TomatoUSB

Sorry if this question seems dumb but looking over your page I couldn't find your installation guides. I'm just purchased an RT-N16 and I don't want to do something to brick it so that's why i'm just trying to confirm this before I attempt it.

For this build you've created, since it's a .trx file, can I just go right in to the firmware and update using this file or do I have to flash to DD-WRT first then go to your build? Or do I have to use the Asus Firmware Restoration Utility?

I saw different advice depending on where I searched in your posts so I wanted to be clear.

I saw this in a post of yours from linksysinfo.org.
"To flash Asus RT-N16 and RT-N12 with this build, use Asus Firmware Restoration Utility (worked like a charm for me many times before I was able to produce a bootable firmware image), or load DD-WRT first, and then flash Tomato from DD-WRT Web UI"

But that post was also from back in January… Things may have changed…

The part that says "before I was able to produce a bootable firmware image" is what made me wonder if I could just go right from the Asus firmware and update right to your build. I may just be confused though…

Sorry again if I sound like a total noob. I just don't want to waste money that I spent on this thing by bricking it.

Update to the DD-WRT mini RT-N16 build first, then TomatoUSB after that. The Asus firmware won't take Tomato directly.

Awesome. Thank you so much!

In my experience, i install tomato with the Asus Firmware Restoration Utility and all works perfectly.

In case anyone who may come across this site was interested and needs help. Here is a guide I found to install TomatoUSB on the Asus RT-N16.

Preparation:
1. Set fixed IP address (I didn't personally find this necessary)
2. Use only wired connection (disable wireless to be in the safe side)
3. Make sure you disable firewall in Windows (while this is a good precaution it wasn't necessary for me when I did it)
4. Disable the virus guard (Once again, good precaution but worked fine without doing it)

Let's Begin!

1. Download and install Asus RT-N16 utility. (Can be downloaded Here)

2. Download and extract the K26-MIPSR2 Tomato USB Firmware. Extras or VPN version is up to you. With this router you might as well just go with the VPN version. (Get them Here)

3. Plug in the router while holding the reset button on the back of the router.
This puts the router in recovery mode, which is necessary to flash using the Asus Firmware Restoration utility. If you try using the restoration utility and the router is not in recovery mode or is not connected it will say, "No wireless device in recovery mode is found".

4. Run Firmware Restoration from Asus Utility which you installed in step 1.
In Firmware Restoration browse for the firmware image you extracted in step 2 and click Upload.
(Note: It's likely that the Asus Utility will hang due to the fact that it attempts to verify the successful flash but it won't be able to because the firmware is not Asus firmware. Mine hung at 33% and timed out. Everything still worked out fine though.)

5. After the upload is complete open your browser, go to the router by typing 192.168.1.1, when prompted for a username and password enter "admin" for both. Go to Administration > Configuration > Restore Default Configuration, select "Erase all data in NVRAM memory (thorough)" and click OK. To insure that the processor has time to complete addressing all NVRAM variables it's best to wait about 5 minutes before making any changes.

You are now ready to start using your Asus RT-N16 with Tomato.

IMPORTANT:
1. Don't forget to change the password from the default one. (Administration > Admin Access > Password)

2. Wireless is enabled by default with no security enabled. Be sure to update this before people start jumping on your network. (Basic > Network > Wireless)

these instructions worked perfectly.. thanks. :)

If I remember right, I think I used a tftp PUT command to transfer the TomatoUSB .trx file to the router during reset-boot "recovery" mode.

If I remember right, I think I used a tftp PUT command to transfer the TomatoUSB .trx file to the router during reset-boot "recovery" mode.

That's the way I did my WL-520GU but for this one I tried the method above and seemed to work easy enough.

Wicked, thanks for the instructions. Worked like a charm.

Note: Ensure you install this firmware: K26-MIPSR2

The K24 doesn't work… I'm a noob. :(

I followed the written instructions for flashing TomatoUSB onto my new ASUS N16. It actually did not hang at 33%, but completed to the point where I am receiving a message to wait for the router to reboot. It never does and the router locks into the rescue/restore mode (power light slowly blinking). Even if I turn the router off and back on, it stays in this mode. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help.