Installing to Archer C7 V2

[xaint]

Another well-elaborated and really useful guide/tutorial, thanks ispyisail.

I would still recommend the Archer C7 v2 for the price and hardware, as it's really not that hard to circumvent the firmware lock, even for the not so "tech-savvy" person. There's a lot of easy guides that can be found here in the forums. Although, an "official" flash tutorial for the C7 would be GREAT, btw.

Hi, I just received the Acher C7 router,

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MODEL: Archer C7 (EU) ver. 2.0

Firmware Version: 	
3.15.1 Build 160616 Rel.44182n
Hardware Version: 	
Archer C7 v2 00000000

SERIAL: 216Cxxxx...

and I would like to install the new gargoyle firmware

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gargoyle_1.10.0-ar71xx-generic-archer-c7-v2-squashfs-factory.bin

0505d2419f9c212ecef1e6edb124f9b0

I've try and I got this message

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Error code: 18005
Upgrade unsuccessfully because the version of the upgraded file was incorrect. Please check the file name.

Can someone help me, to flash it correctly?

Thank you in advance

[d3fz]

First, we have circumvent the firmware lock (hence the error #18005), that can easily be done by flashing the latest stable build of LEDE for the Archer C7 v2 (17.01.4), which in your case should be the EU version.

Note: The Archer C7 V2.0's web interface might not accept the long "17.01.4-ar71xx-generic-arch..".bin file unless you rename it to something with less dots, like "lede-archer-c7-factory".bin.

After flashing it correctly as you normally would (take your time, let the router do its thing), you should be able to access LEDE web admin GUI on http://192.168.1.1 (user:root/no password), and now flash latest stable build of Gargoyle for the Archer C7 v2 straight from LEDE's upgrade firmware section.

That should do it, let us know how it goes.

[xaint]

First, we have circumvent the firmware lock (hence the error #18005), that can easily be done by flashing the latest stable build of LEDE for the Archer C7 v2 (17.01.4), which in your case should be the EU version.

Note: The Archer C7 V2.0's web interface might not accept the long "17.01.4-ar71xx-generic-arch..".bin file unless you rename it to something with less dots, like "lede-archer-c7-factory".bin.

After flashing it correctly as you normally would (take your time, let the router do its thing), you should be able to access LEDE web admin GUI on http://192.168.1.1 (user:root/no password), and now flash latest stable build of Gargoyle for the Archer C7 v2 straight from LEDE's upgrade firmware section.

That should do it, let us know it go.

Thank you so much, it worked perfectly.

SUMMARY

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-1st- go to:
https://downloads.lede-project.org/releases/17.01.4/targets/ar71xx/generic/

download
archer-c7-v2-squashfs-factory-eu.bin
5a894bc0d5cca305ece5cd09fc2f26de5d1a9c4ebc22d6bdc165ddb7b73256e1
15872.0 KB	Wed Oct 18 11:43:04 2017

-2nd- go to:
https://www.gargoyle-router.com/download.php

download
gargoyle_1.10.0-ar71xx-generic-archer-c7-v2-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
ed45694f9eb24d1e00446150bf9536b7

[xaint]

One more thing, if someone can help me...

I'm using this configuration...
========================================================================

Wireless Mode: "Client+AP"

2.4GHz Operation Mode: (B+G+N)
2.4GHz Channel Width: (20Mhz / 40Mhz 2nd chan. above / 40Mhz 2nd chan. below)
2.4GHz Transmit Power: (Max - 25dBm)


5GHz Operation Mode: (A+N+AC)
5GHz Channel Width: (20Mhz / 40Mhz / 80Mhz)
5GHz Transmit Power: (Max - 23dBm)


AP 5GHz SSID:
Wireless Channel (5GHz): (36 / 52 / 100 / 116 / 132 / 149)

========================================================================
...but I do not know which is the best way to configure these wifi parameters

What values should I choose, to have the highest wifi signal range, or the best perfomance?

Thank you!

[d3fz]

Thank you so much, it worked perfectly.

Glad it worked without a hassle, see how easy it was?

What values should I choose, to have the highest wifi signal range, or the best performance?

These are the settings I use on my Archer C7:

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2.4GHz Operation Mode: (B+G+N)
2.4GHz Channel Width: (20Mhz)
2.4GHz Transmit Power: (Max - 25dBm)

5GHz Operation Mode: (A+N+AC)
5GHz Channel Width: (80Mhz)
5GHz Transmit Power: (Max - 23dBm)

This will depend on your environment. First, you should scan the nearby wifi networks (ideally, from where your router is placed), and choose the least used channel. In my case, it's Channel 149.

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AP 5GHz SSID:
Wireless Channel (5GHz): (36 / 52 / 100 / 116 / 132 / 149)

To better scan the nearby wifi networks, there's a plugin called Spectrum Analyzer, which helps a lot in this case. Recommended.

[xaint]

Thanks for the information -your settings- , and for the plugin, I found it on this route...

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8333#p35683

...I installed it, and it's amazing!

Thank you!

[xaint]

Hi, only 2 more questions:

- 1. Is there any way to turn off the LED lights on the front of the router so they do not bother? How?

- 2. Is there any way to configure the list of networks that the "Spectrum Analyzer" plugin shows, so that they are ordered from higher to lower signal level?

[d3fz]

No problem. One last note, though.

Gargoyle is under constant development, so if you'd like to keep your router firmware always up-to-date, latest builds can always be found on "Show / Tell / Contribute" forum. After downloading the images pack, look for the sysupgrade.bin image file.

Just don't preserve settings on upgrade, and it should be ok.

[d3fz]

- 1. Is there any way to turn off the LED lights on the front of the router so they do not bother? How?

Technically, yes, but not straight from the GUI. You'd need to mess with the command-line a little bit. Although, if you're just looking for a quick&easy solution, black electrical tape works wonders for this... I use something similar to dim the blue leds of my WA850RE repeater, that thing would light up the room at night.

- 2. Is there any way to configure the list of networks that the "Spectrum Analyzer" plugin shows, so that they are ordered from higher to lower signal level?

Currently, no. Maybe in the future.