Slap some DD-WRT on that Asus WL520gU, will ya?

DISCLAIMER: Yes, one of these, but I have to. I am not responsible for any of your actions, or if you harm yourselves (wonder how), break the router, void the warranty, make your mom mad or dad. Do this at your own risk; I have.

Just so you know its very hard to brick the ASUS WL-520gU, thats why its so awesome.

I have already covered the basics of the BEST router under 50 bucks, I am a big fan. Unbelievably reliable and that is all I care about. Some of you might find it nice or ugly, whatever I don’t care. Those are not the reasons why I buy them. Lets see, you just bought it with a nice rebate or got it on sale or just plain needed a router. Well in next few minutes I will show you how to flash the Asus WL-520gU with the new DD-WRT firmware. I know that there are many of these tutorials, but when I first had to do it, it was a pain for me.

So you have your box unpacked, screw on the antenna and lets get ready. You will need to download the files needed first. There is a recovery utility on Asus CD to load the firmware, but it has never worked for me. Instead I use this TFTP2

Then, you will need the DD-WRT firmware for your router. Go to DD-WRT.com database and type in asus and the click on your model.

DD-WRT DATABASE

From there you will get a menu of all available firmware for your router. I use mini generic (during writing this article I got nokaid and love it), but it’s all up to you. If you don’t know which to use perhaps this link will help you: DD-WRT VERSION DIFFERENCES

Picture of website on www.dd-wrt.com where you can download the firmware for your Asus WL-520gU and other few different firmwares

Once you have everything downloaded turn off your wireless card (I am on my laptop).

Get your Ethernet cable (network cable) that came in the box ready.

Then go to Start->Control Panel->Network Settings or Connections or Sharing center (varies by system)-> IN VISTA click on left side on manage network connections-> right click on LAN Area Connection (or similar name) make sure its LAN though-> Properties->Networking tab->Internet Protocol (if you have a choice then its Version 4)

LAN Connection Properties

You will see all kinds of settings, no worries I will cover that also

IP settings of my LAN

As you can see, I selected the ”Use the following IP address”

If you want to just copy it exactly as it is, should not have any problems.

Just a note:

Never have Deafault Gateway and IP address same.

Most of you have “Obtain IP address automatically” when you are done check that selection and from there it will allow you to go online.

So that is done, the software is downloaded, once again make sure your wireless, if you have one is off.

Plug the Ethernet cable into the computer and the router. Now most of you will know this, but some of you not. There are 5 ports on the back of the router that the Ethernet will fit into. From left to right (or from the antenna to the power cord) LAN1 LAN2 LAN3  LAN4 WAN plug in any of them that are LAN (green rectangle), leave WAN alone (red circle).

Green are are LAN ports and Red is Wan Port, leave WAN alone:)

Do not power on the router yet. If you have any firewall make sure it is off. If it is part of a center or suite and you don’t know how to turn it off, then turn the whole think off.

Start the tftp2 you have downloaded

Select your file, leave password empty

The router time!

Everything should be plugged in EXCEPT FOR THE POWER.

Get something (safety pin, thin screwdriver) that you can push down the black button next to the red one .

Restore button in green rectangle

Alright hold that down, plug in the power……wait…..still wait….make sure the power light up front is blinking (the one all the way on the left)

Ugrade, when done will say Flash successful!

Now you can click on TFTP2 upgrade button

And once its done  just unplug the power wait for couple, preferably more, seconds

Don’t forget to change the settings of your IP address as mentioned in the beginning.

Once you do that, pull up your browser… type in 192.168.1.1 and if it asks for password it will be username:         admin                   or            root

Password:              admin

My screen came up like this

DD-WRT screen->change user name and password

I hope that this article helped you… If you have any questions or comments drop me an e-mail