| Author |
Message |
John Dulak
Guest
|
 Posted:
Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:13 am Post subject:
USR Modem dead after Flash |
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Group:
I attempted to upgrade the firmware on an external US Robotics 5686-D
Modem and now have a paper weight.
USR's "Modem Identification Utility" reported it as a model 568604; the
label calls it a USR5686-D. USR's web site and email from support claims
the file
"5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.exe" is the correct firmware upgrade so I
downloaded it. This is supposed to be a "Windows Stand Alone Flasher".
Running this file gives the error message:
"Error 0 Running command fflash.exe".
If I unpack the above archive using PKunzip I get the files:
- fflash.exe
- flashfile.ini
- 5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.dmf.
Running Fflash.exe gives the error message:
"Linked to missing export kernel32.dll set process affinity mask."
At this point I installed USR's "Modem Control Center" from the CD that
came with the modem. On running, it detected the modem and would allow
me
to adjust various parameters and use a terminal window to talk to the
modem. It also had a "Flash from Disk" option that asked for the
location of a .DMF file so I pointed it to
"5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.dmf" and clicked OK. The progress bar moved
along and in a few minutes I got a "Completed Successfully" message and
clicked OK. I then went to the terminal function of Control Center and
tried to verify that the firmware version had changed to 5.4.62. I got
NO response from the modem.
Thinking things just needed to be reset and restarted I exited
everything, closed down Windows (95OSR2) and powered off the PC and the
modem for a minute or so. On restart I still can't get any response from
the modem and Control Center can no longer detect the modem. The modem
itself also acts differently when turned on. The "CS" LED used to stay
on when the modem was powered up, now it only flashes dimly.
I realize the chances of recovering the thing are slim but if anyone has
any suggestions I am willing to try and have nothing to lose. Even if
there is no fix I sure would like to know what I did wrong to avoid
future problems and maybe learn a thing or two.
John Dulak
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
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Franc Zabkar
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:17 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 17:13:56 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
| Quote: | I attempted to upgrade the firmware on an external US Robotics 5686-D
Modem and now have a paper weight.
|
Try Sportster Modem Flasher:
http://flasher.webzone.ru/smf.html
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email. |
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John Dulak
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:55 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
Franc Zabkar wrote:
| Quote: |
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 17:13:56 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
I attempted to upgrade the firmware on an external US Robotics 5686-D
Modem and now have a paper weight.
Try Sportster Modem Flasher:
http://flasher.webzone.ru/smf.html
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.
|
Frank:
Thanks for the link, but I've already found "Sportster Modem Flasher"
and It will not even acknowledge that a modem is connected to the serial
port :-(. Is there something I am missing?
John
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
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MasterBlaster
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Nov 28, 2004 6:32 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
"John Dulak" wrote
| Quote: | I attempted to upgrade the firmware on an external US Robotics 5686-D
Modem and now have a paper weight.
Try Sportster Modem Flasher:
http://flasher.webzone.ru/smf.html
Frank:
Thanks for the link, but I've already found "Sportster Modem Flasher"
and It will not even acknowledge that a modem is connected to the serial
port :-(. Is there something I am missing?
|
Have you tried another serial cable?
My Courier was working fine until one day *click*, it disconnected from
the Net, and like you, the normal number of LEDs wasn't on. I could still
send it commands though, but it wouldn't dial or connect. Turns out one
of the internal wires right by the modem-end plug was broken, and the
smallest bit of flexing would make the errant LED come back on, but only
temporarily. Bought another $10 cable, and everything's working again.
As for the bad flash part, good luck. |
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Franc Zabkar
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 17:55:19 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
| Quote: | Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 17:13:56 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
I attempted to upgrade the firmware on an external US Robotics 5686-D
Modem and now have a paper weight.
Try Sportster Modem Flasher:
http://flasher.webzone.ru/smf.html
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.
Frank:
Thanks for the link, but I've already found "Sportster Modem Flasher"
and It will not even acknowledge that a modem is connected to the serial
port :-(. Is there something I am missing?
John
|
Would the modem still be under warranty?
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email. |
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John Dulak
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:14 pm Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
MasterBlaster, Frank:
I have not tried a new cable and find it hard to believe the cable
failed within seconds of the Flash procedure.
The modem was bought used and is long out of warrenty. Thank goodness I
didn't pay much.
Anything else I should try with SMF besides just running it? The FAQ
mentions grounding pin 3 on the EPROM but is vauge about whether this is
done momentairly or continually. It also mentions selecting Line 1, line
3 and line 1 again. Any idea what they are talking about?
-----
Just tried Grounding Pin 3 On the EPROM during power on and I now get a
BOOT response from the modem!! Some progress anyway. SMF now finds the
modem but gives a message about the compatiblity of the SSF file and the
modem ID string. The FAQ states:
" In the beginning - having serviceable "native" firmware is a good
idea. Download the latest version of SMF, to start, click on first, then
second, then on the first line again. The second line will be replaced
with "Pro mode activated". It will stop checking for compatibility
(SMF.ICL file)."
Any idea what this first, second, first line business to enter "Pro"
mode refers to??
John
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
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Art Jackson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Nov 29, 2004 7:44 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
John Dulak wrote:
| Quote: | MasterBlaster, Frank:
I have not tried a new cable and find it hard to believe the cable
failed within seconds of the Flash procedure.
The modem was bought used and is long out of warrenty. Thank goodness I
didn't pay much.
Anything else I should try with SMF besides just running it? The FAQ
mentions grounding pin 3 on the EPROM but is vauge about whether this is
done momentairly or continually. It also mentions selecting Line 1, line
3 and line 1 again. Any idea what they are talking about?
-----
Just tried Grounding Pin 3 On the EPROM during power on and I now get a
BOOT response from the modem!! Some progress anyway. SMF now finds the
modem but gives a message about the compatiblity of the SSF file and the
modem ID string. The FAQ states:
" In the beginning - having serviceable "native" firmware is a good
idea. Download the latest version of SMF, to start, click on first, then
second, then on the first line again. The second line will be replaced
with "Pro mode activated". It will stop checking for compatibility
(SMF.ICL file)."
Any idea what this first, second, first line business to enter "Pro"
mode refers to??
John
If you get the Boot Prompt, try sending ATGM to the modem to take it out |
of flash mode. Good luck.
--
Art Jackson W4TOY Owensboro, KY USA
Life is God's open book test. In order to pass,
you must open His book to find the answers. |
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MasterBlaster
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Nov 29, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
"John Dulak" wrote
| Quote: | Just tried Grounding Pin 3 On the EPROM during power on and I now get a
BOOT response from the modem!! Some progress anyway.
|
That's what one of my dead internals said when I rescued it from the dumpster.
Just "Boot>".
| Quote: | SMF now finds the
modem but gives a message about the compatiblity of the SSF file and the
modem ID string. The FAQ states:
|
It tries to figure out what kind of modem it is (if it can) and looks up the info
in the file SMF.ICL. If the modem's ID string doesn't match the cross-referenced
flash file you're trying to use, it will tell you so. That's to keep people from killing
their modem by accident.
Since yours is already dead, bypass the checking with "Pro mode".
| Quote: | " In the beginning - having serviceable "native" firmware is a good
idea. Download the latest version of SMF, to start, click on first, then
second, then on the first line again. The second line will be replaced
with "Pro mode activated". It will stop checking for compatibility
(SMF.ICL file)."
Any idea what this first, second, first line business to enter "Pro"
mode refers to??
|
What, you don't speak semi-translated Russian?
Run flasher.exe
Click on "Welcome To Sportster Modem Flasher"
"No more troubles..." changes to "Sure in your skill?"
Double click "Sure in your skill?"
"Welcome...." changes to "Flash on your own risk!".
Click on "Flash on your own risk!".
"Sure in your skill?" changes to "Protection is removed."
It will now accept any attempt to use a wrong "non-native" flash code,
and you can experiment with whichever one you want. |
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John Dulak
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Nov 29, 2004 5:49 pm Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
MasterBlaster wrote:
<Snip>
| Quote: | Since yours is already dead, bypass the checking with "Pro mode".
" In the beginning - having serviceable "native" firmware is a good
idea. Download the latest version of SMF, to start, click on first, then
second, then on the first line again. The second line will be replaced
with "Pro mode activated". It will stop checking for compatibility
(SMF.ICL file)."
Any idea what this first, second, first line business to enter "Pro"
mode refers to??
What, you don't speak semi-translated Russian?
Run flasher.exe
Click on "Welcome To Sportster Modem Flasher"
"No more troubles..." changes to "Sure in your skill?"
Double click "Sure in your skill?"
"Welcome...." changes to "Flash on your own risk!".
Click on "Flash on your own risk!".
"Sure in your skill?" changes to "Protection is removed."
It will now accept any attempt to use a wrong "non-native" flash code,
and you can experiment with whichever one you want.
|
MasterBlaster:
THAT DIT IT!!! I now have my modem back. Though as a 568603 instead of
the original 568604, but it WORKS now. Thanks a bunch.
The most discouraging part of all of this is that I could get into so
much trouble using USR's tools and following USR's directions. They have
lost a good deal of credibility with me.
Anyone know what the difference is between the two models or where I can
find a .SFF or .DMF file for a 568604.
Thanks again.
John Dulak
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Franc Zabkar
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Nov 30, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 07:49:21 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
| Quote: | THAT DIT IT!!! I now have my modem back. Though as a 568603 instead of
the original 568604, but it WORKS now. Thanks a bunch.
The most discouraging part of all of this is that I could get into so
much trouble using USR's tools and following USR's directions. They have
lost a good deal of credibility with me.
Anyone know what the difference is between the two models or where I can
find a .SFF or .DMF file for a 568604.
|
I could be wrong, but USR's filename, "5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.dmf",
suggests that the same binary code is used in the 03, 04, 05, D, and E
versions of the 5686 modem.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email. |
|
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|
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John Dulak
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:04 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
Franc Zabkar wrote:
| Quote: |
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 07:49:21 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
THAT DIT IT!!! I now have my modem back. Though as a 568603 instead of
the original 568604, but it WORKS now. Thanks a bunch.
The most discouraging part of all of this is that I could get into so
much trouble using USR's tools and following USR's directions. They have
lost a good deal of credibility with me.
Anyone know what the difference is between the two models or where I can
find a .SFF or .DMF file for a 568604.
I could be wrong, but USR's filename, "5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.dmf",
suggests that the same binary code is used in the 03, 04, 05, D, and E
versions of the 5686 modem.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.
|
Franc:
I noticed the same thing but using that file was what got me into
trouble in the first place.
John
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Art Jackson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:23 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
John Dulak wrote:
| Quote: | Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 07:49:21 -0500, John Dulak <johnd@Booogus.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:
THAT DIT IT!!! I now have my modem back. Though as a 568603 instead of
the original 568604, but it WORKS now. Thanks a bunch.
The most discouraging part of all of this is that I could get into so
much trouble using USR's tools and following USR's directions. They have
lost a good deal of credibility with me.
Anyone know what the difference is between the two models or where I can
find a .SFF or .DMF file for a 568604.
I could be wrong, but USR's filename, "5686.03.04.05.D.E-v5.4.62.dmf",
suggests that the same binary code is used in the 03, 04, 05, D, and E
versions of the 5686 modem.
- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.
Franc:
I noticed the same thing but using that file was what got me into
trouble in the first place.
John
|
I think what Franc implied was that the firmware is the same for all
those models, starting with the 568603. There is an update file here,
ftp://ftp.usr.com/updates/archive/ that will flash your modem to the
latest firmware version. The update file confirms what Franc was saying.
Good luck.
--
Art Jackson W4TOY Owensboro, KY USA
Life is God's open book test. In order to pass,
you must open His book to find the answers. |
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John Dulak
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Dec 01, 2004 3:24 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
Franc, Art:
Well. I downloaded the file "00568603ud.exe" from the USR FTP server and
ran it. It did flash the firmware on my modem but the modem reverted to
"Paper Weight" mode afterwards:-((. I had to open the thing up (again),
ground pin 3 on the EPROM, then run SMF to get it functional.
USR has lost even more crediblity with me. I am not even interested in
reporting this to them. Their "Email a Technician" only get me
restatments of the information on the website and has been NO HELP WHAT
SO EVER with this problem or a previous problem with using PULSE
dialing.
John
--
\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
_____________________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at: |(\
/ )| http://users.telerama.com/~jdulak/email.htm |( \
( (|____________________________________________ |) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \ |
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|
Art Jackson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:58 am Post subject:
Re: USR Modem dead after Flash |
|
|
John Dulak wrote:
| Quote: | Franc, Art:
Well. I downloaded the file "00568603ud.exe" from the USR FTP server and
ran it. It did flash the firmware on my modem but the modem reverted to
"Paper Weight" mode afterwards:-((. I had to open the thing up (again),
ground pin 3 on the EPROM, then run SMF to get it functional.
USR has lost even more crediblity with me. I am not even interested in
reporting this to them. Their "Email a Technician" only get me
restatments of the information on the website and has been NO HELP WHAT
SO EVER with this problem or a previous problem with using PULSE
dialing.
John
Did it leave the modem with a <boot> prompt? If so, then use a terminal |
program to issue the command ATGM to the modem. I have used the *ud.exe
files on my external 178602 several times. Each time it flashes the
modem, it leaves it in the <boot> state. Issueing the ATGM command
restores it back to normal operation. Worth a try, it works for me.
Good luck.
--
Art Jackson W4TOY Owensboro, KY USA
Life is God's open book test. In order to pass,
you must open His book to find the answers. |
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