DD-WRT:Flashing Asus WL-500W

For initial flash see All Asus WL-500xx series routers

As this router has a N-type NIC it is recommended to use a new firmware that supports this, this means no v24SP1. The firmware should be newer, like v24-pre-SP2 versions (also called v24_TNG)

IMPORTANT

For those of you who plan to use JFFS2 on this model Asus, consider the following or you run the risk of BRICKING your WL500W:

Brainslayers mega flash size - 7.33MB

Eko's Big Flash size - 5.9MB

Now, the error only occurs when JFFS2 is enabled and the router reboots, so you are safe if you DONT enable JFFS2.

Total available JFFS2 size for BS's build is 640KB which overwhelms the kernel and causes a panic. Even using a storage device with the command mount -o bind /mnt/jffs /jffs will still cause a kernel panic.

Eko's JFFS2 partition size is 1640KB+, allowing much more room.

I tested this on BS's 12996,12874 and 12533 builds and partially bricked my router several times. (A simple power disconnect for 30 secs will allow it to recover)

Eko's build however works flawlessly AND provides the SAME features (except for connection warning) as BS's.

One thing I am still unsure of is why this particular model Asus router is subject to this bug, but in the mean time, I suggest using Eko's Big build until the dev's can work it out..

See download section -> others -> eko -> either BrainSlayer-V24-preSP2 or EKO V24_TNG. Pick date 07-21-09 (or newer) and/or svn number 12533 (or higher).

First of all, the WL500W is Extremely temperamental by nature. Once you have flashed a fresh firmware image, you should always wait 3-5 mins after flashing before making ANY config changes. This is because the CPU is still writing NVRAM variables. Watch the CPU usage, once it falls Below 50%, then start making the changes, and click APPLY settings after every config page. Trying to save everything on a huge firmware, and then executing it all at once can/will cause this router to throw a kernel panic and temporarily brick..

Unplugging it after making config changes is not wise either. Never unplug this router if there is ANY CPU load whatsoever. Configure it, exit out of the Web-inf, and wait for a good safe 5 mins before unplugging it.

"Old" wiki about Initial Flash of the Asus WL-500W

See this for a HowTo make the most of your Asus WL-500W guide.

http://acid.armkb.com/2009/06/11/asus-wl-500w-serial-port-com/