I am not sure if the router was hacked/compromised or the RouterOS got corrupt, but I cannot access the router via winbox using my username and password anymore. I did not change the password for sure. And I cannot reset it either using any of the standard reset methods, so it is bricked.
When I try to reset it to perform the Netinstall, Netinstall can’t find it. I have not tried the serial interface, just Eth1 port.
When I boot up the device (with trying to reset it again), it will assign an IP address from my standard configuration, from the dhcp server (192.168.10.0/24 network), so the reset to factory defaults is not occurring.
If anyone has any experience with this issue or a process to unbrick this router, please let me know. Thank you.
Hi all, I was able to reset/netinstall the router. I made a rookie mistake. I was plugged into the Eth1 port and I had to be plugged into Eth7, POE/Boot port. Once I did that, the Netinstall went smoothly! Now I have a backup router for my core, cheers!
It is really very common that when first using netinstall (or when using it while in distress) one simply cannot get it to work.
Besides the mistake that you made in this case, it generally is a picky program that will fail on many system configurations.
It is always advisable to do a rehearsal of a netinstall on a working device so you have some experience for when it matters.
(which you now have done)