Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

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SuperLid
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:06 am

Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by SuperLid »

As the title suggests, I now have a bricked device. I have spent 2 days watching videos, reading forum posts, internet blogs, downloading various apps and image files to no avail.So, yes, I know there is quite a lot of info covering this subject and I think I have read all of it.

I have used TFTP64 to successfully flash a 1043NDv1 without problem, but when I try to do this with the Archer C7, the file "appears" to have been transferred at 100%, but the result is the same bootloop.

I have tried a stripped/renamed file, a stock boot image, a generic OpenWRT file, everything I have come across that was claimed to work, but nothing does.

I am not a software person at all. I have no skills in that area. I have hardware skills and no issue with soldering, but the process to serial flash has my head spinning. I may have a USB to TTL device, but not sure of the voltages (yet).

I would prefer to get this device back to stock using TFTP or something non-invasive without going the serial flash route, unless there is a tutorial that isn't a video that will make me want to have a seizure from stopping and replaying bits of it.

I will be most appreciative for any help that you can provide.

Thanks,

SL

ispyisail
Moderator
Posts: 5180
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by ispyisail »

You will be blind without a serial cable.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-TTL-Ser ... SwHv1e4vp3

You need to be careful with windows 10 64bit compatibility (drivers)

There are cheaper ones but they are a bit more of a hit and miss with drivers, Even the one listed above i'm not 100% sure about.

SuperLid
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:06 am

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by SuperLid »

I have a USB to TTL adapter with voltage select jumpers. I will wire it up to a header at some point today.

By chance would you happen to have a known to work stripped stock file?

Thanks

RomanHK
Posts: 794
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: Czech Republik

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by RomanHK »

SuperLid wrote:By chance would you happen to have a known to work stripped stock file?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZgjr3 ... YBjY/view

This link might be useful to you: https://forum.openwrt.org/t/searching-t ... ware/60906
Turris Omnia with OpenWrt 21.02 - Tested
Linksys WRT3200ACM with Gargoyle 1.13.x
TL-WR1043ND v2 with Gargoyle 1.10.0

http://gargoyle.romanhk.cz custom builds by gargoyle users

SuperLid
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:06 am

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by SuperLid »

I tried that file and read that thread. Still no joy. I was hoping someone else has the friedzombie file.

Thanks

RomanHK
Posts: 794
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: Czech Republik

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by RomanHK »

SuperLid wrote:
Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:32 pm
I tried that file and read that thread. Still no joy. I was hoping someone else has the friedzombie file.

Thanks
You can make it yourself from any TP-Link firmware (which includes a bootloader), instructions are in the link.
Turris Omnia with OpenWrt 21.02 - Tested
Linksys WRT3200ACM with Gargoyle 1.13.x
TL-WR1043ND v2 with Gargoyle 1.10.0

http://gargoyle.romanhk.cz custom builds by gargoyle users

RomanHK
Posts: 794
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: Czech Republik

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by RomanHK »

Turris Omnia with OpenWrt 21.02 - Tested
Linksys WRT3200ACM with Gargoyle 1.13.x
TL-WR1043ND v2 with Gargoyle 1.10.0

http://gargoyle.romanhk.cz custom builds by gargoyle users

SuperLid
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:06 am

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by SuperLid »

I have watched it already many times and as I have said that for myself and others that have commented, it does not work. The file he is using is a stock image that is no longer available on TP-Link website, nor is it a stripped file.

I have only found that one same source you noted in your earlier comment for the supposed friedzombie file that does not work.

I would like to find a different source for that file that is known to work. I don't understand why this stripped file is so difficult to find now, but it is. One would think he would put it somewhere that can be found and used with confidence.

RomanHK
Posts: 794
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 4:18 pm
Location: Czech Republik

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by RomanHK »

It also matters what version you have! look at the bottom label if you have EU or US. To be sure, I will give you both (latest) OEM versions: https://gargoyle.romanhk.cz/Archer_C7_V2/

The files are ready for the TFTP server. Then just follow the video tutorial and it should flash. It would be good to plug in a serial cable to see what's going on in the router - it should be the same as in the video.

I have also prepared OEM stripped firmware for you, see. mine link.

If nothing happens with the IP address 192.168.0.66 then try 192.168.1.66 see. OpenWrt link: https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer- ... e-bricking
Turris Omnia with OpenWrt 21.02 - Tested
Linksys WRT3200ACM with Gargoyle 1.13.x
TL-WR1043ND v2 with Gargoyle 1.10.0

http://gargoyle.romanhk.cz custom builds by gargoyle users

SuperLid
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:06 am

Re: Archer C7 v2 Bricked when trying to revert to stock Need help

Post by SuperLid »

I have a US version, that was not locked before all of this started. I have serial connection now and see what is going on. After loading, product ID verify fail. This is the case with your stripped and OEM US files and every other file I have tried to flash via TFTP.

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