Uniden 296D Firmware upgrade

[Alpha432]

I went to the Uniden website and downloaded the upgrade for the card and the software. I was using software 3.21 and the newest one is 3.25. I tried to put it onto my 296D and there was a communication problem between the scanner and the computer. What I found out the hard way is if you try and upgrade any software for it, follow all the onscreen prompts on how to turn on you scanner, and are unsuccessful, it wipes out your old version. I called the tech support and we tried everything to download the new firmware. My scanner just turn on now and is a blank screen. A $500 paperweight! NOW I have to send it to Uniden and have them put in the latest stuff. Has anyone had this problem? Is uniden pretty quick at getting your scanner back to you once you send it in? Has anyone sucessfully upgraded to the 3.25 software and if so what are the differences? Thank You.

 

[Dank]

I went to the Uniden website and downloaded the upgrade for the card and the software. I was using software 3.21 and the newest one is 3.25. I tried to put it onto my 296D and there was a communication problem between the scanner and the computer. What I found out the hard way is if you try and upgrade any software for it, follow all the onscreen prompts on how to turn on you scanner, and are unsuccessful, it wipes out your old version. I called the tech support and we tried everything to download the new firmware. My scanner just turn on now and is a blank screen. A $500 paperweight! NOW I have to send it to Uniden and have them put in the latest stuff. Has anyone had this problem? Is uniden pretty quick at getting your scanner back to you once you send it in? Has anyone sucessfully upgraded to the 3.25 software and if so what are the differences? Thank You.

You would probably get better / quicker answers to your questions by posting this to the Uniden forum.
Dan

 

[Combustion]

I have tried to upgrade my Uniden but I guess I flunked technical school and I really don't care about fighting their software. At this time it has only partially affected the ability to load and unload the scaning data. I really don't feel they have any compassionate feelings for the consumer so they will probably take their time. Maybe there is an expert out there in our near geographical area that can help.

 

[DaveIN]

Do you have the supplied cable and an availabe com port on your PC?

Did you read the instructions: http://uniden.com/files/BC296D_U325_V02.htm

 

[Alpha432]

My computer does not have an extra serial port to connect the uniden cable to it. I had to buy a Serial to USB adapter. It works great when I am just programming the scanner from my computer using the uniden software. The driver for the adapter is updated and com 5 us not in use. I select that, and then it says programming error or communication error. Ugh!

 

[MacombMonitor]

My computer does not have an extra serial port to connect the uniden cable to it. I had to buy a Serial to USB adapter. It works great when I am just programming the scanner from my computer using the uniden software. The driver for the adapter is updated and com 5 us not in use. I select that, and then it says programming error or communication error. Ugh!

You must do firmware updates using a real RS232 serial port. Have you tried to re-initialize the scanner? How did this end up in the Michigan forum?

 

[Alpha432]

How do I reinitilize my scanner?

 

[MacombMonitor]

How do I reinitilize my scanner?

I'm trying to remember, but first make SURE you have ALL your programming backed up, as this will wipe out all your programming, and set it back to factory defaults.

With the power OFF, hold down the following buttons:

MAN, 2, and 9

While holding those buttons down, turn the power ON. Pretty sure that's it. It won't hurt to try. Let me know if it works.

 

[Alpha432]

I'm trying to remember, but first make SURE you have ALL your programming backed up, as this will wipe out all your programming, and set it back to factory defaults.

With the power OFF, hold down the following buttons:

MAN, 2, and 9

While holding those buttons down, turn the power ON. Pretty sure that's it. It won't hurt to try. Let me know if it works.

No that didn't work. Not to say that wasn't the right way. Thank you for the suggestion. My firmware and software were already wiped out after I tried to install the newest software and failed. I have a $500 paperweight untill I can send it back to Uniden. I saved all my banks and such to my computer so when I get it back I can just write it all to the scanner from the computer.