B315s-936 Debranding Guide

Depends where you are getting router from, it comes with different customisation software. The last section of firmware revision number is a vendor/region code. By example:

Different features means you might be tempted to debrand router. By example "368" do not have VoIP. Some version of "1232" firmware has screwed up signal indicators. Telkom version is recognised as a one of the best worldwide, Polkomtel gives the most comprehensive information about signal, including Cell ID (which is rare).

Normally you can only upgrade firmware with the same customisation code. This guide is about flashing firmware with different customisation code, but can be used for downgrading to the older version as well.

Part A is applicable for the latest versions of the firmware. If your router is not upgraded to this version yet, go directly to Part B. There are older methods, most of them involving invoking "USB green mode". It is not covered in this guide, a feature has been removed starting from firmware v21.313.


Part A: Debranding or downgrading B315s-936 when current router's firmware is v21.321 (apparently starting from v21.318).

Note 1: It requires opening router - IT WILL VOID WARRANTY.
Note 2: Windows 7 32-bit version was used as recommended.

Source: http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=1424394


Tools required:

1. Balong USB downloader (download just in case, I didn't have to use it) https://routerunlock.com/download-huawei-balong-usb-downloader-1-0-1-10-gui/

2. B315 Service Software | 2016-08-10 | 24.16 MB
http://consumer.huawei.com/za/support/smart-home/lte-router/b315s-936-za-sup.htm

3. Boot loader file
https://github.com/forth32/balong-usbdload/blob/master/usblsafe_b315s.bin

4. Official v21.311 firmware file (any branded version, obviously you make a choice here)


Procedure according to the trick #1:

1. Testpoint/jumper

2. Connect router using USB Type-A to Type-A cable.

3. Install drivers from the B315 Service Software package. It will show in Device Manager COM port #? named "HUAWEI Mobile Connect - DownLoad port".

4. Run program "E3256sBootRomDownloadTool-2s" then check "BootRom" and select "usblsafe-b315.bin". It is considered more safe than the original "usbloader.bin" which comes with the tool. Check "Firmware" and select any v21.311 firmware file, then click on "Next" button.

5.click on "Scan and Upgrade". Be patient, it is a multistage process. Windows Device Manager go over installing new drivers (Huawei modem, PC-UI interface, etc.). These drivers will disappear when router reboots again.

6. Remove USB cable and power plug from the router. Hopefully you won't have to use trick #2.


Table: Multicast upgrade indicators.

LED indicators (left to right)
1. Power
2. Network mode (or Mode)
3. WiFi
4. LAN (or Voice on E5186)
5. Signal bar: S1, S2, S3

During multicast upgrade both Power and S3 indicators are turned ON
Other indicators show the progress:

Part B: Debranding or downgrading B315s-936 when current router's firmware is v21.31

Part B: Debranding or downgrading B315s-936 when current router's firmware is v21.316 or older.

This guide is only applicable when Telnet TCP port 23 can be successfully open in Toolbox, but it doesn't require opening router.

There are already complete tutorials with sreenshots (see links), it is why I am not going focusing on details:

- Pics say all and you can pick up tools there as well. http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=1344682
- A tutorial with more words matching English dictionary. https://www.phcorner.net/t/b315s-93...firmware-version-no-need-mag-usb-mode.139582/
- Complementary source: http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=1341870

Requirements:
1. PuTTY or Windows Telnet command-line utility.
2. E5186 Toolbox.
3. Multicast Upgrade Tool. It could be "B593s-22" in the name.
4.*Huawei drivers for COM port USB 3G modems. Install it now and verify installation with some old Huawei USB modem. Get the latest drivers from the computer with installed Mobile Partner v.23 (program Files folder) or from third-parties. I installed v5.1.something.
5.*Any COM terminal program: PuTTY, Hyper Terminal (WinXP), CID Reader or DC Unlocker.
6.*USB Type-A to Type-A cable.
7. Ethernet cable
8. A modded firmware file in BIN format.

Note 1. Items marked with '*' may be optional, see inside.
Note 2. A modded firmware is required if router's firmware is v21.313 or above. Not sure about firmware v21.311 or older, it might accept original firmware file, I don't know. Post your feedback.
Note 3. Modded firmware files are named similar to this : "(From) South Africa Telkom to Polkomtel". If you can find required file, skip step "Preparation".

Preparation:
In South Africa many routers are sold with 1232 branded firmware, so lets say in this example you have 1232 branded firmware and you want to flash Telkom firmware.
This picture will help to find location:

Procedure:

1. Connect router directly using Ethernet cable (no more devices). Reset router to defaults.
2. Enable Telnet in Toolbox:
3. Switch router to the factory mode in Telnet application:
4. Unplug power adapter from the router. Set static IP=192.168.1.2 on your LAN adapter, see pics.

5. Open Multicast Upgrade Tool, then select "Network Card" for your LAN adapter (it shows IP 0.0.0.0 as link is not alive yet), select firmware file and click "Start".

6. Plug in power to the router. Watch lights, it is a multistage prosess. Wait for a steady green light with S1 + S3 lit. It means flashing is completed successfully, all we need is to exit factory mode. When you get red light with S2 + S3 lit, it is flashing error or a firmware had been rejected - you would need to power off router and start over. Refer to the indicators table in the first post.

7. Disconnect Ethernet cable, connect USB cable. PC should detect new devices. Check in Device Manager which COM port is assigned to the "Huawei PC-UI interface". Configure your terminal program for this port.

8. Exit factory mode from the terminal using the following commands:
9. Unplug USB cable. Remove static IP in your LAN adapter settings - set all to automatic. Open Web browser 192.168.8.1, login, look for the "Restore Defaults" option and click OK.


Follow alternative steps if you don't have USB cable or if there are problems with COM port drivers. Requirements #(4,5,6) do not apply (unconfirmed, use on your own risk).

7a. Cycle the power (unplug power plug from the router, then plug it again). Remove static IP in your adapter settings - set all to automatic.

8a. Enable telnet in Toolbox, similar to the Step 2 but now command is 1 (not 2). Run telnet like in step 3 and issue command:
Wait for router to restart.

9a. Open Web browser 192.168.8.1, login, look for "Restore Defaults" option and click OK.

Thanks for this guide. I am currently on 21.313.03.00.1232 (from cell c) so it Looks like I may need the USB cable + drivers. What would be the benefit in doing this vs installing the latest OTA update?

sajunky said:

- Download "B315s-936TCPU-V200R001B313D03SP00C372_Firmware_South Africa_Telkom.zip" from: http://consumer.huawei.com/za/support/smart-home/lte-router/b31 5s-936-za-sup.htm
​

Click to expand...

Park@82 said:

Thanks for this guide. I am currently on 21.313.03.00.1232 (from cell c) so it Looks like I may need the USB cable + drivers. What would be the benefit in doing this vs installing the latest OTA update?
^^ this link is broken.

Click to expand...

Fixed the link and other one as well, sorry. It was a space inserted to the url in both cases. In one case ASCII, the other one Unicode.

BTW, link on Symbianize is a direct download.

OTA upgrade has screwed up number of routers when upgrading to v21.313. You can also do local upgrade from Web browser, it is safer. This thread will help you if you want to change to the Telkom or other branded version. Telkom users prefer Telkom version, as it allows to force specific frequency band (2300MHz band gives faster downloads). Your reason might be different. I also gave indication in the guide why I wanted to get rid of my 1232 branded version.


Here is Device Information page of Polkomtel:
It shows PCI, Cell_ID and signal strenght indicators. If you are positioning external antenna, you will find this information very useful. How it looks on the v21.313 (1232) firmware? Most of this info is not available, also Toolbox cannot read this data.

I've used Method 1 multiple times to experiment with different firmwares. Sadly, after the last OTA update (Telkom firmware), my router was bricked using method 1 for no discernible reason The power light stays off at all times. Can't connect using LAN or WIFI. Strangely I can still flash the router using method 1 to my heart's content, but it never resolves the problem. I suspect the bootloader or partition table or something else got corrupt. Anyone able to help?

wajordaan said:

I've used Method 1 multiple times to experiment with different firmwares. Sadly, after the last OTA update (Telkom firmware), my router was bricked using method 1 for no discernible reason The power light stays off at all times. Can't connect using LAN or WIFI. Strangely I can still flash the router using method 1 to my heart's content, but it never resolves the problem. I suspect the bootloader or partition table or something else got corrupt. Anyone able to help?

Click to expand...

Interesting, it didn't fail using method A, but during OTA upgrade (again). You didn't need to use OTA update after all. The latest Telkom firmware file is available on the one of the links I posted.

Right, now is a classic power only light syndrome. I didn't have such case, so I can't help. Maybe I should start collecting dead routers from MyBB members.

Try this link, it also require a jumper (like in method A), but procedure looks different.
http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=1402226&highlight=936+power+only

Thanks sajunky. I figured Method A out for myself, so I didn't know about this thread till now I can only find the previous Telkom firmware on the Huawei site. Do you know where one can find the latest version which allows the manual selection of the band? Hopefully I'll be able to revive it. I'm off to a well known Russian forum where they seem to have some useful info on dead routers

wajordaan said:

Thanks sajunky. I figured Method A out for myself, so I didn't know about this thread till now I can only find the previous Telkom firmware on the Huawei site. Do you know where one can find the latest version which allows the manual selection of the band? Hopefully I'll be able to revive it. I'm off to a well known Russian forum where they seem to have some useful info on dead routers

Click to expand...

Well, copy/paste the best links for those who know Russian better than Fillipi. I downloaded tools from Symbianize Web site, some of them are customised by Russian, so I know they are in business.

As for the firmware with band dropdown selection, I know, Telkom v21.321 allows to force Band 3 (1800MHz) and band 40 (TDD 2300MHz), it is a good one. If it helps, download from the link below. It is claimed to be unmodified - pulled from Huawei OTA servers: http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=1428585&highlight=936

lots of info here:

https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=700481

but no solution to my problem

wajordaan said:

lots of info here:

https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=700481

but no solution to my problem

Click to expand...

Appreciated. It is incredible what can be done with user interface, really amaizing. I would need a spare router to explore these possibilities though, not a one I use now, it is serving more users there.

I am surprised that you couldn't bring it up. Unless it is a hardware malfunction, any router bricked by the OTA update should be repaired using these methods. I am interested in exploring this or similar cases, subject to spare time, maybe next week.