Recover Dead Skybox/Openbox Flash Using Serial RS232 Null modem Cable

[lestasmsc]

Like Slugworth said to one of my earlier posts i went back to the first page of this thread and downloaded the firmware from the link, and tried it a few times it was connecting but i was still getting the stb memory error so changed the parity from odd,mark,even and space it might not have been that but it was worth a go.

What was the final setting which worked?


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[xrickbx]

skybox f3 dead plz help

dead box need recovery plz help

why i cannot...
the massage as below
synchonizining STBs
please reset target!!

pls help me

[digicon]

dead box need recovery plz help

All the help you need is in this thread start reading from page 1

[xrickbx]

i done a sat search n then it jus wen dead I have looked at the recovery software and have ordered the lead should be here 2mz

[WBAndy]

I have what may seem like a daft question here as I am so confused right now......I want to reflash an f5 that has the e001 but the RS232 cable I got has the 9 holes to fit on the back of the box but then there is not the same port on my laptop.....am I being completely stupid here or have I got the wrong cable cos when I google it I get exactly the same cable?....I assume I need some kind of adaptor?

[Hadron]

I have what may seem like a daft question here as I am so confused right now......I want to reflash an f5 that has the e001 but the RS232 cable I got has the 9 holes to fit on the back of the box but then there is not the same port on my laptop.....am I being completely stupid here or have I got the wrong cable cos when I google it I get exactly the same cable?....I assume I need some kind of adaptor?

Laptops & pc's haven't had RS232 ports fitted for years. There are RS232 (serial) to USB adapters available, but they are not guaranteed to work.

It's best if you could borrow an old pc which has a dedicated 9 pin RS232 serial port.

[megone]

DONE!!! I tell you my experience, hope can be useful...
I had a Skybox F5 stuck on LOAD and a Memobox M3 (clone of Skybox) stuck on LOAD 100. Both after a TP_PROG update.
I tried for some hours, every firmware, every timing of turning on...nothing. It did say "Please reset target" but nothing appened.

Then I thought to change cable! And with a new cable I did the trick at first try!!! No matter the timing (it worked even if I turned on the Box after 1 sec)
as soon as I turned on, the software said DONE and started downloading the firmware. It worked with both F5 and M3 with their last firmware.
So if you can't connect to the box...just change cable and be sure the cable you buy is a NULL MODEM and not just a SERIAL one.
Hope it will hepl someone!
Thanks for the thread!

[lestasmsc]

Unfortunately no such luck for me... 2 different null modem cables. I know it's the correct cable as it updated first time when I got the box until corrupted channels list update.

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[WBAndy]

Ok, I have all the gear needed, have tried both upload programmes and still get the following error............Initialize STB sdram is failed, Click back to try again.....What am I doing wrong or is my box unrepairable? Ideas/advice please Cheers

[samuelc]

Great job

This really made my day! I had an S9 that was continually rebooting and after unsuccessfully trying various programs to communicate with it by the serial bus, I had long ago given up and removed it to the "useless pile of junk that I cannot bring myself to throw out" that is accumulating in my garage! After finding your article I decided to give it another try. I have a replacement S9 so made an image of it (.abs) and loaded your program into an old PC that still has a serial connector and connected the nul-modem cable. At first it would not communicate but eventually I decided to wait to start the communication (not pressing next). Instead I turned on the S9, waited a couple of seconds, but before the S9 began to boot. I then pressed "next" and the program immediately recognized the S9 and uploaded the file. It is now working grteat as an exact copy of the replacement S9. Thank you for a program that really worked!!!
Since I am new to the site I am enjoying browsing the many varied subjects. Great stuff!
Samuel
eromclient.abs, flashburn.ini, sdram.ini,
LZMA.exe & eromUpgrade.exe & helpfile.txt.

1. Connect up your PC to the Openbox
using a null modem serial cable.
2. Switch the box OFF
3. Run EromUpgrade.exe then check the
com port setting is correct
4. Select the latest firmware .abs file. (Download her if you don't have any)
5. Select "next" then switch ON the box
and follow the instructions to load
and flash burn the firmware.
6. If the process does not start, try
various time combinations of switching
the box ON after selecting "next"
7. Don't switch the power off or disconnect
while the download & flash is taking place.

If you cannot contact to your box check your null modem cable. Connections are like showen below

pin 2 ...to... pin 3
pin 3 ...to... pin 2
pin 4 ...to... pin 6
pin 5 ...to... pin 5
pin 6 ...to... pin 4
pin 7 ...to... pin 8
pin 8 ...to... pin 7

Important: Go into device manager (goto start-->run-->type "devmgmt.msc" )
or right click MyComputer--->manage--->on the left side u find device manager

and check that you are choosing the right com port. If possible use computer with serial R232 com port built on mainbord.

Have fun[/QUOTE]

[samuelc]

Download the file:- "Upgrade_PVR800_HD_Tool.rar"
Unzip this file & you have a folder with 5 files:-

This really made my day! I had an S9 that was continually rebooting and after unsuccessfully trying various programs to communicate with it by the serial bus, I had long ago given up and removed it to the "useless pile of junk that I cannot bring myself to throw out" that is accumulating in my garage! After finding your article I decided to give it another try. I have a replacement S9 so made an image of it (.abs) and loaded your program into an old PC that still has a serial connector and connected the nul-modem cable. At first it would not communicate but eventually I decided to wait to start the communication (not pressing next). Instead I turned on the S9, waited a couple of seconds, but before the S9 began to boot. I then pressed "next" and the program immediately recognized the S9 and uploaded the file. It is now working grteat as an exact copy of the replacement S9. Thank you for a program that really worked!!!
Since I am new to the site I am enjoying browsing the many varied subjects. Great stuff!
Samuel

[cornorth]

Laptops & pc's haven't had RS232 ports fitted for years. There are RS232 (serial) to USB adapters available, but they are not guaranteed to work.

It's best if you could borrow an old pc which has a dedicated 9 pin RS232 serial port.

has anyone had success with USB to RS232 cables to flash Skybox F5s? my PC doesn't have a RS232 slot - what's the difference with serial and null modem - from what I gather a null modem cable is required. Would like to know if anyone has had any success with any combo of cables, thanks

[Hadron]

...what's the difference with serial and null modem - from what I gather a null modem cable is required...

A straight through serial cable is connected pin for pin (i.e. pin1 - 1, 2 - 2, 3 - 3 etc.).

A null modem cable has pin 2 - 3, pin 3 - 2 & pin 5 - 5.

[lashley]

cant get past stb memory error

[haokieric]

I am using rs232 usb cable. I not able to flash or upgrade mt skybox f5 though. but as u said u are making yr own cable. can u tell me how? if can, I hope you can snapshot some picture on how to custom made one. thank you.