Dead Ultra Issue - Must read - ABA DSS

**grasshopper** · September 20th, 2007

This is a WARNING to all ULTRA owners!
It is being reported that several Ultra's are now dieing, not just from one site but from again several different site's, this news only started this morning, and has not been believed by the official VS site, which I will not name here.

It is being put off as (Clone Receivers) that are dieing put it is a fact that 90% of these receiver's are not clone's are are real rviewsat ultra's, so just to clear this up, if you downloaded PFTAUSW-070911U that the (kill code) is active in this bin file, and anytime after 2 days it will totally disable the TSOP and loop the ads-chipset where it can not be flashed again with any factory file, not even version 0119U, nor does the repair kit enable the unit to be flashed again.

I have contacted ViewsatUSA to try and confirm this and havenot as yet received a reply formally from them, but another coder did give me a heads up by telling me this is known to VS and action is being taken, this is one reason the newer release of PTFAUSW-070914U was releast so quickly.

I recommend if you have this file on you're Ultra (Stop) watching Tv if the unit is still working, next go to (Menu), and do a (Factory Default), this will delete everything but this O/S from your system and then turn the I/O switch in the rear to (off) postion.

Next flash the unit with v0119U factory file (3) times to make sure it takes everything out of the O/S on the unit before flashing with the latest bin file, make sure you do not place the newest file 070914U in the same folder as you have all the rest of your files, make a new folder for 070914U to be download and upload to your system.

I think if you follow these instrutions its might be safe to operate the system again without frying it.

This is really all the information I have at this time, so please do not PM me anymore, I will post any info I get from ViewsatUSA on this subject. And do not try to contact viewsat with this, they will consider these files as third partie and void you're warrenty.

Owners with Dead Ultra's
To each of you with dead receivers, go to ViewsatUSA.com and download the (return Form) and call them ASAP to get a (RMA code), you have to have this and the (reciept of the box) to return it.

I own several of these boxes and all have this file on them right now, hopefully tomorrow I can get them off without having a bunch of dead receivers myself, good luck to all.

**srour** · September 20th, 2007

huummmmmmm

lilcap · September 20th, 2007

Do you know what the symptoms are for the ultra box because I haven't had my up for even a day and it's down already.

I have audio just fine but the picture has gone crazy. The picture is very discolored while the screen is rolling & flickering.

If any or you remember the days of the rabbit ears when the picture would start rolling & flicker (vertical/horizonal hold) & you had to stabilize the picture either by moving the rabbit ears or adjusting the vertical/horizonal knob.

Could this be a symptom of what's going on with the dead boxes.

k.r. · September 20th, 2007

i have been running fine on that since it came out with no problem...

**grasshopper** · September 20th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilcap

Do you know what the symptoms are for the ultra box because I haven't had my up for even a day and it's down already.

I have audio just fine but the picture has gone crazy. The picture is very discolored while the screen is rolling & flickering.

If any or you remember the days of the rabbit ears when the picture would start rolling & flicker (vertical/horizonal hold) & you had to stabilize the picture either by moving the rabbit ears or adjusting the vertical/horizonal knob.

Could this be a symptom of what's going on with the dead boxes.

I answered your post here: http://www.abadss.com/forum/93-live-...gone-wild.html

**grasshopper** · September 20th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.r.

i have been running fine on that since it came out with no problem...

Two of my friend boxes got kill with 9/11 bin, they asked me for help... but nothing I can do. I toll them to send it back to Viewsatusa.com

**senorshady** · September 20th, 2007

hey grasshopper so even if it's working fine you should put the 914 file instead?

**grasshopper** · September 20th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by senorshady

hey grasshopper so even if it's working fine you should put the 914 file instead?

I would do factory reset, reflash your receiver with the factory bin then flash it with the latest fix (9/14)

titeo123 · September 20th, 2007

Hello:
I flashed the 9/14 bin file last week and watched tv since then until today I got my ultra dead (no power no menu nothing) so I got to this forum I found out the this issue. I believe nothing I can do but return to Viewsatusa, right?

**arboristman** · September 20th, 2007

be very careful guys.there are cloned vs ultra's that look VERY close to the real ones!!!
buy from an authorized viewsat dealer ONLY.
then at least if anything happens,you can send back to viewsatusa if they don't mind you flashed it with 3rd party bins.

musky · September 20th, 2007

im starting to think that since both new ultra bins are killing boxs,that they are clones not real ultras iv been running 911u in all 4 of my ultras since day 1 and all is good.

titeo123 · September 20th, 2007

Hello guys, if we already flashed with 914 bin, is that considered as third party software and the unit cannot be returned because it voids the waranty?

titeo123 · September 20th, 2007

So you mean this problem only happened to clone receivers not genuine ones? If I am certain that I own a genuine one, I do not have to worry about this right? Thanks for your info.

**carpenter1** · September 20th, 2007

I don't know but I have been running 12 Ultras with the 911U and haven't had one go down on me. I think it's user error and not the receivers because 12 is a good reference for me.

jcw271980 · September 21st, 2007

i have been runing 6 real ultras with the 911 file with no problems since day one from what i have read it is only the clones that have went down with this file not real ones so it is safe to say if it goes down than most likely it is a clone anyone else have a real one go down

**Drockstar** · September 21st, 2007

There is a possibility of replacing the eeprom... You will have to be very good at soldering.... VS and the lawsuit that they are in... I would not hold my breath as far as getting receivers repaired that has had third party software on them...

**Drockstar** · September 21st, 2007

Here is a C&P of a C&P at another site I frequent:

I personally have not tried this fix, but it might be worth a shot...

In my travels...I found this bit of info for reviving dead Viewsats....thought some here might need this info....Thanx go to Frankott for posting this and all the credit to Odd Thomal for all the hard work...this a c/p from his thread.

If You Have A Dead Viewsat Read This.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit goes to Odd Thomal
These are instructions to bring a dead Viewsat, and sonicveiw, or clones back to life.

1). Instruction for clones:

a. If its a clone and STB-PC failed
b. Reboot
c. Reload factory file 2061, if still dead follow next step.

2).Cloning from another unit, even if unit is a clone you can use a extreme or platinum model to repair the dead unit.

a. Load working unit with factory file 2061 or 2067
b. Once loaded hook up Null cable to working unit, then to dead one, with power switch off.
c. On hooked up unit to TV, setup :
Menu>Installation>Receiver upgrade
d. Choice main software (Only) to upload and click OK
e. Progress will show up on TV, Turn I/O switch to ON potion on dead unit.(Watch for download to start). If No progress. Start over steps (d) and (i).
f. Watch for progress again on TV screen indicating dead unit is up-grading.
g. When dead unit reaches 100% wait 15teen seconds,then count 5 more.Unit will REBOOT in this time.
h. Lights will not come back on front panel until unit is rebooted.
i. Turn off dead unit first,then click EXIT from working Viewsat exit completely out of screen back to channels.
j. Turn dead unit back on, display lights will come back on front panel,and unit will say REBOOT/INST./0000/NoChan
k. Unit is ready to reload new main bin file.

3). This works on all Viewsat products, if (fail) at any point restart procedure at any point. If it doesn't check to make sure null cable to Viewsat are connected tightly,then try again.

4). If unit sits and does nothing wait 10 minutes,still nothing.Stop and unhook power source (Remember safely first) remove case and check fuse with meter. Fuse is a T2A_250v.

5). Replace fuse and retry steps again.

6). If still nothing after replacing fuse the unit is truly dead, and is time to send back to Vender for replacement.
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How to fix your dead ViewSat (involves soldering)

This is from a repairman who has fixed many units for dealers in Miami, FL.

The fixing consists of replacing the TSOP.

I’m sure some of you already know about this fix, but I’m also sure a lot of others have no idea. This is the same fix the VS company is going to do for you. Just buy your own TSOP and do it your self. Or have someone else do it for you for a lot less.

If you have no skills on soldering, I won’t recommend you doing it yourself. You can mess up the board while doing this.

You will need a blower - and it’s not for your hair. You will need it for removing the TSOP. You also need a magnifying glass and very very fine soldering tip. The blower is NOT A REGULAR BLOWER. For example I have an ATTEN 850A. Maybe you can find something cheaper similar to the one I have. Especially if all you are going to do is one box. In my case I need it something a little more professional because I do this all the time.

The TSOP is the 48pin chip SST 39vf1601, next to the CPU, and on the Ultra is a 39vf3201.

Now you get the blower and set it to 280 degrees - no higher because you can damage the Board and the TSOP. Then you get yourself a pair of tweezers to help you remove the chip once it’s hot enough. Once you have the TSOP removed, you need to remove the extra resin left on the board with very very fine soldering TIP. Once you have the board clean of the extra rosin solder you are ready to put in the new TSOP.

To solder the chip you need to align all 48 pins before you start to solder. Now you are going to solder on one side ONLY and only 2 or 3 pins. Because like that you can go back to the other side of the chip and align another 2 or 3 pins so you can get a straight fit. Once you have 2 pins on one corner and 2 across on the opposite corner, you are ready to start soldering your new TSOP. With a very fine tip you are going to touch all the pins one by one very very carefully so they don’t get stuck together in the middle. This is the part that’s a pain in the rear. You need very steady hands for this part of the job and you also will need the magnifying glass.

Believe me, I have fixed hundreds of dead units here in Miami for dealers and this is what needs to be done.

Also units that are stuck on "- - - -" and you can’t fix it no matter what you do by flashing it. They will also need the TSOP replaced.

There is a Chinese program that can fix some of the units stuck on the “- - - - “, but it won't fix all of them.

Do this at your own risk!

If you are not sure you can do it, then definitely get some one else who knows how to do this type of work.

end of c/p

azavega · September 22nd, 2007

Hi there...
Guys I've been running 5 ultras with the 9/11 bin and everithing good till now
so I guess I got the good ones...

abadsspoeg · September 24th, 2007

I think many of us (including myself) allready downloaded/upgraded the files many times since we got the Ultra. Do we have flash it back to the Factory-Bin-File before return it to ViewsatUSA? How can we do it with a dead ultra? Thanks

abadsspoeg · September 24th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by abadsspoeg

I think many of us (including myself) allready downloaded/upgraded the files many times since we got the Ultra. Do we have flash it back to the Factory-Bin-File before return it to ViewsatUSA? How can we do it with a dead ultra? Thanks

PS: Just went to VIEWSATUSA and saw this statement:

When you buy a receiver from Viewtech, your receiver will be sent to you with the latest software and firmware available at the time when the unit is manufactured. Viewtech does not support third-party software, and if used, it will void the manufacturer's warranty.