So i just recently bought the Archer C7 AC 1750 Router that was on sale. Trying to figure out how to install custom firmware. If anyone can help it'll be deeply appreciated . Thx
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20 replies Jan 15th, 2016 5:12 pm
#2
BobSagget Deal Expert Jan 17, 2009 25682 posts 50436 upvotes North of Toronto
Jan 15th, 2016 5:12 pm
Download the compatible firmware file and then just use the firmware upgrade page in your router's web UI. +1
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Jan 15th, 2016 6:07 pm
#3
dchimera Deal Addict Jun 30, 2009 1113 posts 681 upvotes Vancouver
Jan 15th, 2016 6:07 pm
Basically, the only custom firmware that seems to work on the C7 is OpenWRT. https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wdr7500 BUT, I bought the exact same router from NCIX during the sale and got a v1. I found that after installing OpenWRT, there was no Wifi menu in the interface to set things up. The LAN worked fine but I couldn't even see the wifi section under networking. After that, it was a chore to revert to factory because you need to find a .bin file that's stripped of TP-Link's bootloader. You can find that here: http://www.friedzombie.com/tplink-stripped-firmware/ So give it a shot. Maybe you'll be lucky and you won't be missing the Wifi section.
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Jan 15th, 2016 6:16 pm
#4
BobSagget Deal Expert Jan 17, 2009 25682 posts 50436 upvotes North of Toronto
Jan 15th, 2016 6:16 pm
dchimera wrote: ↑Basically, the only custom firmware that seems to work on the C7 is OpenWRT. https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wdr7500 BUT, I bought the exact same router from NCIX during the sale and got a v1. I found that after installing OpenWRT, there was no Wifi menu in the interface to set things up. The LAN worked fine but I couldn't even see the wifi section under networking. After that, it was a chore to revert to factory because you need to find a .bin file that's stripped of TP-Link's bootloader. You can find that here: http://www.friedzombie.com/tplink-stripped-firmware/ So give it a shot. Maybe you'll be lucky and you won't be missing the Wifi section.
thank you for link. i have the v2. which file am i suppose to get? factory-to-ddwrt-IL.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:39 16449536 factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:40 16449536 factory-to-ddwrt.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:40 16449536 i assume it's the 1st or 3rd .
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Jan 15th, 2016 10:47 pm
#6
BobSagget Deal Expert Jan 17, 2009 25682 posts 50436 upvotes North of Toronto
Jan 15th, 2016 10:47 pm
66xx66 wrote: ↑thank you for link. i have the v2. which file am i suppose to get? factory-to-ddwrt-IL.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:39 16449536 factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:40 16449536 factory-to-ddwrt.bin 13-Jan-2016 13:40 16449536 i assume it's the 1st or 3rd .
Oh that's interesting I assume it was the other ones cause was purchase outside of US. Thanks for your time. I'll give it a go
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Jan 15th, 2016 10:59 pm
#8
BobSagget Deal Expert Jan 17, 2009 25682 posts 50436 upvotes North of Toronto
Jan 15th, 2016 10:59 pm
66xx66 wrote: ↑Oh that's interesting I assume it was the other ones cause was purchase outside of US. Thanks for your time. I'll give it a go
You could probably use the "factory-to-ddwrt.bin" one as well(which is the general international version), but the US one is fine as the US/CA C7 v2 are identical. Just stay away from the IL version as that is meant for Israel or something lol. +1
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Jan 16th, 2016 12:36 am
#9
coolspot Deal Expert Oct 6, 2005 16962 posts 2631 upvotes
Jan 16th, 2016 12:36 am
dchimera wrote: ↑Basically, the only custom firmware that seems to work on the C7 is OpenWRT.
I'm using Gargoyle, it's based off OpenWRT but seems more reliable. https://www.gargoyle-router.com
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Jan 16th, 2016 1:52 am
#10
dchimera Deal Addict Jun 30, 2009 1113 posts 681 upvotes Vancouver
Jan 16th, 2016 1:52 am
Ah well you're lucky you scored a v2. Neither Gargoyle nor DD-WRT have a v1 build - or at least I couldn't find one. I wasn't willing to risk bricking it by trying a v2 build.
Why do you want to change? The router works perfectly well with the Manufacturer's software. I, too, like to fiddle around just for the hell of it, But my C7 has no dropped connections and works great so why bother? Make the truth great again.
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Jan 16th, 2016 12:04 pm
#12
coolspot Deal Expert Oct 6, 2005 16962 posts 2631 upvotes
Jan 16th, 2016 12:04 pm
dchimera wrote: ↑Ah well you're lucky you scored a v2. Neither Gargoyle nor DD-WRT have a v1 build - or at least I couldn't find one. I wasn't willing to risk bricking it by trying a v2 build.
I had a v1 a couple years ago, was able to RMA it for v2 due to compatibility issues with Apple devices.
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Jan 16th, 2016 12:13 pm
#13
BobSagget Deal Expert Jan 17, 2009 25682 posts 50436 upvotes North of Toronto
Jan 16th, 2016 12:13 pm
dchimera wrote: ↑Ah well you're lucky you scored a v2. Neither Gargoyle nor DD-WRT have a v1 build - or at least I couldn't find one. I wasn't willing to risk bricking it by trying a v2 build.
Actually the v1 firmware is right here: http://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/do ... her-c7-v1/
insync44 wrote: ↑Why do you want to change? The router works perfectly well with the Manufacturer's software. I, too, like to fiddle around just for the hell of it, But my C7 has no dropped connections and works great so why bother?
ddwrt seems to have a better interface. And i can track monthly bandwidth easily
insync44 wrote: ↑Why do you want to change? The router works perfectly well with the Manufacturer's software. I, too, like to fiddle around just for the hell of it, But my C7 has no dropped connections and works great so why bother?
good for u. unfortunately, my C7 v2 drops the 5ghz ap consistently which necessitates a reboot regularly. "works great" isnt the phrase I'd use on stock fw, atleast in my case. once I flashed gargoyle, then it worked great. had the C7 for 9mths now & I only had to reboot once (& that's cos I wanted to).
Piraxx wrote: ↑Thinking about buying this router. What is the tangible benefit of custom firmware? More polish and more settings for power users?
gargoyle in my case is less polished but definitely more options/settings for the power user. the main reason however, is stated in the above comment (again in my case).
cricketfan wrote: ↑ Should I flash the custom firmware if my speeds are (mostly) 90% of my isp speed bracket?
if you're not having issues with stock fw, then I wouldnt if it were me.
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Aug 28th, 2017 6:21 pm
#20
lead Deal Guru Nov 21, 2002 13081 posts 5593 upvotes Winnipeg
Aug 28th, 2017 6:21 pm
atheros base has always been best under openwrt/gargoyle/lede. Lede would be the best since they use latest driver development for opensource community. But its not too user friendly gui. I used gargoyle on supported atheros chipset. v2 install i think was • factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin (reverts to ddwrt) • ArcherC7v2_webrevert.bin (Flash to a version to TPLink that can be flashed to Gargoyle) • gargoyle_1.9.2-ar71xx-generic-archer-c7-v2-squashfs-factory.bin maybe things have changed with gargoyle flashing?
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Jun 30, 2009 1113 posts 681 upvotes Vancouver Basically, the only custom firmware that seems to work on the C7 is OpenWRT. https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/tl-wdr7500 BUT, I bought the exact same router from NCIX during the sale and got a v1. I found that after installing OpenWRT, there was no Wifi menu in the interface to set things up. The LAN worked fine but I couldn't even see the wifi section under networking. After that, it was a chore to revert to factory because you need to find a .bin file that's stripped of TP-Link's bootloader. You can find that here: http://www.friedzombie.com/tplink-stripped-firmware/ So give it a shot. Maybe you'll be lucky and you won't be missing the Wifi section. 
Dec 22, 2010 2414 posts 881 upvotes Canada Why do you want to change? The router works perfectly well with the Manufacturer's software. I, too, like to fiddle around just for the hell of it, But my C7 has no dropped connections and works great so why bother? Make the truth great again. 
Feb 25, 2014 431 posts 113 upvotes Westeros Thinking about buying this router. What is the tangible benefit of custom firmware? More polish and more settings for power users? 
Dec 11, 2012 4180 posts 3204 upvotes Calgary 
Nov 21, 2002 13081 posts 5593 upvotes Winnipeg atheros base has always been best under openwrt/gargoyle/lede. Lede would be the best since they use latest driver development for opensource community. But its not too user friendly gui. I used gargoyle on supported atheros chipset. v2 install i think was • factory-to-ddwrt-US.bin (reverts to ddwrt) • ArcherC7v2_webrevert.bin (Flash to a version to TPLink that can be flashed to Gargoyle) • gargoyle_1.9.2-ar71xx-generic-archer-c7-v2-squashfs-factory.bin maybe things have changed with gargoyle flashing? 