Cannot update the software

[tjnic]

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago I was given a Foxsat HDR by my father who has just upgraded his home entertainment system.


BRAND NAME:..........HUMAX
MODEL NAME:..........FOXSAT-HDR
SOFTWARE VERSION:....HPRSFC1 1.00.02
LOADER VERSION:......V 7.51
SYSTEM ID:...........3768.0000
UPDATE DATE:.........10 NOV 2008


He has changed the shipped HDD for a 1 TB HDD at some point.

Having hit google, I discovered (from this forum) that both the boot loader and the system software were out of date. So I went about trying to update them.

The first thing I tried was an automatic update, but all I get is a banner reading:

NEW SOFTWARE IS NOT FOUND

So I tried downloading the software and updating via the front USB socket but that did not work either. I have tried both the boot loader file and the main software file. I have tried using 2 different types of USB stick, my mobile phone and my iPod! None of them work.

With the one of the USB sticks, the phone, and the ipod, nothing happens at all. I plug in the device, press and hold the standby button on the unit for 30 seconds, let go and it just comes up with BBC 1 SE (channel 101)

With the second USB Stick, the PVR just hangs during boot and I have to reset it by pulling the power,

In all cases I placed the renamed file FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade.hdf in the root directory of the USB device. I have tried with both FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_10012.hdf and FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_U7_53.hdf and I get the same thing.

The PVR will mount all four devices under normal operation as sda1 and I can transfer files to and from, so it would seem the devices are compatible with the hardware and the OS.

These are my questions....

1 - Does anyone have any idea why the automatic software download would not work? - I understand they are currently transmitting updates. Is there a special time of day or a special channel that I need to select? I have tried BBC1 and I even tried using the manual option using the transponder settings for both BBC 1 and BBC HD, but nether worked.

2 - Why does the USB method not work? - I have renamed the file, put it in the root directory, pressed and held the standby button (on the unit) for 30 seconds and then let go - What have I missed?

3 - What is my next cause of action? - The only thing I can think of is the dreaded factory reset - I am not at all keen on that simply because it will take ages to back off all the media and then put it all back on with no guarantee of success,

4 - Has any one else had a problem like this? - Could it be the larger HDD? - My father may still have the original, I assume other people have upgraded their HDD without seeing this problem?

Is it worth me trying to call the Humax help line? - My experience with other products tells me that I will probably know more about how the thing works that the poor guy on the end of the phone. I suspect if I mention the HDD upgrade they will just latch on to that, rightly or wrongly :rolleyes:

Any input would be much appreciated as I would like to get the thing updated.

[grahamlthompson]

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago I was given a Foxsat HDR by my father who has just upgraded his home entertainment system.
BRAND NAME:..........HUMAX
MODEL NAME:..........FOXSAT-HDR
SOFTWARE VERSION:....HPRSFC1 1.00.02
LOADER VERSION:......V 7.51
SYSTEM ID:...........3768.0000
UPDATE DATE:.........10 NOV 2008
He has changed the shipped HDD for a 1 TB HDD at some point.

Having hit google, I discovered (from this forum) that both the boot loader and the system software were out of date. So I went about trying to update them.

The first thing I tried was an automatic update, but all I get is a banner reading:

NEW SOFTWARE IS NOT FOUND

So I tried downloading the software and updating via the front USB socket but that did not work either. I have tried both the boot loader file and the main software file. I have tried using 2 different types of USB stick, my mobile phone and my iPod! None of them work.

With the one of the USB sticks, the phone, and the ipod, nothing happens at all. I plug in the device, press and hold the standby button on the unit for 30 seconds, let go and it just comes up with BBC 1 SE (channel 101)

With the second USB Stick, the PVR just hangs during boot and I have to reset it by pulling the power,

In all cases I placed the renamed file FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade.hdf in the root directory of the USB device. I have tried with both FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_10012.hdf and FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_U7_53.hdf and I get the same thing.

The PVR will mount all four devices under normal operation as sda1 and I can transfer files to and from, so it would seem the devices are compatible with the hardware and the OS.

These are my questions....

1 - Does anyone have any idea why the automatic software download would not work? - I understand they are currently transmitting updates. Is there a special time of day or a special channel that I need to select? I have tried BBC1 and I even tried using the manual option using the transponder settings for both BBC 1 and BBC HD, but nether worked.

2 - Why does the USB method not work? - I have renamed the file, put it in the root directory, pressed and held the standby button (on the unit) for 30 seconds and then let go - What have I missed?

3 - What is my next cause of action? - The only thing I can think of is the dreaded factory reset - I am not at all keen on that simply because it will take ages to back off all the media and then put it all back on with no guarantee of success,

4 - Has any one else had a problem like this? - Could it be the larger HDD? - My father may still have the original, I assume other people have upgraded their HDD without seeing this problem?

Is it worth me trying to call the Humax help line? - My experience with other products tells me that I will probably know more about how the thing works that the poor guy on the end of the phone. I suspect if I mention the HDD upgrade they will just latch on to that, rightly or wrongly :rolleyes:

Any input would be much appreciated as I would like to get the thing updated.

First of all a factory reset will not affect your existing recordings. It will delete the recording schedule and any non-freesat channels you mave have added and reset all preferences to defaults.

I have a 1Tb disk and have had no problem with the update at all. If the hdr recognises the usb stick normally it should be fine for the update. Just one point you have to hol;d in the front sby button on the unit when booting (not the remote control one).

You don't say how many cables you have connected to the hdr, loader 7.51 won't upgrade OTA on a s ingle cable. You can at your own risk start an ota update (firmware only) with the cable in tuner 1 in and carefully transfer the cable to tuner 2 in. (A A-B lnb switch can be used to do this safely)

One other thought, make sure you have file extensions displayed on your pc. If not you may have called the file FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade.hdf.hdf

[tjnic]

First of all a factory reset will not affect your existing recordings. It will delete the recording schedule and any non-freesat channels you mave have added and reset all preferences to defaults.

I have a 1Tb disk and have had no problem with the update at all. If the hdr recognises the usb stick normally it should be fine for the update. Just one point you have to hol;d in the front sby button on the unit when booting (not the remote control one).

You don't say how many cables you have connected to the hdr, loader 7.51 won't upgrade OTA on a s ingle cable. You can at your own risk start an ota update (firmware only) with the cable in tuner 1 in and carefully transfer the cable to tuner 2 in. (A A-B lnb switch can be used to do this safely)


The unit has two RF cables and they both report a strong signal.

I am pressing and holding the large silver button on the front of the PVR for 30 seconds. If I hold it in much longer than that, the system just shuts down again having completed the boot so it would seem that it is not detecting the file on the USB device. I have checked the filename and checked the files integrity against another download, all seems fine.

I will try the factory reset.

Thanks

Tim

[grahamlthompson]

The unit has two RF cables and they both report a strong signal.

I am pressing and holding the large silver button on the front of the PVR for 30 seconds. If I hold it in much longer than that, the system just shuts down again having completed the boot so it would seem that it is not detecting the file on the USB device. I have checked the filename and checked the files integrity against another download, all seems fine.

I will try the factory reset.

Thanks

Tim

Tim did you see the afterthought about the filename ?

Graham

[tjnic]

Tim did you see the afterthought about the filename ?

Graham

Graham,

Yes, I did see that, thanks. The filename is correct, I use Ubuntu on my PC which, unlike Windows, does not hide file extensions.

I have just completed a factory reset during which the Wizard confirmed that I had two cables connected, it also checked for new software and reported that none was available :(

I tried the upgrade from a USB pen drive again and it just hangs. It sits there on the HUMUX screen and the only way to recover is to deprive the PVR of volts! The stick I used is 4GB Sandisk which, as I said earlier, works fine for media transfer. The Stick is formatted as FAT32 (I have never changed it).

I will try with another smaller pen drive to see what happens with that, last time it just ignored it during boot even though it can access it via media.

I am getting a sinking feeling about this :confused:

Regards


Tim

[savvy249]

Graham,

Yes, I did see that, thanks. The filename is correct, I use Ubuntu on my PC which, unlike Windows, does not hide file extensions.

I have just completed a factory reset during which the Wizard confirmed that I had two cables connected, it also checked for new software and reported that none was available :(

I tried the upgrade from a USB pen drive again and it just hangs. It sits there on the HUMUX screen and the only way to recover is to deprive the PVR of volts! The stick I used is 4GB Sandisk which, as I said earlier, works fine for media transfer. The Stick is formatted as FAT32 (I have never changed it).

I will try with another smaller pen drive to see what happens with that, last time it just ignored it during boot even though it can access it via media.

I am getting a sinking feeling about this :confused:

Regards


TimThe reason your box will not get the update automatically OTA, is because you are currently on 1.00.02. The current OTA is jointly transmitted with the software for the non-PVR HD. To be able to receive and decode which is the one for your box, you need at least version 1.00.03, which contained this functionality.

So, until you can get 1.00.12 on you box via USB, it will never then update OTA.

Don't know why you are having such problems with the USB, sorry.

Rgds.


Les.

[tjnic]

The reason your box will not get the update automatically OTA, is because you are currently on 1.00.02. The current OTA is jointly transmitted with the software for the non-PVR HD. To be able to receive and decode which is the one for your box, you need at least version 1.00.03, which contained this functionality.

So, until you can get 1.00.12 on you box via USB, it will never then update OTA.

Don't know why you are having such problems with the USB, sorry.

Rgds.


Les.

Les,

Thanks, that is actually quite encouraging, it was the failure of the OTA update that was puzzling me most. I am willing to accept that there is a problem with my USB pen drive(s), having used Linux for years, I know just how fussy early versions of the kernel could be. I don't actually know which version Humex are using but the fact they suggest using smaller devices tells me they have come compatibility issues which may be more apparent during kernel initialisation. I will do some research and try to find a device that works.

Thanks

Tim

[nvingo]

Have a look for sub 1GB SD cards and in Poundland (or 99p store) for a USB SD card reader. These effectively turn any (2GB or less ie. not SDHC) SD card into a USB stick, and are USB1.1 which may also help.

[Luis]

Have a look for sub 1GB SD cards and in Poundland (or 99p store) for a USB SD card reader. These effectively turn any (2GB or less ie. not SDHC) SD card into a USB stick, and are USB1.1 which may also help.

They are now both stocking USB 2.0 SD cardreaders. Very convenient for SD instead of carrying around a multi-card reader.

[tjnic]

Finally,

I have managed to update the PVR. I went through 7 Different USB storage devices before it worked and learnt a lot of stuff on the way.

I would like to thank everyone who offered me advice, it was a bit like putting a jigsaw together, I think every post contributed towards the final solution. It is really good to know that there are so many people out there willing to offer a helping hand.

For those who are reading this thread to find answers, here is a list of things that they don't tell you on the download site. I suspect that all of this has been covered in other threads, but I know from experience how hard it can be to find the answers when you don't really understand the problem - I hope this helps someone.


1 - Don't be afraid to perform a factory reset. It does not, as the name suggests, return the unit to its out of factory state, it simply clears all of the settings and re runs the initial wizard. YOU DO NOT LOSE YOUR RECORDINGS.

2 - The unit will not necessarily update itself even when you know the update is being transmitted. There are two of the possible causes for no update (that I know of).

a - You only have one feed from the dish and the boot loader is version U7.51

b - You are running version 1.00.2 and they are sending out a combined transmittion for the HD and the HDR

3 - It is not the size of the USB pen drive that matters, it is the chipset that it is using. This is not very helpful because unless you are a reel geek you will not know how to determine which chipset you are using. But what is worth knowing is that if you try several different brands, even modern ones, you are likely to find one that works in the end. It does not matter if it is USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 or if it is small or large. The only pen drive I finally got to work was a USB 2.0 4GB device called "Memory 2GO" but there will be many others that work. You just need to find one with a compatible chipset. (I think I was just very unlucky :( as it took me seven attempts)

4 - Just because you can use the USB pen drive to transfer media, does NOT mean you can use it for an upgrade. The reason for this is a little complicated (it is to do with the way the Kernel is compiled) but the upshot of it is, don't assume that the problem cannot be the USB pen drive just because you can transferred media from it.

5 - There are several ways for it to fail.

a - Instead of the download screen you get the Humax splash screen and the system just boots normally when you let go of the standby button.

b - Instead of the download screen you get the Humax splash screen and that just stays there until the power is removed (the system has frozen)

c - You get a download screen but it just sits there (I left it for an hour!) and you end up having to pray to whichever god you believe in and pull the power. (I had to do that twice and I got away with it both times. It is not as if you have a choice!)

d - You are pressing the standby button waiting for something to happen and the system just powers off. This has happend because the update was not detected, the system has booted normally, detected the standby button is pressed and powered back down again.

6 - When the transfer does work, you get the download screen within 10-20 seconds of pressing and holding the standy button. You do not see the Humux splash screen for any period of time (if at all) and the download progress bar starts to move within a few seconds. So if the splash screen is displayed from any period of time or the progress bar just sits at zero it has probably failed.

7 - The file needs to be in the root directory of the pen drive. That is the directory that just has a drive letter and no folder name. For example E:\ . Humax use the term "root folder" which is actually an oxymoron as a folder is what we used to call a sub directory in the old days. The file should not be in any folder (sub directory) at all, it needs to be in the root directory of the pen drive.

8 - The file must be named: FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade.hdf - The case does not actually matter but it is easier to leave it as it is. Beware that Windows can hide the file extensions of known files. So if the downloaded file appears as FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_XXXXX on your PC, just rename it to FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade , don't feel you need to add the hdf extension on the end if it was not already there.

9 - It does not matter if there are other files or folders on the pen drive.

10 - It does not matter if you do the software or the boot loader first.

11 - Use the USB Socket on the front of the unit and press the standby button on the unit not the remote.

12 - To check it has worked press MENU and page down to SYSTEM and then select DIAGNOSTICS. Both version numbers are there.

13 - If you have upgraded your hard drive and the system was working with the new drive, it is probably not the cause of your update problems.



Regards


Tim

[grahamlthompson]

Finally,

I have managed to update the PVR. I went through 7 Different USB storage devices before it worked and learnt a lot of stuff on the way.

I would like to thank everyone who offered me advice, it was a bit like putting a jigsaw together, I think every post contributed towards the final solution. It is really good to know that there are so many people out there willing to offer a helping hand.

For those who are reading this thread to find answers, here is a list of things that they don't tell you on the download site. I suspect that all of this has been covered in other threads, but I know from experience how hard it can be to find the answers when you don't really understand the problem - I hope this helps someone.

1 - Don't be afraid to perform a factory reset. It does not, as the name suggests, return the unit to its out of factory state, it simply clears all of the settings and re runs the initial wizard. YOU DO NOT LOSE YOUR RECORDINGS.

2 - The unit will not necessarily update itself even when you know the update is being transmitted. There are two of the possible causes for no update (that I know of).
a - You only have one feed from the dish and the boot loader is version U7.51

b - You are running version 1.00.2 and they are sending out a combined transmittion for the HD and the HDR
3 - It is not the size of the USB pen drive that matters, it is the chipset that it is using. This is not very helpful because unless you are a reel geek you will not know how to determine which chipset you are using. But what is worth knowing is that if you try several different brands, even modern ones, you are likely to find one that works in the end. It does not matter if it is USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 or if it is small or large. The only pen drive I finally got to work was a USB 2.0 4GB device called "Memory 2GO" but there will be many others that work. You just need to find one with a compatible chipset. (I think I was just very unlucky :( as it took me seven attempts)

4 - Just because you can use the USB pen drive to transfer media, does NOT mean you can use it for an upgrade. The reason for this is a little complicated (it is to do with the way the Kernel is compiled) but the upshot of it is, don't assume that the problem cannot be the USB pen drive just because you can transferred media from it.

5 - There are several ways for it to fail.
a - Instead of the download screen you get the Humax splash screen and the system just boots normally when you let go of the standby button.

b - Instead of the download screen you get the Humax splash screen and that just stays there until the power is removed (the system has frozen)

c - You get a download screen but it just sits there (I left it for an hour!) and you end up having to pray to whichever god you believe in and pull the power. (I had to do that twice and I got away with it both times. It is not as if you have a choice!)

d - You are pressing the standby button waiting for something to happen and the system just powers off. This has happend because the update was not detected, the system has booted normally, detected the standby button is pressed and powered back down again.
6 - When the transfer does work, you get the download screen within 10-20 seconds of pressing and holding the standy button. You do not see the Humux splash screen for any period of time (if at all) and the download progress bar starts to move within a few seconds. So if the splash screen is displayed from any period of time or the progress bar just sits at zero it has probably failed.

7 - The file needs to be in the root directory of the pen drive. That is the directory that just has a drive letter and no folder name. For example E:\ . Humax use the term "root folder" which is actually an oxymoron as a folder is what we used to call a sub directory in the old days. The file should not be in any folder (sub directory) at all, it needs to be in the root directory of the pen drive.

8 - The file must be named: FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade.hdf - The case does not actually matter but it is easier to leave it as it is. Beware that Windows can hide the file extensions of known files. So if the downloaded file appears as FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade_XXXXX on your PC, just rename it to FOXSAT-HDR_upgrade , don't feel you need to add the hdf extension on the end if it was not already there.

9 - It does not matter if there are other files or folders on the pen drive.

10 - It does not matter if you do the software or the boot loader first.

11 - Use the USB Socket on the front of the unit and press the standby button on the unit not the remote.

12 - To check it has worked press MENU and page down to SYSTEM and then select DIAGNOSTICS. Both version numbers are there.

13 - If you have upgraded your hard drive and the system was working with the new drive, it is probably not the cause of your update problems.
Regards


Tim

Hey Tim that's great news and thanks for such a comprehensive survey. Got to admire your persistance and realise how luck my 8Gb pen drive worked flawlessly first time.

Graham

[fs1]

tjinic

Have tried 3 usb sticks to update loader. Bought "memory togo stick " as you suggested tim in your comprehensive post on updating loader firmware via usb. update worked a treat thanks to your fantastic knowledge

Regards
fs1