PBO Bootcode Update (TFTPD/LAN Free) Under $6 and Under 666 Seconds

[raylang]

I would like to thank aasoror for the help late last night. He made it possible for me to complete construction of the DKU-5 cable for my bootcode upgrade and then with the software install. I upgraded from bootcode 16 all the way to 23 and everything works great. I now have weather,RSS News,CNN video,Last FM and more. So far it's awesome. Thanks again aasoror.

[PDNK]

I can communicate with the PBO and Hyperterminal. But I can't get it to complete the file transfer. Stops anywhere from10% to 95% of completion. I'm using Vista. The only cable driver I could get to work was the Win7 driver. Maybe that's the problem? I've tried different ports, reducing serial buffering, etc.. Nothing works.

I just tried another computer. Same problem. But with other computer the file upload stops really quick, after only a few packets. I'm thinking I have a DOA cable....

[billcat]

I know some people have had problems using hyperterminal in Vista. You might try Putty instead. I would also redownload the bin because it might be the one you're using got corrupted somehow. Follow the Vista experiences of outatouch0 at the beginning of this thread because there's some helpful info there.

[PDNK]

i bought a ca-42 cable from ebay recently (Brooklyn, NY seller) that has 5 wires: white, black, green, orange, blue

i already tossed the phone connection to figuring out which cable does what, that was, is no longer an option.

any help?

I think I got the same one. Five wires, but after I cracked open the shell I see there are only 3 connected tothe device! And no labels on the board. Solder splattered all over. Time to get a new cable. :-(

[billcat]

I think I got the same one. Five wires, but after I cracked open the shell I see there are only 3 connected tothe device! And no labels on the board. Solder splattered all over. Time to get a new cable. :-(

Wow, you gotta love that kind of knockoff. Make the seller aware of your findings. Don't just let it slide.

[PDNK]

Wow, you gotta love that kind of knockoff. Make the seller aware of your findings. Don't just let it slide.

To add insult to injury, it took 3 weeks to get it. They supposedly lost the first one, then made me wait an extra week before sending a new one. It's amazing how some sellers get positive ratings on Ebay. I think buyers are just afraid of giving negative feedback. I did!

It would be great if there was a list of good/bad cables for this. If anyone has a suggestion for one they know works, please let me know. I don't need the cheapest $2.68 cable. I'll go as high as $2.99.

[billcat]

I've got three of these cables, all set up for different devices (two for different media boxes). All three cables work and all three came from overseas, but I would hardly recommend any one seller because it's a crap shoot about the kind of quality you'll get from one shipment to the other. It's only lately I've noticed a lot of serious complaints about failed cables. I would try an in-country seller who will stand by any purchase you make. Although you'll pay more you can ask about and receive better quality assurance, and delivery time should be more convenient as well ..

[PDNK]

Maybe I was actually successfull...

Last time it finally did get to the end of the file upload. I get the message "ca not boot from HDD", which is apparently normal. When I try to boot from flash drive, it goes through the install routine, and keeps ending up on the can't boot display. I've tried both USB ports with same results, and I've tried several flash drives. Maybe this unit needs to go back to Patriot.

[aasoror]

Maybe I was actually successfull...

Last time it finally did get to the end of the file upload. I get the message "ca not boot from HDD", which is apparently normal. When I try to boot from flash drive, it goes through the install routine, and keeps ending up on the can't boot display. I've tried both USB ports with same results, and I've tried several flash drives. Maybe this unit needs to go back to Patriot.

I am not sure about how were you exactly using the cable, but apparently you were trying to upload the bootcode on it. well this shouldn't change that the firmware running on it.

You later describe a failing firmware upgrade process, now to remedy this via serial cable you need to connect to the HT (at this time you should check the first couple of lines on the Realtek monitor to know that your bootcode was upgraded successfully) and issue an "erase -m" command to clear the flash from any firmware there, then try the typical USB upgrade.

[PDNK]

Seems like I do have bc 23 installed. This is copy and paste from HT:

[HDMI]: Read_EDID abort, HDMI cable plug off.
[HDMI]: TV is not connected.
PAL logo

REALTEK ROM Monitor, Revision 0000.0202.0023.
Copyright (c) Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - All Rights Reserved.

For a list of available commands, type 'help'.

Compilation time /version= Apr 30 2010 10:16:33 /0000.0202.0023
MAC address = 00.16.67.02.24.23
Processor Company ID/options = 0x01 (MIPS Technologies, Inc.) / 0x00
Processor ID/revision = 0x93 / 0x78
Endianness = Little
Flash memory size = 256 MByte
SDRAM size = 128 MByte
First free SDRAM address = 0x800fab00

Press 'ESC' to Monitor mode
Realtek> erase -m
/Done
Realtek>