Did the Alien kill the Argus?

zbluebirdz

Just brought a Amiko Alien 2 receiver.

While setting up the Alien, I noticed that the VDU on the Edision Argus Mini receiver was also changing depending on what buttons I pressed on the Alien's remote control ... Somehow, the Argus received a "sepuku" command ... :eek:

Now, the Argus is "dead". Several power-offs later, it still won't boot up - stuck on the clock (always starts from zero). No response from the Argus remote control, nor any buttons on the box ...

Is it possible to resuscitate the Argus? Is there a shop or two in Dublin who can fix the box?

How do I stop the Alien's remote control from controlling the Argus?

swoofer

look here and even give them a ring, all you need is a null modem lead and the rs232 tool. Basically you reset the box to factory. I have the edision as well. If you look closely on the remote it has 2 colours meaning it can be used for 2 items, one red one green. It might be possile to use the red for the argus and then it should not conflict with the amiko. only other way is hide one but if you use both in same room its tricky.

by the way did you try, taking batteries from remote, pressing the remote button control, is the remote actually sending a signal. have you powered off the amiko etc.

it depends how handy you are with software/updates

anyway look here.

http://www.tvtrade.ie/edision-argus-mini-combo-receiver-user-manual.html

ps i have had mine since 09 and never missed a beat, if you have the ip version is does a lot more!

zbluebirdz

The Argus is not responding to anything. Simply shows the clock (starts @ 0:00 when switched on).

The main reason for me getting the Amiko was to replace the Argus as the Argus' tuners were showing the signs of electronic "wear-n-tear". Unfortunately, the Amiko is going back to the shop due to various reasons (slow boot, poor subtitles, picture/sound breaking up).

Does, the IP version have a DTT tuner? Where did you buy this model from?

swoofer

ok i will be home in a little while and will have a look at mine. one thing are you using the original software on the argus?

STB

Edision Argus Mini is based on the Ali M3602 chipset. You cannot kill these boxes.

Seppuku. You had both boxes connected to a wifi router and were FTP'd into the Argus !

Null modem cable - 3 euro. The original argus software off the website. Its an ABS or BIN file. The Argus recovery software tool. A PC with a serial port. Easily recovered.

swoofer

stb, how could he have the argus mini connected via wi fi? unless he has the ip version??

and you are right it is not dead and I doubt it if the tuners are gone either. to get it working he has to know what he is doing. edison used to have the rs232 as a zip but no more. in fact the dont mention the dtt bit at all now. i think they got flak from... ireland. mine is still going great with the unoffical software and great pic quality.

you can still buy here
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/hdd-receiver-hdtv-edision/edision-argus-miniplus-highspeed-2in1-hdtv-sat-und-dvb-t-combo.html

but for a bit more you can get one with network facilities.

i have the manual in english and i was right you have the option to change the remote to either 1 or 2 so if that amiko was any good you could have used both.

and stb knows far more than me. i have all the bits of software somewhere.

gbc

ps i got mine from a guy in kildare who got then from the german shop, he no longer does them.

zbluebirdz

STB wrote: »

Edision Argus Mini is based on the Ali M3602 chipset. You cannot kill these boxes.

Seppuku. You had both boxes connected to a wifi router and were FTP'd into the Argus !

Null modem cable - 3 euro. The original argus software off the website. Its an ABS or BIN file. The Argus recovery software tool. A PC with a serial port. Easily recovered.

By "sepuku", I'm meant that the Argus somehow "killed" itself.

My Argus isn't connected to any network.

I did upgrade the firmware/software on the Alien via a network cable as the firmware/software was over 9 months old.

Re Argus: It uses the official ABS file(s) from Edision - not mods/hacks.

Where can I get my hands on the "Argus recovery software tool"?

swoofer

sepuku = japanese for hari kari

here is the tool

just take it slow

STB

GBCULLEN wrote: »

sepuku = japanese for hari kari

here is the tool

just take it slow

It is also a command line to kill processes in git. The amiko and argus from same factory. Dont know how he could have messed up box other than been connected via network (other than flashing via usb).

Anyhow use that software attached by GB and get the latest firmware definition file to flash with that tool.
Null modem cable and PC with a serial port is the key once you have the software. Laptops generally dont have serial ports.

Connect the PC to the Box using the Null modem cable.
Make sure box is switched off at switch on back of box.
Unzip the recovery software. Double click the exe.
You should have downloaded a normal ABS firmware definition for your box.
Pick that in the menu under browse.
Serial port should be Com 1.
Mode setting is upgrade.
Click next and switch on box at back. Will Flash and reach 100% box reboots.

zbluebirdz

I tried the null modem approach. The box didn't acknowledge anything. With the computer, I had disabled the firewall, anti-virus, etc - but still nothing.

Thanks for the assistance GBCULLEN & STB.

Off to find another satellite box ...

swoofer

patience, were you defenitely using a null modem, did you set the right coms speed, were u using xp or a different os, was it a desktop, it can take more than one attempt.

zbluebirdz

The cable's package says: "Serial, 9 Pin Null Modem Cable F/F" -from StarTech.

Used a desktop computer running Windows XP.
Had two com ports and I initially plugged the cable into the wrong com port. Still no response after a few tries. Tried a different abs file - but had the same response.

Rebooted the computer into Safe Mode, but that made things worse - XP was unable to communicate to the com ports for some reason.

Didn't touch the com port speed - left it in the default settings.

I do have Ubuntu installed on that computer, so if there's a way to get Linux to do it, I can give it a bash!

Compton

If it shows the clock it's the flash memory, definitely not caused by the alien in any way.

swoofer

if it was this i would not trust it

http://uk.startech.com/media/products/NM9FF/PDFs/NM9FF_Datasheet.pdf

STB

Compton wrote: »

If it shows the clock it's the flash memory, definitely not caused by the alien in any way.

? The rom on the Ali M3602 chip is protected in any event no matter what you flash the box with.

Hence recovery procedure.

@zbluebirdz. Tell me the exact model as there have been loads of these.

The baud rate should be 115200 bps. The Com Port (depending on your com port config on the box) should default to 1.

When you click next, flick the switch at the back of the box to on. You should see a % flash on screen with that upgrade GUI.

Dont use linux. You could use a command line if it comes to it from Windows CMD line. I would try the tool first though.

Finally patience..... can be recovered if you have the right Null modem cable. There are plenty of cables out there that simply dont work.

zbluebirdz

It's this cable:
http://uk.startech.com/Cables/Serial-Parallel-PS-2/DB9-DB25/10-ft-Cross-Wired-Serial-Null-Modem-Cable-DB9-FF~SCNM9FF

STB

In the GUI what are you selecting in the Upgrade Type ?

I would imagine you should be choosing allcode+bootloader. Do you get this option (I dont have one of these but its the similar software as used on a Ferguson Ariva 120).

zbluebirdz

In the GUI, I've selected Mode Setting = Upgrade.
The other option (Dump Flash) simply zeroes out my copy of the abs file on the computer ...

Upgrade types:
- all sw + bootloader
- all sw + chanlist
- software (no channel list)
- chanlist

The exact model of the Argus: Edision Argus Mini 2 in 1 Combo HDTV

Is there a Null Modem cable that you can recommended?

I'll have another go at flashing the box tomorrow night.

swoofer

that cable looks fine. when you try tonight make sure the box has all cables disconnected ie aerial, scart, hdmi, lnb, ie no cables connected.

have box powered off before you connect null cable.

then with null cable connected, start recovery tool process as per stb's. it can take a few attempts to get right sequence.

was the box behaving poorly before you got the amiko?? I have found mine so good I would get another one but I think the ferguson 150 allows a bit more flexibility when recording. if you want the ferguson at a very good price go here

http://uk.startech.com/media/products/NM9FF/PDFs/NM9FF_Datasheet.pdf

and they are good to deal with.

nb before you start I want you to try this as well to make sure comm port is at correct baud rate. click start, my computer, view system information, click hardware, then scroll to comm port, select com1 , right click, then click port settings, make a note of settings first, then change port to 115200, save it.

now try the tool. change port back afterwards or you will forget. I have forgotten if you need to change any other settings like parity etc.

good luck