How to Restore Original Linksys Firmware

This page explains how to restore the Linksys NSLU2 "stock" firmware. While the original Linksys firmware has built-in firmware upgrade capability, uNSLUng 5.5 does not. In lieu of that you'll use a program called "Upgrade Utility."

Let's begin.

• You'll need to download the Upgrade Utility and install it on a Windows PC.

• You'll also need to download the latest NSLU2 firmware from Linksys. At the time of this writing it is at this download link. The .bin file you download will probably be in a ZIP file so UnZIP/Extract it, preferably to the root of C:\ so you can easily find it later.

• Because flashing the NSLU2 firmware is a critical procedure I suggest you connect your PC directly to the NSLU2 using a CAT5 cable.

• The next step is to put the NSLU2 in Upgrade Mode. How you do this depends on whether you can access the NSLU2's GUI.

Using Upgrade Utility to Upload Firmware

Do not proceed with the following until you have put the NSLU2 in Upgrade Mode using one of the two preceding methods. You'll know the NSLU2 is in Upgrade Mode because its Ready/Status LED will be quickly alternating between red and green.

• Run the Upgrade Utility.

• Select your Network Interface card (be sure to use a wired connection, not a wireless one).

• Click OK.

• Select  Browse  then  Target .

If it takes a long time to return with a window and eventually displays an error message "Access Target Error!", this means it's not connecting to the NSLU2. Check your network connection to the NSLU2.

We hope, however, a new window will appear like the "Browsed Devices on Network" window pictured below, with a number in the list, which means it's detected the NSLU2.

• Click the  Files  button.

• Select the Linksys .bin file that you downloaded from Linksys.

You'll see the words "Upgrade Ready".

• Click OK.

• Click the  Upgrade  button.

During the "upgrade" you will see a progress window that changes from:

Then a window will open indicating a successful upgrade.

If you see this window you should jump for joy, because you're finished! The NSLU2 will reboot. Browse to 192.168.1.77 and you should see the original NSLU2 GUI.

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