KR1 firmware upgrade warning and unbricking

tz1

My KR1 doesn't reboot after the firmware upgrade completes so I have to pull power and reconnect. The upgrade takes something over 5 minutes - the green status light will flash, so look at the clock and after 10 minutes cycle power. This also applies to the unbricking instructions below.

Do use a hardwired ethernet connection, though it will work over wireless it is risky. Make sure the power plug is secure and that the process won't be interrupted.

If something does go wrong:

UNBRICKING

1. Detach the power cord.

2. With a stylus or paperclip, push in the reset button next to the power jack.

3. While holding the button down, reinsert the power plug.

4. Keep holding the reset button until the status light starts flashing green. This might take 10-15 seconds. If the status light goes orange start again with step 1.

5. Attach the KR1 via an ethernet cable (if you have not already done so).

6. The KR1 will have an address of 192.168.0.1, and will NOT configure other computers on the network. You need to manually set your computer to an address of the form 192.168.0.X where X is between 2 and 254 - if you are connecting through a larger network, try to use a unique address, or just hook the KR1 directly - then you can use any address.

7. Use a browser to go to http://192.168.0.1/ and you will find a firmware recovery page with a file path box, browse button, and a button to start programming. Find the update image on your system (browse or type it
in) and click the lower button to start the upgrade.

Your browser might time out (on IE, I hit view source when it started and it would continue, but I don't know if it mattered), but this should have no effect - if the status light is flashing, and you don't get the firmware screen back if you refresh it started flashing so the browser doesn't matter.

This has automatically rebooted and restarted for me - you will see the status light glow orange and it should come up normally, however I would note the time and cycle power after 10 minutes if it fails to reboot by itself.

Repeat the recovery if this doesn't work the first time.

[UPDATE: Kyocera's official word is that the KR1 recovery process only works with Windows and Internet Explorer (based on how the information was conveyed, we take this to mean Windows XP SP2 with IE v6.0.2900..., until we can receive further clarification). They are indicating that Firefox/Safari/Camino/Opera/Conquerer, etc, will not work. As well, this hints that consistently successful UPGRADES will only work with a Windows computer and Internet Explorer version 6.

(note to Mac users: Booster-Antenna.com can provide a KR1 that has already had the upgrade applied, or if you bought your KR1 from our store, use one of our upgrade services: (mail-in or advanced)

As of Feb 9th, 2007, Kyocera's seven-page firmware upgrade document does not warn against platform or browser type/version issues, even though these may appear to exist (and even though the document itself has a screen shot depicting the FireFox button bar).

They also fail to suggest that there is a need to remove the EVDO data device BEFORE attempting to upgrade. That is an important step everyone should take.

Kyocera's online document covering the recovery process does not yet reflect any of these new methods/policies either, as they include information for setting up your Mac to do the recovery process (Macs don't have Internet Explorer version 6): "Note: This procedure varies depending on your operating system. Please reference sections for Windows XP, Windows 2000, or MAC, as applicable."

Other items worth mentioning:

Only attempt the recovery process with your EVDO PC Card or USB modem/tethered phone REMOVED from the device (unplug the device prior to powering up the KR1).

Make sure the Ethernet cable is NOT plugged between the KR1 and computer at the time you power on the KR1.

AFTER the KR1 is powered on, and the computer has been set to the 192.168.0.2 static IP settings, THEN plug in the Ethernet cable between the two.

Do not close browser, open new browser windows, run apps, etc. while the process is taking place.

Make sure you wait TEN minutes BEFORE you remove the power cable from the KR1.

If it appears that the recovery process was successful, RESET the KR1 back to factory default settings prior to doing anything further. -Admin]

tz1 · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:16 am Post subject:

The BIX files have two separate checks to insure integrity. The last bytes of the file are an identifier to prevent the wrong device firmware from being loaded, and the top has a length and two XOR sums.

The partial release of the GPL code has a version of the web page configurator that would check both before attempting a flash, so a bad file image shouldn't even be accepted for programming, assuming DLink did the software right and kept the checks in for the KR1 version.

Their choice of a multipart mime message to encapsulate the flash image might be causing problems. The system should be capable of handling binary images directly, or even the entire file as one huge mime-encoded chunk. The tftp server also seems capable of flashing, but I don't know how to get it to initiate a flash instead of just a download.

The web page flash seems to prefer Internet Explorer, at least for the recovery page, but I've used Firefox successfully (and the Mac or Linux version works the same).

Michael · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:18 am Post subject:

We have seen the same positive results always using Firefox too.

Might be worth a download (if you are not already using it).
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 1969

Any release notes? Does it fix core problems or enhanced features that most of us probably don't use? Is it a recommended update for all users or just for certain features?

Is disappointing when you don't see any release notes for updates. Not common.

tz1 · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

Reasons to upgrade:

If you have the really early version with the broken wizard, this fixes it.

Several tweaks to the connect scripts to help reliability with connections.

Fixes in the wireless driver.

The admin web server is now disabled by default from the WAN/EVDO side, which is a good idea.

I would recommend everyone upgrade to this new (1002) firmware.

tkooney · EVDO Newbie Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5

I wanted to try one of tz1's images so I first tried uploading the RK1002.bix firmware (same as already in the router) on the theory that it was the least risky way to practice. I carefully followed the directions but it didn't reboot automatically. After cycling the power, it lit all of the lights (status orange) and just sat there.

I used the unbricking instructions but got a message "Wrong Image File is Selected!" with the RK1002 file. If I go back to the firmware upgrade page and hit send again, it doesn't repeat the message but the status light goes out and nothing further happens - even after waiting more than 10 mins. Rebooting goes back to the all light on state. I've repeated many times with as many variations as I could think of. I even tried all of tz1's bix images. All get the "Wrong Image File is Selected!" message.

Is there a way to force the upload? Anything via the diagnostic port? Is this just a return to factory situation?

Scott · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:12 pm Post subject:

Usually, even after we have seen that error you describe, we can still upload the file and end up with a working unit.

Still no word as to why that error occurs. The 'bix' thread is here:
http://www.evdoforums.com/about2168.html

Basic steps:

Power off the unit.
Remove your EVDO card if it is installed.
Connect your machine directly to the KR1 with a known good ethernet patch cable.
Set your machine to the 192.168.0.2 static IP.
Provide power to the KR1 while holding down the reset.
Make certain the status is flashing and that the green LED is lit for the ethernet port you are connected to.
Open your browser and connect to the 'recovery' page at 192.168.0.1.
etc...

Things to try:

A different browser (Firefox vs IE on Win... Safari vs Firefox vs Camino on OS X).
Michael indicates that he uses the back button, (refreshes?) and tries again.
Do wait out the ten minutes.

Also: I always reset the configuration to factory defaults before I upload firmware AND usually after as well.

tz1 · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 6:20 am Post subject:

I've only had one set of consistent unbricking successes, and that was with IE on XP SP2. Right now I'm trying to unbrick my KR1 though it never says "wrong image file". It either ignores it or after 10 minutes it still isn't working.

(I'm trying this without card or wireless antenna so that might be the problem).

tz1 · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:16 am Post subject:

Does anyone there know a browser FOR THE MAC that works for shure to unbrick the KR1? I've tried IE for the mac, firefox, and safari, and can't recover my KR1.

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 453

I've done it on Safari with a Mac.

tz1 · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject:

Which Mac, Which Safari. I managed to get Virtual PC 6 / Win 2K running and IE managed to unbrick it.

I've tried (the latest) Safari on my older iBook and my G5, and no luck.

Michael · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:20 pm Post subject:

I have had great success with Camino.

TZ1, contact me privately.
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tkooney · EVDO Newbie Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 5

After many tries and hours spent this worked:

1) Disabled all other net connections except 100/1000bt port. Turned off windows firewall. This combination seems to have eliminated the "wrong image" message.

2) set computer to 192.168.0.2

3) Cycled power while holding reset switch. Took about 5 seconds to get blinking status light. Power, status (blink) and the ethernet port light should be on.

4) Used IE 6 (suppose FF 1.5 would work) in a fresh window, connected to 192.168.0.1 to get firmware upload page. Used browse to select RK1002.bix.

5) Push send while watching for the ethernet port light to rapidly flash for about 2 seconds. If this doesn't happen, try again a couple of times. If still no response, reboot router as in 3). If still nothing try closing any applications that may be attempting to use the internet.

6) After the file upload (indicated by the ethernet port light) the status light will go out for about 15 seconds then come back on steady. After a few minutes the status light goes out again - I assume this is the end of the flash cycle but I wait a full ten minutes. If the status light goes orange or does not go out after 10 minutes, go back to 3).

7) Set the computer back to DHCP and reboot the modem. After the usual wait the power and status lights are green, indicating a good flash. Log in using your old admin password - the router remembers.

It can be exhausting, but eventually the router will unbrick. It is important to watch the status lights at each step to avoid dead ends.

Scott · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:35 am Post subject: Re: Yayy! Unbricked

Michael · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:06 am Post subject:

Now that RK1006 Firmware is available, I am sure we will start getting some KR1s that "turn into a brick" or have a failed firmware upgrade. Please follow the steps in this thread to "unbrick" your KR1.
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