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

[slugworth]

includes bootloader along with the rest of the firmware.
Openbox firmware is in chunks,bootloader,maincode,pics,userdata etc.
The bootloader must match the firmware that eventually ends up in the receiver or it will never boot.Theoretically if you had a corrupt maincode or userdata you could load the same rev firmware but not have to tick include bootloader since the bootloader section in flash is still good.Better safe than sore,tick include bootloader every time.

[Hadron]

I once had a version of the loader where the include bootloader was ticked all the time and you had no choice.
I would rather have the option when I experiment so I never kept that version.

Showing my ignorance here, but what does "include Bootloader" actually do?

[slugworth]

I once had a version of the loader where the include bootloader was ticked all the time and you had no choice.
I would rather have the option when I experiment so I never kept that version.

[Hadron]

Thanks for the guide. Worked first time on my S10 with no problems whatsoever.

Only thing I wasn't sure about was the "bootloader" option. I flashed with this box ticked & all went OK.

[zul3045]

Im stuck at
"synchonizining STBs
please reset target!!"

pls help me

[ste141]

Will the loader work with a usb to rs232 with the usb end inb the box?

[notaclue2]

This guide works for F5 box also

Hi
complete newbie here, but following the guide managed to get my skybox F5, which was stuck in a load loop, working again.

Something which may help someone else:
I was stuck on the "synchronising STB's reset target" (for hours) and I found that the cable I was using was not a Null Modem but just a straight through connector. So make sure that you actually have the correct cable. I managed to cobble a cable together just swapping over pins 2 & 3 and connecting pin 5 to 5 and now have a working box again.

The only other thing I did different was use the scooby snacks abs image as that had worked fine before I mucked up the channel list.

Hope this helps someone and thank to the author for the guide.

[Gulmunir]

I have a RS 232 in wich I upgrade my Ali3329C can I use for upgrading OpenBox s10?????
C,z it have 4 connecter wire and here described 8 wires. Help me sinior Experts?????

[lestasmsc]

For those getting a STB memory error whilst trying to update:

Keep trying to send file and turn box on / off. Eventually it will work! Don't know why it took a few attempts.

Also, USB to Serial adaptor failed to work for me, I had to use 'real' serial port.

[amsterdam]

Hi
Who knows why open box s11 not responding with Com port.

Regard

[morisah]

Just wanted to add, may be helpful....

My Skybox F3 got stuck in a loop on boot up whilst I was trying to update the channels from AJ's post so tried t update the firmware using the first post of this but kept getting the 'stb memory error' when using the eeprom in the package for download in the OP so had a look around the forum and found this post:

http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/f184/just-recovered-dead-skybox-f3-software-282932/

and that software worked a treat!

One point though, I found that if I tried to install newer firmware the box just stayed dead so went back to my original firmware and it was golden.

Thanks to the original posters for saving my box.

thanks dude..u rock. finally my skybox f3 work again.. im using rs232 custom made by myself.. work fine for the first time try... thank you man.

[morisah]

Does any video guide for this tutorial? My skybox f3 going boot loop after load 100.

[djmitch]

My F3 box has died after an update too : (

[slugworth]

in this case,older is better

[stratosi]

skybox m3 raised

ok big big slugworth now works .. the problem was in the emulated serial usb-com. in practice using an older PC with built-in serial risen the skybox m3 and I'm happy for that.
I used eromupgrade with SKYBOX_3601HD_CMT_12092004D1.abs everything is broken down to the great .. Thanks to all and at Slugworth