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

[sssslm]

reflashing skybox f3

thanks for all the advice.
since my set is still under warranty,i decided to sent back to the supplier for repair.
i wrote some messages to the china supplier yojia technology company to modify future unit such as having reset button for easy handling in case of software problem plus some instruction on how to handle dead skybox.

[sb18180]

it would have to back its self up pre-flash i doubt they will do it for such an inexpensive throw away box

[JapCarMad]

Succesfully revived my box tonight. After hundreds of attempts with a generic prolific usb to rs232 cable i was getting nowhere. This cable is supposed to auto-handshake so a null cable should not be neccessary (was using female straight-wired cable) however making my own 3 wire 2-3, 3-2, 5-5 null cable out of the straight wired i was able to flash the box on com port 8! thank god as i was ready to throw it at the wall.

ROLL ON VU+ SOLO2 DELIVERY NEXT WEEK!!!!

[ak4life]

i went through the process and it went through fine, but the box was stuck on boot bt the process was complete, so i switched it off and tried to put it on and it wouldnt come on. i thought maybe it was done wrong so trying to do it again but keeps showing set stb memory error, anyone no why?

[pippocuce]

Aiuto

Salve, ho un skybox f3 quando lo accendo mi esce la scritta LOAD e si ferma, ho provato a lampeggiare con erom upgrade e cavo nul modem ma dopo che il programma mi da DONE mi esce la scritta SET STB MEMORY ERROR, ho provato tutti i tipi di firware ma niente.
Le mie prove li ho effettuate con pc con win 7 e win 8 con cavo nulmodem usb, cosa mi consigliate di fare?
Vi prego aiutatemi ... slugworth ... grazie.

[digicon]

Salve, ho un skybox f3 quando lo accendo mi esce la scritta LOAD e si ferma, ho provato a lampeggiare con erom upgrade e cavo nul modem ma dopo che il programma mi da DONE mi esce la scritta SET STB MEMORY ERROR, ho provato tutti i tipi di firware ma niente.
Le mie prove li ho effettuate con pc con win 7 e win 8 con cavo nulmodem usb, cosa mi consigliate di fare?
Vi prego aiutatemi ... slugworth ... grazie.

Hi pippocuce,


We are an English speaking forum and so if you require help with your problem please try and post back in English so that other members may be able to assist you.

Regards

[ak4life]

anyone found a solution to the stb memory error?

[JapCarMad]

i think one of the main issues here is people havent explained that a 'NULL' cable is absolutely essential to perform this box flash. I used a cheap ebay (?1.67 delivered) usb-rs232 lead which claimed to have automatic handshaking so it should therefore have worked with any basic female rs232 female cable like a straight-wired one but it doesnt! The only way i could get the thing to flash the firmware was to make my own NULL cable out of the straight wired i bought..(i'm an electronics techy so have a soldering iron handy etc) but anyone else should just buy a female NULL cable.

As has already been mentioned; This box uses only 3 pins/wires to connect to your computer via rs232 but they link in NULL format which is 2-3, 3-2 & 5-5. Straight wired is obviously 2-2, 3-3 & 5-5 which is not compatible even if you are using an automatic handshaking usb lead with prolific IC, at least it didnt work in my case.

To connect to the box after only a couple attempts or first time you MUST use the correct cable as i was getting nowhere!

Also on these copy prolific cables if you are getting errors installing it's because you used windows server which won't work the driver and cable won't match, delete the cable in device manager, disable your internet and then re-insert the cable and install with the CD provided and it will work perfectly.

[ukdirtyboy]

F3 slybox

I Have a slybox F3 which is crashed then when I try to flash it all I get its it counting to l097 then Load then back to the start with no picture
could anyone help

[amsterdam]

i think one of the main issues here is people havent explained that a 'NULL' cable is absolutely essential to perform this box flash. I used a cheap ebay (?1.67 delivered) usb-rs232 lead which claimed to have automatic handshaking so it should therefore have worked with any basic female rs232 female cable like a straight-wired one but it doesnt! The only way i could get the thing to flash the firmware was to make my own NULL cable out of the straight wired i bought..(i'm an electronics techy so have a soldering iron handy etc) but anyone else should just buy a female NULL cable.

As has already been mentioned; This box uses only 3 pins/wires to connect to your computer via rs232 but they link in NULL format which is 2-3, 3-2 & 5-5. Straight wired is obviously 2-2, 3-3 & 5-5 which is not compatible even if you are using an automatic handshaking usb lead with prolific IC, at least it didnt work in my case.

To connect to the box after only a couple attempts or first time you MUST use the correct cable as i was getting nowhere!

Also on these copy prolific cables if you are getting errors installing it's because you used windows server which won't work the driver and cable won't match, delete the cable in device manager, disable your internet and then re-insert the cable and install with the CD provided and it will work perfectly.

You are right,but when box not responding by same cabel as you say,then .
I use same cabel and other cabel made myself also, one dead skybox s11 responding well and get live back but other dead skybox s11 not rsponding and box has no problem with power supply
Regard

[gerry4287]

skybox f3

usb nul modem don't work,my situation....my skybox f3 was dead and dont turn on anymore,no signs,no led,nothing (i dont know if has an hardware problem or software problem so i ask who have the same problem,have you an skybox f3 with no turn on?) my skybox when i switch on related on TV with hdmi not have any signs so is problem of hardware?.... how can i know the firmware factory? so all people tell yes i got,i'm able to revive my skybox,please tell more details what type of problem and how you have solve.....there is my situation,anyone can tell me where is the problem,thanks....i will go to test it with null modem serial rs232 but i want to know if are problem hardware so i not go to spend for cable,i have spend 7 euro for rs232 null modem usb that not work....thanks again.

[digicon]

usb nul modem don't work,my situation....my skybox f3 was dead and dont turn on anymore,no signs,no led,nothing (i dont know if has an hardware problem or software problem so i ask who have the same problem,have you an skybox f3 with no turn on?) my skybox when i switch on related on TV with hdmi not have any signs so is problem of hardware?.... how can i know the firmware factory? so all people tell yes i got,i'm able to revive my skybox,please tell more details what type of problem and how you have solve.....there is my situation,anyone can tell me where is the problem,thanks....i will go to test it with null modem serial rs232 but i want to know if are problem hardware so i not go to spend for cable,i have spend 7 euro for rs232 null modem usb that not work....thanks again.

Perhaps you would be better truing the Null modem lead on an older computer that has a hard wired RS232 port, It has been reported that USB to Serial adaptors do not work on some receivers.

Even newer PC's still have an on board connector to add an external RS232 also thats what i did the adaptor cost a little more than the Null modem lead itself

[gerry4287]

Perhaps you would be better truing the Null modem lead on an older computer that has a hard wired RS232 port, It has been reported that USB to Serial adaptors do not work on some receivers.

Even newer PC's still have an on board connector to add an external RS232 also thats what i did the adaptor cost a little more than the Null modem lead itself

yes i will go to try null modem port on older,but how can i know my netbook acer machines have connector for externall rs232? do i open it? and you think my situation of skybox f3 is the same of other members or problem hardware? cause i'm afraid the not turn on power or a real signs power,tell he are problem hardware. thanks

[slugworth]

an old pc is usually even cheaper than that.
Find a friend with an old pc and try that.

[jandial]

usb nul modem don't work,my situation....my skybox f3 was dead and dont turn on anymore,no signs,no led,nothing (i dont know if has an hardware problem or software problem so i ask who have the same problem,have you an skybox f3 with no turn on?) my skybox when i switch on related on TV with hdmi not have any signs so is problem of hardware?.... how can i know the firmware factory? so all people tell yes i got,i'm able to revive my skybox,please tell more details what type of problem and how you have solve.....there is my situation,anyone can tell me where is the problem,thanks....i will go to test it with null modem serial rs232 but i want to know if are problem hardware so i not go to spend for cable,i have spend 7 euro for rs232 null modem usb that not work....thanks again.

Hi mate. Just revived my f5 yesterday. Same symptoms as you described. I bought a female/female null modem cable and used it on an old dell pc running windows xp. I used the software on page 6 of this thread and my backup .abs file. If you don't have a backup of your image just download http://www.yojiatech.com/a/Support/D.../0128/282.html
Hope this helps ya...