Bricked Motorola WE800G

I managed to turn my moto WE800G bridge into a brick trying to install
DD-WRT. After running a NVRAM reset I now cannot ping it or telnet to it.
IPs of 192.168.30.1, 192.168.1.1, and 192.168.2.1 won't respond. Any others
it might be, or is there a way to determine its IP if I can't get it to
respond to ping?

Thanks

Dave

"Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:

>I managed to turn my moto WE800G bridge into a brick trying to install
>DD-WRT.

Did you install the correct version of DD-WRT?
What version did you try to install?

>After running a NVRAM reset I now cannot ping it or telnet to it.
>IPs of 192.168.30.1, 192.168.1.1, and 192.168.2.1 won't respond. Any others
>it might be, or is there a way to determine its IP if I can't get it to
>respond to ping?

It's 192.168.1.1. The WE800G is a problem in that it doesn't want to
go into the "failsafe" mode very easily. Once in the failsafe mode,
you can use TFTP to upload the firmware. See:
<http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>
for a clue as to how to pound on the reset button in order to recover.
I suggest you start continuous pings with the PC to see when it
responds.
ping 192.168.1.1 -t


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:uq6j93p7olsuj0ho9ij4janqfbd576up6m@4ax.com...
> "Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:
>
>>I managed to turn my moto WE800G bridge into a brick trying to install
>>DD-WRT.
>
> Did you install the correct version of DD-WRT?
> What version did you try to install?
>
>>After running a NVRAM reset I now cannot ping it or telnet to it.
>>IPs of 192.168.30.1, 192.168.1.1, and 192.168.2.1 won't respond. Any
>>others
>>it might be, or is there a way to determine its IP if I can't get it to
>>respond to ping?
>
> It's 192.168.1.1. The WE800G is a problem in that it doesn't want to
> go into the "failsafe" mode very easily. Once in the failsafe mode,
> you can use TFTP to upload the firmware. See:
> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>
> for a clue as to how to pound on the reset button in order to recover.
> I suggest you start continuous pings with the PC to see when it
> responds.
> ping 192.168.1.1 -t
>

Jeff: I loaded white Russian RC6? Following the wiki exactly I get response
to the pings just twice a few seconds after power up. I attempt to activate
telnet during the 2 seconds of ping response but am not successful.

I see I get the 1 or 2 ping responses whether the reset is being pressed or
not. Perhaps I just don't understand the phrase "Only starting the repeated
pressing of the reset button as soon as the device is connected to the mains
will help you into the failsafe mode." I don't deem to get any different
response whether the reset is repeatedly pressed or not.

Dave

"Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:

>> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>

>Jeff: I loaded white Russian RC6? Following the wiki exactly I get response
>to the pings just twice a few seconds after power up. I attempt to activate
>telnet during the 2 seconds of ping response but am not successful.

It's on for about 3 seconds. There's the quick and the dead
(bricked). You gotta be quick.

As far as I know, the WE800G is NOT supported by DD-WRT. The WR850G
is supported. However, the WE800G is supported by OpenWRT:
<http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G>

> I see I get the 1 or 2 ping responses whether the reset is being pressed or
>not. Perhaps I just don't understand the phrase "Only starting the repeated
>pressing of the reset button as soon as the device is connected to the mains
>will help you into the failsafe mode." I don't deem to get any different
>response whether the reset is repeatedly pressed or not.

By pounding on the reset button, at exactly the right moment, you can
theoretically get it to respond to pings also continuously. I've
never tired it with the WE800G. I also don't think it's necessary.

Perhaps you should try something a bit different. Setup a TFTP
upload. If you bricked it, it's probably the wrong firmware, but
you're on your own for identifying it. The usual goof is to download
it via ftp using ASCII instead of BINARY.

Meanwhile, if you can catch the router exactly when it's responding to
the pings, you can start a TFTP upload and reload the firmware. Get
out the stopwatch and time exactly how long it takes for the first
ping to respond. You'll need this number for the next step.
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation#TFTP_Flashing_Buffalo_Routers_under_W indows>
This TFTP procedure is for a Buffalo router, but it seems to work with
everything I've tried (Linksys, Asus). Hit the "enter" key on the
TFTP upload just after the ping start delay you measured in the
previous step. You might have to try it a few times, but I'm fairly
sure it will work.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:3j8l935aec2updtqqdoauglsaeol4gm2p3@4ax.com...
> "Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:
>
>>> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>
>
>>Jeff: I loaded white Russian RC6? Following the wiki exactly I get
>>response
>>to the pings just twice a few seconds after power up. I attempt to
>>activate
>>telnet during the 2 seconds of ping response but am not successful.
>
> It's on for about 3 seconds. There's the quick and the dead
> (bricked). You gotta be quick.
>
> As far as I know, the WE800G is NOT supported by DD-WRT. The WR850G
> is supported. However, the WE800G is supported by OpenWRT:
> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G>
>
>> I see I get the 1 or 2 ping responses whether the reset is being pressed
>> or
>>not. Perhaps I just don't understand the phrase "Only starting the
>>repeated
>>pressing of the reset button as soon as the device is connected to the
>>mains
>>will help you into the failsafe mode." I don't deem to get any different
>>response whether the reset is repeatedly pressed or not.
>
> By pounding on the reset button, at exactly the right moment, you can
> theoretically get it to respond to pings also continuously. I've
> never tired it with the WE800G. I also don't think it's necessary.
>
> Perhaps you should try something a bit different. Setup a TFTP
> upload. If you bricked it, it's probably the wrong firmware, but
> you're on your own for identifying it. The usual goof is to download
> it via ftp using ASCII instead of BINARY.
>
> Meanwhile, if you can catch the router exactly when it's responding to
> the pings, you can start a TFTP upload and reload the firmware. Get
> out the stopwatch and time exactly how long it takes for the first
> ping to respond. You'll need this number for the next step.
> <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation#TFTP_Flashing_Buffalo_Routers_under_W indows>
> This TFTP procedure is for a Buffalo router, but it seems to work with
> everything I've tried (Linksys, Asus). Hit the "enter" key on the
> TFTP upload just after the ping start delay you measured in the
> previous step. You might have to try it a few times, but I'm fairly
> sure it will work.

Jeff: I appreciate the detailed replies. I've tried all suggestions and
believe I have a very modern looking paper weight on my hands. I knew the
risks going in but had to try it anyway.

I may try a few more kinks some day but am done for now.

Much appreciation!

Dave

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:3j8l935aec2updtqqdoauglsaeol4gm2p3@4ax.com...
> "Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:
>
>>> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>
>
> It's on for about 3 seconds. There's the quick and the dead
> (bricked). You gotta be quick.

Jeff: Actually I've been able to TFTP easily once I learned the TRICK! The
WE800G v2 always boots with an IP of 192.168.30.1 and then changes to
192.168.1.1 after bootup completes. Therefore one must ping AND TFTP to
192.168.30.1 immediately after powering up. TFTP will NOT work to
192.168.1.1.

OK, so now I have an unbricked Motorola WE800G which accepts several
different versions of OpenWrt but is still unusable, at least for me. Only
the RC4 ot earlier versions will get past the original "password change
failure". ALL the RC6 versions will NOT get past the password problem.

Unfortunately the RC4 version apparently does NOT have a web interface to
get into bridge with browser. Telnet of course no longer works after the RC4
version accepts the password changes, SO.... how the heck do I DO anything
with this box?

I'm running XP or VISTA and have no clue as to SSH, so now what coaches?

Thanks for all the help!!

Dave

Dave wrote:
> DO anything with this box?
>
> I'm running XP or VISTA and have no clue as to SSH, so now what coaches?
>

You can get SSH on Windoze boxes with PuTTY (http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/).

Larry

"Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:

>"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
>news:3j8l935aec2updtqqdoauglsaeol4gm2p3@4ax.com.. .
>> "Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:
>>
>>>> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Motorola/WE800G#head-e24258ab51ac0f52bb4335dffb25ec09f3d17a4e>
>>
>> It's on for about 3 seconds. There's the quick and the dead
>> (bricked). You gotta be quick.

> Jeff: Actually I've been able to TFTP easily once I learned the TRICK! The
>WE800G v2 always boots with an IP of 192.168.30.1 and then changes to
>192.168.1.1 after bootup completes. Therefore one must ping AND TFTP to
>192.168.30.1 immediately after powering up. TFTP will NOT work to
>192.168.1.1.

Yech. I didn't know that. I found it documented in the
troubleshooting info of all places:
<http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/WE800g/downloads/WE800G_Troubleshooting.pdf>
but nowhere else.

> OK, so now I have an unbricked Motorola WE800G which accepts several
>different versions of OpenWrt but is still unusable, at least for me. Only
>the RC4 ot earlier versions will get past the original "password change
>failure". ALL the RC6 versions will NOT get past the password problem.
>
> Unfortunately the RC4 version apparently does NOT have a web interface to
>get into bridge with browser. Telnet of course no longer works after the RC4
>version accepts the password changes, SO.... how the heck do I DO anything
>with this box?
>
> I'm running XP or VISTA and have no clue as to SSH, so now what coaches?

No problem.

RC4 requires and SSH login, not telnet. It's a security thing as
telnet is sniffable (and hackable). Larry Finger suggested PuTTY
which is also what I use.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PuTTY>
Be prepared for an ordeal if you've never created or dealt with
public/private SSH keys and key generators.

There are several GUI's for OpenWRT.
<http://wiki.openwrt.org/Faq#head-a02e22f96a3af8639abc9f574f5eeb986e37eced>
See FAQ 2.13.

I also found:
<http://lazutkin.com/blog/2005/sep/23/openwrt_gui/>
which looks ancient. No clue if it works.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> hath wroth:

>> Jeff: Actually I've been able to TFTP easily once I learned the TRICK! The
>>WE800G v2 always boots with an IP of 192.168.30.1 and then changes to
>>192.168.1.1 after bootup completes. Therefore one must ping AND TFTP to
>>192.168.30.1 immediately after powering up. TFTP will NOT work to
>>192.168.1.1.

Are you sure it works like that? The default IP address for the
WE800G is 192.168.30.1. It stays there after bootup if you do NOT
flash it with some other firmware. If you do flash it, then it
assumes the default IP address from the firmware which is usually
192.168.1.1.

>Yech. I didn't know that. I found it documented in the
>troubleshooting info of all places:
><http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/WE800g/downloads/WE800G_Troubleshooting.pdf>
>but nowhere else.

I lied. It's also documented in the User Guide.

This old OpenWRT "bug" report is rather interesting:
RC5: WE800G failsafe mode does not work.
<https://dev.openwrt.org/ticket/503>
It's been fixed but some rather interesting info appears in places.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:fa98a3t6cohnredpfqf6neeaa5msimhagr@4ax.com...
>
> There are several GUI's for OpenWRT.
> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/Faq#head-a02e22f96a3af8639abc9f574f5eeb986e37eced>
> See FAQ 2.13.
>
> I also found:
> <http://lazutkin.com/blog/2005/sep/23/openwrt_gui/>
> which looks ancient. No clue if it works.
>

Jeff et al: One step forward..... LOL. Now for my next trick. I have RC6
micro WE800G OpenWRT loaded and see the GUIs in Jeff's post.. They say to
download using IPKG install..... The problem is.. my bridge is not connected
to my internet. It has an address of 192.168.1.1 and my Netgear router
running on Wildblue is dealing 196.168.0.2x addresses. Therefore I cannot
access the internet thru my Moto bridge. I can download the ipk packages to
my laptop, my laptop talks to the MOTO, but how do I install the package to
the Moto from my laptop?

Thanks again!

Dave

"Dave" <dave@phony.net> hath wroth:

>"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
>news:fa98a3t6cohnredpfqf6neeaa5msimhagr@4ax.com.. .
>>
>> There are several GUI's for OpenWRT.
>> <http://wiki.openwrt.org/Faq#head-a02e22f96a3af8639abc9f574f5eeb986e37eced>
>> See FAQ 2.13.
>>
>> I also found:
>> <http://lazutkin.com/blog/2005/sep/23/openwrt_gui/>
>> which looks ancient. No clue if it works.

>Jeff et al: One step forward..... LOL. Now for my next trick. I have RC6
>micro WE800G OpenWRT loaded and see the GUIs in Jeff's post.. They say to
>download using IPKG install..... The problem is.. my bridge is not connected
>to my internet. It has an address of 192.168.1.1 and my Netgear router
>running on Wildblue is dealing 196.168.0.2x addresses. Therefore I cannot
>access the internet thru my Moto bridge.

Too many routers. You have two or maybe three routers in your mess.

First, unplug your Netgear whatever router and bury it somewhere. You
don't need it.

I think (i.e. not sure) that WeirdBlew dispenses a single routeable IP
address. Therefore, the WAN interface of your WE800G should look
like:
DHCP
The LAN IP layout of the WE800G should be something like:
IP = 192.168.1.1
NM = 255.255.255.0
DHCP range = 192.168.1.100 -> 192.168.1.139
You should then be able to access the internet. Once that works, try
ipkg again.

>I can download the ipk packages to
>my laptop, my laptop talks to the MOTO, but how do I install the package to
>the Moto from my laptop?

Ummm.... ftp?
<http://wiki.openwrt.org/FTPDHowTo>
Although the instructions are to install ftp using ipkg, I think ftpd
comes with RC9.



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558