Thanks FameWolf for the reply.

If I understood correctly here, Mi-3 does not have BLEED bootloader. Thus can't flash any ready customs made (.trx) like Mi-mini.

To-date only way to flash Mi-3 to pavadan is using Prometheus script in Linux environment or VMware.
The Prometheus script is to ssh to router (after activated telnet/ssh from router) and build the pavadan into the Mi-3 partitions.

More or less correct here?

Thanks again..

Update here,

I found the Mi-3 pavadan firmware from <here>.

http://plol.eu/how-to-install-a-full-spec-...mi-router-mini/

Problem don't know how to flash it.
Whether we can use bleed bootloader for Xiaomi Mini onto Mi-3 or not.
Or just directly flash it using SSH.

Any advises? Wanted to listen to your opinion before I flash my MI-3 tonight or tmr9.
For me that I consider newbie, likely I will use the tested method - Promotheus script.

Thanks.

I did alot of research on it before I flashed the MI-3 which I use right now as my primary router. I was told it could NOT successfully be flashed to padavan via a .trx or whatever file...that it required the script because multiple partitions have to be flashed(and possibly resized)...it also installs the uboot firmware...no breed isn't available for it...but the script can take partition backups and makes it pretty bullet proof...you can also use virtualbox...you might check the prometheus.frieze.net side as I think they had a pre-setup vmware image that could be booted...I compiled mine directly on linux since that's what I use. ..the tutorial takes you through a complicated process that involves registering on the xiaomi website..getting a patched file etc...I recommend you skip all that and get your device flashed to the previous version which still allowed ssh to be enabled...once that's working the script is basically numbered...download source, build the toolchain, build the firmware, backup the partitions, write the firmware.

Agree with your points here.

Question here, when running prometheues scripts, is the your Mi-3 router still connecting to internet as primary while download source, build the toolchain, build the firmware, backup the partitions, write the firmware. ?

Thanks.

Well now that it's on padavan and being upgraded yeah...not sure I'd let their factory firmware have access to the net given reports some of it's developer factory xiaomi versions phoned home. The only time it would be down is the actual writing and that takes no more than a minute with about an additional 20 seconds for the router to reboot itself.


Be aware however that the padavan software does NOT include QOS because QOS and hardware NAT are mutually exclusive...if you NEED QOS then you have to disable hardware NAT and then configure some script to setup QOS because the gui won't do it. The cpu in the router is easily powerful enough to do it without issue...I just personally chose to keep the hardware nat going.

Update here,

I'm flashing my MI-3 to pavadan with Prometheus scripts with Linux Mint on my old netbook.

What I did is follow the instructions given to ssh to MI-3 router.
This is referring to flashing developer firmware 2.11.20 then;
flashing miwifi_ssh.bin with reset button;
and I was using putty.exe to telnet instead ssh, somehow it is mistake here.

Not knowing at the time, I did using these method below as well
Then I recall must use ssh, and from there I manage to access to the router via ssh at 192.168.31.1.

From here onward, I switch to running on linux mint and follow the code:-
Linux system:
1. Open a terminal;
2. Download the script by typing: the wget -O start.sh http://prometheus.freize.net/script/ start-99.sh
3. Enter: the chmod + x start.sh
4. Run the script and follow the instructions in the terminal: ./start.sh

Once the scripts started, it download a bunch of files from the net. I have saw an error half way, it mentions my internet was too slow (something like that) then I could only see header of Prometheus.

So I start again with ./start.sh.

It run again but this time go further and I'm at the Prometheus menu.
Following the nos, I key in (1) to check ssh access to MI-3 router
Then (2) and (3)......

I been waiting more approx 2 hrs for it to build the toolchain now......still building with command from scripts keep flashing on the screen..................... not sure I should start worry. (note: internet still running on Mi-3 router)

edit: After 2hrs+ only manage to reach build firmware to configure options and skins. Now build firmware.....

This post has been edited by muncheno: Oct 11 2016, 10:17 PM

You only have to build the toolchain once. I've got a pretty fast I7 and even with it the compiling takes a little while so sounds about normal.

My Xiaomi Router 3 had been sitting in the store for quite a long time after I got my Unifi and it doesn't work on Unifi..

Does the instructions on first post works on Xiaomi Router 3 to flash to OpenWRT?

No but the 5 or 6 posts DIRECTLY above yours do.

Yeah I saw it but I don't understand anything

My summary for the steps for flashing Mi Router 3 (Mi-3) to padavan.

1) Change MI-3 to developer firmware by login into your router webpage (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1 or others)
The new developer firmware may not work, I was using ver. 2.11.20 (miwifi_r3_all_55ac7_2.11.20.bin)
You can try google for it or try your luck with the newer version from http://www1.miwifi.com/miwifi_download.html

2) Once you are on the developer firmware, next is to enable ssh service from the developer firmware. 2 approaches, can try both.
3) SSH to the device to flash OpenWrt, I was using putty.exe (google for it if you don't have it ready)
Open a SSH connection to root@192.168.31.1 or maybe 192.168.1.1
Login using credentials provided by the SSH download website in step 2-option 1,
OR with the username 'root' and 'password' create in step 2 - option 2.

4) Confirm login in to ssh is sucessful. (I guess you should not reboot your router from here, else I think you need repeat step 2 &3.

5) 2 approaches here again, Linux or Windows. Goto hXXp://prometheus.freize.net to download and read the steps.
This post has been edited by muncheno: Oct 13 2016, 05:07 PM

Thanks alot for the instructions! However I've tried just now and failed..
For step 2) I did like you instructed with all the 4 Urls, all 4 just showed some error code. The NEWPASS and OLDPASS I just put the password of the router control panel admin login. Am I doing it right?
When I used Putty.exe somehow I get to be connected without any error message. What do you mean by "SSH to the device to flash OpenWrt"?

On Step 5) I don't really get it, so I followed the instructions on this site http://shopper.life/proshivka-xiaomi-mi-wi...theus-8793.html to use the VMware. After that it's just bunch of data in russian (or other language) on the VMware that's being going on for more than 1 hour, till I gave up waiting..

Can you help me pls?

i'm getting error the following error

wget: can't open 'start.sh': Read-only file system

i'm happy to report i got this working with the guide. Just for others who might be as noob as me.
- Mi Router 3 must have access to internet to be able to download prometheus.
- the linux command by muncheno might be wrong. head to prometheus.freize.net to check the command. the translated command and non-translated command are different. regardless, i had error using linux method (see the post above this).
- i use vmware with prometheus (method 2) to get mine to work.

*edit reason - rearrange phrase only

This post has been edited by kcchong: Oct 17 2016, 10:13 PM

I'm getting this error, while install custom loader,
cd /extdisks/sda1/, permission denied

But how can the router access to internet if I'm using unifi and the router doesn't have vlan tagging?

Did you follow the steps on prometheus.freize.net for the vmware part?

This post has been edited by infrasonic: Oct 16 2016, 03:42 PM

Nando, you are having Mi Mini or Mi-3 router?
Custom bootloader, is only tested for Mi Mini, I have not seen anyone test it Mi-3 yet.

From my understanding, it might work but I wasn't dare to test it.

Hi infrasonic, first disclaimer here - I not expect here and it is own your own risk.

It doesn't necessary to have the Mi-3 or Mi Mini router as default router to connect to internet.
In your case if you can't have vlan tagging, it is possible configure your mi router as 2nd router by having lan cable bridging it (and disable DHCP & having a static ip).

If you were following the instructions within this thread or from prometheus, VM or linux approached only using internet to updates is source and files.

I'm using Mi Mini

For Mi Mini, you should follows instructions in first post.
You do not need connect Mi Mini to internet, but you must be in correct developer firmware to ensure able to get access with SSH.
Then only flash the breed bootloader.

I pressume you stuck at step 7. I also pressume you have your usb drive with FAT or FAT32.
if you can't access to "cd /extdisks/sda1/" can try "cd /mnt/sda1/" .
If still fails, try look for it by learning linux command like "ls -al /mnt"


Installing the custom bootloader - Breed
1. Now i assuming you have access to your router console/telnet/ssh.
2. This is the risky part, proceed with extreme caution as a broken bootloader could brick your router, the only way for you to revive the router would be 3. physically wire the TTL connection to rewrite the bootloader.
4. Download Breed for Xiaomi router mini ( http://breed.hackpascal.net/r802%20%5b2015...iaomi-mini.bin) .
5. Copy it to the root directory of a usb thumb drive (1GB free space is more than enough) with FAT/FAT32 partition.
6. Plug the thumb drive into the router.
7. at the console, type follow by you should be able to see the breed-mt7620-xiaomi-mini.bin
8. type it will list out the partitions on the router flash chip.
9. look for "Bootloader" it should be listed as mtd1: 00030000 00010000 "Bootloader"
10. now dump a backup of the partition to your usb drive with following command
11. you should also create a backup for all other partitions listed with as well, just name them accordingly.
12. now you’re ready to install the custom bootloader, type
13. it should shows rebooting when the installation is complete.