BCD396T and BCD996T Updates are Here

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jimvm

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Feb 10, 2005
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Olivehurst, California
I did it! version 2.00.06

Thanks UPman and Mancow. It took me about one hour to download and flash the scanner.
Time to check it out. My biggest problem was Uniden's web site and the 'links'.
I am a electronic engineer by trade, maybe I was thinking logically.
The price was right!

jimvm
 

rocksteady

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Dec 14, 2006
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Mid-Michigan
firmware instructions

follow this to a tee to solve upgrade problems..

Uniden BCD996T Firmware Revision Notes 2.00.06
As part of Uniden’s commitment to the continued support of the BCD996T, Uniden has, from time to time, issued firmware updates. These updates contain major enhancements to the BCD996T that directly reflect requests from our customers. Please take a few minutes to read all of these instructions before applying the update.
Notes:
• This update is cumulative…it incorporates all improvements made in all previous updates.
• You must have applied the v1.04.12 update prior to applying this update.
• You must have entered your ESN and ESN Checksum on the My Uniden web site and received a Registration Key for this update.
• Most update problems are caused by serial port issues. See the troubleshooting hints in the Update Troubleshooting section if you have problems.
• Two great forums exist for sharing information about this scanner within the user community:
Applying the Update
The following files are required for this update:
• BC_VUP_v2.0.0.3.exe – this is the firmware updater software. If you have installed a previous version, this will automatically replace that version.
• BCD996T_V2_00_06.zip – this is the firmware load for your scanner
1. If you have not previously installed BC_VUP V2, download and install it now.
2. Download and unzip BCD996T_V2_00_06.zip to your computer.
3. Go to your product page at My Uniden and click “Get Registration Key” next to your scanner. A registration key appears along with your other scanner information. Make a note of this key (or keep that window open so you can refer to it). The key is specific to the scanner you’ve selected.
If this option does not appear, you need to update your records to include your scanner’s ESN and ESN checksum, which can be found on your scanner by MENU Settings See Scanner Info Firmware Version. If The ESN and ESN checksum do not appear, you need to update your scanner to Version 1.04.12 prior to applying this update.
4. Run BC_VUP and select the V2.00.06 update file you saved in Step 2.
5. When prompted, select the correct COM port and the desired transfer speed, then click in the check box labeled “Enable Major Version Up” and enter the registration key we provided for that scanner.
6. Click OK and the update will be applied.
Update Troubleshooting
Follow these tips to troubleshoot any update problem you encounter:
• If you do not select “Enable Major Version Up” or if you enter a registration key for a scanner other than the one you are updating, your scanner is disabled after the update. You must complete the above steps using the correct registration key in order to apply the update. If the update fails, repeat the above process to reapply the update using the correct information.
• When prompted, be sure to turn off the scanner, remove the batteries, and hold down both the L/O and 6 buttons while plugging in the AC adapter. The blue backlight should come on and remain on until the end of the update.
• If an error occurs during the update, simply repeat all steps, including removing power, holding down L/O and 6, and plugging in AC power. Even if the backlight is already on, you need to repeat this step if you restart the update.
• Almost all update error messages are caused by:
o Incorrect COM port selection: Be sure to select the port that the scanner is plugged into.
o COM port software conflicts: No other software can be running that uses the COM port. Be sure to close UASD and any other scanner control software. Also, if you have ever used a PDA with this PC, there is probably synchronization software running all the time that takes over the COM port. You can usually stop that software by right-clicking on its icon in the lower right side of your PC screen, then selecting “Quit” or “Exit.”
• If your PC does not have a COM port, you can use a USBRS232 adapter. Uniden sells such an adapter specifically for this scanner (Model USB-1). Or, you can use many other adapters that are available at computer retailers. Note that some adapters do not work, or require updated drivers. Uniden only supports the USB-1.
• If some or all of your systems do not scan as expected, restore your scanner’s programming using UASD. Select “Write to Scanner” from UASD’s main menu and select the backup you created before you performed the firmware update. (You will need to register UASD in order to write all systems back to your scanner.)

Rocky
 

gregmoss

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Alaska
The update works great as far as i can see! Thanks upman and uniden for your efforts and time! Hopefully there's more later on down the line..
 

dhmann1811

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Okay Guys apparently I am the only one with this issue so please help. I'm sure it is due to my on ignorance. I downloaded the ESN loader with no problem and put the number in and got the key. Then I downloaded the BC_VUP2.0.0.3 with no problem. However, when I downloaded the BCD396T_V2_00_07 file, it says it will not open a .scn file. What am I doing wrong???
 

ButchGone

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Jan 9, 2004
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Ringgold, Georgia
Can Uniden do this?

With so much confusion I read concerning the updates for the 396, can I just send my 396 to Uniden and have them do this so it's done correctly? Will this cost any $$$ ?? I'm not a computer geek and have little patience for vague, convoluded instructions. I guess that's why I like Apple computers, iPods so much - they have made human interaction with computerized "stuff" simple and reliable.
Cheers,
BG..
 

Airdorn

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Cordova, TN
dhmann1811 said:
Okay Guys apparently I am the only one with this issue so please help. I'm sure it is due to my on ignorance. I downloaded the ESN loader with no problem and put the number in and got the key. Then I downloaded the BC_VUP2.0.0.3 with no problem. However, when I downloaded the BCD396T_V2_00_07 file, it says it will not open a .scn file. What am I doing wrong???

Well, the V2_00_07 files is a .zip file.. it's compressed (zipped).. you have to extract it. Are you sure it said it couldn't open a .scn file, or could it have said it couldn't open a .zip file?
 

dhmann1811

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Airdorn said:
Well, the V2_00_07 files is a .zip file.. it's compressed (zipped).. you have to extract it. Are you sure it said it couldn't open a .scn file, or could it have said it couldn't open a .zip file?

Yes, I did extract it and it said that it could not open the .scn file. I even tried it on my other new Dell and it said the same exact thing. It is probably something I am doing wrong but I don't think that is it. I have never had this problem in the past so it really has me stumped.
 

Airdorn

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ButchGone said:
With so much confusion I read concerning the updates for the 396, can I just send my 396 to Uniden and have them do this so it's done correctly? Will this cost any $$$ ?? I'm not a computer geek and have little patience for vague, convoluded instructions. I guess that's why I like Apple computers, iPods so much - they have made human interaction with computerized "stuff" simple and reliable.
Cheers,
BG..

Well I sure hope they'd charge for it. I mean somebody punched a time-clock in order to update your scanner just cuz you couldn't be arsed to follow a few steps. :)

Just follow the instructions that guy about 5 posts above outlined.


In a nutshell:

1. Get a My Uniden account and register your scanner.

2. Download the 1.4.whatever file and the loader to get your scanner up to the 1.4.whatever version so that it'll show you the ESN and ESC checksum. You have to unzip the files and install the loader of course. The files are on the My Scanners page within My Uniden.

3. Get the ESN and checksum from your scanner by Pushing MENU, Select Settings, Select 'See scanner info', Select firmware version (996T scanner.. your mileage may vary with the 396T).

4. Enter that info on the My Uniden page for the registration code. Refresh your My Uniden page for the link to the Version 2.00.whatever firmware. The link is just plain text and is at the top right of the page.

5. Download it, unzip it, run the loader you installed in step 2. Browse to the place you saved the 2.00.whatever firmware. There should be a .scn file there. Follow the directions. Insert the registration code when prompted. Yes, it's a major update.

6. Wait around and pray your power doesn't go out of the cat doesn't knock the AC adapter out of the wall. ;)

7. When done, enjoy your update.
 

Airdorn

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dhmann1811 said:
Yes, I did extract it and it said that it could not open the .scn file. I even tried it on my other new Dell and it said the same exact thing. It is probably something I am doing wrong but I don't think that is it. I have never had this problem in the past so it really has me stumped.

Are you browsing to the new, 2.00.whatever firmware .scn file, or accidentally browsing back to that older firmware .scn file?
 

N4FTN

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Mar 2, 2007
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Roanoke Valley, Virginia
Just completed the update on my 396T with no problem. Update process is definitely a little unusual with so many steps, but ..........

dhmann1811..... When it goes looking for the .scn file it will not find it unless you have either extracted it from the .zip file as a result of the download, OR, you can click and drag the file from the zip window to the directory you want it in....... works either way. After the .scn file is in the directory you will be able to select it.

My advice is for any person regardless of computer experience.... slow down, download the instructions for the steps and follow them carefully.

Results..... Several 800MHz digital systems have better audio and the annoying occasional digital bursts I was experiencing has gone away. On the VA STARS VHF multi-site system... it seems to be tracking flawlessly in the first several hours of use. HOORAY!!!!

Thanks to Paul and Uniden TEAM....... GREAT JOB!!
 

ChargerSRT8

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Metro St. Louis, MO
I got it on the first try.

My suggestion would be to roll the VUP and any new firmware into a single program if possible. This would eliminate a step that further complicate things.

But I am grateful none the less. Thanks Uniden!
 

teebee

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Dec 10, 2001
Messages
524
Location
Lake Charles, LA
Firmware Version 1.04.12, Trying to register my 996 so I can get the latest update. Entered my Serial Number and my ESN, Entered what I thought was the ESN Checksum clicked register get this error message "Check Sum fails. Please go back by clicking your back button and enter a valid check sum." What am I entering wrong.
 

Airdorn

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Mar 9, 2008
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Cordova, TN
teebee said:
Firmware Version 1.04.12, Trying to register my 996 so I can get the latest update. Entered my Serial Number and my ESN, Entered what I thought was the ESN Checksum clicked register get this error message "Check Sum fails. Please go back by clicking your back button and enter a valid check sum." What am I entering wrong.

There's a box for your scanner's serial number, which is found on the back of the scanner... and then there's a box for the LAST 9 DIGITS of your ESN, which is found in the menus of the scanner. You'll notice that the Uniden site includes the first few digits of each of those serial numbers just above the fill boxes.. so ignore those when entering the info.

Then there's the ESN checksum which is a hex code.. 4 numbers and/or letters.. I think the letters need to be lower case.

Fill in all 3 of those boxes, plus whatever else it asks for.
 

mancow

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Just go back and check all the entries again. Make sure you are entering only the characters they want of the ESN.


teebee said:
Firmware Version 1.04.12, Trying to register my 996 so I can get the latest update. Entered my Serial Number and my ESN, Entered what I thought was the ESN Checksum clicked register get this error message "Check Sum fails. Please go back by clicking your back button and enter a valid check sum." What am I entering wrong.
 

mikeh

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Mar 30, 2003
Messages
366
Location
fremont calif
i just been on the web site for too hours no luck

what is this uniden
i have been on you web site for three hours
your web site wiil not let down the upgrade bescause
ii do have a chucksum this is a real joke
i am going to buy a GRE it take me 10 mins to down load the frimware
i do not take a whole day
 
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