Differences

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--- firmware_basics_procedures [2024/10/10 21:27] – [What is Firmware and what do all those Terms Mean?] -Condense hogwild
+++ firmware_basics_procedures [2024/11/10 21:30] (current) – [What is Firmware and what do all those Terms Mean?] -Condense, clarity hogwild
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 Make sure to carefully choose a FreshTomato build appropriate for your hardware model. Choosing the wrong build/version could brick your router if it's not appropriate for your hardware. (See bricking section below).
- \\
+For help choosing an appropriate build for your hardware, see the [[hardware_compatibility|Hardware compatibility]] wiki page. For more guidance on how to choose a build, see the How Do I Choose a Build? section on the  page. If you're still unsure after you've read both those pages, we recommend you ask for advice on the Tomato forum.\\
-When choosing a build, you need to make note of:
+When choosing a build, you need to note:
   * The router/AP model
@@ Line 72: / Line 72: @@
  \\
-Some hardware models have two or more hardware versions/revisions. Some of these may contain different chipsets than others. Flashing the firmware to the "same" model hardware, but wrong version or revision could brick your hardware.
+Some router models have two or more hardware versions. Some of these may contain different chipsets than others. Flashing the firmware to the "same" model hardware, but wrong hardware version could brick your hardware.
-For some models, Flash RAM is limited, so it’s also important you choose a build that takes up less storage space than is available. Otherwise, you could run out of Flash RAM and your hardware could be bricked. For help choosing a build that's appropriate for your hardware, see the [[:hardware_compatibility|Hardware compatibility]] wiki page. For more guidance on how to choose a build, see the //How Do I Choose a Build?// section on the [[:faq|FAQ]] page. If you're still unsure after you've read both those pages, we recommend you ask for advice on the Tomato forum.
+For some models, Flash RAM is limited, so it’s also important you choose a build that takes up less storage space than is available. Otherwise, you could run out of Flash RAM and your hardware could be bricked.
  \\
@@ Line 143: / Line 143: @@
   * The brand/model/revision of your hardware.
   * The age of your hardware.
-  * Whether the vendor allows that hardware to be flashed from the \\ firmware it came with.
+  * Whether the vendor allows that hardware to be flashed \\ from the firmware it came with.
   * Which firmware you're trying to flash: stock (vendor), or FreshTomato.
@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 In general, if your (FreshTomato-supported) Asus hardware has FreshTomato or another Tomato fork installed, such as Shibby or Toastman, you can upgrade straight to FreshTomato using the Upgrade menu.
+ \\
@@ Line 244: / Line 246: @@
  \\ At this point, the router should function properly.
-Sometimes on the first boot after flashing, FreshTomato may seem buggy or strange things may happen.
+ \\
+Sometimes on the first boot after a flash, FreshTomato may seem buggy or weird things might happen.
 In such cases:
   - Reboot the router once or twice more.
-  - Clear your browser cache before putting the router into operation. \\ Web browsers may cache data that shouldn't be cached.
+  - Clear your browser cache before putting the router in operation. \\ Web browsers may cache data that shouldn't be cached.
-  - Refresh the page. Any problems caused by cached browser data should be gone.
+  - Refresh the page. Any problems caused by cached browser data \\ should disappear.
  \\
@@ Line 262: / Line 266: @@
  \\
-If the router is still acting strangely at that point, it is advised that you request help on the Tomato Web forum.
+If the router still acts strangely at that point, you should request help on the Tomato Web forum.
  \\
@@ Line 279: / Line 283: @@
  \\
-  * Reset the router's NVRAM to defaults, as described above.
+  - Reset the router NVRAM to defaults, as described above.
-  * Put the router into Rescue Mode, as described above.
+  - Put the router into Rescue Mode, as described above.
-  * Put the FreshTomato firmware file in the same folder as your tftp program.
+  - Put the FreshTomato firmware file in the same folder as your \\ tftp program.
-  * Open a command prompt, and change directories to the folder containing the firmware.
+  - Open a command prompt, and change directories to the folder \\ containing the firmware. Then type: \\ ''“tftp –I  PUT filename.trx <IP address of router>"''  \\ but **DO NOT** press Enter.
-  * Type ''“tftp –I  PUT filename.trx <IP address of router>"''  but **DO NOT** press Enter.
+  - (Replace "filename.trx" with an appropriate image file name for \\ your model)
-    * (Replace "filename.trx" with an appropriate image file name for your model)
+  - Unplug the AC adapter from the router. Hold down the Reset button \\ while reconnecting the AC adapter.
-  * Unplug the AC adapter from the router.
+  - When the power light starts slowly blinking, let go of the Reset button.
-  * Hold down the Reset button while reconnecting the AC adapter.
+  - Press enter at the above command line to start the tftp upload process.
-  * When the power light starts slowly blinking, let go of the Reset button.
+  - Wait at least 10 minutes for the upload to complete.
-  * Press enter at the command line above to start the tftp upload process.
+  - If successful, you'll be taken to the FreshTomato logon screen.
-  * Wait at least 10 minutes for the upload to complete.
+  - Log on to FreshTomato and reset NVRAM, as in the above screenshot.
-  * If successful, you will be taken to the FreshTomato logon screen
-  * Log on to the FreshTomato web interface and reset NVRAM, as in the screenshot above.
  \\
@@ Line 391: / Line 393: @@
 The "R-series initial file" for R7000:
-[[https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/Netgear%20initial%20files/freshtomato-R7000-2023.2-initial-64K.zip|https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/Netgear%20initial%20files/freshtomato-R7000-2023.2-initial-64K.zip]]
+[[https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/Netgear%20initial%20files/freshtomato-R7000-2023.2-initial-64K.zip|/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/Netgear%20initial%20files/freshtomato-R7000-2023.2-initial-64K.zip]]
 This .zip file has MD5SUM value: e3ef483d088215e9abe4888e0dd36d37
@@ Line 399: / Line 401: @@
 The normal R7000 AIO build file:
-[[https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/K26ARM/freshtomato-R7000-ARM-2023.2-AIO-64K.zip|https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/K26ARM/freshtomato-R7000-ARM-2023.2-AIO-64K.zip]]
+[[https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/K26ARM/freshtomato-R7000-ARM-2023.2-AIO-64K.zip|/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2023/2023.2/K26ARM/freshtomato-R7000-ARM-2023.2-AIO-64K.zip]]
 This .zip file has MD5SUM value: ec63c869fe14f5b46cbb13813c1699bf
@@ Line 449: / Line 451: @@
   - Open a browser and type: 192.168.1.1. Log on with your Username/Password. \\ \\ {{::netgear-r7000-logon_prompt.jpg?640}} \\ \\ \\ \\
   - Disable DHCP. Go to Advanced--> LAN Setup and uncheck "Use Router as DHCP Server". \\ Click Save.\\ \\ {{::netgear-r70000-lan_settings-disable_dhcp.jpg?635}} \\ \\ \\ \\
-  - Go to the Advanced TAB > Administration > Router update. \\ \\ {{::netgear-r7000-router_update-browse-highlight.jpg?635}} \\
+  - Go to the Advanced TAB > Administration > Router update. \\ \\ {{::netgear-r7000-router_update-browse-highlight.jpg?635}}  \\
     - Browse to the .CHK file above (freshtomato-R7000-20xx.x-initial-64K.chk) then click UPLOAD. \\ \\ \\ \\
   - When prompted to continue, click OK. \\ \\ {{::netgear-r7000-router_update-continue_prompt-2023.2.jpg?603}} \\ \\
@@ Line 494: / Line 496: @@
 A Netgear router with FreshTomato installed can't be directly flashed back to original Netgear firmware from within normal builds. Some Netgear models can be flashed back to Netgear firmware using special "Netgear back to OFW" builds. Check if your Netgear model is supported in the "Netgear Back to OFW" folder in the appropriate FreshTomato downloads folder:
+ \\
 [[https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/Netgear%20back%20to%20OFW/|"Netgear back to OFW" firmware]]
@@ Line 500: / Line 502: @@
 ===== FCC Regulation Change Affecting Wireless Routers =====
-Starting in 2015, The US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) passed legislation designed to block people from changing certain Wi-Fi settings, to avoid creating radio interference with other devices. Wi-Fi radio power had to be implemented in hardware so end users could not modify it. For example, the FCC wanted to make sure end users didn't override country settings or power limits.
+In 2015, The US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) passed legislation designed to block people from changing certain WiFi settings, to avoid radio interference with other devices. WiFi radio power had to be implemented in hardware so that end users couldn't modify it. For example, the FCC wanted to make sure end users didn't override country settings or power limits which might affect radio power.
-Some hardware vendors reacted to the legislation in an extreme way, blocking third-party firmware from being flashed entirely. It's important to note that FCC //did not// require anything like this. Some companies' hardware could not be flashed with third-party firmware from within the interface of the stock firmware. If you tried to do so, you'd simply receive an error stating it wasn't possible.  This resulted in a lot of controversy.
+Some hardware vendors reacted to the legislation in an extreme way, blocking third-party firmware from being flashed at all. (The FCC //did not// actually require anything like this). As a result, some companies' hardware could not be flashed with third-party firmware from within the factory firmware interface. If you tried to do so, you'd simply receive an error stating it wasn't possible.  This resulted in a lot of controversy.
+ \\
 ArsTechnica.com: FCC: Open source router software is still legal under certain conditions:  \\  [[https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/09/fcc-open-source-router-software-is-still-legal-under-certain-conditions/]]
  \\  SLATE: FCC Support for hackable routers is a win for all of us:  \\  [[https://slate.com/technology/2016/08/fcc-support-for-hackable-wireless-routers-is-a-win-for-all-of-us.html]]
 ===== Installing FreshTomato Notes =====
-  * Some devices might need to be flashed with a special "initial" firmware build first before you can install a regular FreshTomato build. Please read about this above **before** installing FreshTomato.
+  * Some devices must be flashed with a special "initial" firmware build first before you can install a regular FreshTomato build. Please read about this above **before** installing FreshTomato.
-  * On some models, like the Asus-AC3200, you should first install a specific version of stock firmware to get the full 128K of NVRAM formatted before attempting FreshTomato installation. Failing to do so will limit NVRAM to 64KB. The same applies to other models, to obtain their full 64K instead of only 32K.
+  * On some models, like the Asus-AC3200, you should first install a specific version of stock firmware to get the full 128K of NVRAM formatted before attempting FreshTomato installation. Failing to do so will limit the NVRAM to 64KB. The same applies to other models, to obtain their full 64K instead of only 32K.
   * On some models, flashing may take a long time, as much as 10-15 minutes before FreshTomato is ready. Occasionally, you may need to power cycle and even press the physical factory reset button to make FreshTomato boot properly after flashing. This generally only happens once.
   * If other methods fail, flashing via TFTP is almost always possible. This requires an Ethernet connection, TFTP server software running on router and a TFTP client program on the client device. Generally, this should be attempted only as a last resort, when all other methods have failed.

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