Hello all. I could really use this group's help. I've been reading through forums and I cannot find the exact answer to my problem. I just puchased the R7000 with the intention of installing Tomato, so that I can link my router to VPN service. The router is brand new. I tried using the instructions (video) and files in the below link.
https://www.myopenrouter.com/download/tomato-shibby-netgear-nighthawk-r7000-initial-flash-image
Following the instructions I made sure to set the router back to default settings in the genie. Then I installed the file "tomato-R7000-initial.chk." After the router rebooted, I can again see the networks "NETGEAR52" and "NETGEAR52-5ghz" from my laptop. When I try to connect to the 5ghz, the connection attempt fails every time. When I try to connect to the "NETGEAR52" network, it at least asks for the Network Key. However, I enter the network key that comes with the router but it then fails to connect. So, basically, I cannot connect to the router at all, so of course I cannot continue with the install.
One thing I may have done wrong, the instructions in the video said "advice" was to "set static IP on the PC network card" before the install. I did not do that as i was not sure how to do this exactly and also it did not seem required.
I saw a thread with what seems like a similar problem where someone had first installed DD-WRT. Shibby recommends a series of steps including "use putty and connect via telnet on port 233 and log in to router without password" to then get the password. I am not sure if this would solve, but regardless I could not find what "putty" or connecting via telnet meant (I'm not exactly an IT guy).
I've tried unplugging/starting the router and also resetting the router using the reset button (multiple times). I have also restarted the PC and tried to connect again.
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.