Amiko Alien Boot Loader

[sattech64]

I have all of a sudden came across the problem on my A2 not booting . It's stuck on "Boot" and doesn't matter if Spark or E2 it still won't boot.
Can someone direct me to a U-boot file and a spark image that will work with a STK7105 processor. I have a recovery image that is NA but it is for a 7162 and I'm not certain that will work. I would like to get this box playing again if anyway possible.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Wayne

[el bandido]

Hello and Welcome to Legit!

Probably the best way to see about fixing this receiver is to connect the rs232 to a terminal and read the receiver output as the receiver is booting. Reloading or reinstalling BOOT requires the rs232 connection, so it is best to read the output before trying to load a boot file.

[sattech64]

Thanks for the reply! I have looked at the displayed data via RS232 and it basically mentions some bad blocks around the 2000 page area but it continues past that. I just noticed this afternoon that it has an error with a get server xml file that seems to stop the process in it's tracks. I can do some swapping of computers and try to get some screen caps if that might help.

Thanks again!

[el bandido]

The bad blocks are normal.
The.xml file is probably what is causing the boot fail.
Yes. Please post the output of the rs232 and we will see if it can be fixed.

[sattech64]

I sort of came to that conclusion about the bad blocks. I will either switch computers where I can more easily access screen captures or take some quick photos. Do you need mainly the output concerning the xml file or the entire page? Thanks for the help!

[el bandido]

Sort of need the whole thing. That would be best. Do what you can do....
You my try a right muse click on the screen and see if it gives a copy N paste option. You may also set the rs232 terminal to record. That option should be available in the terminal's setting.

[sattech64]

Got some screen caps finally. Problem was that the laptop I am using for this ( only one with true serial port) is my work programming computer and is old and slow mainly because I still have several radio's yet in the system that require DOS and a slow machine to work. Anyway I hope this helps 1452514524

Thanks
Wayne

[el bandido]

Please post the caps. I do not see them in this thread. Thanks.

OK. I see them now.
Let's see if something is obviously wrong...

[sattech64]

They're there I just forgot to tell you where to look LOL!

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[sattech64]

Thanks for the help! I really like that receiver due to the network HDD feature that my others don't have. Nice having everything in the same location as far as video is concerned.

[el bandido]

What enigma2 image did you load and where did you get it from?

Boot to Spark,FTP into the box using Filezilla or similar, and find the net_server.xml file.

[sattech64]

Not sure on the E2 file. I had 2 that has been on my computer for awhile and I honestly don't remember which one is loaded and where I got it. If you have a better file let me know and I'll load it ASAP. I haven't been able to get any response from the box with Filezilla using 192.168.40.19 Am I using the correct IP ? I can load files via TFTP and the Cisco program with that IP

[el bandido]

Try these three. One of them should work.
192.168.0.69 - 192.168.3.119 - 192.168.3.1


Starting kernel console=ttyAS1,115200 rw ramdisk_size=6144 root=/dev/ram0 init=/
linuxrc ip=192.168.0.69:192.168.3.119:192.168.3.1:255.255. 0.0:Spark:eth0:off stm
maceth=msglvl:0,phyaddr:2,watchdog:5000 bigphysarea=7000 nwhwconf=device:eth0,hw
addr:30:00:0A:00:11:6B Manufacture=Spark-Project STB_ID=0C:00:0A:00:00:11:6B - 0
x0153d000 - 2896628 ...

[el bandido]

Correct enigma2 image is in the link.
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Looks like the e2 side is complaining about the wrong software being installed.

[sattech64]

Downloading now. ( back at shop) I will run this in just a moment and see what happens

[sattech64]

20171130 loading

[sattech64]

No joy with FTP and so far the same with E2 Now showing 00:00 and counting up

[el bandido]

You will need to connect the box to a router or similar device and get the Alien2 ip for ftp from the router. That is the only other way I know if the listed ip address will not connect.

[sattech64]

OK I'll give that a shot..thanks

[sattech64]

My router here in the shop doesn't show the A2 connecting but both LED's are lighted on the LAN module. I dunno looks like I am going to be in the market fr a new receiver

[el bandido]

The output you posted would suggest that the receiver can be accessed using ip address. I am sure there are exceptions, but all the receivers I have seen get that far would connect, providing the correct ip is used for the connection.

But...

I agree. The A2 is a bit dated and should be replaced if possible. I think it was released at the end of 2011.

[el bandido]

My router here in the shop doesn't show the A2 connecting but both LED's are lighted on the LAN module. I dunno looks like I am going to be in the market fr a new receiver

To be clear, you will need to access your router and find the ip that the A2 is using to connect to it. Another way of doing this would be to connect the A2 to router, restart the A2, and record the rs232 output. The ip the A2 is using to connect to the router should be in the rs232 output. My guess is the A2 is missing that .xml file that it is complaining about. But it is hard to say without ftp to the box and check.

[sattech64]

I will look at the RS232 data because my router never shows the A2 to be connected. Only item connected is the PC I was using on the forum at the time.
This certainly is an odd one especially since I was using it most every day in the shop until I restored my A3 for the millionth time and decided to use it for a bit.
I plugged in the A2 when the A3 fell on it's nose again and BOOT was as far as I've gotten since LOL!

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[el bandido]

Be sure to look at the data while the A2 is connected to the router, AND the A2 has been freshly Hard Booted.

[sattech64]

None of those worked ..wonder if my STB having a 7105 processor instead of a 7111 or 7162 is causing this problem??

I have a backup if I could ever get far enough to use it LOL

[el bandido]

The A2 is 7162. Amiko A1 is 7111.

[sattech64]

I have the first image you suggested partly loaded but I think it is locked up. It is on the internet currently and I can see things with FZ now

[sattech64]

Will the HDMU image load via USB like the regular image files?

[el bandido]

Yes. Of course, use the correct button presses on the receiver to load it.

[sattech64]

Thanks! I probably should have left this in the one compressed file instead of extracting. I'll give that a shot here shortly

[sattech64]

I have tried several different E2 images and it seem they all get to around the area of video output methods and just hangs.
Trying OpenESI for kicks currently and it got to the point where it asks if I wanted to delete all the other languages, and I chose yes, so far it's stuck there.
Odd Ball Box !14526

[sattech64]

Anyone have any ideas about the failure to boot? I can't get Spark to boot not get into the file structure to look at things.



14528



Kinda lost for ideas here!

Thanks In Advance!!

[el bandido]

Which pkt image is that and where was it downloaded?
Telnet to the box and type init 4 followed by enigma2. Post the output.

For the most part, enigma2 images are junk in the A2. They will run, but they may freeze, and they do not have the full features you will find in dedicated enigma2 boxes.

[sattech64]

I would really rather have Spark working on this box. I never could get the original E2 image to do what I wanted it to do.
I just can't see any good reason why Spark won't boot! I extracted the U-Boot file from the 1.2.52 Boot upgrade package and flashed it to the box via RS232 so I think I can safely eliminate the boot loader as a source of trouble. I'm not sure but this box may have been connected in the shop without a UPS when we had several power flickers,so that may be a cause of all this.I loaded the 2 files in the Spark Americas 7162 rescue image but strangely none of the IP addresses it shows allows me to connect and it won't pull an IP from my network so I cant FTP into it that way. If I could just somehow get it to boot the rescue image I would be golden I think! I could manage a network IP with OpenEsi once however. I will get that output you asked for as soon as I can get into the box again via network. RS232 is fine but I need a network IP for Telnet to do any good.

Here is the data Openesi 5.0 only one I can telnet into via RS232


14530 14531

[el bandido]

Download and install the Spark recovery image that is in post #6 of this thread:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

For the enigma2, ftp into the box and get the settings file that is located in etc/enigma2. Zip the settings file and attach it here.

[sattech64]

Download and install the Spark recovery image that is in post #6 of this thread:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

For the enigma2, ftp into the box and get the settings file that is located in etc/enigma2. Zip the settings file and attach it here.


I loaded the SPARK files but it still refuses to boot spark...just hangs on BOOT

Here is the settings file you ask for.. word wrap is a bit rough..

14532

[el bandido]

Please describe in great detail what you are doing to recover in Spark.

The enigma2 settings look OK, but it is not complete for the user. Looks like there was an attempt to set up 87 West, but it was not completed. Looks like the language has not been set either. The enigma2 side should run once the setup is completed.

[sattech64]

What I have done in Spark is load numerous different rescue images via USB. It never completes the boot so it never pulls an IP from my network on the Spark side so I can't FTP,Telnet or anything to gain access to that partition to see what if any files exist. I did extract the boot loader from the AppPrg.tar file in the v1.2.51 (Enigma2 Boot Upgrade) package and it was updated via RS232. Other than this it's about all I can do. I have a complete backup but until I can get the Spark side to finish a boot I can't use that. Yeah I'm very slowly learning the OpenESI program and how it works as well as how it sets up. I agree that I believe E2 would run after I figure out the settings I need for North America and where to put them. If I didn't really like this box and seeing it as somewhat of a challenge I would have made it part of my spare parts box by now, but I do like it's performance and such.. just can't figure out this Spark deal! Seems to me it ought to work fine! I'm certainly open to any suggestions..

Thanks so much!


EDIT:

FWIW I came across the original E2 Image that was installed originally in this box and you guessed it.. it wouldn't boot from that either. The same as Spark hangs on boot.
Looks like Open ESI seems to be the image of choice for this box for some reason.

[el bandido]

If one enigma2 image works, then others will work.

Look at the information in these links. Pay close attaention to the Spark recovery .pdf.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]



[Only registered and activated users can see links]


[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[sattech64]

Thanks for the references. When I look for the weather.xml file telnet data reports it doesn't exist 14533

On post 5 of the second link I'm guessing the writer is referring to connecting via telnet and RS232. When I try that putty won't let me paste, type or enter any commands at all.

Any ideas here?

[el bandido]

Telnet uses io to connect.

The terminal that is being referred to (putty) is connecting to the box using the serial or rs232 connection.

[sattech64]

Well, I have learned something that puts a new spin on things.. When a HDMI cable is connected to the receiver even open esi will not complete a boot process. Also I've noticed there is no output from the composite video output either. I can't comment about the SCART output. My guess is that I did have this receiver running in the shop not on a UPS when our power did it's usual on/off cycle 4 or 5 times in less than a minute. My equipment in the house is backed up on UPS for that very reason,I've scrapped numerous satellite receivers from Dish to Amiko because of this crap! I plan on looking at the HDMI output and see what voltages I see but no video output is certainly a shot to the heart as far as setup is concerned. Doesn't look like the power co has a good handle on the new solid state reclosers that they have been installing lately :)

Thanks for the help!

[el bandido]

Sounds like you need a new receiver.
I would suggest the dual DVB-S2 Edision OS Mini as a replacement.

[sattech64]

Sure seems that way! I have SMT service equipment but not the eyes any longer. Plus many components are NLA and NOS somewhere exists but likely is expensive.

I'll sure look into the receiver you mentioned!

Thanks so much for everything!

EDIT:
Stranger things have happened but I have it running Open ATV currently on composite output. HDMI is still a problem but by selecting SCART output on this thing it also outputs in composite video and audio. Picture doesn't look too bad and if it stays up it will be OK for the shop.. just something for noise and a glance now and then when I'm working. Maybe I can determine what's up with the HDMI port eventually. Strange that it halts the boot process when connected! Never heard or seen this one before.
Other than a strange setup for running a dish mover the OpenAtv program is not too bad especially when you can see on screen how to complete the setup LOL!