any advantage to flashing via serial cable?

**allstarnz** · 19-11-09, 06:46 PM

so if I can flash via network, is there any advantage to flashing it via a serial cable?

**jonc** · 19-11-09, 07:02 PM

Via dreamup? Yes you need the serial cable in place to flash via the network. For flashwizard, no need for the serial cable if you know the IP address.

**z1gg33** · 19-11-09, 07:26 PM

Seems to be a general consensus that using a serial is safer. Guess less things to go wrong, I guess if your flashing via serial and it looses power at critical time, your stuffed.

I have flashed via network, with no problems BUT reading what the gurus have said always make me think twice!. (have not done it for a while mind you)

Perhaps serial delivers correctly at the right time/speed so is more a "safe bet". I am sure someone will be able to explain it in a more technical way. (which I look forward to reading)

**allstarnz** · 19-11-09, 07:32 PM

ok, thanks guys, was just curious.

I had the serial attached, but didn't notice I was connected via LAN until it started uploading the image file super fast (as opposed to super slow via serial cable)

**Ady_m** · 19-11-09, 07:37 PM

I stuffed up my first DM500-S while doing a flash over the network... it just stayed on the boot screen then when i rebooted it was just black.... I would highly recommend doing it with the serial cable.. I always use the serial cable now and it never fails.

Ady.

**vinayr** · 19-11-09, 07:39 PM

It's not a serial cable it's a null modem cable .

**porkop** · 19-11-09, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by vinayr

It's not a serial cable it's a null modem cable .

its not a null modem cable its a serial cable configured as a null modem!

Serial means the bits go down serially. (one at a time)

Not really null modem as this implies it loops back on itself.

it is a serial cross over cable, hows that?

jm2cw

**vinayr** · 20-11-09, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by porkop

its not a null modem cable its a serial cable configured as a null modem!

Serial means the bits go down serially. (one at a time)

Not really null modem as this implies it loops back on itself.

it is a serial cross over cable, hows that?

jm2cw

what about the Female DB9 to Female DB9

**Neutral** · 20-11-09, 04:00 PM

what about the Female DB9 to Female DB9

This generally dictates whether the equipment is DTE (male) or DCE (female) either way it's still serial.

**OSIRUS** · 20-11-09, 05:07 PM

I don't re-flash the image unless I want to change the image,

When the STB starts doing funny things, (or gets short of free space)

I just do a Factory Reset, Then reinstall all the Satellite settings & softcam,

This seems to clean out a lot of rubbish, & I then have a lot more free space in /var

& the STB runs like a new one

just another point of view

**allstarnz** · 20-11-09, 05:29 PM

ok, i'll try that next time.

**jgm** · 20-11-09, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Neutral

what about the Female DB9 to Female DB9

There's no such thing as a DB9. The 9 pin D (so called subminiature) connector is really a DE9 - it was the last of the D series to be standardised. They are in order DA15, DB25, DC37, DD50 and DE9.