HELP: Downloading Software Stalled (3200)

[Rock Star]

Hello, I am looking for anyone that can help me, with an issue that Bell TV techs cannot (from level 1 to level 3 support). First, my satellite signal is functional and strong, currently in use by two receivers. In addition, with my SW44, I have spare lines that equally work well (no issue here).

Last week, I came across an unused Bell TV 3200 receiver (old, but fresh out of the box, as my parents did not make use of the unit purchased in 2004).

ISSUE: UNFORTUNATELY, THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT DOWNLOAD. It acquires the satellite feed and starts the download process, BUT STALLS!!

The sotware version shows an outdated software version of L060GEHD-N and bootstrap of 1414GEHD) and not one starting with E or V (most recent version).

I recently had Bell change the Smart Card ID, where they shipped me a New Smart Card. I inserted it, but (of course) it did not help. As the unit continues to hold the origional software version of L060GEHD.

HELP: How can I get the Software Download to complete?? I would like to get this unit to work.

[Frank Booth]

The 3200 was the buggiest piece of garbage that I have ever owned. Freezing, slow EPG, having to re-boot it ever other day. I went through three, and never got it to work properly. Good luck with that, but I would doubt if you can ever get that thing to work well. Bell was never able to get that unit to work with their system, unlike Dish.

[Costa]

Did you do a check switch first?

[Rock Star]

Frank, thanks for your client experience and I am aware of the 3100 and 3200 experiences out there. I am a Bell Expressvu user since its inception in 97 and have gone through many. On the other hand, my experience with these units, although challenging because of the occasional manual recovery required, has been one of a better experience than most. The dual tuner of the 3200 has been a unit that required or requires high maintenance (especially if you are only using one tuner of the two), but it worked for me and served me well for many years, until I upgraded it to the HD and PVR models we have today.

All to say, I am hoping to get more Technical Responses on this thread than user experience.

I enjoy the challenge and problem solving of this forum, especially when the unit is a virgin unit and would like to understand the ability to know how Bell TV deals with backward compatibility of older units in the newer days of software technology.

- - -

Costa, Yes, the Check Switch was performed and it shows an SW44. In fact, I am able to watch only the basic channel like 198. Like most post recommends, I have powered down the unit all night long, hoping to get the software stream downloaded in the process. However, its back to the same issue.

Again, it will not get me to the new SMART CARD ID, until I get the unit past the OLD CARD ID, through the Software Download. It Acquires the Satellite, then Searches for Information, and then Downloads Software (and also had this run overnight) ... need to get past this phase.

[Rock Star]

For the experts on this forum, I just wanted to add ... after letting it sit for a few minutes on Warning 061 Status: Downloading Status, it then gives me a Warning 022 The Receiver has not been authorized and then continues to Attention 015. The message that the receive is not authorized is strange, since I go on bell.ca to very my account and it confirms that it has been activated (both the right receive number and new (not old) smart card.

The image has the Receiver Number which is correct, but the Smart Card Number is still the old, and its trying to acquire satellite signal, but progress to no where (Progress: 0 of 5).

I wanted to also mention that and what may be of interest is, the Menu is not FULLY available. I have some of the important Menu, e.g. Primary Menu shows me 1 (installation), 2 (diagnostic) and 6 (factory default), not the rest, especially 4 (guide display, I cannot get). Menu 1 shows only 1 (point dish), 2 (caller id), 3 (system info), 4 (phone system), 5 (modulator setup) and not 6 (update).

Unfortunately, I cannot get access to 6 Update (its like greyed-out). I wanted to get to confirm that it is switched to Update Without My Permission.

Anyone out there can provide me the sequence of what the program is trying to accomplish, what step is it failing, how to bypass, anything??

[Costa]

Showing channels such as 198, 132, etc. only shows that the receiver has not yet been activated or needs another activation hit sent out (usually due to inactivity). Updating the software is the bigger issue (as its what you're trying to do anyway).

When receivers get moved from one setup to another, and it doesnt recognize the setup, they usually aren't able to download the latest firmware. Which is why I asked if you had done a check switch.

Also; I've been told by a csr from Bell that once a smartcard is too old, the receiver cannot be caught up, as the smart cards have gone through multiple revisions. This was the csr's reason for not offering a new smart card for a old one (s04 on a 2700). Not sure if this is true though.

[Rock Star]

Thanks Costa for clarifying your question on the check switch and the additional info on the state of the unit, while being able to see few channels.

Yes, I am not sure how much truth there is about a CSR recommendation that an outdated software version cannot catchup to a recent version. At first, it looks like it makes sense, but they do not come out and claim that their program updates are "NOT backward compatible." Therefore, I am inclined not to believe them at first, only because I believe their scripts are design to encourage clients to move on to the latest product an support. On this note of support, they also do not state that the 3200 are no longer support. So, until its explicit, I am on the page that the unit is still supported and backward-compatible.

An interesting update ... the Software Updates seem to happen when the unit is powered off. So, I managed to power off both tuner 1 and 2. Instead of the Bell Logo, it shows the Dish Network Logo. Is this unique to a new unit that is out of the box or is the default factory that I activated? I am wondering if there is a link to my issue.

[Costa]

Even the brand new 4100's show the dish network logo's in the menu before they're updated. They always get updated just fine, as it asks to update it when you try to leave the point dish screen. It's easy to bug and let it get you to a regular menu screen to see the logo's.

Back to you issue, Could you use a F81 (barrel connector) to connect 91 only to the port 1 of the 3200, check switch and save to update the results, and try dowloading that way.

[Pinza]

The software is carried on Transponder 6 of 91 and also on 82, just cannot remember the TP, so ensure that you have good signal levels, over 70 will be fine, connecting to 91 only would be a good idea as Costa says.

[Rock Star]

Thanks Pinza and Costa for your test recommendation ... I will try to take a direct route to Satellite 91 and Transponder 6 to eliminate other doubts. Of special note, channel 198 is associated with this combination and since I get the feed it should not be an issue.

I will let it run this evening (assumed in a Power Off mode) and report in tomorrow.

[SolidState]

To force a software download use the signal screen then turn tuner 1 to transponder 13. Then turn the unit off with the from power button on the STB. It important to use the power button on the box NOT THE REMOTE! This is how you force a manual software update with echostar IRDs. It doesn't necessarily take the firmware from transponder 13 (Pinza claims 6 I thought it was 13 and an odd makes more sense because it's a 13v polarity but heck what do I know...) BUT the software in the box is setup so if the condition of a front panel off is met whilst on the signal screen on transponder 13 it will trigger a firmware hit. This is to be done after a checkswitch routine and signal is fed to BOTH tuner ports and checks out OK on test. For the hit to take wait at LEAST 40 minutes. After turning it off via front panel DO NOT power cycle no matter how temped you are!!! and really... wait an hour!!! It has to be a single off state on signal screen on tran 13 with no interruption what so ever for an hour... period...

If followed correctly this will work Rockstar... unless the EEPROM/TSOP is corrupt and can't be flashed IE hardware issue. It prob took a bad hit from the last person who owned it. As long as bootloader etc is intake it take retake the hit if placed into the state about in "the stream" that's reliable IE your dish cables switch etc.

PS IF it doesn't work with both tuners being fed try it over again with just tuner 1 receiving signal. This is do be done after a full 40 second unplug cycle.

PSS hmm... I remember something with dishnetwork back in the day using that gen dual tuner IRD when initial firmware hit was made that it could only be done while feeding signal to tuner 1 ONLY with nothing connected to tuner 2... I think I remember doing that with twin tuner non HD PVRs of that generation... though I'm not certain... I cold have been a feed from one of the orbital slots that had to be disconnect I can't remember exactly it was so long ago.

[SolidState]

I missed your comment about it having dishnetwork firmware... This will happen if the smart card isn't totally inserted properly on a dishnet IRD firmware. This was a common out of box state when I installed years ago. Until initial firmware hit the units actually had Dishnet firmware in their PROMs. Jonic International couldn't be bothered jtaging them to Bell firmware and simply just inserted smartcard and repacked. If the smart card isn't seated properly the status screen will come up with dishnetwork logo as the UI color scheme and logo come off of the card... Before performing the procedure described above whilst in unplugged state try to re-seat the card a couple of times. Just inserting and reinserting can clean contacts and perhaps even pins that might be slightly aligned wrong.

[dirtroad]

Rock Star, The last new 9242 I setup came with Dishnet software, and it downloaded the Bell software without any issues.
On older units it appears there is something in the new cards that prevent it from downloading new software, but if you pull the card it will download the new software (with no card at all in the slot). I believe it was a 3100 that had been out of service for sometime that I found this issue.

[SolidState]

Fantastic advice and experience Dirtroad!

Yeah take a firmware update without the card in the unit.

[Pinza]

It works, so what is the problem.?