HP-1: Problem getting Sentinal to Update Data Base

[vansigint98661]

I posted this yesterday (or tried to) but cannot find in anywhere although it did not register as a fail.


I have two HP1s and when I try to update the older of the two right after doing the newer one, it tells me it already has the latest update despite it having been over a month since the last update. It updated the newer one without a problem. I understand the DB is updated weekly, so there should have been several since last updated by me.

I have had other issues with Sentinal, typically with trying to do Favorites lists in the software, it is not as intuitive as the other Butel Software I use for Uniden Radios, not as inclusive of features. However the basic issue here is that it updates one radio, but not the other. yet the radios function OK? Anyone have any insight?

I searched yesterday before posting this issue for other threads addressing this issue, but found none. If I am remiss, please redirect me.

If this should be posted elsewhere and you delete it would you please email/PM me to let me know as I have spent a bunch of time looking for the thread to see if anyone answered, but could not find my post? Anywhere, and a search for me came up nada as well. Not sure what went wrong but definitely hit "Send".

Anyway, does anyone understand my dilemma and what I might be doing wrong?

 

[AuntEnvy]

I believe I do...

The database only updates once to your software. Once it's updated you just write it (the new update) to each scanner.

Did that make sense or answer your question...?

 

[vansigint98661]

No, because you are plugged into a specific radio; so how would you write to another? From everything I can tell, the software does not retain any of the data, it seems to simply juggle file titles within the radio or something. This is my biggest gripe that you cannot really manipulate those files with the software. So I'm not "groking" your concept. They don't supply a cable to go from radio-to-radio, just from the computer. So while you may well be correct, I don't know how you do what you are saying.

 

[vansigint98661]

Do I have to load separate software from each radio?

 

[hiegtx]

Do I have to load separate software from each radio?

You should not need separate software for each unit. I'm presuming that you have the most recent version, 2.03.02. Check that by clicking on the Help drop-down menu, then selecting 'About'.

After you update the first scanner, are you correctly unmounting it before unplugging the cable? Then, when you connect the second scanner, you are telling the scanner that you want 'mass storage' mode?

While I don't have two HP-1's, I do have both an HP-1 & an HP-2. I can update them in any order- HP-1, then the HP-2, or vice versa. The software should recognize, by the ESN on the card that you are connecting a second, different unit. If it is failing to update your second scanner, try using the option to force-write the full database. If that fails, my next step would be to use Sentinel 'clear user data' on the card first, then write your Favorites lists back to the scanner.

If it's always the same unit where the update fails, I think I'd also try swapping the memory cards between scanners. if the problem "follows" the card, meaning that the unit that was not updating, now does with the alternate card, and the one previously with no issues, now won't update, then try formatting the memory card and then re-writing. Or, try a different card altogether. I keep a few extra cards, just in case one goes sour on me.

 

[vansigint98661]

I'm not sure what you mean by "unmounting it" before unplugging the cable.

You see I figured as you said the software would recognize the ESN and know it's another unit requiring update. I'll look as to software version.

 

[hiegtx]

I'm not sure what you mean by "unmounting it" before unplugging the cable.

You see I figured as you said the software would recognize the ESN and know it's another unit requiring update. I'll look as to software version.

When you plug a USB device into a Windows PC, whether it's something such as a flash (thumb) drive, or plugging in the scanner's cable & selecting "mass storage" mode, you generally hear a "thunk" from the speakers as the device connects.

Down on the lower right corner, in the 'notification icons' area (just to the left of the date & time), you should see a small icon resembling the plug of a USB cable, with a green circle with a check-mark. Right click on that icon, and you get a prompt to "eject" (unmount) USB devices. For the scanner, that will be indicated as whatever drive letter Windows assigned to the scanner when in mass storage mode. Select the one corresponding to the scanner, and you'll get a brief prompt that you can safely remove the device (in this case, you'd unplug the cable from the scanner). By doing that, you make sure that the card does not get corrupted when the scanner is unplugged from the PC.

 

[vansigint98661]

I had no idea that was a problem. I hear the "thunk" but have never seen any prompt at the end, just the beginning when it says the PC recognizes that a new device has been plugged in. I'll try this next time. I went to another tab on the software and had it "reconstitute" the data base. to I assume it re-wrote it to the card. Still works, so at least no harm. Yes most recent version of Sentinal .

Thanks for your help.

 

[rwier]

............................ I have two HP1s and when I try to update the older of the two right after doing the newer one, it tells me it already has the latest update despite it having been over a month since the last update. It updated the newer one without a problem. I understand the DB is updated weekly, so there should have been several since last updated by me. .................................. Anyone have any insight?

Maybe a change in the terminology will help. In Sentinel, you update the DB (Update Master HPDB). It either performs the update, or announces that you already have the current version. No radios are necessary to perform this action. It is all done on the computer (if online of course).

Mark this spot.

Now, attach your HP-1 to the computer with the appropriate cable (I can't check this, as my house is under renovation, and everything is out of place, or in boxes). You are given a choice of two options. You DO NOT want the serial option. You want the Mass Storage(?) option.

Back to the computer and Sentinel. Do not think "update radio db", think COPY UPDATED DB to the radio (the update is ALREADY complete).

In Sentinel, up at the top, select "HomePatrol". Select "Write to HomePatrol". Follow instructions and select options. Some options may relate to the radio's DB, can't remember. After complete, switch radios and repeat the instructions (and select options) that FOLLOW the "marked spot".

The "updating" (the part before the marked spot) is only done once. The copying/transferring can be done on as many HP-1s as needed.

 

[fxdscon]

No, because you are plugged into a specific radio; so how would you write to another? From everything I can tell, the software does not retain any of the data, it seems to simply juggle file titles within the radio or something. This is my biggest gripe that you cannot really manipulate those files with the software. So I'm not "groking" your concept. They don't supply a cable to go from radio-to-radio, just from the computer. So while you may well be correct, I don't know how you do what you are saying.

The database update is a two step process. When you click on "update master HPDB", the update is downloaded to Sentinel on your computer and stored there (at this point it is not yet sent to the scanner).

You then click "write to Home Patrol" to transfer the database update from Sentinel to the scanner. You can then connect the other Home Patrol to Sentinel and "write to Home Patrol" (NOT update master HPDB) again to transfer the updated database to that scanner.

If you choose "update master HPDB" again before the next update is available from Uniden, It's going to tell you that it's up to date in Sentinel on your computer.

You can even update the database in Sentinel without any Home Patrol connected to your computer.

.

 

[jwoody062]

Can someone help me please,I have a home patrol 1 that needs to be updated,I dont have sentinel,I have the cable to connect to internet/computer,can someone send the link or file from uniden Thanks.

 

[WQPW689]

Latest Home Patrol Sentinel:

HomePatrolSentinel < HomePatrol < TWiki

 

[AuntEnvy]

Thank you fxd and rweir

I thought maybe he was having a different problem after reading his reply. Still not quite sure but...

I gave the short answer to what you guys explained better.

 

[vansigint98661]

rwier: OK, now we're cookin! Obviously I have been doing it wrong from the start and it is probable that I have never successfully updated EITHER radio. Now that I understand the process, I was able to do both without any issue. It is clear that when I hit the tab to update the DB it only went to the computer and that was why it kept telling me "you idiot! You did that!"

Now it is done right. That said, it almost seems as if I should use two different Sentinal Programs for each unit as it changed the second unit in some areas, including the opening screen which was intentionally different in order to tell them apart. I don't know if it messed with my favorites list because it kept telling me the incoming were different, but I renamed those which were critical. I'll need to listen to make sure it did not make them identical. We'll see.

My thanks to all, it helped a lot.

 

[vansigint98661]

jwoody: if you plug the radio into the computer, the first thing that should happen is to download the Sentinal program which I believe is on the SD card in the radio.

 

[AuntEnvy]

I don't think you can use two but you can open different files and name them unit 1, unit 2 or whatever. Then just load whatever setup you want into each unit.

I think that made sense...

 

[phask]

That's what profiles are for - different ones for each radio,

 

[jwoody062]

Thanks for the replies

 

[rwier]

Also, in case anyone has forgotten, when you update the DB, and send it to the scanner, your FLs don't get updated. They way I handle it, is to watch the activity on the AZ Forum, and only mess with the DB when something changes in my FLs. I think I have had periods of over a year where I didn't update the DB. If you use the DB to scan, then I guess regular updates are necessary. I only use FLs, and if something doesn't change in my area of interest, I can forget about the updates.