Recovery of BEFSR41 v1 Router - Notes     2011/06/17
by CW Cyrix/Ami Sapphire


Even more news! The Linksys BEFSR41 v1 router can use the same method as the v2
counterpart, but it is... *ahem* more complicated due to its assembly.

Following steps 4 and 6 of the v2 guide for the v1 router would be utterly
impossible, so we need to use another method. This document is called: Steps 4
and 6: BEFSR41 v1 edition!


Steps (from Step 4:)

 4. Disassemble the router.
    a. Remove the blue front cover of your Linksys BEFSR41 v1 router.
    b. Slide the black top cover off to reveal the sandwiched PCBs (circuit
       boards) of the router.
    c. Unscrew the top part of the board and carefully take the smaller PCB off
       the router.

 5. Plug in one end of your Ethernet cable in the computer and the other end in
    the router's bottom PCB.

 6. Short pins 1 and 2. [Diagram is below.]
    a. The flash chip is located on the top smaller PCB, next to the CPU.
    b. Get a small and thin paper clip to use for the router and attempt to
       bend it into a near straight line, preferrably with needlenose pliers.
       You can also use thin nickel chrome (NiChrome) wire.
    c. Bend the paper clip or wire in half.
    d. Bend both ends of the paper clip or wire about 1/8" (3mm) at a right
       angle so it can connect to the flash chip's pins. Try to connect the
       ends to the designated pins.
    e. Use ONLY electrical tape to hold the connection together. Since this is
       only temporary, you do not have to worry about any long-term effects on
       the router.
    f. Reassemble the two PCBs together.

          4  3  2  1  32 31 30
         _=__=__X__X__=__=__=_
        /                     |
     5 =|                     |=29
     6 =|                     |=28
     7 =|                     |=27
     8 =|       ROUTER'S      |=26
     9 =|         PLCC        |=25
    10 =|     FLASH  CHIP     |=24
    11 =|                     |=23
    12 =|                     |=22
    13 =|                     |=21
        -----------------------
          =  =  =  =  =  =  =
         14 15 16 17 18 19 20

 7. Plug the router back in. You should get a blinking DIAG light. That means
    it is in fail-safe mode. Look at the command prompt or terminal. You should
    see pings. If not, look at the connection of your flash chip. If it is
    loose, rectify this, reassemble the PCBs, and try again.