How to upgrade the firmware on the O2 Wireless Box II/III/IV/5

Here are some instructions on how to upgrade the official firmware on the O2 Wireless Box II, III, IV and 5 using the O2 flashing/recovery tool. The latest downloadable versions of the firmware are:

• 8.2.7.7 for the Wireless Box II
• 8.2.N.1 for the Wireless Box III
• 8.4.2.R for the Wireless Box IV
• 8.4.4.J for the Wireless Box 5

Please note: You must perform the firmware upgrade using an ethernet cable, wireless will not work.

1) Visit http://192.168.1.254/ and note the firmware version (e.g. 7.4.20.3). If you are prompted for a login the username is "Administrator" and the password is the serial number of your router (printed on its underside, excluding the bit in brackets).

2) Download the O2 CD using this link: http://softwaredownloads.o2.co.uk/O2Broadband_SoftwareDownloads/O2BroadbandInstaller.exe

3) Run the file, click Start, then browse to the firmware directory (e.g. C:\O2Installer_3_2a_live\O2Installer_3_2a_live\software\o2\utilities).

4) Compare the downloaded firmware to the version you have. If it's the same or older, go no further (585v7 = Wireless Box II, 585n = Wireless Box III, 587nv2 = Wireless Box IV, 582n = Wireless Box 5).

5) Reset your router to factory defaults by clicking "Return to Factory Default Settings" in the "O2 wireless box II/III/IV/5" section of the router's web interface. Wait for the "Resetting System" progress bar to reach the end, and then wait one further minute for the router to fully initialise.

6) Disable your computer's software firewall (if applicable)

7) Run the firmware flashing tool and wait for it to finish

8) Enable your computer's software firewall (if applicable)

9) Check your new firmware version at http://192.168.1.254/