I've spent a bit more time with my PirateBrick today.

Trying to flash some sort of firmware onto it. 

I decided to try the:

openwrt-ar71xx-generic-wzr-hp-g300nh2-squashfs-tftp.bin

From Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2 - OpenWrt Wiki, which I think is the right OpenWrt firmware.

On that page it suggests you follow the proces from the Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH - OpenWrt Wiki page but use the firmware for the WZR-HP-G300NH2.

The instructions state that the timing is tricky and so it proved, stepping through the commands I seemd to miss the small window between tftp> put and powering up the router.

I then had the bright idea of trying the firmware that came with the CD that was in the box. As I was getting a bit fed up the first time I tried with UserFriendly_1.79_2.12.enc i took my time powering the router and accually got some action:

I've had the Error code 0: Unsupport MODEL returned from the firmware downloaded from Buffalo but was suprised to see it from the stuff that shipped with the Router!

I tried with the Professional16519.enc too, but the same result.

But I figured I now had my timing right with starting the transfer and booting the router so went back to the openwrt-ar71xx-generic-wzr-hp-g300nh2-squashfs-tftp.bin

This time I got the timing right and the transfer started:

received ACK <block=0>

sent DATA <block=1, 512 bytes>

received ACK <block=1>

sent DATA <block=2, 512 bytes>

received ACK <block=2>

sent DATA <block=3, 512 bytes>

received ACK <block=3>

and so on for 10000 lines or so, then:

received ACK <block=5120>

sent DATA <block=5121, 36 bytes>

received ACK <block=5121>

Sent 2621476 bytes in 18.0 seconds

tftp> 

I waited for the router to reboot but no luck. I munually rebooted and the router came on, but did not light up the router light. 

I've still got a brick.

I've managed not to flash or try to flash the router with all the possible firmwares that I can find with no luck at all. The only thing I think I could try now is getting hold of a linux machine rather than my mac. Other that this I am just going to kee an eye on both the OpenWrt wiki and Buffalo for newer firmware. Any other ideas greatfully recieved.

Following instructions from here: WZR-HP-G300NH Router: Firmware flash and brick recovery through TFTP and takinginto account this comment:

First: It won't work if you connect your Mac directly to the router, as per step 4 of the Windows instructions. You need to have a switch between the two (if your old wireless router still works, it will do). This is because the Mac uses carrier detect to automatically bring network interfaces up and down, and your ethernet interface needs to be up and running at the moment you power the router on, or you'll miss the little window when the tftp transfer can happen. So, ethernet cable from Mac to a switch, and ethernet cable from the switch to one of the ethernet ports on the router.

Second: before issuing the put command in tftp, you need to do "binary". Adding "trace" is nice as well, as you see progress as the transfer happens. So, your tftp session should look like this:

But noting this: DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - problems recoberying buffalo wzrhpg300nhv2
Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2 is totally different from WZR-HP-G300NH.

I ended up here: Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2 - OpenWrt Wiki and downloaded: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38634684/openwrt/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-wzr-hp-g300nh2-squashfs-tftp.bin

 

I then set up Mac to working switch, switch to bricked router.

Router Not powered up

Set the computer's static IP to 192.168.11.2, netmask 255.255.255.0, gateway/DNS 192.168.11.1

 

Cross posted from: A PirateBox for TeachMeet?

A while ago I proposed A PirateBox for TeachMeet?. Several kind folk donated a fiver and I ordered the Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH wireless router from an amazon reseller.

First problem was that I did not notice that it was shipping from the USA, it arrive the day before TeachMeet SLF11. I didn't arrive home until late in the evening, but rolled up by sleeves to sort it out. Problem 2 was a USA power supply. This I rectified at Lunchtime the next day and settled down in a corner of the SECC to sort out the box. Apart from the fact I had plugged the mac into the WAN port rather than the LAN port(or the other way round) I didn't have a wired connection to the network. A major fail, I realised the port problem the next day after TeachMeet and though ti would now be plain sailing.

Yesterday evening I followed the instructions on PirateBox DIY OpenWrt - David Darts Wiki which went, I though pretty well. Unfortunately I didn't really have a Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH wireless router, I had a Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2 wireless router! The router was bricked.

I decided to unbrick the router using instructions I found: WZR-HP-G300NH Router: Firmware flash and brick recovery through TFTP After a few tries I noticed extra OS X help in a comment, but still failed. I decided to leave it until today.

This afternoon I had another go, musing again on the comment:

the Mac uses carrier detect to automatically bring network interfaces up and down, and your ethernet interface needs to be up and running at the moment you power the router on, or you'll miss the little window when the tftp transfer can happen...

I decided to try using linux running on my macbook under virtualbox. The mac had at least given me an "Unsuport MODEL" error after using tftp to flash the firmware, but the virtualbox linux idea got me nowhere.

I've now google "Unsuport MODEL" error which has lead to a couple of interesting looking pages:
DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - wzr-hp-g300nh2 bricked and
DD-WRT Forum :: View topic - problems recoberying buffalo wzrhpg300nhv2 which I am leaving until tomorrow.

Based on hope rather than experience I would like t oget the box up and running at teachmeet strathclyde edition.

Cross posted from A PirateBox for TeachMeet?

I am wondering if folk would donate a few quid for a TeachMeet PirateBox? The money hs been raised, the router bought and bricked, I am going to use this blog to record the progress of the recovery (I hope)

I'd noticed Alan Levine blogging about StoryBox and even donated a file in after this post: StoryBox Wants YOU - CogDogBlog.

More recently I saw it on Doug Belshaw's Synechism Ltd. – User Outcomes Weekly – #11 (A weekly must read), where I commented wonder if a piratebox of some sort would be a useful addition to TeachMeets and the like? Doug had also linked to the PirateBox site where I read more about it and followed some links.

PirateBox is a self-contained mobile communication and file sharing device. Simply turn it on to transform any space into a free and open communications and file sharing network.

and

The PirateBox solves a technical/social problem by providing people in the same physical space with an easy way to anonymously communicate and exchange files. This obviously has larger cultural and political implications thus the PirateBox also serves as an artistic provocation.

Obviously TeachMeets do not need the subversion of tracking and preservation of user privacy that a PirateBox offers. Nor would sharing of copyrighted material be desirable, but It might be fun to have a PirateBox at TeachMeets.

It would allow folk to share files with others at the meet. If it was a traveling project, the box could go from TeachMeet to TeachMeet spreading files as it went. This would provide a sponsor-less goodie bag. Folk would be free to share what they liked, perhaps presenters would share presentations, digital musicians give away background music etc.

Obviously lots of the TeachMeet crowd already share many things online, A TM PirateBox would be a fun side project that might add to the buzz during a TeachMeet and be a concrete way of connecting different events.

A proposal

Having looked at the PirateBox DIY it looks like the cheapest way to make one is to use a Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH wireless router which costs about £70. There are a few other bits and pieces needed but the cost is negligible.

I'd like to put one together, take it to TeachMeet SLF11 and then post it off to another TeachMeet. Unfortunately I don't have £70 Is there enough folk interested in putting in a fiver to make a box and set it adrift?

If you are interested then DM @johnjohnston, leave a comment here or make contact in another way, if I get a dozen people up for it I'll send then a link to paypal me a fiver. As a PirateBox utilizes Free, Libre and Open Source software (FLOSS) I don't think this is one for commercial sponsorship. If you do contribute you will get a warm fuzzy feeling and your name on the PirateBox.

The money hs been raised, the router bought and bricked, I am going to use this blog to record the progress of the recovery (I hope)