How to upgrade/ downgrade the firmware on the Thomson 585v7 & v8

[#1]

This article shows you how to re-flash the firmware on the Thomson 585v7 and 585v8. You may want to do this if you're running an old version of the firmware, you suspect the firmware on your device has become corrupted or if you are having problems using a PPTP-based VPN solution. * A firmware update can also fix certain wi-fi connectivity problems affecting older revisions of the 585v8. **
* The PPTP ALG is not present in the 585v7 v8.2.23.0 firmware that shipped between November 2009 and May 2010. If you're using this firmware build then there's a possibility that you will not be able to connect to PPTP-based VPN solutions (quite commonly provided by Microsoft). To fix this problem we recommend you upgrade to v8.2.6.5 which *does* support the PPTP ALG.
** The  585v8 v8.2.7.7 firmware is known to cause wi-fi connectivity problems with certain Apple computers. To fix this problem we recommend that you upgrade to v8.2.7.8 that features updated wi-fi drivers from the chipset manufacturer. No official upgrade tool exists for Apple computers so you may need to reflash the firmware using a Windows computer instead.

Things to consider

• Before starting, make sure the router is powered up and connected to your computer using the provided ethernet cable connected to the first port on the back of the router.
• Do *not* attempt the firmware upgrade from a computer that is connected wirelessly.
• Do *not* interrupt the router's/computer's power supply whilst the upgrade is in progress.

Downloads
Thomson 585v7/585v8 firmware flashing utility ~ Windows 7 users, use the version here instead.
Windows 8 users - sorry no update tool is currently available for this operating system.
However some users report the Windows 7 version works in Windows 7 compatibility mode.
Note: These update tools can also be used to update the firmware on the TG582n. However the firmware mentioned below is NOT for that router - see here for TG582n firmware.
585v7 version 7.4.4.7 firmware (Plusnet branded) ~ PPTP ALG enabled / WPS disabled / *not* patched against XSS vulnerability
585v7 version 8.2.23.0 firmware (Plusnet branded) ~ PPTP ALG disabled / WPS enabled / patched against XSS vulnerability
585v7 version 8.2.6.5 firmware (Plusnet branded) ~ PPTP enabled / WPS disabled / patched against XSS vulnerability
585v7 version 8.2.6.5 release notes
585v8 version 8.2.7.7 firmware (Plusnet branded) ~ PPTP enabled / WPS disabled / patched against XSS vulnerability
585v8 version 8.2.7.8 firmware (Plusnet branded) ~ PPTP enabled / WPS disabled / patched against XSS vulnerability / updated wi-fi drivers
Before you start
Download a copy of the flashing utility and unpack it to a location on your hard drive. You'll also need to download a copy of the firmware you're wanting to upgrade/downgrade to.
Establish which router model you have
If your router was dispatched after 18th October 2010 then you are likely to have a 585v8. If your router was dispatched prior to this then you're likely to have a 585v7. There are some discernible  differences between the two units making it pretty simple to establish which model you have.
You could check the model number on the base of the router:

There are also aesthetic and design differences between the two units. The 585v8 has no ethernet LED's on the back, the power switch has been realigned to make it more accessible, and there are air vents down the side of the unit:

 The Thomson firmware builds linked at the top of this article are not cross-device compatible i.e. 585v7 firmware will *not* work  on a 585v8 device and vice versa.
Checking your firmware version
You can check the version of the firmware you're using by browsing to http://192.168.1.254 (you may need to enter the router administration username and password; if you don't know what these are see the TG585 FAQs page here).

Re-flashing the firmware

1. Navigate to the firmware flashing utility you saved to your computer earlier and double-click the setup.exe file.
   
2. Choose 'English' as the preferred language and click 'OK'.
   
3. You should be presented with the following splash screen. Click 'Upgrade your Thomson Gateway'.
4. On the following screen, click 'Next'. If you're prompted to login then enter the router administration username and password again.
   
5. Wait for the program to finish checking your router and then click 'Next'.
   
6. On the next page you'll be prompted for the firmware image you're wanting to use.
   
7. Click 'Have Disk' then 'Browse' and navigate to the firmware image you should have saved to your hard drive earlier.
   
   
   
8. Highlight the firmware image by single-clicking it and click 'Next'.
   
9. Now sit back and wait whilst the new firmware is installed. Remember not to turn your router or computer off whilst this is taking place.
10. Once complete, click the 'Finish' button.
    

Other things to consider

• Whilst upgrading/downgrading the firmware should retain your original settings, it is important to note that the default username and password for the router are different depending on the firmware revision you have installed. If you ever reset the router to factory defaults you will need to know what this username and password are else you may be unable to access the router configuration pages.The default username for the version 7 firmware is 'Administrator' and the password field should be left blank. The default username for the version 8 firmware is 'admin' and the password is the serial number from the bottom of the router (without the 'SN:' prefix and the two characters in brackets at the end). Note that this username and password change refers to the firmware version and not the model of router. The v7 router can have specific v8.x.x.x firmware on it.
• After the firmware upgrade you may find that some of the router configuration pages fail to display properly or have an overlay visible in the background. This is due to your browser 'caching' images and can be resolved by browsing to one of the pages and holding CTRL and F5 on your keyboard to force a page refresh.
• If you are downgrading from version 8 to version 7 then we strongly recommend that you change the admin password for the router once the firmware downgrade has been completed by following the instructions here.

[#2]

I saw you were helping people sort firmware updates, I spoke to someone on the phone at plusnet and requested an update but it hasn't been done. can you ask for my firmware to be update please as im on a mac I can't do it myself, is that still the case?

[#3]

Hi Barry, the guys who normally looks after remote firmware upgrades is on leave at the moment and isn't scheduled to get back until the 18th Janaury.
In the interim, it might be an idea to see if you can use a friends/family member's Windows machine to do the upgrade.
There are ways of upgrading the firmware on a MAC (see my reply a few posts up), but I wouldn't recommend trying unless you're reasonably technically minded.

[#4]

Hi,
I need to have vpn so I can access uni related stuff, I've been told I need to ' downgrade the firmware on the router back to version 7'. I've no idea how to do this so any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks, Clare

[#5]

Clare, the article at the top of the page should help you with this? What in particular are you struggling with?

[#6]

FYI. I was experiencing wifi connectivity problems using a Win Phone 7 mobile. Upgrading to firmware version 8.2.7.8 resolved this for me.

[#7]

I've read the info at the top of the page, but still can't seem to do it! I connect the laptop with the ethernet rather than wireless and get as far as stage 5, but then it can't find the Thomson Gateway.
Thanks for helping me! Clare

[#8]

Upgraded the fimware,but its made no difference to poor upload speed, see post here http://is.gd/dDccWm

[#9]

@Clare, if you connect the laptop via Ethernet, can you browse to the router interface at http://192.168.1.254 ?
If you can't, then the problem is to do with the ethernet link between your laptop and the router. Trying another ethernet cable, or manually configuring the TCP/IP properties of your network card would be the next steps I'd take.

[#10]

Hi I've upgraded my 585 v7 to the 8.2.6.5. firmware but can cannot access the routers web page I've tried Administrator for user name with password left blank but thease are not accepted.I've reset the router but still no look.
any Ideas?

[#11]

Yes, the admin username and password for that version of the software is different. This is explained in the paragraph just below the last image in the document. The username you need is admin and the password will be the serial number of the router CP.... with all letters upper case.

[#12]

Many thanks spraxyt I have now sorted this out,the confusion was understanding that I've got version 8 firmware on v7 hardware.

[#13]

I agree there was scope for confusing v8 firmware and v8 routers. I've updated that paragraph in the article to make this clearer.

[#14]

Hello! Is there a firmware which offers the possibility to log how much traffic is being made by each connected device?

Thanks,
A.

[#15]

@adi2004, not to my knowledge there isn't I'm afraid.

[#16]

If the devices are Windows PCs installing NetWorx on each PC might provide the breakdown you are seeking. Setting options include exclusion of local traffic, defining peak hours and a "master" PC can be set up to amalgamate individual PC usage.

[#17]

I have an issue. I have just upgraded my tg585v7 from v7.4.4.7 to v8.2.6.5 and the router is asking for the Administrator password. It isn't what the password was before the upgrade, it isn't a blank field as mentioned above nor is it the serial number (as mentioned in the original documents). I'm a bit stuck now as I would like to be able to check how quick the router is connecting.
Please help

[#18]

It should be 'admin' as the username (case sensitive minus the quotes), and the serial number as the password (case sensitive again but minus the bracketed numbers at the end).

[#19]

Thanks. That works. Panic over.

[#20]

The IPASS vpn client that my work windows based laptop uses is giving me a 'failed to acquire network address' error message with my current firmware of v8.2.7.8 but shouldn't this version be compatible for VPN since it's later than the 8.2.6.5 recommended above? Any idea what might be causing the issue?

[#21]

@McBee, the PPTP problems should only affect the v7 units. Judging from the firmware revision you're using you have a v8 unit? Is iPass a PPTP solution? (I'm not familiar with it). Neither am I aware with any VPN specific problems with the v8 devices I'm afraid

[#22]

Further to your recommendation when I reported connection issues with the new router you sent me, I managed to find my way through this upgrade process. However it couldn't complete the upgrade, no matter how many times I tried. What do I do now..?

[#23]

@SarahC exactly what problems are you having, and do you know what firmware revision you're running at the moment? (the article above tells you where to obtain this information)

[#24]

I thought I would check my routers version of the firmware but I have not got past the router administration username and password. I have not a clue what they are or where to find them. Assistance in simply terms for a near complete computer novice would be appreciated.

[#25]

Details of the username and password for accessing the TG585 web interface can be found in the help page here.
I've added this information to the article too.

[#26]

Brilliant article and very helpful. I bought a £3 585v7 router off ebay as a spare (just in case) but it was programmed to work only with TalkTalk.
I followed the instructions on here and now it is working on Plusnet with 8.2.6.5 firmware. Only point to watch is that some devices apparently have Administrator as a username, some have admin. admin (all lower case) worked for me after the firmware upgrade. The password is the CP number (S/N) on the base of the router - note all upper case letters in this. Then just tell it your plusnet user name and password and it connects to internet in no time.
Thank you to the authors of this support article!!

[#27]

If you copy the new version of firmware to the Builds directory before you start the flashing utility it finds it immediately and misses out all the steps 6 and 7 to do with browsing to the firmware to upload.

[#28]

is there any upgrade software that works over windows 8....?
Have tried the windows 7 but does not install saying not for the system.
Cheers

[#29]

I don't recall seeing a Windows 8 compatible tool being mentioned.
Probably need to ask Plusnet to upgrade the software remotely.

[#30]

No there isn't a Windows 8 compatible firmware flashing application as yet. I don't think Technicolor have one in the immediate pipeline either. As spraxyt's mentioned it might be worth asking support whether or not it can be done remotely.

[#31]

According to the Community post here the Windows 7 update tool works on Windows 8 in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

[#32]

I thought there was already comment here that the Tools also support the Upgrading of the TG582n firmware as well. As there wasn't, I thought I'd add the comment as I know a few users have been confused.

[#33]

Thanks. I've added a note to the article mentioning the tools can be used on the TG582n and provided a link to the firmware for that router.

[#34]

I did ask about compatibility mode but our office guru advised me it still didn't work. Thanks for the clarification.

[#35]

Is there any chance we can get the parental controls and website blocking features enabled on the tg585 v7?

[#36]

@Minxymoo, it's very unlikely considering the fact that neither Technicolor or us are shipping the device any more. Even if it is possible, creating new firmware builds is quite an arduous task due to all the testing etc. that's required. If you were to contact our helpdesk then they may be able to arrange for a replacement 585v8 to be sent out.