Install DD-WRT on Linksys EA6500

NOTE : THIS IS FOR V1, read comments Regarding V2. Untested as I have V1 only.

The Linksys EA6500 is a great piece of hardware that came with bad firmware IMO. But its been on eBay refurbished for some time now for ~30$!! So that is a steal, currently I have 2, one as a wireless repeater with the TX increased on both to 100 and it works like a charm! *Read guide at bottom about Wireless Repeaters*

This is not for the faint of heart! It took me multiple tries (<10) to get DD-WRT to take and I have tested with 2 separate routers. But I was successful both times eventually! If you aren't familiar with this content a bit, I'd stay with default FW. Also Read entire guide and download all files before disconnecting from Internet!

1. Disconect from Internet and hardwire in via one of the 4 LAN ports
2. SET STATIC IP! (Check out how to Change IP with .CMDs to allow easy switching)
3. Navigate to Linksys WebGUI *Linksys default webpage is 192.168.1.1 pwd admin*
4. Usually you have to change your OEM firmware via Connectivity >> Manual "Choose File" >> YES I have read successful reports of using FW_EA6500_1.1.27.144156_prod.trx & FW_EA6500_1.1.28.146856.SSA but you can try FW_EA6500_1.1.29.162351.SSA as well
5. [Update] I recently used 1.1.29 + dd.wrt.23082 successfully, but again, its a hit a miss process.

5. Try to upload A or B (This process is not 100% seems to be hit or miss, try different OEM FW and try different DD-WRT FW) (Smallest DD-WRT 1st, IE: ~21MB then update to newer ~24MB FW's)

A) dd-wrt-23082-ea6500.trx

From ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2013/

B) fractal-firstrelease-dd-wrt-K3x-22524-ea6500.trx

From ftp://gakinaction.ddns.net/Fractal_Builds/

6. Once you get here, unplug Ethernet cord and reboot PC while router finishes. Then try accessing 192.168.1.1 once rebooted.

7. Once it takes, you will get to DD-WRT Splash screen and now you can update (Administration >> Firmware Upgrade) to any version of DD-WRT for linksys EA6500.

BrianSlayer ports @ ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2015/

Users have seemed to like the 27490-ea6500.trx release. (Including me)

##First check version number to be able to confirm update.

9. To restore OEM Firmware follow steps to update firmware and just select OEM hardware from step #4.

10. Do a 30-30-30 reset to make sure it really stuck, you'll have to do it at some point probably, better now then at a mission critical point!