Skybox M3 stuck in a bootloop. boots -> L001...L100 -> STYP -> reboot (boot loop)

[t4rz]

Hi, My Skybox M3 with no apparent reason, started to loop on the boot. When it is powered it goes from L001 to L100 then STYP and at that point it reboots. It happened when I switched mains on (was with mains off) updated newcamd.list file via USB and powered it off. When powered it back on, it started the boot loop. No firmware changes. http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/f184/recover-dead-skybox-openbox-flash-using-serial-rs232-null-modem-cable-233298/ Found this thread, did tried to update via RS232 but it never solved the problem (boot loop still there). Anyone can help me please explaining how should I recover my 2 dead Skybox M3. TY

[nibblitz]

Try using a different power adapter, so long as its 12v and rated at least 1.5a (1500ma) and has a connector that fits it should be fine... My original psu went duff causing a boot loop, I now use a psu from an old Netgear router..

[LeonRead]

Can you tell how many accounts in your newcamd.list , Send me a format, I can help you !

[t4rz]

Try using a different power adapter, so long as its 12v and rated at least 1.5a (1500ma) and has a connector that fits it should be fine... My original psu went duff causing a boot loop, I now use a psu from an old Netgear router.. Thank you for your reply. I did use 2 diferentes PSU. One PSU has 12v and 5A, so unfortunatly not PSU.

[t4rz]

Can you tell how many accounts in your newcamd.list , Send me a format, I can help you !Thank you 4 your reply. This is the only line I had.
CWS_MULTIPLE = .................................................. ....................... 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14. Thanks in advance.

[LeonRead]

Thank you 4 your reply. This is the only line I had.
CWS_MULTIPLE = .................................................. .............. 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14. Thanks in advance.
There is a method to solve your problem , Change your firmware size to 8M , You must have 2 files , one is your firmware (4M size), the other bin file is size 4M, ( all the value in file is zero). Merge the two files to a NEW FIRMWARE(8M size), Recovery the new firmware to your flash with RS232 NULL cable, I think all will be OK. By the way ,Please be careful :5536-3000= 2536, too many ports !!!!

[t4rz]

There is a method to solve your problem , Change your firmware size to 8M , You must have 2 files , one is your firmware (4M size), the other bin file is size 4M, ( all the value in file is zero). Merge the two files to a NEW FIRMWARE(8M size), Recovery the new firmware to your flash with RS232 NULL cable, I think all will be OK. By the way ,Please be careful :5536-3000= 2536, too many ports !!!!
Thank you for the reply. I'm a bit stuck how to create a file with 4Mb filled with zeros and then how to merge them. Could you please post a step by step how to or if you have the files, post them. Thank you.

[LeonRead]

Thank you for the reply. I'm a bit stuck how to create a file with 4Mb filled with zeros and then how to merge them. Could you please post a step by step how to or if you have the files, post them. Thank you.
I have done the bin file for you .

[t4rz]

Thank you Leon. You saved my 2 skybox M3. I did upgrade with your reset firmware and VOILA! it worked 100%. Thank you millions times. For the sake of forum information: The file F3_M3_F5_reset.rar has 2013-03-27 firmware and nothing on the TPS_PROG. As name states, it is a reset firmware. It saved my 2 skybox M3 that boot fine, go until L100 fine, goes to Styt and then reboots. I did nothing before that happened than update newcamd.list and restart on one box, and the other box it was a change of time zone then box restarted. In my opinion, this boxes have a issue with power stability (capacitors) or power lack (power adaptor with few mA) that leads to a failure in what is read from RAM when it is saving to ROM as it needs (eg: as box powers off to save state on ROM). Leon, do you have any idea what happened to these 2 boxes as I did nothing like using others TPS_PROG or update firmware or so?

[LeonRead]

Thank you Leon. You saved my 2 skybox M3. I did upgrade with your reset firmware and VOILA! it worked 100%. Thank you millions times. For the sake of forum information: The file F3_M3_F5_reset.rar has 2013-03-27 firmware and nothing on the TPS_PROG. As name states, it is a reset firmware. It saved my 2 skybox M3 that boot fine, go until L100 fine, goes to Styt and then reboots. I did nothing before that happened than update newcamd.list and restart on one box, and the other box it was a change of time zone then box restarted. In my opinion, this boxes have a issue with power stability (capacitors) or power lack (power adaptor with few mA) that leads to a failure in what is read from RAM when it is saving to ROM as it needs (eg: as box powers off to save state on ROM). Leon, do you have any idea what happened to these 2 boxes as I did nothing like using others TPS_PROG or update firmware or so?
You have too many TCP/IP ports in your new***.list files, the max port count is 32 . It will cause your box reset . Please be careful.

[rab73]

will this resolve the f5 box keeps looping after channel list update tried resetting with f5 recovery i got somewhere but did nothing used null cable .

[orlcorp]

Thank you Leon. You saved my 2 skybox M3. I did upgrade with your reset firmware and VOILA! it worked 100%.

the same problem, but "set stb memory error" with it resetfirmware upload :(

[LeonRead]

the same problem, but "set stb memory error" with it resetfirmware upload :(
Please try another NULL MODEM CABLE ,poor quality cable will cause the upgrading failure.

[orlcorp]

Please try another NULL MODEM CABLE ,poor quality cable will cause the upgrading failure.

Tried a different cable, the other power supply, other firmware. It turned out that one of the contacts on the board was not soldered. Soldered it and download the firmware properly.

[sb18180]

cause they are cheap crap

[fish77]

got a similar problem

the box will boot to 100 then either pause for a few seconds and loop back to 0 or just freezes, it's happened twice now and will eventually start up if i keep trying it, it's taken about 30 minutes to get it started today but it's working fine now and i'm in two minds about putting it in standby now whenever i go out or go to bed

then only thing i've done is upload aj's latest channel list and put a cline in, the firmware is 3601hd_01_05_2013_0951 and was already on the box when i bought it

[t4rz]

got a similar problem

the box will boot to 100 then either pause for a few seconds and loop back to 0 or just freezes, it's happened twice now and will eventually start up if i keep trying it, it's taken about 30 minutes to get it started today but it's working fine now and i'm in two minds about putting it in standby now whenever i go out or go to bed

then only thing i've done is upload aj's latest channel list and put a cline in, the firmware is 3601hd_01_05_2013_0951 and was already on the box when i bought it
Your problem is different. Your problem has some in comum with my problem. The capacitors start to "die" and them problems starts.... In my case i had a firmware problem cause capacitor failed at the moment that ROM was writing. In your case, is only capacitor problem. Either ADD (easier to add) high capacity capacitor (I added the biggest I had 3300uF) in parallel at 1,8V (not sure) that is memory power supply. If you could, add to others voltages too. This box is really bad in terms of capacitors. Hope that helps.

[P&D]

the same problem, but "set stb memory error" with it resetfirmware upload :(
Which software are you using ????

try this one

[owm1976]

Hi,

Does this tools work with Skybox F5 which is having 4M serial flash ?

[owm1976]

Hi Leon,

I tried to download the file, but seems like it is corrupted. Can you help to take a look ?
Thanks in advance.

[stuartg2727]

I was on eBay just about to buy another one as I have tried everything and thought have one more look before \i do and just found this really hope it works trying it now.

Cheers