yeah - jtagging or serial etc on an unbricked router is not really worth the time when i can just return and buy a working one

yep agreed - he cant supply the associated email address - it wont reset to factory so i the only option is to return it. thanks for all your help and time muffinman

no ddwrt. from what i remember you have to flash from within the admin panel - ad as i cant get into the admin panel that wouldnt work

the seller has told me he's reset the password so i can do a factory reset via the admin panel, but all i get is this operation failed. ive messaged him saying its not the email address associated...

its version 2 doesn't feel like the microswitch is broken or not making contact cant see how the switch is dud - its a physical switch and its indicating its resetting as the lights flash accordingly...

yes - im quite computer savvy as been using computers since 1983 ..first with a zx spectrum