Lost bootstrap mode

[RADIOMAN2002]

I updated the firmware to 05.14.00 in my VHF HT-1250 portable. The upgrade went without any errors, but now when I try to put the radio in bootstrap mode, it doesn't go. Is there something in the firmware that could have caused this, I checked my cables with another radio and that radio went immediately into bootstrap with no problem.

[Andreas]

You could have a bad contact field!The bootcontrol contact is often bad by corrosion from sweat or water.
Change the housing with a good known radio and try it again.

Andreas

[RADIOMAN2002]

It worked fine the first time, then stopped, I even took the same housing and put it on a different radio and the bootstrap works. This problem is somehow related to the upgrade in firmware. Has anyone else had the same issue. This is not this first radio I have had do this.

[Andreas]

I didn´t know, that you´ve already changed the housing.
You can try to bootstrap it with the US Lab Upgradekit.

[wavetar]

Did you happen to do the upgrade with a SmartRIB? The reason I ask is there was a known issue with early versions of the Waris radios in which a diode would get burnt when using the SmartRIB, causing all sorts of wierd issues, including no power, or no boot control.

[RADIOMAN2002]

I am using the flashkey dongle that goes between the standard ribless HT cable and the computer. I did try the cable and the housings on other radios and the radio's will go into bootstrap mode, just not on the radio I upgraded to 05.14 firmware. Even with Lab the radio will not go into bootstrap mode.

[wavetar]

Well, I don't have that version to try...I have 5.12.xx and on MOL the latest is now 5.16.xx. I did look at the earlier release notes and found notes for 5.14.03...but it doesn't mention anything about fixing a bootstrap firmware issue. PM me if you want to send me the firmware package to try...or bite the bullet & try another radio on your end.

[RADIOMAN2002]

The main problem is that I intended to upgrade the radio to 05.16. I just didn't want to jump that many versions at once. Now I cannot update to 05.16, because the radio won't go into bootstrap. I am posting this to see if this is just a one time occurence or if there is a problem with 05.14. I have 05.16 so from now on I'll just use that one.

[HLA]

The jump skipping versions won't make any difference, the eprom gets erased first anyway. use a pencil eraser on the contacts and pins and swap the housing if you have too. i'd also try to find a real rib and cable and do away with the ribless cable

[JPOPatents]

When you say "standard cable" are you referring to an RKN4075? Are you using it with a USB to RS232 adapter? Also, are you using the Motorola OEM flash adapter? It's best to use the RKN4075 with a serial port and not a USB adapter. Are you running XP native or under a virtual machine? I have that firmware version in my HT1250 VHF radio and have no problems with the RKN4075C connected to the flash adapter connected to a serial port on an XP virtual machine, so it's not the firmware version that's the problem.

[RADIOMAN2002]

I am using a Motorola factory serial ribless HT cable and Motorola factory flash adapter to the serial port on the computer. I have never had a problem with my setup before. I did have a few radios that would not go into bootstrap and I sent them back to Motomexico, and the whole board was replaced.
By what you are saying it looks like the radio, not my setup. I was wondering is there an actual bootstrap line on the processor, or does it use some sort of subroutine to get the radio in bootstrap mode?

[JPOPatents]

I was wondering is there an actual bootstrap line on the processor, or does it use some sort of subroutine to get the radio in bootstrap mode?

Pin 12 on the radio connector is grounded to Pin 7 for boot control. Maybe there is a problem with your connectors.

[RADIOMAN2002]

I'll check into the pins, it just seems strange that the radio won't go after a firmware upgrade.

[n7maq]

I'll check into the pins, it just seems strange that the radio won't go after a firmware upgrade.

From the details you have given the problem is in the radio, not your programming setup. I would guess it's a hardware issue, not a F/W issue, and you have already ruled out the housing. At this point if you have to upgrade to the new F/W you may need to send it to the depot.

Jim

[RADIOMAN2002]

Not going to bother, when the radio fails, it will just be parted out and discarded. I get about 2 radios a month that are either run over or damaged in some way. The radio is worth more in it's parts than sending it back for flat rate. Now about flat rate, I have never seen such differences in repair quality depending on what tech repairs them. One time the entire radio will be replaced, (main board, back frame and housing)other times they replace only the bad part (mainly main board) and send back a crappy looking frame or housing.