H37 upgrade for an MTS2000

ayaresr · Post by **ayaresr** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:45 pm

I just got off the phone with motorola. I was attempting to obtain the H37 smartnet trunking flash upgrade for an MTS2000. I think I was transferred to different people about 3 or 4 times. One woman told me that I needed to use the above the price book option in my MOL account. She transferred me to someone else to tell me how I could do that. I am not setup as a dealer and therefore couldn't use this option. The last woman I spoke to told me to send the radio in to the depot for the upgrade, or take it to an authorized shop for this upgrade. I had the radio at a shop yesterday, where I was told that the radio had to go back to Motorola to be upgraded and that Motorola does not distribute flash upgrades outside of the depot. So, here is my request. First...is there anyone that can actually help me with this? Second, is there anyone that knows how I can get around this issue...I want this radio flashed for smartnet and would rather not send it anywhere. Thanks

Post by **wavetar** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:44 pm

Here's the deal with FLASHport upgrades...even the dealers cannot order them from Motorola directly...they have to go through their Motorola Regional "dealer rep" to obtain them. MOST of the time, dealer reps won't even look at the request unless it involves at least a couple dozen radios...it isn't worth their time.

So, yes you do need to take it to a dealer...but your chances of success will vary depending on their relationship (or lack thereof) with their dealer rep...and their desire to help you.

I'd also hazard a guess that 85% of dealers have actually never performed a FLASHport upgrade...so they'll have no idea of the required procedure to obtain one.

I have seen people here post that they've sent their radios to the depot, with a letter of request to get the unit upgraded & the depot has done it...for the applicable flat-repair rate, of course.

Todd

ayaresr · Post by **ayaresr** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:09 pm

Ok, thanks for the info. What I was told on the phone was that they have to get a request for upgrade or service or something, and from that a tech will look at it and send back a price estimate, and then the radio can be sent in. She almost made it sound like the price you get back is just luck of the draw.

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:08 am

Hi all!

Whay reqired to do flash-code upgrade for MTS2000? I am interesting in complete list of tools (software/hardware & etc.).

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:05 am

you need to have them fax or email you the application form, then fill it out on what you want and send it back to them, then they will give you a price. it'll also come back with new firmware. but your best bet is not to deal with your local dealer, just send it back to motorola directly. it's going to cost at least $200. your best option is probablly going to be to find another radio that's already flashed how you want it. you can probablly get a new radio for the same price you can get out of yours and save yourself the update cash and not having a radio for 2 weeks.

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:22 am

HLA wrote:you need to have them fax or email you the application form, then fill it out on what you want and send it back to them, then they will give you a price. it'll also come back with new firmware. but your best bet is not to deal with your local dealer, just send it back to motorola directly. it's going to cost at least $200. your best option is probablly going to be to find another radio that's already flashed how you want it. you can probablly get a new radio for the same price you can get out of yours and save yourself the update cash and not having a radio for 2 weeks.

Thanks!

But I am asking about what I need to do it independently (for e.g. is I have possibility order all requires parts from Moto or ask about local distributor).

I am need in simple list. For e.g.:

1. Smart RIB.
2. Firmware file.
3. & etc.

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:26 pm

you need the file that is for your radios exact options but you're never going to get that from motorola, you can't just buy it. but you will also need a smartrib, programming cable capable of booting the radio, and current cps. motorola is very stingy when it comes to doing things like this, there is no way around it, they don't let that flash file out. so the bottom line answer is, no, you can't do that radio yourself, and sending it to them is the only way to get it done. and make shure if you send it to them that the radio isn't hacked and all the numbers match. your only other option is to get one already flashed like you want it.

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:29 pm

SmartRib no longer required with the new I-button flash key.

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:41 am

you need the file that is for your radios exact options but you're never going to get that from motorola, you can't just buy it.

Ok, I understood you. But still interesting.

but you will also need a smartrib, programming cable capable of booting the radio, and current cps.

Ok!

motorola is very stingy when it comes to doing things like this, there is no way around it, they don't let that flash file out.

But how looks required files? Extension, approx. weight? And how looks inside (in text viewer)?

I have some files. As I know, this is JEDI lab files (but please don't ask about sharing these files for you - I will NOT do it ). List is:

For MTS2000 (as I know; may be wrong):

TVN6205F.dat
TVN6205G.dat
TVN6205H.dat
UPGRADE.IMG

For Skywalker MT2100 (as I know; may be wrong):

JCSK0700.0
JCSK0702.0
JESK0700.0
JESK0702.0
RSKY0700.0
RSKY0702.0

Each file weight approx. 0,5 MB.

.DAT-files looks like pictured here:

0.-files looks all like this:

Code: Select all

S22200000018001978BF560023FE03003C19BC34AC0000B7A000008C0C004BE401008C5F
S22200001E0B005E200000280500453E04005A080049890500B406004C7E0100780D003F
S22200003C6AA40100A002005C870000820900417904007803006021090096110071DFC8

.IMG-file looks similar to the DAT-files, but it is different - other structure, no Moto copyright and others. But this is NOT an disk image file - i try open in WinImage, but not successfully. May be this us an not from JEDI or/and not from Moto.

Any ideas for what these files??? Anybody can explain?

so the bottom line answer is, no, you can't do that radio yourself, and sending it to them is the only way to get it done. and make shure if you send it to them that the radio isn't hacked and all the numbers match. your only other option is to get one already flashed like you want it.

Ok, I understood you.

But in any case will interest =)

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:09 am

RFguy wrote:SmartRib no longer required with the new I-button flash key.

What is it? I try search in Internet, but many "trash" info has been found and nothing about Moto.

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:08 am

Are you interested in doing an upgrade, or hacking an upgrade?
I'm not sure that this would be an acceptable discussion for this board. Moderator can make a call here.

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:37 am

RFguy wrote:Are you interested in doing an upgrade, or hacking an upgrade?
I'm not sure that this would be an acceptable discussion for this board. Moderator can make a call here.

I am just interesting in upgrade procedure. I am just asking about files - what is it & etc. This is not a crime. I am not appeal people do something crime. Also I am don't violate board rules.

Which problems?

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:30 am

I believe the "TVNxxxx.dat" files you have are on a floppy disk, along with the "upgrade.img" file. There should also be an installation or setup file on the floppies. The installation file will extract the needed files into the proper DOS path...probably c:\mrss\mtsx\upgrade. Once extracted, you should have a "CVNxxxx" file in the upgrade folder. This is the actual firmware upgrade file.

But, the above won't help you at all without the DB25 dongle which inserts between the programming cable & the SmartRIB box. The dongle determines how many flashes you are capable of doing, and it keeps a count until it reaches zero. It also determines the proper "before" and "after" flashcode of the radio. These dongles are custom configured for each upgrade package at the time of order.

The newest upgrade packages come with a slightly different dongle, which plugs into the computer's parallel port, as opposed to the RIB. You need to use the latest 2.00.01 CPS in order to use these.

FLASHport upgrade packages are only available through Motorola directly, and are subject to the same Intellectual Property restrictions as their RSS/CPS packages, so we won't be discussing any sort of reverse engineering or bypassing of them on the board. This is why some people have been questioning exactly what you want/need.

Todd

Rulez · Post by **Rulez** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:33 am

Hi Todd! Thanks for you answer!

I believe the "TVNxxxx.dat" files you have are on a floppy disk, along with the "upgrade.img" file. There should also be an installation or setup file on the floppies. The installation file will extract the needed files into the proper DOS path...probably c:\mrss\mtsx\upgrade. Once extracted, you should have a "CVNxxxx" file in the upgrade folder. This is the actual firmware upgrade file.

What you mean by "installation file" phrase? Installation file of CPS or RSS or...?

But, the above won't help you at all without the DB25 dongle which inserts between the programming cable & the SmartRIB box.

Wow!

This one cannot be ordered by end users?

The dongle determines how many flashes you are capable of doing, and it keeps a count until it reaches zero. It also determines the proper "before" and "after" flashcode of the radio. These dongles are custom configured for each upgrade package at the time of order.

Wow!

But who determines "after" flash code? "After" flash-code "written" in dongle by Motorola? Or by new firmware file? Or by any other special file? Or...?

And I correctly understood that upgrade will be impossible if current radio flash-code not coincide with written in dongle as "before" code?

The newest upgrade packages come with a slightly different dongle, which plugs into the computer's parallel port, as opposed to the RIB.

New dongle just plugs to LPT port and nothing go out from it? Just as bibb?

You need to use the latest 2.00.01 CPS in order to use these.

Ok.

But new dongle works the similar like you describe it for old dongle (upgrade count, checking before/after flash-codes & etc.)?

FLASHport upgrade packages are only available through Motorola directly, and are subject to the same Intellectual Property restrictions as their RSS/CPS packages, so we won't be discussing any sort of reverse engineering or bypassing of them on the board. This is why some people have been questioning exactly what you want/need.

Ok. But now we do not do illegal actions, do not violate any rules and laws. We are just discussing about upgrade procedures.

P.S.
In other topic, which has been deleted recentely, some guy wrote that firmware files available from Moto for $64 (if I correctly remember).