Trouble Flashing HT1550

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:33 pm

I'm having trouble getting an HT1550 into bootstrap mode. I'm using a RKN4075A "ribless" programming cable and I've built a flash cable per this diagram:

Since the flash cable isn't going into a RIB, I've brought it out to a DB9 on the computer side. When you consider the pins not connected to anything when the ribless programming cable is used, the flash cable seems to be a standard RS232 cable with a switch between pins 1 and 25 on the programming cable side.

When I power up the radio, turn the boot control switch on, and remove/replace the battery, the radio just starts up again normally.

Ideas?

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:43 pm

Huh? HLN9742 requires a RIB. You should be able to flash with your RIBless cable... you just need to identify the Boot Control line on the DB-25 and take it to ground. That's all you need... no additional cables, etc.

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:06 pm

According to Motorola, the HLN9742 is required and can be used with or without a RIB. BUT, as I noticed earlier, it seems to be nothing more than a standard RS232 cable with a switch between pin 1 (ground) and 25 (boot control) on the programming cable side.

I seem to be doing as you state, bringing the boot control line to ground, and nothing is happening.

Where is this ground coming from though? Pin 1 from the HLN9742 cable connects to nothing on a DB9 PC serial port, so should I be tying the SHIELD through this switch to pin 25?

>>>
For the usage of this software the following radio accessories
are required:

- Flash adapter, P/N HLN9742
and (i)
- Radio Interface Box, P/N RLN4008
with battery or power supply
- RIB to PC cable, P/N 3080369B72 (9pin) or 3080369B7
(25pin)
- Programming/test cable, P/N RKN4074A
or (ii)
- RIBless programming cable, P/N RKN4075A

By using equipment (i) the Flash adapter has to be connected between the Radio Interface Box and the Programming/test cable. Maximum baud rate for this equipment is 19,200 Bd.

By using equipment (ii) the Flash adapter has to be connected
between the PC and the RIBless programming cable.

For Flash Adapter HLN9742B, "Flash mode on" means switch position "A", position "B" is NOT used for portable radios.
<<<

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:17 pm

You're reading things wrong. You need (ii) RIBless programming cable RKN4075A, and the flash ADAPTER, not an additional cable.

Make sure that the connector has the pin installed... make sure the line goes to ground. The ground source is Pin 1 on the DB-25 of your RKN4075A.

What's the current firmware revision? Earlier Waris stuff had real issues with reflashing - if memory serves, some had to go home. I don't think the 1550s were in that category since they were released far after the 750/1250, but you never know.

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:34 pm

tvsjr wrote:You're reading things wrong. You need (ii) RIBless programming cable RKN4075A, and the flash ADAPTER, not an additional cable.

Make sure that the connector has the pin installed... make sure the line goes to ground. The ground source is Pin 1 on the DB-25 of your RKN4075A.

What's the current firmware revision? Earlier Waris stuff had real issues with reflashing - if memory serves, some had to go home. I don't think the 1550s were in that category since they were released far after the 750/1250, but you never know.

The flash "adapter" I've built is an RS232 cable with a switch mounted into the DB25 shell on the programming cable side. Does it not come from Motorola as a cable? The list of pinouts on batlabs calls it a "HLN9742 Flash Cable."

There should be no difference here UNLESS the motorola HLN9742 flash "adapter" also ties pin 1 to shield. You're telling me ground source is pin 1 of the RKN4075A, per the diagram here on batlabs, and this is how I have it wired.

I had to add a pin 25 myself, so I'm sure it's installed.

Current firmware revision is R05.08.02.

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:45 pm

you need a rib box. the flash adaptor goes between the rib and the cable. there should be a 25 pin on both ends of the flash adaptor. if you've never done this before have someone that has help you or watch them do it first. save turning your radio into a brick.

Al · Post by Al » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:36 pm

What you're doing should put the radio into bootstrap mode. Double check the accessory connector on the side of the radio - particularly the bottom-most round gold plated pad for any dirt or corrosion. I have found that in dusty/industrial environments, the contact pads build up a film that sometimes prevents contact.

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:50 pm

HLA wrote:you need a rib box. the flash adaptor goes between the rib and the cable. there should be a 25 pin on both ends of the flash adaptor. if you've never done this before have someone that has help you or watch them do it first. save turning your radio into a brick.

What I quoted above came right from the README in the Motorola Firmware Kit. You're supposed to be able to do this with or without a RIB, if using the RIBless programming cable.

When used with the RIBless programming cable, one end of the flash adapter connects right to the PC serial port, so I wired a DB9 instead of the DB25 shown in the diagram.

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:13 pm

that would be true if you were using a ribless cable, your cable needs a rib to work so you need that to flash the radio too. i've never done it with a ribless cable, all of mine need a rib and they work just fine. like i said before, maybe you should see if there is anyone on here close by you that has done it before that could help you out. i'd hate to see you ruin the radio.

Post by **HumHead** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:31 pm

You can flash the firmware using either a "plain" cable and a RIB, with the flash adapter going between the RIB and the radio cable, or using the RIB-less cable, by placing the adapter between the cable and the serial port. I have done it both ways more hundred times than I care to remember.

I have in front of me the genuine "M" dual Professional Series (portable and mobile) flash adapter. The label with the model number wore off long ago, and I can't find the manual with the nice schematic, but here's the deal:

The adapter is essentiall built into a gender changer type housing, with a DB25M on one side, a DB25F on the other, and a SPDT toggle switch mounted through the side. You use the "A" position to put portables into bootstrap mode, and the "B" position for mobiles (in conjunction with the appropriate accessory connector adapter, which I also do not have in front of me at the moment.

Here's the story on the internal wiring:
1) Pins 1 & 7 are jumped together on both connectors. (I think that may be the original poster's issue)
2) The following pins are wired straight through the two connectors: 1&7 (shorted), 2, 3, 4, 11, and 15
3) When the switch is placed in the "A" (portable) position, it shorts pin 25 (boot control) to pins 1 (ground) & 7 (signal ground) on the DB25M.
4) When the switch is placed in the "B" (mobile) position, it shorts pin 25 to pin 12 on the DB25M.

If I were a betting man, I would bet that shorting pins 1 and 7 in your flash adapter would likely solve your problem.

A last note: /\/\ says that trying to flash a radio using a RIB at serial port speeds above 19200 can make a brick. They also say that you can perform the procedure safely with the RIB-less cable at any speed. The only radio that I have ever bricked was a CDM1550, due to my missing the fact that the serial port was set for a higner speed. Just to be safe, I lock the port at 19200, even when using the RIB-less cable. Perhaps a little paranoid, but I'd rather wait a little longer than worry.

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:29 pm

Thank you all for the detailed replies. I've learned (or been reminded of) a few important things:

1) The batlabs HLN9742 flash cable diagram is wrong.
2) Screwing up a flash upgrade can brick an expensive radio.
3) The cost of my time trying to make this cable has exceeded the cost of a new flash adapter, so I'm just going to buy one.

cracked · Post by **cracked** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:41 pm

I quit being so stubborn for a minute and jumpered pin 1 to 7. It worked fine. I flashed with the RIBless programming cable at 19.2K (at least that was the setting in the firmware kit...I later checked the COM port itself and found it set to 9600).