lte_modem

[AgamemnonPrime]

Thanks for a hint brada4.

I was able to access the modem web interface and configure the SIM card.
Tested with 2 different SIM cards from 2 carriers, all works.
So I will stick with the OpenWRT FW :).

[AgamemnonPrime]

Have one more question / request ...

It is about LED indicators.
Some were working right from the start of OpenWRT Firmware being installed.
I have managed to add LED for wlan.

There are 4 LED indicators for 4G / LTE signal strength from 1 to 4.

I read on the forums, that for them to indicate signal strength some script is needed.

Can anybody assist with that as well?

Thank you in advance.

[frollic]

check if Signal strength and 4G LEDs on TP-Link MR200 still works.

[AgamemnonPrime]

Thanks frollic for the post.

Figured out, WinSCP over SCP protocol is the right tool / way to access the folder structure on the router.

I will now test the scripts posted on the link you provided and will share my feedback ...

[AgamemnonPrime]

OK, can report a TOTAL SUCCESS!

As per post linked by frollic, it is important to notice following ...

Note: it requires the real wget binary from wget package, rather than the tiny version in uclient-fetch package.

Following that I have installed wget.ssl package first.

Regarding scripts ... I have compared the two posted by asenac and deco19.
My observation is that they are both identical at the moment. Maybe it was not the case in the past.

Script posted by spamcop seemed strange to me, have not tested it.

Nevertheless, once I have added the script posted by asenac / deco19 into file etc/rc.local and restarted the router, the result is as follows ...

I have also tested to switch to 3G and play with signal strength ... all behaves as expected.

Therefore I hereby claim my "little project" as completed ... now all running on OpenWrt FW as expected and original Orange FW being a history.

Would like to thank for all the support provided here on the forurm, it was of a great value to me and maybe it will also help some other enthusiasts in the future.