TomatoUSB

I upgraded my cable Internet from 18Mbps to 45Mbps. For some reason, my router was still giving me the 18Mbps DL.

It was suggested that I restore factory setting for the router. Being on Toastman Tomato, I decided to update my RT-N16's Toastman Tomato FW from 2011 to Shibby's latest FW tomato-K26USB-1.28.RT-MIPSR1-109-VPN.

I went through Tomato's administration screen for the upgrade, and well - bricked my router.

I then followed the instructions at shcherbyna's blog (can't insert link) using Asus' FW Restoration with Asus' latest FW.

I got excited - the FW uploaded, and progress bar well, progressed, albeit slowly.

But after 99%, it claims to have failed the connection to the router.

I tried the author's suggestion with 192.168.0.1, but it didn't even upload the FW.

Next, I tried the instructions at dd-wrt forum (can't insert link) (still with Asus' FW).

I retraced some of your steps and flashed this firmware to my Asus RT-N16 router and it surely bricked it. Follow the un-bricking procedure below: 

Restoring the Asus RT-N16 from a bad flash using the built-in CFE to load DD-WRT firmware. 

1.) Download and install the tftp2.exe program to your desktop. 
2.) Download dd-wrt.v24-19342_NEWD-2_K2.6_mini_RT-N16.trx firmware to your desktop. 
3.) Configure the PC's ethernet adapter to IP addr = 192.168.1.2 and Net Mask = 255.255.255.0 and leave the other fields blank. 

4.) Disconnect power from the router. Wait 5 seconds. Press and hold the WPS button and restore power. After 5 seconds release the button. 

5.) Execute the tftp2.exe program. Type 192.168.1.1 in the Server field. Leave the Password field blank. Put the location of the DD-WRT firmware in the File field. Set the Retry counter to 20. 

6.) Click on Upgrade. 
7.) Disconnect power from the router. Wait 5 seconds. Press and hold the Reset button and restore power. After 5 seconds release the button. 

8.) After the tftp2 program indicates a successful upload, WAIT 4 MINUTES for the router to write the firmware to flash memory. 
9.) Disconnect power from the router and after 5 seconds reconnect. 
10.) If everything went well, the router should be operative with default settings. 

- Magnetron1.1

Similar results - I get the upgrading flash bar but it just disappears and goes on to the next attempt. And all subsequent retries just fails.

For both cases, when I power up the router with the RESTORE button pressed, the power LED will flash slowly. But midway through updating - it either lits still or unlit.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I really need this router up and running. I have an ADSL modem/router, but unfortunately I can only get that working as an AP with another router.

As I am sure you now know "MIPSR1" is the wrong firmware, the RT-N16 needs MIPSR2.

Asus firmware is huge, but should still work, so the dd-wrt mini is a good choice if the problem is your computer link and tftp program.

Yes, I now know my unfortunate mistake on choosing the FW. I was just focused on K26, heh.

Thanks for pointing out about the mini. I tried that with tftp and it worked! The Asus FW Utility still didn't work, but I guess tftp was good enough! I am now running Asus' own latest FW and will see if I need to venture off to open source once again.

Thanks again mstombs!

Don't give up. You have already conquored the worst. There is nothing left to fear.
http://tomato.groov.pl/?page_id=69

That's an awesome list there, GeeTek! Thanks!