Netgear Nighthawk R7000 - Cannot access after installing Tomato initial file

Hello all.  I could really use this group's help.  I've been reading through forums and I cannot find the exact answer to my problem.  I just puchased the R7000 with the intention of installing Tomato, so that I can link my router to VPN service.  The router is brand new.  I tried using the instructions (video) and files in the below link.  

https://www.myopenrouter.com/download/tomato-shibby-netgear-nighthawk-r7000-initial-flash-image

Following the instructions I made sure to set the router back to default settings in the genie.  Then I installed the file "tomato-R7000-initial.chk."  After the router rebooted, I can again see the networks "NETGEAR52" and "NETGEAR52-5ghz"  from my laptop. When I try to connect to the 5ghz, the connection attempt fails every time.  When I try to connect to the "NETGEAR52" network, it at least asks for the Network Key.  However, I enter the network key that comes with the router but it then fails to connect.  So, basically, I cannot connect to the router at all, so of course I cannot continue with the install.

One thing I may have done wrong, the instructions in the video said "advice" was to "set static IP on the PC network card" before the install.  I did not do that as i was not sure how to do this exactly and also it did not seem required.  

I saw a thread with what seems like a similar problem where someone had first installed DD-WRT.  Shibby recommends  a series of steps including "use putty and connect via telnet on port 233 and log in to router without password" to then get the password.  I am not sure if this would solve, but regardless I could not find what "putty" or connecting via telnet meant (I'm not exactly an IT guy).

I've tried unplugging/starting the router and also resetting the router using the reset button (multiple times).  I have also restarted the PC and tried to connect again.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.