USB stick and UD Error fix info/Stuck on Booting

[arboristman]

c/p
Main reasons for UD update failures:

1. Memstick not compatible (may look like it works.. but it's not). Buy a few different types. I've been using kingston usb sticks and things have been fine (just make sure its just a memstick not anything fancy with extra bells and whistles)
2. Memstick has multiple boot partitions/devices which foul up the process and the SV will see the wrong one device. Things like thumb security, backup software, automatic driver install partitions, etc are examples of multiple devices on one memstick. Try and find a simple memstick thats only a storage device and nothing else.
3. USB port acts erratic when there is a large power drain on the unit. I've goofed around with addons and stuff and sometimes the power drain causes the USB to act screwy. Take out anything that draws power on the SV, just have the TV plugged in.
4. You have a zip file on the memstick and not the uncompressed bin/rom file. Unzip the file then copy it over to the memstick. Never uncompress directly to memstick.
5. You copied the file over and didn't add/remove the usb memstick from your PC using the "safely remove" icon from the tasktray or My Computer. The File gets corrupted on the memstick and looks good (the file is there) but its missing bits and dies in the update (midway or near the end). Copy a fresh version of the file to the memstick and safely remove it from the PC.
6. File downloaded from the site got corrupted in the transfer somehow. Its unlikely but has happened. redownload and try again.
7. Older versions of firmware didn't support larger USB memsticks. Try to use 1GB and lower. 512MB seems to be the most stable if you are going back and forth firmware revisions.

If you're trapped with a non working USB memstick but your PVR drive works, use that instead. Hook the drive up to your PC, copy the bin/rom file to it (the root folder of the drive) and reconnect it to the SV. then go to the USB menu and manually do the software update from there.

Hope this helps; keep on testin'

[arboristman]

c/p
Menu Boot Loading Procedure with USB Key.
Here is the steps to revive your receiver if it gets "stuck on booting" where the display stays on booting and doesn't complete and reboot.

1. Do a clean FAT32 format on your USB stick.
2. Load the latest update bin file to the USB stick.
3. Turn the rear power switch on the receiver OFF.
4. Plug your USB stick into the receivers USB port.
5. Now do a forced load by pressing the MENU key on the front panel of the receiver and at the same time switch the rear power switch ON. Continue to hold the MENU button until you see "LOAD USB" on the front panel then release Menu button. It will then boot from the USB stick.


IMPORTANT NOTE: When using this step, please make sure there are nothing else in the device besides the latest bin file (That is the reason behind the clean FAT32 reformat).

IMPORTANT: When it completes do NOT touch anything UNTIL it reboots, says "power on" even if it says "Update Error".
Sometimes takes 20 sec AFTER you see the Update Error to properly complete.




Thanks to SaCoDi for originally posting.with tip from JimF on waiting up to 20 seconds if needed.

a report:
I can't thank you enough for your method of forced loading. Worked perfect! Had to hold menu for a long time (seemed like forever) but eventually load started. Am now in the process of scanning & have seen my first HD channels from sonicview. Thanks again & hope this might help others

[arboristman]

c/p by tachikoma:

One of the main things to consider when choosing a memstick is:

1. Smaller is Better. 512MB and Below preferable
2. FAT32 for the 256 or 512MB's FAT (FAT16) for the less than 256's
3. Generic USB memstick / USB Key types are the best
4. Make sure it doesn't support auto driver install. This means it has more than one partition or device on the memstick. Multi Device USB mem sticks are unlikely to work.
5. Choose a stick without a write protect tab. these seem to have sporatic problems with them

Memsticks that have worked for me:

- 512MB Kingston DataTraveler Mini Fun (It looks dumb, but works great best $8 I ever spent)
- 256MB TeraNova USB Key

Most of the Dell USB keys that come with their systems puke. I can't seem to figure these ones out. I have 256MB, 512MB and 1GB versions of the Dell Mem Keys and they all don't work.

You can use 1GB memsticks, but depending on the firmware release you are using. In the end, choose a memstick that supports the maximum memory or firmaware size of the machine in question.. right now you don't need anything above a 256MB. I have 1 512MG that I use and its been great.

Firmware Loading Trick

There is a firmware loading trick that I've been using, I just figured it not too long ago.

The boot loader ignores folders. So if you want to keep all your firmware's on one memstick so you can go test load old firmware sets do this:

- Format the a 512MB stick,
- then make a folder called "firmware"
- Copy all your firmwares to the firmware folder
- Copy the Base Firmware to your memsticks root
- When you get a new firmware release, copy it to the firmware folder.

So, with this you can do the following:

- with the STB booted up you got to the USB menu and navigate to the firmware folder on your stick, then you click on the firmware you want to load.
- If you get an error or problems, you reboot the STB using the back switch, hold down then front panel menu key (then power up) and the system boots from the memstick and takes the base firmware. Since the 512MB memstick is compatible with all firmwares when the system reboots you have base, then go to USB memstick and select the firmware folder and the previous firmware before the one you had errors on.. select, reboot and back in business.