BCD996T Firmware Update

[wd9cun]

I have firmware version 1.03.11 on my BCD996T and am trying to upgrade to newer version . I have read and re-read Unidens instructions for updating. First they say you must download a program to get ESN. I do that but the filetype that downloads is a .SCN file that my Vista machine will not read or decompress. Then it says to due major updates such as the 2:xx. Any body do this successfully? The major roadblock seems to be the SCN filetype. Anyone have suggestions?

[rdale]

You aren't following the instructions line by line, and that will mess you up. You need to download the installer for the scn files - if you go back and start fresh you will make it through quite easily.

[wd9cun]

Well I can now tell you that the scanner no longer functions. error occured during update.The software now tells me that AN ERROR OCCURED . When I turn off the scanner to restart as update didint make it the display just blinks on and off continuesly. Any ideas as how to reset scanner for retry or do I now have a $500 piece of junk. Please advise as to any help available.

[zzdiesel]

Someone else did the same thing yesterday as you. They finally setteled down and started over and got it to update and all was fine. Read about this update in the Uniden forum.

[Viper43]

Are you doing the update through the front port It ONLY works through the front port, NOT the rear port.

Do the update again.... it's OK just follow the directions.
You could also try posting in the Uniden forum as it's a Uniden scanner, the software forum is for software not firmware updates.....
V

[wd9cun]

I talked to Uniden tec support and they inidicated the unit must be sent back to factory. Grrr. As stated before the unit no longer has firmware when the flashing begins. At this point the radio can no longer communicate with the USB cable and all communication with the front panel interface via computer is lost. They said try update one more time and if it doesnt take send it back. Fortunately, the unit is still ten days in warrenty so they said it would be covered.Also I might say "Boy am I glad I backed up the scanner before the update,Whew.

[wd9cun]

Ok,Final post,It did not make sense to me that Uniden needed radio back to apply the same update I could do at home. So after Further review I decided to try the update one more time as suggested by Uniden. I first deleted the old downloaded file and re-downloaded a fresh file. I then applied the update one more time. SUCCESS!!! I should have considered a corrupt file from the beginning. Also just because your screen flashes you do NOT need to send it to Uniden. As a bonus my programing info was not lost as originaly thought(assumed). In hindsight I believe Unidens instructions for the upgrade were a little vague for the 996T. They need to tell you to download the updater first then the firmware. The order on the website is BACKWORDS! I found this out early on(2 days ago before this headache started) but for a novice this could save you a lot of time as one could assume that the downloaded file needed to be unzipped first before the update. If they made this assumption they could spend hours on a Dell chat trying to figure out why an .SCN filetype will not open(my Bad). I can't believe this took up so much of my time. Hope this post helps future updaters.

[Viper43]

It doesn't matter which file is downloaded first, just which one you open first, but thats not rocket science since the SCN file only opens with the updater......

V