43 replies to this topic

[ojoksch]

I flashed my box with new bootloader and latest PLi a few days ago, and it's been working fine for a few days now, but today it's not starting anymore.

Box was working fine yesterday until Power was removed yesterday, and put back on today.
Hdd is spinning
Measured +12V and +5V

But all that happens is the red diode in the corner illuminates, and also reacts to remote. Box is still dead.

Have tried to remove HDD, remove card and inserted USB with new bootloader.


Any tips anyone? I know it's not a PLi-problem, but here's plenty of members with the same box, so I'll try my luck anyway.

[Rob van der Does]

1- You left power off long enough (say 30 sec)?
2- If the box worked fine, the bootloader is OK. Don't start messing it up now.
3- Disconnect all cables and devices: coax, LAN, all USB pens and internal/external HDD.

What happens now if you power on the box?

[ojoksch]

Powers been off (also removed cable) for at least 5-6 minutes several times. (Trying a few hours now)
All cables was allready removed. As earlier, still no reaction from the box.

Tried USB with bootloader after reading a post on another forum, but I couldn't see any activity on USB so I don't think it's been messed up any more.

[Rob van der Does]

Well, sorry to say, but looks indeed bricked.
Maybe try VUUTILS to load an NFI-image (although I don't think that will work either).

[ojoksch]

Yeah.. Just tried to check communication through serial. dead..
My last hope now is that my homemade serialcable has faulty wireing since I made it in a hurry.

Network LEDs are illuminated if that helps..

Funny thing though... Seems like lots of people reporting bricked boxes after updating bootloader (excluding those flashing wrong bootloader). Also found one exactly like me. Flashed it, and had it working for two days before it bricked in the same way.

Thanx for helping anyway

[Rob van der Does]

Network LEDs are illuminated if that helps..

Nope, only means that the NIC itself is OK.
Sorry again, but looks like a RMA-case.
And you are right: never heard of these problems until recently. Coincidence??

[jakas]

If the bootloader is the culprit there would be many more reports. I dont see many not here atleast. Btw this bootloader updated was released long back end October

[Rob van der Does]

Btw this bootloader updated was released long back end October

That indeed is correct, but as hardly anybody needed it by then, my guess is that most bootloaders were only updated when people started to use the 3.1.1 kernel images.

[jakas]

then is it the image ? What image you got on it or last had

[Rob van der Does]

then is it the image ? What image you got on it or last had

Nope, no image could possibly cause such a problem.
This is probably hardware related (and possibly but not likely bootloader related).

[ojoksch]

Btw this bootloader updated was released long back end October

That indeed is correct, but as hardly anybody needed it by then, my guess is that most bootloaders were only updated when people started to use the 3.1.1 kernel images.

Same as me. Used a stable PLi from last summer before utdating now in january (U know.. WAF combined with busy days)

then is it the image ? What image you got on it or last had

Allways been using PLi, but as SatKiekerd wrote, I can't blame the crash on PLi. Only found some minor bugs. Other problems been HW related, like startup-problem while using a 16 GB USB for PTS.

Anybody knows if cutting the power without shutting down first could cause drivers or bootloader to be corrupted? (Like MS Win ) If so, I'm buying a ups for my next box.

[wiz]

Anybody knows if cutting the power without shutting down first could cause drivers or bootloader to be corrupted? (Like MS Win ) If so, I'm buying a ups for my next box.

that could not be the case. The flash part that holds the bootloader only gets read, and it gets written during the update. If you flash the bootloader, and half way yank the powercable, then you have bricked yr box.
Only thing you can do is hook up a serial cable to the console port at the back and look if there's anything on the screen when powering up your box.

[Rob van der Does]

Only thing you can do is hook up a serial cable to the console port at the back and look if there's anything on the screen when powering up your box.

He already did that:

Yeah.. Just tried to check communication through serial. dead..

[wiz]

if the serial console does nothing then there's no other option than to get it back to distributor in order to get it fixed.

[ojoksch]

if the serial console does nothing then there's no other option than to get it back to distributor in order to get it fixed.

Yeah, I'll call the dealer this week and see if can help me, but considering the prices, I'm not sure if it's worth repairing at the shop.

[DrWilken]

Updated my Vu+ Duo today and it wouldn't boot (red light on). Just said "Starting..." and nothing happened.

Tried the nightly build from 16/1... Didn't work... 15/1... Didn't work either... Still "Starting..." and red light on...

Flashed it with the bootloader update from Vu+ and then the 6.0 image... Worked... :-)

http://www2.vuplus.c...e-v-60-released

[DrWilken]

Actually... See this:
http://openpli.org/f...you-must-flash/ :-)

Which points to this (bootloader update):
http://openpli.org/f...873#entry242873

Edited by DrWilken, 16 January 2012 - 18:34.

[DrWilken]

Loading the latest Nightly build (16/1) also works now... D'OH... ;-)

[ojoksch]

Actually... See this:
http://openpli.org/f...you-must-flash/ :-)

Which points to this (bootloader update):
http://openpli.org/f...873#entry242873

Yeah.. but if you check out my first post on this topic, new bootloader was flashed along with new image and working for a couple of days before meltdown.
There is no reaction from the mainboard whatsoever. Just red led in display

Talked to the seller today, and his opinion is that I didn't turn of box with switch before cutting and switching on power again (I cut and reset the fuse), and that he have had similar cases earlier. Don't see how though.. PS is okay since I've checked all voltages out of it.

A UPS is gonna be installed asap.

[WanWizard]

Hmmm.... I have quite regular power cuts here, and sofar not a problem with my VU+DUO...