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

[theei]

Phew; was getting beginning to get disheartened but finally got the F5S back!
Thanks!


Just FYI:
I updated AJs channel list (25-5-14) on my F5S and it got stuck showing 'LOAD' on boot.
Got this USB->R232 cable from amazon: Startech 1-Port USB to Null Modem RS232 DB9 Serial DCE Adapter Cable with FTDI (I have a win7 64bit laptop without a serial port).
Tried following the instructions from the 1st post but kept getting the 'stb memory error'.
Hunted down this version of the tool (erom_upgrade_8Mflash) from here:

http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/f184/f5s-flashing-388148/#post2175617

and it worked 1st time. (Took about 4 mins and that was with the latest firmware from skybox.cc too).


Other than the COM Port # being correct I don't think its other settings matter; COM port settings on my laptop are still on their defaults:
Bps: 9600
Parity: None


Whereas I left the flash-tool's settings alone (as per the ReadMe.txt):
Bps: 115200
Parity: Even
etc.

[nick2003]

ive got an f5 box which is dead ive been tryin for 2 weeks now with upgrade tools but just keep getting stb memory error I no its not my lead or laptop as I have done a few f3 with no problem ny help would be appreciated thanks

[leong]

Hi,

I run into problem on recovering skybox f3s. It stuck on load. I try to upgrade steps and it stucks on the below:

it comes with set STB memory error <<<<< i try the config.bat but it still prompting the same error message.

[nobara]

IF it comes with set STB memory error please run config.bat file ([ATTACH=CONFIG]260190[/ATTACH] ) before running loader


Have fun

I hope this will work because anything else fails.

[deano16]

Hi,

I've got 2 skybox f3 that packe up 1 last saturday and 1 last sunday i've got rs232 cable and i've downloaded the software to recover box but all i get when trying to fix both boxes is stb memory error!!!

even if i try to dump i get the same as when i try the update!!!

When try update what update file should i be trying to update with? as when i try the files that are in the zip folder i get wrong file message but when i try other firmware files i have on my laptop i just get the stb memory error!!

Can anyone please help??

Thnaks

[cltk]

my openbox s10 can't boot! it's dead.
I'm going to follow your instructions

Thanks!!

[chad123]

ih will this worke on a cloud ibox thanks

[pri1230]

I can also confirm that this startech cable works had exactly the same problem as theei and with the instructions on the first page I sorted it.

[mbou]

skybox f3 kept dropping abs file and losing all settings
reloaded backup files a few times and bought it back to life......
recently crashed again and it just says 'load' on the front and you can't access interface via remote.

downloaded all tools and tried all of them, i get as far as synchronising STBs....Please reset target! but nothing happens.

i have com3 and com4 active on my pc
i have a serial connector from pc to box
settings i have are 'com3/com4', bit rate 9600, parity none, operation mode upgrade, selected abs file, include bootloader ticked....
tried on all of the programs and so far, zip.

any pointers much appreciated.

[hfxlad]

If one of the flashing software doesn't work the other should

1 erom_upgrade_8Mflash.rar
2 Upgrade_PVR800_HD_Tool.rar
this is from P&D and number 1 as always worked for me on a few boxes just read the the readme txt first and put the the firmware in that is needed for your box and everything will be all happy again and if not devorce her.thanks P&D.

[deano16]

Hi all,

Wondered if anyone could help me, i'm trying to repair 2 f3 boxes that packed 1 day after each other!! The first box packed after i did channel scan and now nothing it's like box dead nothing lights up or anything and the next day I updated the 2nd box with channel list and now all that does it say load on display

I've only got a laptop so no rs232 port so i bought rs232 to usb cable and all i get is the set stb memory error!! I've seen found 2 old pc's which have the rs232 port on but still waiting fir cable to arrive with rs232 on both ends, so i thought i'd try the usb cable and all i get on pc is please reset target! I've been trying for days to fix, just wondered why 2 different computers do different things when trying to upgrade!!

Hopefully can sort both boxes today when rs232 cable on both ends arrives, just wondered if anyone had any ideas on what to try in case the cable doesn't arrive today, I've read every post on this thread and other threads from other forums!!

Thanks

[deano16]

Quick update on above post

Cable arrived today and fixed both boxes first time with rs232 on both ends!!! Would not work at all with usb but first try on both boxes with proper cable!!

Thanks everyone for posts about how to recover boxes!!!

[07fielBi]

openbox only uses 3 pins
2-3
3-2
5-5

Although I find your comments to be arrogant on this thread, I am happy to say thankyou!

Using what you said about the 3 pins I successfully got my USB to Serial to work.

I bought a straight through serial rather than a null by accident.

So I used your pin layout to fix the problem.


Thanks!!

10389433_601140466668272_2860251124495038175_n.jpg

[07fielBi]

If anyone is struggling to get a USB to Serial working them please feel free to contact me.

I also have made a thread that should help

http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/f184/flash-openbox-skybox-usb-serial-427806/#post2328930

[sab82]

HI ALL, I have Skybox F5S, with the loading issue. I have tried the RS232 procedure with the Null Modem cable, but the issue still persists, the box is still loading and not coming back. Thanks for the response and help. AB