You probably have to use tftp to do this.
I don't know if the DD-WRT firmware is looking for a .bin file or a .trx but it does not like a .chk file.

There is a new release for DD-WRT for the V8, but it only is a .chk file and you can't upgrade from the first DD-WRT version. :(

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So, how the heck do you get the new version installed on the router???

I'm trying to TFTP the Netgear factory firmware to it, but am not succeeding. I've run a packet sniff and see the TFTP read request come from the router when I boot it and a TFTP write message is issued when I start the TFTP client, but the transfer never occurs.

When these little gems brick, is there any TFTP attempt at all? Is there still hope that I can get this router back up?

I'm using wireshark and I do have a hub between the two.

After more review of the sniff trace, it looks like the router is requesting vmlinuz via tftp.

Where can I get a vmlinuz bootloader to feed this pig so I can then upload a firmware that works?

Brad,

My suggestion is to install , from the ddwrt gui, the dd-wrt micro.bin file from dd-wrt. This will temporarily brick your router, flashing green power LED. This will allow open up the router to easily tftp the latest negear firmware for v8. I believe it is wgr614v8_1_1_11_6_0_36_na.chk This is what I did with my wgr614v8 to bring it back to netgear specs, as I was not very happy with the open source files from myopenrouter.com All of the firmwares available here so far are not 100% stable and functional. So I will wait for a fully functioning one before installing it.

I think your best bet is to go directly to the dd-wrt community forum as they seem to be much more immediate in responding to questions regarding support for the wgr614.

playdrums said:

Brad said: May I suggest that the open source community here set some standards for what is a community backed load and what is a try at your own risk load? If a load gives you no way to update its firmware - not just make it unlikely, but prohibits you from uploading new (chk) images via its GUI - this load should be heavily posted as for experimental purposes only and not for general use. ...there is very little to warn me against what I've gotten myself into.

Totally, I feel exactly the same way. If you go with the posted firmware, you are stuck - totally. No path to upgrade unless you're a hobbyist that wants to **** around with your router all day. I don't. I've used dd-wrt before, been happy with it, and I just want to install it on this router and have it work. I followed Nachi's directions for converting a .chk image to a .bin image that he posted in the dd-wrt forums. dd bs=58 skip=1 if=firmware.chk of=firmware.bin I converted the .chk image that Nachi provided in that forum to .bin. I was able to upgrade with that but it bricked the router. Great. Seriously, why do we have firmware that won't accept an image of the same type of firmware to upgrade? Or, why aren't both .chk and .bin builds being tested concurrently? And there seems to be such little open source activity around this router despite what this site wants to project to potential customers. I really don't want to get a serial cable and pop this thing open and start soldering. [b]I wouldn't have installed dd-wrt if this site hadn't promoted the version offered here as working firmware. Frustrating.[/b] 

 Exactly my thoughts.  Firmware available here should 100% functional otherwise it shouldn't be posted at all or at least put a disclaimer that it is still in WIP, work in progress, and if installed can brick your router. 

So far, the only Negear Wifi router, that I have that fully support DD-WRT is the WNR834B v2.  I Hope to see the WGR614 v8 to be fully supported soon.