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

[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

[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.

[ak4life]

anyone found a solution to the stb memory error?

[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

[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.

[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?

[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!!!!

[sb18180]

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

[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.

[ak4life]

can you use an ethernet cable to connect?

[sleepy1958]

Or get a plug in serial port off fleabay, put it into a spare slot at the back of your pc and plug it into the on board serial interface, even newer pc's should have one.
My motherboard didn't have a serial port and thats what i did, it works perfectly with no need for those usb adapters that, more often or not, don't work.

[sb18180]

vary rare the usb cables work.you really need a pc with build in serial port.

[sssslm]

hi can somebody help me. my skybox f3 is dead after i did multi search.when i tried to reflash appear syncronizing stbs please reset target.
followed accordingly com 4 with null cable, usb on the other side.

[kenny16168]

my skybox f3 only showing "LOAD". Why?

[slugworth]

cheaper just to get an old pc instead.