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

[Hadron]

ok ive look at the 2 capacitors that u said and they look slightly raised compared to all the others so that might be the problem but if is was would the box still show on in the display?

It's perfectly possible.

When the capacitors first start to play up, they can cause various symptoms, from completely dead, to constantly rebooting (and anything inbetween).

They need to be replaced with reliable types. I always prefer Panasonic FM types. You can get cheaper ones, but they may not be as reliable.

[damienc]

any idea where I can get them replaced

[Hadron]

If you want to do it yourself, or if you know someone handy with a soldering iron, you can get Panasonic capacitors from Ebay. Don't be tempted to get them from Maplin. They will work for a while, but won't last long.

There are a couple of sellers that I have used for a while. "Semtech 1" and "h.m.comp". These are the caps you need from semtech 1:-

1000uf 10v 105c Panasonic LOW ESR x3pcs | eBay

470uf 10v 105c Radial Panasonic Low ESR 11.5x8mm x4pcs | eBay

For h.m.comp, you need to select the capacitance & voltage yourself (1000uF 10v, & 470uF 10v):-

Panasonic Electrolytic Radial Capacitors , High Quality Various Values / Voltage | eBay

The Panasonic FM, FC & FR series caps are all good replacements. You can get cheaper ones, but their reliability won't be as good.

[damienc]

thank ill get some and maybe have a go myself if I can get my hands on a soldering iron sure what harm could I do

[Hadron]

thank ill get some and maybe have a go myself if I can get my hands on a soldering iron sure what harm could I do

Luckily this board is single sided (no solder on the top of the board), so it's quite easy to replace the capacitors.

There are a few surface mounted resistors near the capacitor solder pads though, so use a soldering iron with a fine tip so as not to disturb any other components.

[damienc]

Luckily this board is single sided (no solder on the top of the board), so it's quite easy to replace the capacitors.

There are a few surface mounted resistors near the capacitor solder pads though, so use a soldering iron with a fine tip so as not to disturb any other components.

id just like to say thanks for the help I got the capacitors and soldering iron and my box is up and running again thanks mate

[Hadron]

id just like to say thanks for the help I got the capacitors and soldering iron and my box is up and running again thanks mate

Good to hear it's all working again.

[rrodclos]

I get a memory error. please help

[beggsy21]

I have a skybox F3 which is stuck in 'Load' I don't have a serial port on my pc's at home and neither do any of my friends, does anyone know of a person who may be able to reflash my box if I post it to them? Willing to pay a ridiculously little amount of money

[jimmynewbie]

openbox s10 pvr shows no signal.I replaced the tuner no success.I did an upgrade to latest F/W same result.Any help greatly appreciated .Many thanks.

[piptaps]

To those with boxes Stuck on Load. I had the same problem for close to 5 days now. Followed all the tutorials i could lay my hands on google and different forums. I was so close to throwing this box in the bin.

Problem i was getting was i was getting Error memory each time i tried loading new firmware. Some forums suggested trying different time sequence to power the box up. This didnt work. Tried newer and older versions of the firmware with no positive results.

My box is a skybox X3 and i was using windows Vista PC and laptop. These dont have a serial port in them so i had to use a USB converter. I then decided to dust my old laptop running windows Xp with built in serial port on them. And it worked instantly, no errors. Time sequence dont matter with old PCs and laptops. I tried 3 different machines with instant results

My conclusions are that for you to flash these openboxes successfully without getting errors and numerous tries one needs to get hold of an old PC or old laptop with serial port built in. As long you have the correct firmware for your box this wil work. I experimented with image for skybox F3. The box will flash but wont boot. So image for F3, F5 is different to image for X3 , X5

[aa1]

Tried over and over again, with skybox f5 and openbox s11. Right port, different time combinations. USB to RS female. All EROM says is synchronizing STB.....

Anything else i can try or do ? ;/

[P&D]

Sounds like the wrong cable mate

[aa1]

Sounds like the wrong cable mate

My laptop doesnt have an R232 port, I was told to use a USB (Laptop) to RS female (STB) cable. This cable cant do the job ? Ive been reading that it will but its hit and miss.

[P&D]

The cable you are using i'm sure pins 2 & 3 are the wrong way round thats way it won't work