Hi could someone please help, I bought F5 box 8 months ago it?s been working fine then the other day it crashed and died. I?v looked on the web forums and saw that you can bring them back by re-flashing them using a RS232 cable, so I put power lead in back of box and have a very faint red light on the front display also the Ethernet port flashes when plugged in which is a good sign from what I have read. I bought a RS232 to USB cable as my computer does not have a RS232 port I install the driver CD that came with the cable and selected Vista as that?s what on my computer. I downloaded the RS232 F5 Tool EEPROM program and followed the instructions on the forums where they say click next then plug the power on. I get to the ??synchronising stbs screen?? and nothing is happening it says ??please reset target?? or ??opening serial port is failed?? I?v gone into my control panel device manager check the ports are correct and it says device is working correctly changed the stop bits and flow control like the forums say and still nothing, I?v followed the instruction from the forums the best I can but can?t get past the ??synchronising stbs screen??. I downloaded the firmware abs files from a number of different websites from helpful links in the forums and I also have back up of all the files that were on the box when it came but still nothing. I have been trying to do this for 4 days now and it doing my head in, does anyone know what I?m doing wrong, any advice would be much appreciated. I hope this make sense. Many Thanks.
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Are you sure the RS232/usb adapter is working?
Short pins 2 and 3 of the rs232 end of the adapter and type anything into terminal.
If it is working it should echo on the screen.
Barney -
Firstly thank you for your reply much appreciated, but sorry for sounding really thick but I’m not sure what you mean do I touch pins 2 & 3 with a piece of wire and join them together, and what do you mean by type into terminal. I’m really not up on tech things the most I’v done with this box is update channel list, this sort of thing is out of my comfort zone so to speak!!!!! I did notice that when I have my computer speakers on and f5 box connected via RS232 to computer then turn the power on to f5 box they make a ‘’ding, ding’’ sort of noise. Does this mean the RS232/USB cable is working. Again any advice would be really helpfully. Or should I cut my loses and smash it with a hammer!! Haha!! Many Thanks.
I looked on the web and found instruction on how to check if the RS232/USB cable is working and it said I need a program call HyperTerminal, it’s not on vista so I searched the net and found a free download. I download that then followed the instructions on how to check the RS232/USB and shorted pin 2 & 3 and typed in the terminal and it work. So I take it that the cable is working. So after check all that I went through the re-flash step’s again but getting the same thing stuck on the synchronising stbs screen or it say’s opening serial port is failed. So I’m stuck again and not sure what to do. Any advice Please.Last edited by cooper1980; 15 March, 2014, 16:48.Comment
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Hi!
Check here.. your cable connections
And if is possibile run the tool from a desktop with a NATIVE serial port (NO usb to rs-232)
It works for my decoder!!Comment
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Hi,
Thanks for the reply mate, I struggled with it for days and still no joy so I bit the bullet and found a guy on fleebay who re-flashes them for a tenner plus postage, so I sent it off to him and he done it no problem. He said the same as you the USB/rs232 don’t work and you need a computer with a direct port in it. So I’m now keeping my eye out for an old cheap computer with one. Just in case it happens again. But thanks for the link very handy. Many Thanks.Comment
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an old pc is often cheaper than the usb converter.
I get mine from family members or the town dump.Comment
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Hi,
Not a bad idea the ‘’town dump’’, thinking about it I did see some old computers up my local recycling centre last time I was there, worth a shot. I wish I hadn’t bothered with the usb/rs232 was a total waste of time and money. Thanks for the tips. I'll check it out.Comment
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the town dump here has a trailer where people recycle their old pc's and printers/electronics.
My last pc was from there and the only thing wrong with it was the cdrom door wouldn't open.
I replaced it with a dvd burner and was good to go.Last edited by slugworth; 20 March, 2014, 15:10.Comment
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Happy Days, Looks like I’m up the dump this weekend!!! Did you have to give sum money or were you allowed to just take it.Comment
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you have to bribe the workers there,or grab one when they aren't looking.
The best technique is to bring some "donation" then do a fast grab of something that looks better.
They actually strip off a pc case cover if possible so the case isn't 100% or people would grab them to resell.Comment
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Hi,
Good stuff, You sound like a real pro, Operation snatch 'n' grab will be in action this weekend. Once again thanks for the tips much appreciated. Many ThanksComment
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