Coming from Non-UBI OpenWRT, cannot boot into factory firmware

[slogen]

I have previously been on Non-UBI. That works just fine - but I would like to completely convert.

I am following the instructions, and have tried to boot into factory firmware, by:

• power-cycles (30-50s unplug)
• reboot (ssh into openwrt, reboot)
• reset-hold (holding reset for 10-20s as guided by linksys instructions)
• reset-cycle (poweroff 30s, boot with reset down, never gets amber light)

But all I achieve is resetting OperWRT to factory defaults, not the linksys E8450 firmware.

What am I doing wrong? I have of course not tried flashing the original FW or any of the .itb files directly from OpenWRT :)

[dangowrt]

If you are using non-UBI OpenWrt and want to go back to stock, you need to flash the stock firmware using sysupgrade or upload it to System -> Backup / Flash Firmware -> Flash new firmware image.

If you want to convert the device to UBI, you can also directly upload the installer in the same way.

In both cases, you need to select Force Upgrade and ignore the red warnings.

[slogen]

Thanks for awesomely quick reply! I am trying to convert non-UBI E8450 to UBI, which I have now successfully done due to your assistance!

I got pretty scared reading through the instructions for backup.

Do not attempt to flash anything (that includes the stock firmware, openwrt-mediatek-mt7622-linksys_e8450-ubi-initramfs-recovery-installer.itb etc.) from the running initramfs system -- it will fail to reboot, possibly requiring serial console access. Instead, powercycle the device to reboot into the original non-ubi firmware, and then flash the installer version.

Maybe add that flashing the initramfs can be done from OpenWRT in the docs? and instruction to select the scary red -F option on this screen?