I'm so pleased with myself!

[Dee_Ann]

yes you can download the factory software into the receiver. Kinda common when you get a "previously enjoyed" receiver. Here is a link of the factory software and the loader
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/181916-how-do-i-cleanse.html


attached at bottom...freshly done today (updated)


leave committed as 1...its no biggie with that switch you have since its uncommitted only

Oh thank you!

I think I have the switch thing sort of sorted out.

Question, those files, how do I put them in the tuner? Please pardon my ignorance but I have never seen one of these little tuners before and there's no instructions for it.

Thank you!

 

[Mr Tony]

To download the software into the receiver you need a 9 pin cable (also called a RS232 cable)
Radio Shack carries them (link)

Now some computers dont have a RS232 port on the back so you have to check that first.

1. Hook up cable to computer and receiver
2. unzip the files that were attached
3. open loader 2.4
4. to load software, click "browse" and find software file to load
5. hit "connect". It will say "found version XXXX" (which is the existing software in receiver)
6. Hit start
wait for receiver to finish loading and reboot

to load the channel/satellite list...,use same loader
1. press tab for "channels"
2. click browse to find file
3. press connect
4. press start

and thats it

 

[Dee_Ann]

To download the software into the receiver you need a 9 pin cable (also called a RS232 cable)
Radio Shack carries them (link)

Now some computers dont have a RS232 port on the back so you have to check that first.

1. Hook up cable to computer and receiver
2. unzip the files that were attached
3. open loader 2.4
4. to load software, click "browse" and find software file to load
5. hit "connect". It will say "found version XXXX" (which is the existing software in receiver)
6. Hit start
wait for receiver to finish loading and reboot

to load the channel/satellite list...,use same loader
1. press tab for "channels"
2. click browse to find file
3. press connect
4. press start

and thats it

Hmmm... Sounds Easy enough.
Before I run out and buy more stuff I will check with my neighbor and see if he has one of those cables I might borrow first. Or maybe he can make one for me, he made one for my meter, he said it was easy to make.
It sure would make things easier if they didn't have 2 bazillion different kinds of cables. Just have one cable that fits everything.

Thank you again!

 

[Anole]

what's your time worth?

Yea, $20 for a $2 cable is a bit steep.
I build mine for... uhhh.... about $2, as I recall. *

BUT, there are two sizes of RS232 connectors, (DB25 and DB9)
there are two sexes of RS232 connectors, (duh)
and there are at least two ways to wire the cables! (called "straight-through", or "crossover")

So, it's up to you. The easy way, or the hard way.

In truth, the connector size and sex are easy enough - you just look.
Whether it's a crossover or straight-through wiring that is required, that's not hard to look-up, either.


* as I recall, the connectors were 50¢ or 60¢ each at a local electronics store, and the plastic shells for 'em were about the same.

PS: some receivers use crossover cables, and some models, even within the same brand... do not.

 

[Dee_Ann]

Yea, $20 for a $2 cable is a bit steep.
I build mine for... uhhh.... about $2, as I recall. *

BUT, there are two sizes of RS232 connectors, (DB25 and DB9)
there are two sexes of RS232 connectors, (duh)
and there are at least two ways to wire the cables! (called "straight-through", or "crossover")

So, it's up to you. The easy way, or the hard way.

In truth, the connector size and sex are easy enough - you just look.
Whether it's a crossover or straight-through wiring that is required, that's not hard to look-up, either.


* as I recall, the connectors were 50¢ or 60¢ each at a local electronics store, and the plastic shells for 'em were about the same.

PS: some receivers use crossover cables, and some models, even within the same brand... do not.

Wow! $2 ???? Oh yeah, I will wait and ask first.
I looked on the back of the pc and there is a plus that looks just like the one on the tuner that is labeled "RS-232C". They both have 9 little gold pins inside an ovalish metal part.

The birdog program cable is plugged into it. I dug through a tangled up box of wires I found in the junk room but I didn't see anything that has the same plug on both ends. I hope I can borrow one from my neighbor, I shouldn't need it but one time, I would think. Or maybe he can make one for me. Or maybe ebay would have one?

Thank you!

 

[Mr Tony]

yep then you have a RS232 cable option

 

[Anole]

reference material:

Come to think of it, we covered all this before.
Iceberg had a great thread on the subject last year.
Give it a read. Should clear up most questions on the subject of RS232.

edit:
different receiver, same idea, two years ago:

. . . Finally, I looked up the proper wiring on the internet, and took a road trip to one of the remaining local electronics stores.
40¢ ea for DB9's and 42¢ ea for plastic shells - beat that, Radio Shack !

When it's actually hooked up right, that upload program is quite informative.
Think it takes about 2 minutes for the transfer, and another minute to actually program the flash rom in the receiver.