The short version to recover a dead or stuck in load box 95% of questions answered

[P&D]

A how to guide on how to fix a corrupt firmware image on the OpenBox and Skyboxs Even if the box seems dead (many thx to Darvash)


Box does not respond or theres on display On it
If your box does not boot or there is no display lights or stuck in load mode there is a good chance the current firmware on the box is corrupt.

You will need to use a null modem cable.. 1.8m Null Modem Cable - Lead RS232 DB9 9 pin FEMALE TO FEMALE | eBay, connect a Serial RS232 Null Modem Cable to the box and follow the instructions.
Hopefully it will bring your box back to life.

instructions

Download the files below
Unzip these files to your desktop & you will have 2 folders called
1 erom_upgrade_8Mflash.rar
2 Upgrade_PVR800_HD_Tool.rar

then unzip the firmware this is for the boxes listed is you have the open box or F5s box plz see SkyBox | SkyBox for your firmware

3 SKYBOX_F5_F3_M3_3601HD_CMT_1301230F1C.rar
Or use your own image if you have backed your box up before the crash.....

1. Connect your PC to the box using a null modem serial cable.
2. unplug the power source
3. Run EromUpgrade.exe or upgrade PVR800 then check the com port setting is correct
4. Select the latest firmware from above or the one you have downloaded..
5. Select "next" (also tick boot loader) then plug the power supply in the box
and follow the instructions to load and flash & burn the firmware.
6. if you use Erom upgrade & its sits there saying STB error then use Upgrade PVR800 Ie if one does not work us the other
7. Don't switch the power off or disconnect while the download & flash is taking place.

This is a video to show you how to load the firmware & flash the box..(thx to Terryuk22)...Openbox Bad Flash Recovery - YouTube

[der01]

my box says synchronizing stbs and please reset target and then it does not move and I found my com port is 1 and my bit rate is 9600 so I have set it at that and I have tried the two upgrade files and I have checked that I have the correct cable so I don't know what else I can do.

[cityboy]

hi thanks in advance for any help.

I followed this guide for my skybox f5 and the flash seemed to be successful... however after i unplugged the power cable and removed the null modem can the box display is still blank. i repeated the process, again it said successful but my box does not power up.

any help would be appreciated

[P&D]

my box says synchronizing stbs and please reset target and then it does not move and I found my com port is 1 and my bit rate is 9600 so I have set it at that and I have tried the two upgrade files and I have checked that I have the correct cable so I don't know what else I can do.

When you click next to start the flash... is the power on the box plug in or not ?? should not be
when you click next the only cable that should be in the box is the null cable....once next is clicked then plug the cable in..

hi thanks in advance for any help.

I followed this guide for my skybox f5 and the flash seemed to be successful... however after i unplugged the power cable and removed the null modem can the box display is still blank. i repeated the process, again it said successful but my box does not power up.

any help would be appreciated

how long is the process taking from start to finish ......after STB done ...this has not flashed the box
after the firmware has loaded...you need to burn it...this takes 5-10 mins
if this is the case...try a different firmware

[lollygagger]

Still getting "Set stb memory error" I have tried about 30 different files, I have followed the instructions to the letter of 3 different websites and 2 youtube vids but to no avail.

My box still just says "load" when it is plugged in.

Any help would be amazing.

[P&D]

If your getting set stb error nothing to do with the firmware
the reason you are getting the error is the computer is not seeing the box

are you using the null cable if so are you sure it a null cable (or is it a usb one) & not a SVGA cable

[lollygagger]

Definitely a null cable and it knows when I power up the box but the step after next just produces "set stb memory error" every time.

[P&D]

Are you using null to com port or null to usb port ???
the best way is an old comp with a comp port with xp on it

as i have already said set stb error means the computer is not seeing the box.

Where abouts are you if your close enough i can do it for you i'm in WA9

[lollygagger]

I am using xp on an old Dell laptop, I am in the Hertfordshire area so don't worry about it. Cheers though.

[P&D]

My advice get a difference cable 99 times out of 100 its shorts the problem out
?2 off ebay

[WBAndy]

Hello, I have tried numerous times to attach my F5 box with the STB EROM upgrade tool and SB.abs files (various files attempted) but after clicking next and attaching the box, It gives the same message all the time, "Initialize STB sram is failed, press back to try again"......I have tried with include bootloader ticked and unticked....any help or advice please? The E001 message is on the box.....Cheers.

[P&D]

Hello, I have tried numerous times to attach my F5 box with the STB EROM upgrade tool and SB.abs files (various files attempted) but after clicking next and attaching the box, It gives the same message all the time, "Initialize STB sram is failed, press back to try again"......I have tried with include bootloader ticked and unticked....any help or advice please? The E001 message is on the box.....Cheers.

Which cable are you using Null or USB ???

[WBAndy]

Usb......am I being a numpty for trying it and do I need to find a desktop pc?....

[WBAndy]

Picking up a 2nd hand desktop tomorrow after work.....give me a couple of days and watch this space.....@thisain'tgonnabeatme.com......

[WBAndy]

Ok, I have all the gear needed, have tried both upload programmes and still get the following error............Initialize STB sdram is failed, Click back to try again.....What am I doing wrong or is my box unrepairable? Ideas/advice please Cheers