Starview The Box PVR Firmware Issues

Hello every1,

I have been studying these forums for a while and thought Id have no problem setting up my The Box PVR. I was very wrong. I have followed the step by step guides given, using the serial download method.

I have managed to get the box to display "b - 31". (I have done nothing else inside the box tho, the "i 2007" input comes after the firmware right?)

i then attempt to load the firmware. I have tried GTRom Loader 4, GTRom Loader 4[1].00 and PVR Loader v3.36s Sep 7 2005.

I use port 1, browse for the firmware (BoxPVR_E_v4500_06Jul) and then click download. I get the error "Flash Update Fail" after less than a minute from PVR Loader and GTRom Loader tells me "Error: Model Name Does not Correct". I have followed the help, it doesnt help. It says the name of the file should come up automatically but it doesnt.

Possibly an issue withe the .bin file?

any help would be appreciated

 

Hi
You won't need anymore help than in the link below, look in the StarView_PVR Folder then in the documentation folder, download and read.

http://eko.4shared.com/
jbvid

 

JB, Ive read everything 50 times, seriously, am i missing somthing? Do i need to change any settings on the box before I install the firware?

Also ive read loads of your posts, very helpful but none seem to explain my problem

 

Hi
If the box won't take the software you have only two or maybe three possible reasons one is you are not using the correct cable (a Null Modem cable is wanted) A null modem cable looks exactly the same as a serial cable but is wired differently inside. Null modem cable only needs 3 wires connected pin 2 to pin 3, pin 3 to pin 2 and pin 5 to pin 5. You can check with a meter. Second possiblity your software is corrupted D/Load another. A third possibility is if you are using a converter USB to rs232 as these do cause connectivity problems. There is a newer GT Rom loader Version 4.03, I have uploaded it into the Starview PVR Folder and version 4.506 bin file. Also if still struggling you can try PVR Loader 4.01 looks easier to use.
jbvid

 

@10Kdays
There is a newer GT Rom loader Version 4.03, I have uploaded it into the Starview PVR Folder and version 4.506 bin file. Also if still struggling you can try PVR Loader 4.01 looks easier to use.
jbvid

 

Tried both loaders, same problem. What should i use as the file name on the loader?

I think its prob a hardware issue, when i connect the stb to the com port should my computer automatically recognise it?

I am using windows 2000 today, but last night was using XP. Neither had a pop-up window telling me about any new hardware

I have opened the properties of the com and manually changed the rate to 115200, this maade no difference.

 

Do I need a driver?

 

Hi
No driver needed. START AGAIN FROM SCRATCH.
Download 'PVR Loader v4.01' and 'BoxPVR_E v4506_15Oct.bin' from the link I gave you. Run PVR loader, browse to BoxPVR_E_v4506_15Oct.bin, click on it, Open, then press Download. Make sure you have Null Modem cable connected and box switched on.
You only get pop ups with USB Connection, not RS232 Com port connection using Null modem cable.
There is NO option to give a filename in the loader, you browse to the bin file and click on it. Then press download.
Do you have the v4506 bin file Unzipped????
jbvid

 

OK, i have the box connected with the cable supplied by Wi33a3d S@t3llite, turned it off and on at the back, press ok - exit 3 times, and boot b-31 came up.

Tried the new downloader V4.01, browse - double clicked on the .bin file, pressed download, a bar showing 0 to 100% comes up but no progress s made, after about 20 seconds it tells me Flash error failed.

I have unzipped the files and saved them in the same folder. I am not using a r232 to usb converter, i have downloaded each file 3 or four times.

 

Hi
Ok, try this different loading procedure. With box turned off (Unplugged). Connect Null modem cable. Load up pvr 4.01 loader and browse and load v4.506 as soon as you have pressed Download, plug in the box and wait to see if loading starts. If not you need to meter the Null modem cable to check those pin connections, also check you Com port speeds are the same (PC and PVR Loader S/W)
jbvid

 

1st of all, thanks a million for the help

2nd - no success - same error shows, tho i did notice that after the "on" on the display the number 31 now displays before the line circles and "init" comes up. I am not sure if this always happened.

I am going to steel one of the printers usb leads from work and a collegues laptop during lunch and see if i can get it to work that way.

 

@10kdays
Yes, if you have better luck with USB connection copy the v4500.bin file into the Firmware folder on the PVR's Hard Disk, then use the Menu/HDD Interface/Software Upgrade From HDD and select the v4500.bin file to upgrade.
jbvid

 

Ok still no luck:

I connected the laptop to the pvr with a usb and turned pvr on, no pop up on laptop screen, no little green icon at the bottom of laptop screen to allow safe ejecting of hardware, nothing new in My Computer.

pressed ok on english, went to HDD Mode Change on main menu and the word NO appeared on the right of the option.

I tried pressing ok, 0000, i 0000, i 2007, etc but no response.

The USB cable works.

Do I need to install a hard drive before upgrading?

 

Hi
Yes, You do need a HD installing to use the last method I posted.
Sorry, thought you had one installed.
jbvid

 

No worries, could that be the reason the serial method didn't work? Ill try get a cheap harddrive this weekend then. Ill fill you in on monday.

 

Oh, any particular harddrive work better than others? Did i hear a seagate one is best?

 

Yes, Seagate or any popular named brand 7200, IDE.
'Samsung Spinpoint' have a good reputation.
jbvid

 

Ok, for anyone following this post, I got a new serial cable off a mates box over the weekend and the download worked first time, so looks like the cable I was using was broken.

Thanks for the help JBVid.

 

Hi
Glad you are sorted but had you checked your cable as asked in an early post you would have saved us days of unnecessary further checks.
jbvid

 

Days of unnesessary further checks? Look cheers for the help and all, but im not an electrician or in IT and dont have cable checking equipment to hand.