Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300

[honzos_dong]

I succeeded in installing Gargoyle 1.5.8 on a TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 some time ago. I wasn't using the router for some time, and when I pulled it out to use it at a friends house, I realized the firmware is out of date.

Looking at the wiki:
http://www.gargoyle-router.com/wiki/dok ... nk-install

It sounds like I need to install this file:
http://www.gargoyle-router.com/download ... pgrade.bin

And simply update from the Upgrade Firmware page, taking care not to save my existing settings, correct?

The OpenWrt page is far more confusing and threw me off, so I want to make sure I have this right so I don't brick this thing.

Thank you!

[tapper]

Hi yes the file you want is called:
gargoyle_1.7.1-ar71xx-generic-tl-wdr4300-v1-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin

from the download page but there is a new build out which you can find here.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7044

[honzos_dong]

Thanks, tapper! Are there any clear reasons to go with the experimental builds (1.7x) over the stable release (1.6x)?

I'd prefer to avoid any issues due to experimental builds, so any advice you can provide on that front would be appreciated. I don't mind using experimental build provided the router won't reboot/lock up constantly due to bugs, etc.

[ispyisail]

I would suggest if you router is working fine just leave it.

[honzos_dong]

Are there not security concerns with running older versions?

[ispyisail]

Are there not security concerns with running older versions?

That is true

There have been reports that the older firmware has better wifi?

[honzos_dong]

Hm, the 5ghz band doesn't work at all with 1.5.8 on my router. I wonder if 1.6x would be an improvement in this case?

[tapper]

Just flash 1.7.1 from here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7086
If you dont like it then go back to 1.6.2

[honzos_dong]

Flashed to 1.6.2 first to see how it'd go; upgrade seems to have worked perfectly and the 5ghz band seems to work at last!

If I upgrade to 1.7.1, can I save settings? The wiki seems to indicate I shouldn't try it, but it's quite annoying to have to reconfigure the router after flashing.

[nworbnhoj]

Correct - you definitely should NOT try to preserver settings from 1.6.X to 1.7.X

it's quite annoying to have to reconfigure the router after flashing.

I found you can restore the time consuming bits by unzipping the backup and restoring these three files
/etc/hosts
/etc/ethers
/etc/config/qos_gargoyle

These three files can be restores safely to the router with scp.