Updating Linksys firmware on a Mac

Question

Level 1

94 points

Updating Linksys firmware on a Mac

I've been having an ongoing problem w/ my Linksys wireless connection. I've been told that updating the firmware may solve the problem, but I can't figure out how to do it on a Mac.

Linksys provides an auto-install program, but its an .exe file, and I don't think it can be run on a Mac. They also allow you to update the firmware online by in the router-settings page. But, when I try to update the file, it says "Upgrade Action is Not Finish!! Upgrade File Pattern Error." (computer techs aren't renowned for their grammar skills...) Any ideas? Or, do i need to find someone w/ a PC to come here and update the firmware?

iBook G4 1ghz/ G4 tower 500mhz, Mac OS X (10.3.6)

Posted on Jan 14, 2006 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

Modem Geek

Level 4

1,110 points

Jan 14, 2006 6:23 PM in response to Joel

.exe denotes a Windows application. You need a Windows PC.

That error message is hilarious.

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Answer 2

RichB

Level 4

1,584 points

Jan 14, 2006 7:11 PM in response to Joel

It should be possible from a Mac using their web interface. You'll need the ".bin" file and not the ".exe" automatic version. See their instructions for your router. You must do it with an ethernet connection and not wirelessly.

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Answer 3

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 14, 2006 8:58 PM in response to Joel

This page on practicallynetworked.com describes several options. Probably the easiest is to start Terminal and then follow this procedure:

Type in: tftp <the router IP Address>
Press Return
Type in: mode binary
Press Return
Type in: put /<path to code.bin>/CODE.BIN
Press Return

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Answer 4

Joel Author

Level 1

94 points

Jan 16, 2006 11:47 AM in response to Duane

Sorry, I tried following your instructions, but I think I may be doing something wrong. For step (1), do I type in "tftp http://192.etc..." or do I just type in the number?

And, for step (5), if the file is on my desktop, and it's titled "WRK5RG_fw.bin" would it be "put/Users/<username>/Destop/WRK5RG_fw.bin/CODE.BIN"? I tried that, but got a "No such file or directory" message.

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Answer 5

RichB

Level 4

1,584 points

Jan 16, 2006 1:05 PM in response to Joel

Sorry, I tried following your instructions, but I
think I may be doing something wrong. For step (1),
do I type in "tftp http://192.etc..." or do I just
type in the number?

Just "tftp 192.168.1.1"

And, for step (5), if the file is on my desktop, and
it's titled "WRK5RG_fw.bin" would it be
"put/Users/<username>/Destop/WRK5RG_fw.bin/CODE.BIN"?

"put /Users/<username>/Desktop/WRK5RG_fw.bin"

Note the space between "put" and the path; and don't forget the "k" in desktop! Maybe the CODE.BIN is necessary, I don't know.

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Answer 6

RichB

Level 4

1,584 points

Jan 16, 2006 1:08 PM in response to Joel

Sorry, I tried following your instructions, but I
think I may be doing something wrong. For step (1),
do I type in "tftp http://192.etc..." or do I just
type in the number?

Just "tftp 192.168.1.1"

And, for step (5), if the file is on my desktop, and
it's titled "WRK5RG_fw.bin" would it be
"put/Users/<username>/Destop/WRK5RG_fw.bin/CODE.BIN"?

"put /Users/<username>/Desktop/WRK5RG_fw.bin/CODE.BIN"

Note the space between "put" and the path; and don't forget the "k" in desktop!

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Answer 7

RichB

Level 4

1,584 points

Jan 16, 2006 1:34 PM in response to RichB

Sorry for the double-posting! The Discussions seem to get hung sometimes...

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Answer 8

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 16, 2006 2:02 PM in response to RichB

"put /Users/<username>/Desktop/WRK5RG_fw.bin/CODE.BIN"

Most likely the CODE.BIN needs to be left off and the command should be:

put /Users/<username>/Desktop/WRK5RG_fw.bin

BTW, the easy way is to, in the Terminal window, type in " put " (remember the space after " put"). Then click, drag, and drop the icon of the file from the Desktop into the Terminal window. The Terminal will magically add the filename with the path so it will become:

put /Users/<username>/Desktop/WRK5RG_fw.bin

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Answer 9

Jan 16, 2006 3:16 PM in response to Joel

not to butt in but... 🙂

for the linksys router I've used in the past you could download a zip or bin and log into the web based interface and update the firmware there, (using a wired connect of course.)

if this is not for a router please forgive and ignore my banter.

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Answer 10

RichB

Level 4

1,584 points

Jan 16, 2006 3:20 PM in response to Surgehunter

could download a zip or bin and log into the web
based interface and update the firmware there, (using
a wired connect of course.)

That was my original suggestion above also!

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Answer 11

Joel Author

Level 1

94 points

Jan 16, 2006 6:27 PM in response to RichB

could download a zip or bin and log into the web
based interface and update the firmware there, (using
a wired connect of course.)

That was my original suggestion above also! :::

Sorry, it didn't work. I downloaded the bin file a million times and kept trying to update it, but it kept failing. I'm going to try doing it via Terminal now...

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Answer 12

Joel Author

Level 1

94 points

Jan 16, 2006 6:39 PM in response to Duane

I don't get it...I'm trying to update it from Terminal, I click and drag the file onto Terminal, but when I hit enter, it still says "tftp: update.bin: No such file or directory".

Does that mean it can't find the BIN file? That doesn't make sense, since I'm directly dragging it from the desktop, but what else? Is it not finding the router? The address I'm using (192.168.1.1) is the default one for the router. Is it perhaps being blocked because of the password on it (which is also set by default?)

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Answer 13

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 16, 2006 6:57 PM in response to Joel

Try this:

Type in: tftp <the router IP Address>
Press Return
Type in: mode binary
Press Return
Type in: cd /Users/<username>/Desktop/
Press Return
Type in: put WRK5RG_fw.bin
Press Return

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Answer 14

Jan 17, 2006 4:40 AM in response to Joel

I recommend using hardware that is built to work with Macs. I had similar problems with linksys and tossed it. I went to Belkin which works fine with Macs. best, nrb

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Answer 15

Joel Author

Level 1

94 points

Jan 17, 2006 8:26 AM in response to Duane

It gives me a "?Invalid command" message when I hit enter after Step (5) ("Type in: cd /Users//Desktop/")

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