I have two WNDR3700v2 routers running OpenWRT Backfire 10.03.1.  On one, the WAN port never appears to connect, so I cannot connect it up to the internet.  I want to flash it back to factory firmware to see if the WAN port works there.  Unfortunately, the instructions (http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/generic.uninstall) are:

1) Use CLI and wget (this isn't going to work with no WAN)
2) via OpenWRT WebUI (this gives an error along the lines of a bad generic image format)
3) via TFTP (instructions: http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/netgear/wnd … tp.method)

TFTP is most promising.  However, I'm not convinced that holding the reset button and powering it on ever gets it into the bootloader.  Does it only work if I'm still on factory firmware?  I ask because when I start TFTP, it doesn't connect, and if I leave the router sitting the power button eventually goes solid green (and I can connect to the web interface).

I guess I could have started a thread on how to get the WAN port working -- it works on my other WNDR3700v2 -- it seems like it never acquires DHCP.  If you have obvious insights there I can also try them, but at this point, I just want to restore to factory and go from there..

The WNDR3700 specific TFTP method works perfectly. I have used it several time, also to reinstall Netgear factory firmware. Read the 3700 wiki article for detailed advice: http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/netgear/wnd … lsafe.mode

It gives pretty clear advice, when to press reset button during the boot and when to start the TFTP transfer.

EDIT: Alternative TFTP client with GUI that I have used:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/download … /tftp2.exe

(Last edited by hnyman on 27 Aug 2012, 08:52)

1. Set IP on PC to 192.168.1.2
2. Hold reset button while power on the router and keep it pressed until the led flashes (30sec)
3. Use Tftpd to upload the image to router
  3a. Settings - Tftpd Client (and restart Tftpd)
  3b. Host - 192.168.1.1
  3c. Local file - browse to Netgear firmware
  3d. Put
4. Wait 5min.

Tftpd: http://tftpd32.jounin.net/tftpd32_download.html

(Last edited by Lennong on 27 Aug 2012, 08:29)