Hi there- I just wanted to share my experiences for any noobies out there,
My dreambox 500c froze on me about three weeks ago (green light permantly on, remote not working, no channels). I was ready to buy new box but I thought I'd have a look at some forums and see if I could do anything myself, I suddenly found myself in a world of technological gooblidoo and took me a few weeks to work everything out and yesterday I finally had my box working and actually better than previously.
So here is a collection of information tht I think might be useful to people in the same position and hopefully save you going from place to place and eliminate any confusion and frustration,
1) If for any reason your box stops showing channels, or freezes or acts perculiar you will hear the term 'You need to do a reflash on the box with an image', This confused me because I had no idea what a flash was, so let me give you an analogy. Imagine your dreambox as a PC, all PC's need an operating system so your flash image is basically choosing your operating stystem for your box. And liek all opearting systems flash images come in many forms with different functions. You will know that you have a iage file as the extension at the end will be .img (I believe .NFI is for satellite users)
2) So now you need to flash your box, the best way to do this is to have a PC with a R232 input (many laptops dont have this so a tower PC is morelikely). Then you need a bit of software (i found dreamup the best) and is very easily available as a free download. To flash your box you need four things
1) a null modem cable (not a r232-another misatke i made)
2) a pc
3) dream up software
4) A good flash image (again easily downloadable)
How to set this up is available in many forums on this site so you can find that elsewhere, but basically open up deam up software, hit connect, turn on your dreambox, dream up will recognise the device, selct flash on the right, navigate your browser to where your flash.img file is and then the software will do its thing (usally takes 10mins)...and thats it your box is flashed.
3) Right now going back to the pC analogy, you have your operating system but now you need software like word excel etc to use on your PC, and same goes for your box. Now sometimes you will hear peopel say 'you need keys and roms for your box. This is where you will add packages, channels, ;magic files etc and this is the key element to getting your box working properly. Now many people will say you need a router and FTP keys onto your box. I found this a complete nightmare and I think its the main area where people get confused and give up. I am honest I couldnt get my FTP to work but again there are many threads to explain this (basically I didnt have the right hardware). BUT there is a workaround that worked for me. You can get a flash image that has everything already installed (this may be refereed as 'a full back up' image. This is not as easily available and would involve someone nice enough to help you out with.
4) Once you have flashed your box and got your keys simply plug it onto your Tv and cable and then do a transponder scan (You will need to do one that is for your area, for me in London Bruteforce and cable uK was best.) Once you have selceted and done a scan (about 10mins) you will have a list of found channels. Select a scrambled channel and see if it is online (give it a couple mins). If not hit your info button for 3secs and a menu will come up, Selct Evocam212 (thsi could be different depending on what you originally downloaded), then that will scan, once that is done everytjing should 'magically' come online. If not try a system reboot and thats it..happy viweing.
5) Now if you have done all this and still nothing then it could be that your image is out of date and you will need a new version (I went thru three before I found one that worked).
6) Another thing I found that also worked is, if you have a friend in your area that has a fully working box you can make a clone of this box for yourself, this is actually the easiest route. Just plug their box onto your PC and setup dreamuo, but this time instead of doing a flash you are selcting 'back up' this will then back up all the files, bouquets etc of that box and create a new .img (image) file. You simply then unplu their box put your one in and flashthe box using their img file..now you have a clone of the box.
7) No plug intended but I found this website the best for all my information (I scoured thru many forum sites with questions and found digital kaos had all the answers in one place but also with he best community as peopel were helping me out staright away and sending me files, software I may need to get my box working. So I def recommend becoming a member as then you will be able to post your questions and speak directly with others who can help you out.
I hope thsi helps some peopel out and as I am a noobie there may be something I have overlooked so please correct/add anything you feel I have missed,
Good luck.
My dreambox 500c froze on me about three weeks ago (green light permantly on, remote not working, no channels). I was ready to buy new box but I thought I'd have a look at some forums and see if I could do anything myself, I suddenly found myself in a world of technological gooblidoo and took me a few weeks to work everything out and yesterday I finally had my box working and actually better than previously.
So here is a collection of information tht I think might be useful to people in the same position and hopefully save you going from place to place and eliminate any confusion and frustration,
1) If for any reason your box stops showing channels, or freezes or acts perculiar you will hear the term 'You need to do a reflash on the box with an image', This confused me because I had no idea what a flash was, so let me give you an analogy. Imagine your dreambox as a PC, all PC's need an operating system so your flash image is basically choosing your operating stystem for your box. And liek all opearting systems flash images come in many forms with different functions. You will know that you have a iage file as the extension at the end will be .img (I believe .NFI is for satellite users)
2) So now you need to flash your box, the best way to do this is to have a PC with a R232 input (many laptops dont have this so a tower PC is morelikely). Then you need a bit of software (i found dreamup the best) and is very easily available as a free download. To flash your box you need four things
1) a null modem cable (not a r232-another misatke i made)
2) a pc
3) dream up software
4) A good flash image (again easily downloadable)
How to set this up is available in many forums on this site so you can find that elsewhere, but basically open up deam up software, hit connect, turn on your dreambox, dream up will recognise the device, selct flash on the right, navigate your browser to where your flash.img file is and then the software will do its thing (usally takes 10mins)...and thats it your box is flashed.
3) Right now going back to the pC analogy, you have your operating system but now you need software like word excel etc to use on your PC, and same goes for your box. Now sometimes you will hear peopel say 'you need keys and roms for your box. This is where you will add packages, channels, ;magic files etc and this is the key element to getting your box working properly. Now many people will say you need a router and FTP keys onto your box. I found this a complete nightmare and I think its the main area where people get confused and give up. I am honest I couldnt get my FTP to work but again there are many threads to explain this (basically I didnt have the right hardware). BUT there is a workaround that worked for me. You can get a flash image that has everything already installed (this may be refereed as 'a full back up' image. This is not as easily available and would involve someone nice enough to help you out with.
4) Once you have flashed your box and got your keys simply plug it onto your Tv and cable and then do a transponder scan (You will need to do one that is for your area, for me in London Bruteforce and cable uK was best.) Once you have selceted and done a scan (about 10mins) you will have a list of found channels. Select a scrambled channel and see if it is online (give it a couple mins). If not hit your info button for 3secs and a menu will come up, Selct Evocam212 (thsi could be different depending on what you originally downloaded), then that will scan, once that is done everytjing should 'magically' come online. If not try a system reboot and thats it..happy viweing.
5) Now if you have done all this and still nothing then it could be that your image is out of date and you will need a new version (I went thru three before I found one that worked).
6) Another thing I found that also worked is, if you have a friend in your area that has a fully working box you can make a clone of this box for yourself, this is actually the easiest route. Just plug their box onto your PC and setup dreamuo, but this time instead of doing a flash you are selcting 'back up' this will then back up all the files, bouquets etc of that box and create a new .img (image) file. You simply then unplu their box put your one in and flashthe box using their img file..now you have a clone of the box.
7) No plug intended but I found this website the best for all my information (I scoured thru many forum sites with questions and found digital kaos had all the answers in one place but also with he best community as peopel were helping me out staright away and sending me files, software I may need to get my box working. So I def recommend becoming a member as then you will be able to post your questions and speak directly with others who can help you out.
I hope thsi helps some peopel out and as I am a noobie there may be something I have overlooked so please correct/add anything you feel I have missed,
Good luck.
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