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

[P&D]

I have tried the above step. but Synchronizing STBs done message not coming. any other option

What lead are you using ??

USB - Com
or the full Null cable there are two types
also what system on the computer XP - VISTA - 7 -8.1 ??

[turbeys]

A how to guide on how to fix a corrupt firmware image in OpenBox S9/S10/S11/S12 and Skybox S10 F3 F4 F5 F5S A3 etc. Even if it seems bricked.


Box does not respond or displays On or rebooting constantly ?
If your box does not respond, or no displays light there is a good chance the current firmware on the box is somehow corrupt.

You will need to use , 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 or if have older Openbox/Skybox
Unzip this file

1. Connect up your PC to the Openbox
using a null modem serial cable.

(Try to get a PC with builtin r232 port or buy a good quality usb to seriel adapter. Cheap adapters from flebay "do not" work at all)

2. Switch the box OFF
3. Run EromUpgrade.exe (Located in folder you have downloaded and unzipped) then check the
com port setting is correct
4. Select the latest firmware .abs file. (Download her if you don't have any)
5. Select "next" then switch ON the box
and follow the instructions to load
and flash burn the firmware.
6. If the process does not start, try
various time combinations of switching
the box ON after selecting "next"
(IF it comes with set STB memory error please run config.bat file (Located in folder you have downloaded and unzipped) ) before running loader
7. Don't switch the power off or disconnect
while the download & flash is taking place.
If your box keeps rebooting after updating so try software from www.hddvbsw.com

If you cannot contact to your box check your null modem cable. Connections are like showen below

pin 2 ...to... pin 3
pin 3 ...to... pin 2
pin 4 ...to... pin 6
pin 5 ...to... pin 5
pin 6 ...to... pin 4
pin 7 ...to... pin 8
pin 8 ...to... pin 7

Important: Go into device manager
<right click MyComputer--->manage--->on the left side u find device manager

and check that you are choosing the right com port. If possible use computer with serial R232 com port built on mainbord.

Have fun

I TRY TO DO ALL THE PROCESS SHOWED ABOVE BUT WHEN I TRY TO SELECT THE ABS FILE IT KEEP SAYING WRONG FILE CAN U HELP PLS

[turbeys]

BUT I DIDNT PUT NULL MODEL CABLE YET U THINK THATS WHY IS KEEP SAYING WRONG FILE OR I M DOING SOMETHING ELSE WRONG THANKS

[turbeys]

Hi my sky box is dead now , i have read above instructions , and i dnt have null modem cable yet i gona buy it tomorrow i tried the above instrucation , when i go to select the upgrade amos file it saying that wrong file , is this happening bcz i didnt insert the modem cable yet or i m doing some thing wrong , pls can u go through this thanks

[Hadron]

Hi my sky box is dead now , i have read above instructions , and i dnt have null modem cable yet i gona buy it tomorrow i tried the above instrucation , when i go to select the upgrade amos file it saying that wrong file , is this happening bcz i didnt insert the modem cable yet or i m doing some thing wrong , pls can u go through this thanks

When you click on the "browse" button, you need to select the right firmware file for your box. A common mistake is to browse to the "eromclient.abs" file, or to browse to a compressed (zip or RAR) version of yur firmware.

[turbeys]

Hi thanks for your reply but the file i have download from the above link for my f5s box abs file when i try to browse it it keep saying wrong file , i didnt bought Modem cable yet , may be is not working bcz i didnt have the cable , but i want to knw will it work if i bought the cable or if not i will loose my money for the cable plz help thanks

[Hadron]

Hi thanks for your reply but the file i have download from the above link for my f5s box abs file when i try to browse it it keep saying wrong file , i didnt bought Modem cable yet , may be is not working bcz i didnt have the cable , but i want to knw will it work if i bought the cable or if not i will loose my money for the cable plz help thanks

Have you unzipped the file? The link to firmware in the first post is to a post containing zipped files. When unzipped it should be a 4MB file (4,096kB).

It shouldn't matter if the box is not connected yet. Even without your null modem cable connected, it shouldn't give you a "wrong file" message.

[slugworth]

he's probably trying to load the eromclient.abs that comes with the loader, instead of the real file.

[zfdesign]

Hello everyone

I have a Skybox S12 and that has stopped working just before Christmas. Speaking to the seller he suggests I should buy a new one, newer model. But even so I would like to try and fix this one.

The problem is there is no sound or picture.

Every thing else seems to be working. I can change channel, rotate the dish, change to radio, etc... Dish rotation is correct as I can verify with a second receiver.

I have managed to get it to work by touching parts on the circuit board once, but as soon as I turn it off and would not show picture nor sound on restart.

Had it powered off for a few days as well. That didn't help either.

One indication it may work again the TV responds when I connect the box HDMI cable. With "No signal" from "No cable".

I guess the ?50 question is is it hardware or software problem and how to verify.

PS. Considering buying RS232 cable

[zfdesign]

Forgot to mention I have tried to different HDMI cables and that didn't help.

[slugworth]

power supply probably pooped out

[zfdesign]

Tried a new one and the result is the same. Came to conclusion that the video had it. As I tried the AV out as well. Thanks for your reply though.

[jajukhan]

Thanks. Worked for me. Though had to use a different firmware to get some of the advanced features in the setup menu.

[ashbirkin]

Will this work for sure?

[lex10]

hi everyone new to this. just got an open box anyone knows where i can get hd channels clines. please pm me if you know something about this only got sd channels.