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

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

• 7.4.K.4 for the Wireless Box II
• 8.2.L.0 for the Wireless Box III

The Wireless Box II reports firmware version 7.4.K.4 as 7.4.20.4 in the interface.

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, choosing a folder to extract to (e.g. C:\O2CD\), then browse to the firmware directory (e.g. C:\O2CD\software\o2\utilities)

4) Compare the downloaded firmware to the version you have. If it's the same or older, go no further (585v7 = O2 Wireless Box II, 585n = O2 Wireless Box III).

5) Reset your router to factory defaults by clicking "Return to Factory Default Settings" in the "O2 wireless box II/III" 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.

Please note: If you are downgrading your firmware version to resolve issues with VPN PPTP, then you must change the router's SuperUser password to O2Br0ad64nd at this point.

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/