xoro HRC 9000 Bricked

Voyager II

Hi All

Hope you can help I just bricked my Xoro HRC 9000(wrong firmware) and wondered is there any way to unbrick it using a null modem cable. Anybody have any software to do this?

Thanks

swoofer

if you go here you will be sorted, go slow, use chrome and it will tarnslate on the fly, its straightforward.

http://www.xoro.tv/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=8009

neri

Hi, I'm after doing the same thing with my XORO and I tried the steps outlined in the link but when I try to power on the box it does nothing. Did you manage to fix yours?

Voyager II

Appologies for the delay only got a chance to look at this today

Thanks GB worked a treat, kind off. The files that came with it seem to be wrong so i used a dumpfile i had made prior to flashing the wrong firmware.

neri I tried this on a windows 7 machine and it did not work with a usb serial. so I dug out an old xp machine in the garage and it worked fine with a null modem cable.

When you run the xoro software recovery tool make sure your

cable is on Com1
bit rate is 115200
Parity is Even
Operate mode is Upgrade
Browse toward the datadump.abs file (if you have one. PM me and i will send you mine its old and may or may not work for your box depending on firmware version but probably worth a shot)
Press NEXT
Next screen will say synchronizing STB's......Please reset target( at this stage switch off and back on your box using the switch at the back be quick)
Done will apper on screen
Then starts dowloading with progress bar, be patient the bar does nothing for a while.
Then 100% Warning
Press NEXT to start burning
Then 100% click Finished to exit.

This worked for me but only because of the backup I made before flashing the wrong firmware.

Hope it helps let us know how you get on.

swoofer

glad you got sorted and a great post back.

neri

Hi Voyager,
I tried the settings as described above and get as far as :
"synchronizing STB's......Please reset target"
The program does recognize when I powercycle the box but then I get an "STB memory error" I tried all combos but it made no difference.

I'm using an old XP PC with a serial cable (it came with a HP network switch. I tried to restore using my own backup and also with one I found online but no joy. Can you PM me your backup? It's worth a shot. Thanks

Voyager II

Hey Neri

I was getting the memory error as well what i found was i was taking to long to power cycle the box just flick it off and straight back on again. Will send PM.

Vince1974

I did the same with my Xoro 9000 box, could you PM me your backup as I was foolish enough not to make one as it was indicated to be such an easy upgrade.

I had no idea it was so easy to brick, also can't seem to find a correct firmware online.

Thanks!

V.

Voyager II

Ok here ye go I've put it up on 4shared hope it works if you can find the right download button:rolleyes:


DumpFile.abs

Vince1974

Thanks for the help.

I'm afraid it looks like something more serious is wrong with it. When I tried upgrading the firmware I had read that the default settings were ok so didn't pay much attention to it. Later it turned out I had not set it to include the bootloader, resulting initially in a box that said OFF and later the screen just went black whenever I switch it on.

I got myself a null modem cable but since my laptop didn't have a 9 pin serial port I got a usb adapter. I soon found out this didn't work with Win7 so now I have a lend of an XP machine. Installed the adapter driver (COM1) and that appears to work ok, then connected the null modem cable and the Xoro and ran the recovery tool.

When all the settings are as they should be I click next and get the screen that says:

Synchronizing STBs
Please reset target!

And it never goes beyond this screen, I can switch the Xoro off/on for as long and as often as I want but nothing changes. Seems like I somehow broke it more than others did.

Any advice?

Voyager II

Ok you need to switch off and on quickly when it asks for the reset.
the xp machine you have if its a pc has it two serial ports? if so try the other one while still using com1 on the xoro programme

sorry just read your post again the usb adapter will not work even with a xp machine you need to get a xp machine that has a 'propper' 9pin serial:(

Vince1974

Thanks again for the quick response.

Crap about that adapter, it was sold as if guaranteed to work and I don't know anyone with a PC with a proper 9 pin serial port. I got rid of my old desktop last year as it was unused and taking up too much space.

It seems like I'm very close to patching it up and paying 100e for a new one seems ridiculous.

Voyager II

Just out in the shack and this usb serial thing was bugging me...... a few beers later decided to recreate the conditions by bricking the box with the wrong firmware again :eek:

So using a windows 7 machine plugged in the usb to serial. Windows installed it on COM5 I left it on COM5. Started the recovery tool changed the COM Port to COM5.
bit rate is 115200
Parity is Even
Operate mode is Upgrade
Browse toward the datadump.abs file. See post above for file, may not work for your box depending on firmware version but probably worth a shot)
Press NEXT
Next screen will say synchronizing STB's......Please reset target( at this stage switch off and back on your box using the switch at the back be quick)
Done will appear on screen.... wait
Then starts downloading with progress bar, be patient the bar does nothing for a while.
Then 100% Warning
Press NEXT to start burning
Then 100% click Finished to exit.

Worked fine so try leaving the port to whatever windows sets it to and change it on the recovery program. Again you need to switch box off and on fast don't delay.

Vince1974

I can't even get the USB adapter to work at all under win 7, did yours download and instal the right drivers on its own?

After bricking it, what did your display show?

I might have a chance to get access to an XP desktop, hopefully with proper 9 pin serial port.

Vince1974

According to Win7 the driver is up to date but in Device Manager it's listed with a yellow triangle and exclamation mark and the status as "This device cannot start. (Code 10)".

Voyager II

looks like it has not installed properly on win7. Go into device manager-com ports open your device click the driver tab uninstall the driver. plug in usb serial again. mine went straight to windows update(internet) to find drivers took a while but installed ok.

screen on my box had '----' on it after wrong firmware install.

Vince1974

Win7 has always been very quick to install the correct drivers but not with this adapter. When I uninstall the current driver and plug the adapter in it searches for the driver (USB 2.0 to COM Device) in Windows Update but then just comes back with:

Device driver software was not successfully installed.

Please consult with your device manufacturer for assistance getting this device installed.

Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM11) X Failed


The Xoro shows a completely black display and power on or off seems to make no difference.

Voyager II

Have you tried the prolific web site for the drivers here http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41

If you read the warning on the page it mentions the code error you are getting Yellow Mark Error Code 10 in Device Manager



failing that go for the xp machine with null modem cable. shame to have to bin it

Vince1974

There is also a tip here about cleaning all the PF drivers and resetting the COM numbering.

http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12655&start=15

Seems to have worked for some but didn't for me.

Indeed would be a shame to bin it, also extremely annoying that it doesn't work, hate it when my computer does that... I'll hopefully get to a nice old XP desktop on Monday.

Voyager II

Not the computers fault just a sh1tty cable. Good luck with the xp machine let us know how you get on.

Vince1974

Thanks for the help and indeed most likely just a crap adapter, I got it off ebay.

Will keep you posted.

Vince1974

The Xoro still shows a perfectly black screen when it's turned on but I had a go anyway.

Had a look at the old XP desktop that I got access to today and immediately found a 9 pin serial port on it. So connected the xoro with the null modem cable and ran the recovery software with the datadump you uploaded, it worked just the same as with the adapter at home, didn't seem to connect to it or anything.

Just kept showing the screen:

synchronizing STB's......Please reset target

So it looks like my Xoro is properly broken, not sure how accidentally forgetting to select the bootloader in the upgrade can have such a disastrous effect.

So to anyone out there with the Xoro 9000+, be VERY careful with upgrading etc.

Voyager II

just bad luck Vince

Vince1974

If anyone wants to have a go at my old Xoro, just PM me and we'll sort something out. I'm giving up on Xoro and their worthless (non-existing) support.

I'm getting a cheaper one, Synaps TSHD 2870+, 45e on ebay.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SYNAPS-Combo-Satellite-Terrestrial-Receiver-for-Irish-Saorview-and-UK-FTA-Ch-/251244945670?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Satellite_TV_Receivers&hash=item3a7f5da106

neri

Sorry for late response, I was away and didn't get a chance to work on the box and update on how I got on.
Basically, I was just too slow switching on and off the box, that's why it was failing. It worked with the settings as supplied by Voyager above.
I got an abs file from tvtrade.ie website but the link has since been removed because there is a V2 of the Xoro box now I believe.

molloy30

how long will synchronizing STB's......Please reset target be on screen as I working on my box now and synchronizing STB's......Please reset target is up for about 30mins now.

Voyager II

Your computer is not seeing the xoro it should say done after about 30 seconds or so. What gear are you using?

molloy30

I am rs232 female to female cable plus using windows 7
what gear should I be using?

Voyager II

Has the computer got a 9 pin serial port? most win 7 machines have none.
Try changing the com port number in the xoro software and be quick with the on/off when asked to reset target. (the target is the xoro box I cant stress enough being fast doing the on/off use the switch at the back of the xoro).

molloy30

it has an 9 pin serial port alright
I am been fast with it but nothing
I will try again

eddie_

Hi could any help, i have a ariva 250 combo box and i might have brick the box. I cant seem to power the unit on now its like no power in it.any help would be great.thanks

TheCeltictiger

Hi Guys,

I am also after bricking my Xoro HRC9000 and have gone down through this thread and read that a null modem cable is require.

Is there any alternative to this method such as ftping using crossover ethernet cable as I am on a Mac which does not have a port to connect a R232 null modem cable. For that matter I presume that most PCs these days have also dropped this port.

I am in Cork city and assistance with this would be greatly appreciated as the missus is justifiably giving me grief with the all too familiar line of "it was fine until you went feckin at it"....when will I ever learn.

Regards,
TheCeltictger

Vince1974

I couldn't help but smile at that, after I f*cked up the Xoro the wife also wasn't too happy. She's more of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type of person.

I had purchased a usb to R232 null modem cable but then found out they never really work very well with Windows 7, so I got my hands on an old XP machine and no luck either. In the end I offered the broken box to anyone who wanted it here on boards and nobody seemed to. So I then dumped the piece of crap in the bin and purchased the cheapest combo box (Synaps) I could find for about 45e from Satworld.ie and had all kinds of issues with it. It now only displays the terrestrial channels and I have given up, that's good enough for me, I'm not touching the thing again and these are the only channels the missus watches, if any, so that'll do.

So no solution, just tale of woe.

STB

An FTP crossover cable will not work. The recovery is only through the serial port on the box.

If you do not have a Null modem cable and old PC, then finding the right USB to Null modem cable is key (there are loads that do not work).


Startech make one that does actually work on Win 7. (see here)

Buy one connect it to usb port and box with box turned on.
Set the com port setting on your PC.
Make sure those settings are the same as those in the EEPROM fixer/uploader recovery software for your box.

You then pick the software that you want to flash to the box (normally the latest/any firmware definition).
Turn the box off.
Click next on the software loader with the software picked (and parity and baud rate correctly selected), then flick the switch on on the box.

Most of these (abs files) have the same recovery sequence as they are a recovery procedure for the ALI chipset, which these and other boxes use.

You shouldnt have thrown it out Vince!

Vince1974

20 quid for a cable...

Hindsight, at the time nobody seemed to be able to advise me. The shop didn't reply anymore and Xoro themselves are completely useless for support.

I hooked up a raspberry pi and am very happy with that instead. I haven't watched a commercial break in months.

STB

Vince1974 wrote: »

20 quid for a cable...

Hindsight, at the time nobody seemed to be able to advise me. The shop didn't reply anymore and Xoro themselves are completely useless for support.

I hooked up a raspberry pi and am very happy with that instead. I haven't watched a commercial break in months.

Yes, I know but they are handy for those who dont have a €2 null modem cable and old PC. Those cables work on Dreamboxes etc so fairly generic.

I didnt see your posts originally, but its the same recovery procedure as the Fergusons and many people have temporarily bricked theirs in a similar way. The Xoro HRC 9000 uses the M3602 chip. The ali chips very resiliant though, as the chip is hardware protected, so you wont have to be jtagging. There are loads of tools out there as a result which allows you to use software for other branded boxes on your box that use the same 3602 chip by changing bootloader info etc.

TheCeltictiger

Thanks for the advice guys, just been up in my attic trying to put my hand on an old windows95 PC but just remembered that it and the accompanying crossover cable that I had with it went into the skip when I did an atti clear out about three years back.

Is there any in or around Cork city that could bail me out that has the right hardware to reinstall the firmware.

BTW, the missus is still giving me grief on breaking her Telly and current state of play is picture no sound and that is not the Xoro Sat receiver I am talking about either.

Any assistance would be appreciated

STB

You need

[1]a Windows PC that takes a Null modem cable and a proper Null modem cable OR [2]a Windows 7 laptop with the cable linked in my previous post

You also need

[3]a firmware file for this particular box (on website) - its an abs file model specific, the latest should be on their website [4]the free recovery tool for this chip/box (name is below).

These tools do not require installing - they will run off a usb stick/desktop.

Finally follow the instructions in page 2 of this thread for flashing the box.

It takes about a minute. Someone in a PC repair shop/Satellite retailer will have the tools if you do not (you just need 3 and 4 on a USB stick and the box to give them)

TheCeltictiger

Hi STB,

I manage to get my hands on a crossover cable and windows 7 PC. I have also registered on the Xoro support site and have downloaded the recovery tool but under their HRC9000 downloads section they are advising that firmware is unavailable.

By any chance do you have a backup of the firmware or no of any other source where I can get this ?

Thanks,
TheCeltictiger

TheCeltictiger

Hi Guys,

Well eventually got around to trying to rescue by Xoro and followed the instructions to the letter but I like some previous contributors to this thread encountered the 'Set stb memory error' and no matter how many times and how fast or slow I switch the receiver box on I cannot progress beyond this error.

I am using an old relic of Compaq PC running Windows98 (my 14year old got a great kick that the PC was older than him).

Do you think this error is related to the PC or is the receiver for the bin and unrecoverable ?

Again any feedback or assistance is appreciated.

Regards,
TheCeltictiger

FlexMcMurphy

Hello

My friend has a Xoro 9000+ and I have a Xoro 9000. I innocently gave him a channel list from my Xoro that bricked his Xoro 9000+ when he tried to load the list.

I've read through this thread and seems somepeople have had success and some not. My mates box seems totally dead. Has any one managed to recover a Xoro9000+ ? If so would you ever post a compatible firmware .abs file and maybe a link to the rescue software? I have a usb to null modem cable that works from my Win7 PC with an Alien 2 box so that much I have at least.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Flex

FlexMcMurphy

I bricked a friends Xoro9000+ box by trying to flash a channel list from a Xoro 9000 box onto it.

I tried the steps listed in previous posts to this thread and here is what I can report:

I got a DumpFile.abs from a working Xoro 9000+ and downloaded the Xoro HRC9000 HRS9100 Recovery Upgrade V1.0.0.4 tool. I used a usb to serial converter with null modem cable from my Win 7 laptop which I had previously successfully used on an Alien 2 receiver. No joy however with the Xoro 9000+.

I think the cable is working because the recovery tool says it can't find a serial connection if I change the COM port to the wrong one then that message goes away if I choose the correct port again that the cable is installed on.

However when I get to the screen that says: "Synchronizing STBs ... Please reset target!" when I turn the Xoro 9000+ off then back on again (yes I tried doing it very fast) it makes no difference, the 'Please reset Target' message stays there.

I think the Xoro is completely dead... toggling the on/off switch is probably not supplying power to the box at all.

If anyone has any helpful insights to add I would appreciate them!

Flex

SkinnerByrne

I can no longer get satellite channels on my xoro hrc 9000.....Home channels work fine.....My bro used his external to watch movies through the box and it hasn't been the same since......Suggestions PLEASE......

the-yikes

Can anyone tell me how i can upgrade the CCcam settings for the Xoro combo HRC 9000? I've searched everywhere but i'm not having any luck.

the-yikes

Thanks in advance.