D-Link Forums

The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-655 => Topic started by: dprice010 on May 02, 2009, 10:46:12 AM

Title: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: dprice010 on May 02, 2009, 10:46:12 AM
I've just install firmware version 1.31 (taken from Dlink website). After saving my config file and installing new firmware (successfully), I am unable to restore the config file....reports that one or more values are out of range. I also note that the browser web page header reports that I am using a Gaming Router......any one have a fix? I don't want to spend the time to redo all configs
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: ttmcmurry on May 02, 2009, 10:53:12 AM
There is no fix.  The old config files don't work with the new firmware.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: dprice010 on May 02, 2009, 11:03:39 AM
Thanks for the quick feedback. Looks like D-Link would post that info rather than lead us on with instructions for how to insure your config file would be restored. Oh well...its just that it takes a while to look up all my MAC addresses and whatever again.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: TommyLee on May 02, 2009, 11:50:57 AM
Hey dprice010,

ttmcmurry is correct. But here are a couple ideas from this point forward:

1.) Don't just rely on D-Link's backup function for the router. Create a document with cropped screen captures of all the settings, or at least the most important ones. Are you familiar with, or do you use Adobe's Acrobat? Of course there are other more cost effective versions of .PDF software out there also. But you can create a .PDF of all the settings with screen captures, and make the screen captures there own linked page in the document. It allows you to have an index and jump straight to the setting you need all in a single and convenient .PDF file. Oh, and also copy and paste for mac addresses! I know, a decent amount of work to begin with, but if you plan on having the router for awhile, maybe worth looking into.

2.) If you are concerned about security, save the file in an encrypted container on your hard drive, or a flash drive. On a Mac, this is extremely simple. If you are using a PC, then check out truecrypt.org for FREE software that will let you do this.

Bottom line, it's not as much work as it sounds like. A bunch of screen captures with title's saved as a .PDF file, and stored in an encrypted container for security. Something to think about to make future firmware upgrades less of a headache  :-\

Respectfully,

Tommy Lee
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: EddieZ on May 02, 2009, 12:02:30 PM
1. configuring from scratch is always the best option. The tiniest binairy error can cause serious issues. 8 out of 10 it will work with no problem whatsoever. There is no way predicting which restore will work or not.
2. Never update firmware through wireless
3. Do not fear a security risk with the saved config. It's encrypted very well and virtually uncrackable. (they don't want us to peek into them/altering them)
4. Even PC BIOS updates are recommended with default values, just in case a bit is missed or something or a register has been changed. So it's not so odd to take that precaution
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: summerstormpictures on May 02, 2009, 05:58:42 PM
Don't just rely on D-Link's backup function for the router. Create a document with cropped screen captures of all the settings, or at least the most important ones.

That's one of the best suggestions I've seen.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: lotacus on May 02, 2009, 09:12:05 PM
don't forget to wear tinfoil on your head too, aliens may read your mind and steal all your secrets.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: sandman on May 03, 2009, 11:20:23 AM
Just get a Linksys next time and move your negative energy to their forum.

I see nothing negative there - it is a great idea to absolutely make sure you record all your previous settings. Especially as it has been stated several times on this Forum that it is essential after an upgrade to 1.3* to reset to factory defaults and manually enter the settings.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: lotacus on May 03, 2009, 12:18:24 PM
Why are there about 10 threads about the same issue?
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: EddieZ on May 03, 2009, 12:20:50 PM
Why are there about 10 threads about the same issue?

because everybody thinks they either are unique or they don't have the patience to read some threads (where they can find the solution)  ;D
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: ominator on May 03, 2009, 12:51:12 PM
Hey dprice010,

ttmcmurry is correct. But here are a couple ideas from this point forward:

1.) Don't just rely on D-Link's backup function for the router. Create a document with cropped screen captures of all the settings, or at least the most important ones. Are you familiar with, or do you use Adobe's Acrobat? Of course there are other more cost effective versions of .PDF software out there also. But you can create a .PDF of all the settings with screen captures, and make the screen captures there own linked page in the document. It allows you to have an index and jump straight to the setting you need all in a single and convenient .PDF file. Oh, and also copy and paste for mac addresses! I know, a decent amount of work to begin with, but if you plan on having the router for awhile, maybe worth looking into.

2.) If you are concerned about security, save the file in an encrypted container on your hard drive, or a flash drive. On a Mac, this is extremely simple. If you are using a PC, then check out truecrypt.org for FREE software that will let you do this.

Bottom line, it's not as much work as it sounds like. A bunch of screen captures with title's saved as a .PDF file, and stored in an encrypted container for security. Something to think about to make future firmware upgrades less of a headache  :-\

Respectfully,

Tommy Lee


Makes no sense. A backup should always work, as that is the whole point of having a backup. Could you imagine, being an IT specialist, if all your data backups would not be restorable anymore with the latest version of whatever backup software you upgraded to, and you have no way to downgrade back to the previous version of your backup software? I think you would be out of a job at that point...

The least they can do is make a utility to update the stored backups to the new backup format, and/or allow you to downgrade the firmware.

There's also no point of locking the firmware from a customer point of view, as it's a flash rom that holds all new data and can always be wiped out. For some reason they decided to block that feature, just because they can.

I have always been a happy customer, but with all these firmware games I am becoming less happy and more annoyed.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: EddieZ on May 03, 2009, 03:15:55 PM
The backup works as long as you use the same firmware version. Once you go to another version it might not work. Got plenty of IT analogies about that happening... The whole Dutch national ADSL network was trashed for several days because of updated backbone devices which did not like the saved configs that were restored. And that was AAA class material...

(I did not work on that, by the way, and the hardware wasn't Dlink. Sounded like Cis...  ;D)
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: Lycan on May 04, 2009, 09:17:56 AM
Technically the features are added sequentially so that configs SHOULD load and work, but hey, some times they don't. I mean try it, if it works cool. If not you get to reconfigure your router. Yay.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: EddieZ on May 04, 2009, 09:26:11 AM
Technically the features are added sequentially so that configs SHOULD load and work, but hey, some times they don't. I mean try it, if it works cool. If not you get to reconfigure your router. Yay.

Not all bits and bytes are straight  ;)
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: FrostyMelon on May 04, 2009, 11:33:58 AM
Technically the features are added sequentially so that configs SHOULD load and work, but hey, some times they don't. I mean try it, if it works cool. If not you get to reconfigure your router. Yay.

I do this after every firmware flash, regardless. It's not that difficult to write down/print out your various configs...also the absolute safest way to do it - I've never lost a backup this way!  ;D
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: JasonAG on May 04, 2009, 01:07:57 PM
If it works, great. If not, you may have destroyed your router and wasted hours of downtime.

Since my background is in human factors and user experience, I look at it this way:
- For a feature X (here it's saving/restoring your settings), how much benefit is it to the user? If there is an error (either user or computer) during task flow, how much does it impact the experience?

Given that the config save/restore "feature" does not work reliably and can cause disastrous consequences, I would think that D-Link would remove the instructions to actually USE the feature when upgrading to 1.31NA. I may have to work through an RMA to deal with my issue (see this thread: http://bit.ly/N1P0X).

For us tech-heads, writing down our settings or creating screen-captures is second nature. But think of all the non-tech users who are simply following D-Link's recommended upgrade procedure and potentially damaging their routers. Where did the QA and User Experience departments go?

Sigh.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: davevt31 on May 04, 2009, 01:16:29 PM
I think most non-tech users have never even done a firmware update.  They buy it, they get a friend to set it up, it works, never touch it again.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: FrostyMelon on May 04, 2009, 01:59:49 PM
^dave nailed it. Most people buy it, set it up...never screw with it again. Those that want to play around with firmware need to realize what they're doing may end up causing more issues than it's worth - if it ain't broke, don't fix it....or if you do, understand that the same amount of variables in place to fix your problem are exactly the same number that may cause it to go wrong. It's a risk, straight across the board.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: JasonAG on May 04, 2009, 02:35:34 PM
Please don't make excuses for a flawed QA process on D-Link's part. If a non-beta firmware update is released, and the user follows the instructions as described by D-Link, then there should be a very high chance that the update goes as planned. The very fact that this process is failing or causing trouble with a lot of users saddens me.

When creating a device for consumers (not IT administrators), quality control is extremely important. Unfortunately, it seems that D-Link doesn't see it that way.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: FrostyMelon on May 04, 2009, 02:42:11 PM
"then there should be a very high chance "

...even you expressed doubt. Excuses? No. Reality? Yes. What 'saddens' me is that people fail to realize something can go wrong, regardless. Not everything is perfect, unfortunately.
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: JasonAG on May 04, 2009, 02:48:23 PM
Wow, I didn't expect an analysis of all of my words. Given the conditions I had:




I'm close to what D-Link probably thinks of as "ideal" upgrade conditions. Now I'm using a router that can't change its SSID from dlink, enable wireless security, etc.

Sure, I expect that things go wrong. Given that I've upgraded the firmware numerous times without a hitch, I didn't expect it to go wrong on this router.

I guess I have too much trust in companies.  :-\
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: Reinvented on May 04, 2009, 04:08:23 PM
I do this after every firmware flash, regardless. It's not that difficult to write down/print out your various configs...also the absolute safest way to do it - I've never lost a backup this way!  ;D

I agree.  After setting up the same device so many times, you should be able to know exactly how it was as well.  Takes me 5 minutes to set everything up the way I want it from scratch. 
Title: Re: DIR 655 latest firmware
Post by: Bourbon on May 04, 2009, 05:44:03 PM
Tempted by 1.31, but 1.11 isn't giving me any real problems that I know of.  Probably a good idea to stick with what I know is working.

I still have a feeling that my curiosity will get the better of me and I'll hit 1.31 at some point.