DM500 Timebomb or just Broke Please Help?

[pisaaen]

I have a dm500 clone with Gemini(dont know what version), and it worked fine for about 2 years.
But now when it is powered up, the image just flickers and some times you will get to prompet with Gemini setup television options(pal, ntsc), and the remote is not working.

I am new to the world of Dreambox so I began seaching the web, and found out how to perform a flash and I did that several times, first with the latest Gemini image, but nothing changed. Then I tried PLI, and the box whent totally black, and I cannot connect to it wit DreamUp anymore.

Then i borrowed my freinds dreambox who he haddent used for a while and was purchased in the same order as my own, with identical setup. And to my supprise it was acting exactly as my own with the flickering black screen, and some times entering Gemini tv Options.

I think that was a bit strange so I searched the web again and found the concept TimeBomb. Could this strange behavior be a result of a TimeBomb? And since would Jtag'ing it do any good?

I think it is a little strange that both boxes broke at the same time, or mayebe it is just a coincidence?

[seanmckeown]

flashing by flashwizard pro or by ftp isnt always a success.

try and persist with dreamup, if its not connecting, try a few different versions.

are you using a serial port or one of them usb-serial adaptors?

[ebmitie]

2 years is quite a while trouble free, they are so cheap now I would just get another one but, I am no expert BUT I dont think you should have used gemini from the outset. I have a db500s for fun ie it just sits there with a card and I am sure when I started, about a year ago I was tipped off to use anything but gemini. it is darkstar 2 and has been ace.

It depends how long you want to fiddle and how well up you are. You could try a null modem cable.

do a google and you will get loads of tips

eb--

[garry1312]

Pli images are great for 500s as you can get a full 3 day EPG other images dont seem to have support for this.

I would say its the receiver that has went as if it was a timebomb witin the Gemini image i would imagine that it would have went off by now. So it was probably Gemini 4.20 you was running if no timebomb has went off.

Best to stay clear of gemini images on 500s as they contain timebombs above version 4.20. Also I dont think Gemini images are that good to be honest anyways.

[gsmtech]

It's not a timebomb issue, as this would have over written the booloader on your reciever and you would not get the options screen from Gemini.
Just reflash a new image with dreamup using null modem, as already mentioned best not to use gemini images, theyre not very good anyway.
Use OpenPli Maxvar or the Commando 14.3 Neutrino.

[pisaaen]

Thanks for the quick reply's guys .

Ok guess I can try flashing a couple of more times to see if I can get lucky. Yes i am using an usb adapter to serial (null modem cable) since I do not have a com port in my pc. Could this have anything to say?

But I guess it is not a timebomb then. I just think it is weird that two dream boxes purchases at the same time, broke at the same time. But I guess that is just a coincidence?

Are J-tag'ing only for repairing timebomb's, or could it be an idea to try this, if I have no luck with flashing?

Ok I think I will try a PLI image next time, sounds very nice with the epg(wasn't working to good in Gemini)

[garry1312]

Either its just been a bad flash mate or the box is knackered.

I wouldnt say tjagging is the route to go here mate.

I never had any luck this the USB to RS232 adaptors. But if you can actually flash with yours that is something I never got. I bought myself a RS232 port for my computer (easy to install) and got to say its one of the best buys ive made in this hobby.

[seanmckeown]

i use a serial-usb adaptor but i had to go through quite a few to get one that worked.

i went through numerous combinations of cheap adaptors and null modem cables bought from ebay but nothing worked.

I finally just went and bought the pair from maplin, usb-serial ?15, and null modem ?10, paid a bit more than what they are going for on ebay but they worked.

also i advise to use dreamup version 1.3.2.1

[garry1312]

at that price you could have bought a RS232 serial card port for your comp but hey if your solution worked then its 6 and half a dozen a suppose mate. Also if you get a adaptor that works its more handy if your using a laptop.

[seanmckeown]

i only have a laptop, and no room for installing anymore pc cards sothe adaptor was a must

[garry1312]

well if you can connect to the receiver with it and flash over a image doesn't sound as if its the adaptor at fault. ask your mates if any of them have a pc with rs232 port and try with that if same result then its not the adaptor. was your mates receiver working ok before you tried flashing it?

[garry1312]

sorry mate getting you confused with the guy that started this thread

[pisaaen]

Hi Guys bougth a new DM500 today, and installed pli on it, works like a charm Had no problem with the USB Adapter, so I guess i am lucky

So I thought I would try to boot up my freinds Dm500 a last time, before I would go tell him that he's box was dead.
(I borrowed his box who was also broke (or so I thought), as mentioned in earlier post), and suddenly the box worked???

The only difference was that it was hooked up to the new box's power supply! Hooked it up to my old power supply and got the flickering image and got to the Gemini tv setup screen, and remote did not work.

Hooked it back to the new power supply and the box was function properly again!

Tried the new power supply with my own old box, and it booted perfectly!

So I guess all this fuz was just about a broken power supply!!!

Sorry to have wasted everybody's time, but I newer imagined that a power supply could get a dreambox acting so weird.

[mdt]

youve not wasted anybodys time as this thread will help others in the future. regards mdt

[garry1312]

as mentioned above mate you have not wasted my time i never even expected the PSU so in the future if i come across a similar issue then i will know to check that out

Glad you are happy with pli image in my opinion there the best for the 500s and if you have not got a EPG (programme guide) on it yet look on here for the guide mate 3 day EPG.

Also could there be anyway of admin adding the EPG set up as a sticky? ( note to admin) as its asked for a lot and recommended a lot.