Recover Fritz!Box 6490 (English)

[Poofcakes]

Hello,

I moved to Germany and got a cable internet contract, and saw you had to pay for the router per month, so I thought I could get my own router instead to save some money...

Well, I thought I could get one second-hand through FB marketplace, and I got scammed twice. So much for the "money-saving"... Then the 3rd time I finally didn't get scammed. My contract started yesterday, and I received my router today and was excited to finally get it working. And surprise; it didn't work. I couldn't activate the cable connection through the vodafone app, because it was already "activated". It's a white 6490, so after googling around today I found out it's "branded". But, apparently it's "easy" to unbrand, so I followed these instructions to unbrand it. And I suppose that was stupid... You can see my process in the spoiler. I kept losing connection so that's why it took a while.

Spoiler

After this, my Fritzbox got stuck in a boot loop, and I have been completely unable to get back into the FTP to fix my mistake. I've tried what feels like everything...
1. The static IP (tried 192.168.178.2 and 192.168.172.24) on both my work Macbook and a Windows laptop.
2. The recovery programs from AVM for 7490 and 7590 to stop the bootloader, with both static & the other solution from Peter (dhcpmediasense=disabled). It just keeps searching until I tell it to stop, which is the errocode=1. See logs in spoiler.

Spoiler

3. The Windows versions of the EVA scripts from MyFritz.

Nothing is able to connect to or detect my router on 192.168.178.1. And I've no experience with soldering, so I'm not sure about trying the solution where I take out the eMMC just yet... I read that if it still boots, there is still hope, so I'm holding on to that tiny bit of hope I have left at the end of this shitty day. I also don't have a telephone, so I haven't tried yet to hard-reset it via that, but would that work at this stage? If so, I can try ordering one from Amazon. I remember before I bricked it that it had Fritz!OS 7.57. Also, I'm using a USB-C adapter to connect the Ethernet cable to the router on both PCs.

It's very evident that I'm not the only person experiencing this, and there's been many threads about this issue already, but since 99% of things about this topic are in German, it can be hard for me to read the forum posts. But sorry in advance if I will get scolded for this thread. I'm just hoping someone can read my post and can point me to something I've missed.

Thank you.

 

[fesc]

Hmm, wasn't it Vodafone who puts previously owned boxes on a blacklist, so that it's not possible to re-use them in their network?
In that case even removing the branding does not help. The box is identified by its MAC address, which you can't change.

 

[KunterBunter]

It's a white 6490

I would surmise your provider is Vodafone unitymedia in North Rhine-Westphalia und the branding of your box was 'lgi'.
Unfortunately, in this case you've got the wrong box. You will need a red one with branding 'kdg'.

 

[Micha0815]

Look at Method 3 https://trigus-su.blogspot.com/2019/07/fritzbox-unbrick.html for unbricking
LG

 

[Poofcakes]

Vollzitat gemäß Boardregeln https://www.ip-phone-forum.de/threads/ip-phone-forum-regeln.297224/ entfernt by stoney

Hi, thank you but for me step 3 in method 3 has so far been impossible for me after I changed the firmware version.

 

[KunterBunter]

Yes, no need to rewrite the firmware onto the box. It is still there. Just change branding back to original value.

 

[Poofcakes]

Vollzitat gemäß Boardregeln https://www.ip-phone-forum.de/threads/ip-phone-forum-regeln.297224/ entfernt by stoney

Yes, I want to do that but I can't connect to FTP to do that... that's my issue.

EDIT:
I can ping the FTP connection for the first 10~ seconds that the router is on, but then when I restart it and try to connect it just doesn't respond at all. (also done this of course without the "-p 21"). And same thing for the recovery tools from the newers versions, they don't detect anything on this IP.


Bild(er) als Vorschaubild(er) (siehe https://www.ip-phone-forum.de/threads/ip-phone-forum-regeln.297224/ ) eingebunden by stoney

 

[Micha0815]

Take your mentioned Windows-Laptop and disable DHCP that is often the Problem, as I see in Spoiler 0.0.0.0 assigned (DHCP expected?) Give 192.168.178.2 as IP and Gateway 192.168.178.1 as fix Ethernet-Setting. Sometimes a Switch between may usefull. The ftp-Client is for adam2 changing Barnding enough. For Flashing take a better Client as nc-ftp or a Linux-Version.
LG

-- Zusammenführung Doppelpost gemäß Boardregeln by stoney

I can ping the FTP connection for the first 10~ seconds

That is ~ the Time, the adam2//ftp-Server is reachable. You can try "ftp 192.168.178.1" in a Windows-CMD-Window and send this, if in another CMD Window a Ping to 192.168.178.1 gets first response after Power-ON.
Good Luck
LG .
.Second Part? while a Post wa deleted?

I can ping the FTP connection for the first 10~ seconds

That is ~ the Time, the adam2//ftp-Server is reachable. You can try "ftp 192.168.178.1" in a Windows-CMD-Window and send this, if in another CMD Window a Ping to 192.168.178.1 gets first response after Power-ON.
Good Luck
LG .

 

[PeterPawn]

Disable your firewall completely (temporarily) or remove EVERY old version of the recovery program using "Advanced settings" of your Windows firewall in front of your next attempt with the recovery tool - afterwards you will see a new dialog for the "Firewall settings" (of the recovery program) and don't forget to activate the rule for "Public networks", too. My guess is, that previous calls have set some rules, which are senseless now, because IP address(es) have changed - but there's no new "question" anymore, because older entries were found in the firewall settings.

EDIT: And take into account, that you'll have to start the recovery program one more time - usually the (first) firewall dialog takes too long to "catch" the box within the short time span, where EVA listens for connection attempts.

And please show us the log files in text form ... graphics are (usually) incomplete and annoying to read.

 

[Poofcakes]

Vollzitat gemäß Boardregeln https://www.ip-phone-forum.de/threads/ip-phone-forum-regeln.297224/ entfernt by stoney

Omg this worked, I sent the FTP command as soon as I saw a first successful ping. Before, I'd always immediately send the FTP as soon as I saw the lights from the router. Thanks so much. I set the branding back to 'lgi' like someone else mentioned before. The FTP response was kind of strange (see spoiler), but I could finally connect again to FB via my browser and I was greeted with the installation page. Let's hope this part is solved now.

Spoiler

ftp> quote REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> quote REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> quote REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> quote REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp>


ftp>


ftp>


ftp> quote REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> debug


Debugging on (debug=1).


ftp> quote REBOOT


---> REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> quote REBOOT


---> REBOOT


502 Command not implemented


ftp> bye


---> QUIT


502 Command not implemented

I guess the branding issue is still there... I will call Vodafone tomorrow and see if they really blocked it for sure and whatnot. Maybe I'll get really lucky and get a worker on the phone that is willing to help me? Is it still possible to debrand it with the firmware being so high? EDIT: Actually, I guess I can keep googling about this instead of bothering you guys now to reexplain things you've already explained here before. I usually google translate the whole page and can moderately find my way through it haha.

 

[Micha0815]

Take a Look @ the Artikelnummer. In the Composit Region of the native Useing the Box may work. If Yours is blocked, at your town, buy the other Artikelnummer. Sometimes, the Boxes are Not disabled in the Account of Preowner, that can also be a Problem in the same manner.
Post Your Town for use and the Artikelnummer and members can Tell You more
LG

 

[Poofcakes]

Vollzitat gemäß Boardregeln https://www.ip-phone-forum.de/threads/ip-phone-forum-regeln.297224/ entfernt by stoney

The Artikelnummer is 2000 2689, so it's definitely not the "free" one that I've been reading about sadly. And I'm in Niedersachsen.

 

[NDiIPP]

2000-2689 doesn't work in Niedersachsen (if Vodafone-West aka ex UM).

Edit:
Although Niedersachsen is not ex UM…

 

[Micha0815]

Niedersachsen should be normally have been KDG -Region before Fusion to Vodafone. So the 2689 should fit generally. without been blacklisted.
BUT If the Preowner, who has used it in a KDG-Region without disableing in his current aktive Account, the Problem occures in the same manner. I have seen this problem in 2 regions with a free version too. So ask the seller for the history of use.
The debranding and fitting an OEM-Firmware ist often explained here in Forum. Flashing the 4 Parts of extracted FW in the above mentioned mtd's is simple. Than changing Branding from lgi to avm and a factory-reset (Werkseinstellung) and You can enjoy of a perfect unbranded 6490.
LG

 

[Poofcakes]

Hi, I called and they told me to return the box to the seller as it is a stolen item as soon as I gave the Artikelnummer, etc. So yeah they were not willing to look into activating it at all. When I got the box there was still a whole caller history up to the beginning of this month so I don't think it was deactivated or anything. Is the deactivation required for me to use it at all, even if I do a debranding and change the FW?

 

[Micha0815]

If I remember correctly, You could register or better trying to register the CMAC-Adress without any Calls to Support just via Browser. Not every Box is stolen btw. Most people have had to pay for If Not resended to UM and on Business-Contracts afaik they were also buyable.
LG

 

[Poofcakes]

I tried to activate it via the browser, but I cannot connect to that URL they provide, I think because that is only possible with boxes that haven't been activated yet. And via their GetConnected app on my phone I tried via WLAN and it says it's already activated and they tell me to call to go any further. Do you know of any other ways?

Spoiler

EDIT:
I also contacted the seller, and he said that is an "Einmalzahlung (keine Miete) von Unitymedia". He will try contacting Vodafone to get it deactivated, but also doesn't seem to know much about this. I also don't know much about the activation but I told him it's probably that the MAC address of the router is still in their system?

EDIT2:
The location from the seller is North Rhine-Westphalia... I guess that might make a difference for me right..

-- Zusammenführung Doppelpost gemäß Boardregeln by stoney

I just got home, the FritzBox's info light was red, and checked fritz.box and it said "device successfully deregistered"... But when I try again via GetConnected, it still gives me the same message of "Dein Router ist bereits aktiviert". Maybe that is where the block comes in...? Or should I just be more patient..

 

[Micha0815]

The Seller in NRW was - I suggest- the first registering Person. To deregister or Get-Off from UM-Blacklist should be nearly impossible.
On End of June this Year I had sold a 2000 2689 unbranded to Berlin (KDG- Region) with no negativ Feedback about Registering?
May be, that Vodafone has merged her Blacklists between UM and KDG in the meanwhile? Because the Registeringmethod is still different, I donot believe it really.
I suggest- Your innocent Hotlinecalls had Bring-Up Your Serial exclusive to Blacklist by Operator?
LG

 

[Poofcakes]

So you're saying that even though the previous owner called Vodafone and got the router deregistered, it will never actually be deregistered from Vodafone? They told him it would take up to 48h so I thought maybe I'm being impatient, but since my router was able to know somehow, even without being connected to the internet, that is was deregistered, then it must have been in the Vodafone systems as well. I really don't know how my router knew it was deregistered as I literally have no internet.

Does anyone know if the 'Dein Router ist bereits aktiviert" message in the GetConnected app will always show by default if I use a branded router? And I will also never be able to connect to this site? If so, I'm definitely willing to try to debrand it again following the right instructions, but I'd like to know first that that is actually the reason that I can't get through to the next step, and not that it's impossible to deregister like you said, since probably debranding wouldn't change anything for me then.


I've been calling a lot to Vodafone, but so far it's been really useless. All I'm asking for is for them to activate my router, then they just want me to check the router connection or go to the website, and they don't understand that I've already tried the website and it can't load. They said yesterday they'd call me back and it's been 24+ hours and I never got called back. And when I call now and after an hour finally get connected to someone, they tell me to wait to be called back by the other person.

 

[Poofcakes]

Well, the end of the saga; the seller heard back from Vodafone again and they told him it is a rental item afterall, so he has to send it back. So I will send it back to him. And I will keep searching for a cheap router.