996T firmware loader problem- ready to frisbee this thing

[trooperdude]

I'm attempting to use the firmware uploader I downloaded and unzipped from the Uniden website to update my radio to obtain the ESN checksum, to hopefully, eventually update the firmware to the latest.
BCD396T_ESN_Loader_V1_20_13

Software unzipped and installed successfully on my computer.

Com port is Com1, which checks out fine in windows.

Cable works fine with ARC996, so no issue with the cable on com port 1.

When I do the L/O 6 power on sequence, all is fine. Green blank screen.

I then get into the firmware update software and it defaults to Com1.. no problem.

I click OK, then it returns an error message that the
"This scanner is not an object of 396T, rewriting is impossible"

I've reset everything, restarted the computer, checked connections.

Same error message every time.

This is driving me nuts.


I'm ready to frisbee this thing out the window.

Any type of FAQ or assistance is appreciated.

 

[Viper43]

Ummmm, did you run the ESN LOADER?????? thats what gives you the ESN, and you need that before the update.... your trying things bass ackwards from the sounds of it.....

V

 

[PiccoIntegra]

Looks like you're trying to update your 996T with 396T firmware, that will not work. The title and the text in your post is a little conflicting. I'm now assuming you have the 996T based on the ARC software you are using.

Try the correct firmware loader and firmware image file.

 

[cws]

You said 996 in the title, and 396 in the body. Which is it?

 

[trooperdude]

You said 996 in the title, and 396 in the body. Which is it?

996T is what I have.

Software link from Uniden says 996T when I downloaded it, but the firmware error says 396. I believe the firmware is the same for both units anyway.

 

[trooperdude]

Ummmm, did you run the ESN LOADER?????? thats what gives you the ESN, and you need that before the update.... your trying things bass ackwards from the sounds of it.....

V

No, I have an old unit.

It requires the firmware uploader first in order to read the ESN and checksum.

I can't upgrade firmware until I have an ESN and checksum.

This is not the 3.x firmware upgrade attempt, it's trying to get the ESN firmware loader/reader to work.

 

[trooperdude]

Try the correct firmware loader and firmware image file.

Is it available somewhere other than Uniden's website ?

Because I clicked on 996T, on the Uniden website, and apparently what downloaded was the 396T.

Their links must be screwed up.

Anybody have the correct firmware loader for a 996T ?

This is why Uniden really ANNOYS me. Their software support and website leave a LOT to be desired.

 

[W6KRU]

996T is what I have.

Software link from Uniden says 996T when I downloaded it, but the firmware error says 396. I believe the firmware is the same for both units anyway.

I suspect that you are wrong about the firmware being the same. If it was the same they could have released it at the same time.

Somehow you got the wrong update files.

 

[davidmc36]

Gotta be a member but there are some things here.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD996T/files/Firmware/

 

[trooperdude]

Gotta be a member but there are some things here.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD996T/files/Firmware/

Ya none of that helps unfortunately as the link to the firmware loader is a popup from the "register a scanner" page, and that link shows 996T in the text but links to the 396T software.

I'll try a file name kludge and see if I can find the correct file in the blind.

Thx.

At least i have a starting point now as to what's wrong.

 

[trooperdude]

OK, I kludged it, got the correct file, unzipped, and updated.

Success !

Mods can close the thread.

 

[UPMan]

I just checked our site and confirmed that there are no problems with the links. Did you notice that there were two sets of links on the pop-up window that appeared? One section was for the 396 and the other was for the 996 (and I'm fairly comfortable that they are clearly labeled...).

 

[Viper43]

On the 996 the ESN is already IN the scanner:

Menu> Settings > See Scanner Info > Firmware Version and then it shows you the SUM= which is your checksum

lol, didn't read down far enough to see you got it... glad you got it....

V

No, I have an old unit.

It requires the firmware uploader first in order to read the ESN and checksum.

I can't upgrade firmware until I have an ESN and checksum.

This is not the 3.x firmware upgrade attempt, it's trying to get the ESN firmware loader/reader to work.

 

[davidmc36]

Ya none of that helps unfortunately as the link to the firmware loader is a popup from the "register a scanner" page, and that link shows 996T in the text but links to the 396T software.

I'll try a file name kludge and see if I can find the correct file in the blind.

Thx.

At least i have a starting point now as to what's wrong.

Not sure what you saw on the files page that was a link. My URL should take you directly to the files section of the group. The firmware uploader is the actual uploader zipped, it is not a link to anything.


What do you mean by "a file name kludge" and "find the correct file in the blind"

 

[trooperdude]

On the 996 the ESN is already IN the scanner:

No, it's not in the original firmware load version 1.x

I had to do the firmware loader upgrade FIRST in order to
have it generate the ESN and the checksum.

I have one so old it didn't come with an esn preloaded.

Anyway it's now upgraded to V3.x

 

[trooperdude]

I just checked our site and confirmed that there are no problems with the links. Did you notice that there were two sets of links on the pop-up window that appeared? One section was for the 396 and the other was for the 996 (and I'm fairly comfortable that they are clearly labeled...).

Don't know what to tell you Up.

Did it twice, even had the wife looking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't going whacko after 6 hours of database updates here.

I finally got it and everything went smoothly after that all the way up to V3.x

And I do like the volume control display in the upper right corner now. Nice touch.

 

[UPMan]

ready to frisbee this thing

Should have mentioned sooner, but as you found in cases like this it is better to discuss than to discus.