SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 very slow and no reception after update from Sentinel

[dave3825]

Reformatted SD card in windows,

Uniden recommends only using the sd card formatter from sdcard.org

SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac | SD Association

www.sdcard.org

I'm on Version 1.21 for main, 1.02.01 sub,

This is just more proof to not update, unless it actually fixes an issue or adds features

This lists all additions and fixes so that's up for you to decide but this is not a widespread issue as your really the only one having an issue that I see.

SDS100 Firmware Update Change Log

Since this scanner is not hooked to the internet, there is no security risk of leaving it on an older stable version that works,

Last thing in the world I am worried about is my scanner hooked up to the internet. Don't believe everything you read. I still have an XP box connected to the web that I use as a storage server and still using Win 7 for other things.




Just curious, what version of Sentinel are you on?

1.21.00 Main (6/29/2022)​

This firmware applies the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• Added 2.5 kHz and 3.125 kHz steps to the Custom Search and Discovery mode.
• Housekeeping update to accommodate revised hardware.
• (latest version of Sentinel (2.03) required to use these features)

1.02.01 Sub / 1.08.05 Main (3/7/2019)​

Be sure to also update Sentinel when applying this update.
This firmware update applies the following new settings and bug fixes:

• Added an "AMP OFF Timer" setting that determines how long the amplifier stays on after a transmission ends. If you hear hum between transmissions, change this from Infinite to one of the available settings.
• Added "Wide Normal", "Wide Invert", and "Wide Auto" filter options for FM performance improvement. When you pick this setting, the filter becomes weaker for interference on a nearby frequency. However, the linearity of the IF can be maintained even when there is strong interference within the band, and the reception may be improved in some cases.
• Added an option to display the filter setting when customizing the display.
• Improved a reception dropout issue where dropouts are often accompanied by "LINK" icon appearing at start of dropout.
• Improved crackling noise on analog.
• Improved the reports that some REC files created have no audio captured at replay.
• Added a prompt to exit certain modes.

 

[dmfalk]

So many things I keep seeing wrong in all this, so I'll make some observations....

Since Sentinel depends on the specific version of the .NET Framework, which I'll assume that because you've got Sentinel working, you have this already installed and updated. Sentinel, which is a 32-bit program, doesn't care what version of Windows you're using, just as long as that particular version of the .NET Framework has been activated.

Update Sentinel to its latest version.

Do not do database/Favorites Lists updates with the SD card outside of the scanner! If you've formatted the card without the recommended SD card formatter, it'll be in the wrong format for the scanner to detect and understand. Never use the default Windows formatter for this.

Make sure you use "Clear user data" in Sentinel, as described, above, while the scanner is connected to Sentinel. Write to scanner for full database and Favorites. Check for firmware updates. As long as you have the latest version of Sentinel, you'll be able to update the firmware to the latest. Do not update by updating the card outside of the scanner! Do so within Sentinel!

As long as the card is correctly formatted and recognised by the scanner (that's important!), you shouldn't have any further problems updating. An incorrect card might be readable in Windows, but not recognised by the scanner. You want the scanner to recognise the card, and the files & directories it expects to see, to function properly. A badly recognised card is often the source of a lot of the problems SDS100 users encounter.

Once you go through all the updates, properly through Sentinel, your SDS100 should operate fine.

(I always update my SDS100 when directly connected with Sentinel, and I have the latest. The last firmware update was something like earlier last year, after several months in a flurry of updates that started in December, 2023.)

Anyhoo, just my observation.

 

[telxonmaster]

Are you using clear user data in Sentinel before, trying to update firmware? I did that 2 days ago with no problems on my SDS200. From what I've heard, that's the only way you are suppose to format the sd cards not Windows. Best of luck!

Yes, I also deleted the contents of the card, then ran clear user data on both the original card that came with the scanner, as well as a second card I tried.

I did use the SD card utility mentioned here, and did all of the sentinel steps with the scanner hooked to the PC.

Who has the 1.23.01 main/1.03.02 sub files? I'm willing to try a slightly newer version than what I have, once I get the new SD cards

 

[sfb88]

Does anyone know where Sentinel stores the downloaded firmware files on the local computer? It sounds like maybe a firmware download got corrupted and the corrupted file keeps being loaded to the SD card. Maybe if the locally stored firmware files are deleted and Sentinel is asked to check for updated firmware it will download a clean copy.

 

[dmfalk]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Sentinel keeps the firmware, as it checks what's on the scanner itself for what version.

 

[Ubbe]

Each time you write to a SD card it uses a new storage area for the data, it never overwrites the same file you already have on the SD card. So it is new memory cells used in its memory at each write and if the data seems to be bad with checksum errors it is not the SD card at fault, it is the actual data file you are trying to save that has errors.

If you go to your C drive and the folder Users and if you installed Sentinel for All Users it will be that folder or else the folder with your login name, then find the Uniden folder and finally to the Updater folder and you have found the place where the database and firmware files are stored.

/Ubbe

 

[telxonmaster]

If you go to your C drive and the folder Users and if you installed Sentinel for All Users it will be that folder or else the folder with your login name, then find the Uniden folder and finally to the Updater folder and you have found the place where the database and firmware files are stored.

You and sfb88 get the win on this one, deleting these files fixed it! Mine was located at C:\ProgramData\Uniden\BCDx36HP_Sentinel\updater

After I deleted the firmware and sub file, I re opened Sentinel with the scanner hooked to the PC, re-downloaded the FW, and it completed without error, scanner is working well now.

Thanks to Ubbe and sfb88 for the info!

 

[Ubbe]

Mine was located at C:\ProgramData\Uniden\BCDx36HP_Sentinel\updater

It's the exact same files but are different links to them and you can use either link to locate them. The ProgramData link are probably easier to use but I had forgotten about it.

/Ubbe

 

[Will56]

Uniden recommends only using the sd card formatter from sdcard.org

View attachment 175568

SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac | SD Association

www.sdcard.org

Bear with me please as I have just purchased a SDS100 a couple of days ago and starting from square one. I did read that previously about using ONLY the sdcard formatter software to do the job. My question is if I have a couple of new SD cards sitting here, do I have to reformat them right out of the package with the sdformatter software in order to use them? I'm assuming the answer is yes, but thought I woulds ask here to be safe.

So far I've been able to install the Sentinel software and update it, downloaded the latest firmware and installed it, installed upgrade keys and downloaded the full database to the original SD card without any major issues cropping up. I don't need things to go south now by installing a new (32G) SD card with a bad format. Thanks.

 

[mc48]

I have never used the "Special Card Formatter" and never had a problem and I have never had an issue with pre-formatted cards ether.

 

[blackbelter]

The answer is yes. I have had my SDS200 with its original 8G SD card and have no plans to upgrade to 32 G as the scanner will take longer to boot up. I have no plans to record traffics thus larger capacity SD card makes no sense in my case.

 

[Will56]

Thanks guys. Since I have 2 new cards coming I guess I could try it both ways and see if any issues crop up. I read that recording traffic is a good way to find active channels that you can review at a later time to determine if you want to put them in a favorites list or not. As far as the storage amount goes I'm in the "It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" camp. Doing machining, weld buildup, owning a snowblower, backup generator and "other" tools have taught me a lot over the years, And I myself take longer to boot up these days so I'm not gonna throw any stones here.

 

[blackbelter]

Great advise. Enjoy your Scanner and have fun.
73,

 

[Will56]

Great advise. Enjoy your Scanner and have fun.
73,

That's the plan but I've got a LOT of reading up to do in the manual. I'm used to analog HAM and GMRS/FRS/MURS but this is my first foray into the digital realm.