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Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 3:34 pm
by 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using the router for some time, and when I pulled it out to use it at a friends house, I realized the firmware is out of date.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!

Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 4:46 pm
by 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
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 8:12 pm
by 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.
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 6:00 am
by ispyisail
I would suggest if you router is working fine just leave it.
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 4:04 pm
by honzos_dong
Are there not security concerns with running older versions?
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 5:35 pm
by ispyisail
honzos_dong wrote:Are there not security concerns with running older versions?
That is true
There have been reports that the older firmware has better wifi?
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 6:35 pm
by 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?

Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 7:39 pm
by 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
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 1:14 am
by 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.
Re: Updating firmware on TP-LINK TL-WDR4300
Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 1:41 am
by nworbnhoj
Correct - you definitely should NOT try to preserver settings from 1.6.X to 1.7.X
honzos_dong wrote:it's quite annoying to have to reconfigure the router after flashing.
doug_porsche wrote: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.