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[AGA]

Hi Guys.

So I am stuck in the Recovery Mode webpage on my 880L unit. I have tried uploading d-link firmware via webpage and it always returns to the same recovery splash even after power-cycling the unit. I

Things I've tried be many times without any positive changes (not in procedural order):
- 30-30-30 (clear nvram - suspect this doesn't really work for this unit)
- flashing via recovery page with each and every released EU firmware
- flashing with support dd wrt
- Trivial File Transfer Protocol: tftp -i 192.168.0.1 put xxx.bin  (returns succesfull blablabla at prompt)
- hard resets/ soft resets / power cycles
- used IE, Firefox, Chrome (cleaned cache, disabled all wifi on laptops which had running win7, win10 and winXP (3 different laptops)
(basically all methods and procedures proposed by D-link guru's)

So, my last resort must be to figure out how to try the serial ttl to clear nvram and reprogram the unit. I understand that this is NOT a normal user process and more of a technical staff process, but I want to know:

- Is the serial ports (Rx, Tx and Ground) somehow mapped to any of the eth connectors like WAN? If yes, which pins are which
- How can I get access to the serial interface without opening the box and void warranty (assume opening it void warranty - please confirm)
- How do I open the box, where do I find a service manual or instruction set?
- which are the instruction sets to clear the nvram and reprogram the unit?

If it helps any, I am an electrical engineer and i am aware of health and safety precautions when cracking such units open and having power on the system.

Its a mouthful, but I appreciate early positive responses

All the best
AGA 

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

I presume if this fails:
Emergency Recovery Mode

Then the unit needs to be RMAd or replaced if you can't get the low level ttl to re-program the NVRAM section if it's corrupt or been wiped.
You can open up the case by removing the rubber feet to reveal the screws. This would void the warranty.
Not sure if you'll find any connections there.

There is no service manual for any router.

Let us know what you find.

[AGA]

Link>Welcome!

I presume if this fails:
Emergency Recovery Mode

Then the unit needs to be RMAd or replaced if you can't get the low level ttl to re-program the NVRAM section if it's corrupt or been wiped.
You can open up the case by removing the rubber feet to reveal the screws. This would void the warranty.
Not sure if you'll find any connections there.

There is no service manual for any router.

Let us know what you find.

I bought a PC2303 serial to ttl cable and found the Rx, Tx and GND pin holes. Connected putty serial and issued command : nvram  erase. After that, the router booted up as normal. I have now downgraded to other DD-WRT version which is more stable. Would be good if alphanetworks could map pins to eg. WAN during boot-up process to avoid costly warranty service and void warranty. Apart from that, all is now good.

[FurryNutz]

Nice, can you post pictures of the pins used of give details on where you got the TTL cable from? Might be helpful for future uses.
Adding Screenshots In A Post

Glad you were able to get the router going again.

I know that if you use the wrong img file of the WRT FW, it will wipe the nvram partition incorrectly thus the next time you load OEM FW, it wont boot right.

This maybe a good procedure for users to know about.

[kellman]

I bought a PC2303 serial to ttl cable and found the Rx, Tx and GND pin holes. Connected putty serial and issued command : nvram  erase. After that, the router booted up as normal. I have now downgraded to other DD-WRT version which is more stable. Would be good if alphanetworks could map pins to eg. WAN during boot-up process to avoid costly warranty service and void warranty. Apart from that, all is now good.
[/quote]

I have the same router DIR-880L and the exact same bricking issue.  Tried everything and no success.  I like your idea of building a special cable to allow access to the nvram.   Could you possibly give more information, details of how to build such a cable?

Regards,

Kelly

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!

• What region are you located?

Did this not help any to recover the router?
 Emergency Recovery Mode

[kellman]

Link>Welcome!

• What region are you located?

North America

[FurryNutz]

You might send AGA a PM and hopefully he will respond. I see he hasn't been back since he posted. 

[AGA]

I live in Denmark, so region would be Europe 

[FurryNutz]

Can you give more details on how you use the Serial TTL and what needs to be connected to the router and steps on getting the router recovered? Pictures would be great...

I live in Denmark, so region would be Europe