Uniden BCD536HP Dongle issue

[MandB]

Hi there, we purchased our Uniden BCD536HP scanner back in July 2014. I was excited because it had the Wi-Fi option and of course, it took some time for the App SIREN recently, plugged in the Dongle and nothing happened. We researched online how to update the dongle and firmware in the scanner. That worked fine.

So now, we plugged in the dongle, used the menu to get to Wi-Fi settings, and the screen just freezes and says "Looking for networks Please wait" It has been doing this for over 20 minutes.

Under show Wi-Fi information on the scanner it shows:


AP : ----------
IP : 0.0.0.0
MAC: 00-00-00-00-00-00
Version: 255. 255

Please, could someone tell us what we are doing wrong, we would REALLY like to use the Siren App with our scanner. That is why we paid more money for a scanner, for this issue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nr2d]

Have you updated to the latest ver of Sentinel, 536HP and the WIFI dongle firmware?

 

[Voyager]

What versions are you using in the dongle and scanner? What format are you using on your access point?

 

[MandB]

Yes, we did do the latest update for Sentinel & the WiFi Dongle.

Hi, yes we did. We did that yesterday.

Have you updated to the latest ver of Sentinel, 536HP and the WIFI dongle firmware?

 

[MandB]

Info needed please

Sorry, not quite sure what you mean.
Where / How would I find that info you are asking for?

What versions are you using in the dongle and scanner? What format are you using on your access point?

 

[MandB]

???

Wow, are we the only ones having this problem?

 

[Voyager]

Maybe. Did you ever find out what version of firmware in the scanner and dongle you're using? Or the format your access point is using?

 

[MandB]

This is turning into a nightmare.

Finally got a message back from Uniden.

Our Solution:
Thank you for using our system.
Dear Valued Uniden Customer,



There is a firmware update for the WI-FI dongle. The attached link has the steps to follow to update the WI-FI Dongle. Make sure when you do this, the WI-FI dongle is plugged into the scanner. You will also need to be sure that you are using the Version 1.06 of the Sentinel Software.




Thank you for choosing Uniden,

Brandy

Uniden Tech Support



So there was no link attached. I tried going into my profile on Uniden's Website, our password no longer works. I pushed the button to get a new password, and I received a BLANK email from Uniden for password reset. ?!!?!!!? Tried it a few more times, get the same thing.

So, based on this email, I'm thinking there is another link in order to update the Dongle through the scanner?! Does anyone have that link please?

Our scanner is up-to-date with the 1.06 version of Sentinel.

If I plug the dongle into the scanner and do the following:

MENU
Wi-Fi Setup
Show Wi-Fi Information

It just freezes on the screen " Processing Please Wait"

(left it like that for 1/2 hour and it does not change).

When I unplug the dongle, it says:

AP : ----------
IP : 0.0.0.0
MAC: 00-00-00-00-00-00
Version: 255.255


If I plug the dongle in and hit

MENU
Wi-Fi Setup
Set Connection
Infrastructure Mode

It says "Looking for networks Please wait"

Left it like that for a 1/2 hour, nothing changes.

If I unplug the dongle it says "Ap wasn't detecting Press any key"

MENU
Wi-Fi Setup
Set Connection
Access Point Mode

I get: Input SSID BCD536HP_000793
4 <- cursor -> 6

Not sure what to do there

If I hit ENTER

I get: Select Security

Open or WPA/WPA2

If I select OPEN

I get: Processing Please Wait

(left it for 1/2 hour, nothing changes)

If I select: WPA/WPA2

I input our Wi-Fi SSID and then the password and it shows:

Processing Please Wait - waited a 1/2 hour and nothing changes.


Please help!!!!

 

[MandB]

Maybe. Did you ever find out what version of firmware in the scanner and dongle you're using? Or the format your access point is using?

Scanner is 1.06

How do I find out the dongle? If I plug the dongle in the scanner, it just freezes when we try to find Wi-Fi access.

As for the access point (WEP) and password, I entered all the correct info, all it just shows is: Processing, please wait. Waited over 1/2 hour and nothing changes.

Thanks for replying!

 

[buddrousa]

This link works follow all directions. Step by step do not leave any step out.
BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

 

[MandB]

This link works follow all directions. Step by step do not leave any step out.
BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

Thank you for the reply.

We will try this again.

step 1:
Check the version by MENU --> WIFI SETUP --> SHOW WI-FI INFORMATION.

If we do this without the dongle plugged in, it says "Wi-Fi is not connected".

If we plug the dongle in and follow those instructions, we get "Processing please wait" and nothing else happens.

Thoughts?

 

[MStep]

Thank you for the reply.

We will try this again.

step 1:
Check the version by MENU --> WIFI SETUP --> SHOW WI-FI INFORMATION.

If we do this without the dongle plugged in, it says "Wi-Fi is not connected".

If we plug the dongle in and follow those instructions, we get "Processing please wait" and nothing else happens.

Thoughts?

It's a bit of a brain-teaser, but if the dongle is not cooperating in the scanner itself, perhaps you should just assume that it did not update correctly or still has the wrong version somehow installed, and attempt to update it again through the USB port on your computer, as pointed out in Step 4 of the instructions.

I also saw the indication of "WEP" in one of the posts---- the dongle only works with open or WPA security to the best of my knowledge. I don't believe that it recognizes WEP security.

Of course, there is always a chance that the dongle is defective, in which case you could return it to Uniden for a swap.

 

[buddrousa]

With it locked up I would start at the top and update the wifi dongle only then proceed to part 2

 

[Voyager]

Scanner is 1.06

How do I find out the dongle? If I plug the dongle in the scanner, it just freezes when we try to find Wi-Fi access.

As for the access point (WEP) and password, I entered all the correct info, all it just shows is: Processing, please wait. Waited over 1/2 hour and nothing changes.

Thanks for replying!

If you are using WEP, that is the problem. You need to upgrade to WPA.

 

[rcool101]

If you are using WEP, that is the problem. You need to upgrade to WPA.

Any Luck?....... The WEP and WPA have to do with your router. Make sure it is using WPA
Sentinel Version: 1.06
Scanner Firmware: 1.10.02
Dongle Firmware: 7.28
I tried myself for 3 weeks in my spare time. All I could get was a green light and ended up sending my dongle to Ft Worth. Few weeks later a new one arrived no charge. I was running in 3 minutes...It was a real Boondoggle .......(groan)

 

[MStep]

Thank you for the reply.

We will try this again.

step 1:
Check the version by MENU --> WIFI SETUP --> SHOW WI-FI INFORMATION.

If we do this without the dongle plugged in, it says "Wi-Fi is not connected".

If we plug the dongle in and follow those instructions, we get "Processing please wait" and nothing else happens.

Thoughts?

We're all curious as to had you made out. I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the dongle MAY also work without security, so you might try dropping the WEP for a minute or two just to see if you can make a connection. But the best best would try that WPA encryption, if you can do that without snagging your router and network. I know what a pain it can be to have to reset (and even possibly update older devices) to WPA, although it is much more secure than WEP.

 

[MandB]

Not working

Still just freezing up.

We did all the steps, the dongle does have the green light on when it is plugged into the computer or the scanner.

The dongle did the update.

When we plug it into the scanner:

Select

WI-FI SETUP
SHOW WI-F INFORMATION

it just freezes in the scanner, all that is displayed is:

PROCESSING, Please Wait




I have tried emailing Uniden, they won't reply.

We're all curious as to had you made out. I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the dongle MAY also work without security, so you might try dropping the WEP for a minute or two just to see if you can make a connection. But the best best would try that WPA encryption, if you can do that without snagging your router and network. I know what a pain it can be to have to reset (and even possibly update older devices) to WPA, although it is much more secure than WEP.

 

[darunimal]

Scanner is 1.06

As for the access point (WEP) and password and use Infrastructure
Thanks for replying!

The scanners firmware should be 1.10.02 BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
And the sentinel software should be 1.06 http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_1_06_00.zip

and your the Dongle and your router should be changed to WPA or WPA2 encryption and shouldn't be using WEP, it should be 7.28
BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP
http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/BCD436HP
http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate

Unplugging the Dongle, Reset Connection and then try Power Cycling the scanner after everything is up to date and Reset

 

[MandB]

Okay, we will try again.
Just a question though, regardless what our internet router is (wep wpa wpa2) would the dongle still not talk to the scanner to let us know it is working and what information is on the dongle??

The scanners firmware should be 1.10.02 BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
And the sentinel software should be 1.06 http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_1_06_00.zip

and your the Dongle and your router should be changed to WPA or WPA2 encryption and shouldn't be using WEP, it should be 7.28
BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

BCD536HP < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
BCD436HP < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

Unplugging the Dongle, Reset Connection and then try Power Cycling the scanner after everything is up to date and Reset

 

[darunimal]

The Dongle will if the correct firmware are on the Dongle (7.28) and Scanner (1.10.02)

now the router part is a known issue with WEP and the Scanner

Power Cycling the scanner and resetting the connection are the big part and or unplugging replugging the dongle seem to alleviate most problems after all things up-to-date.