PDA

View Full Version : Unable to Flash New Image to TM-TWIN-4K



Midori
27-11-17, 21:36
I attempted to flash the new Vix Image 5.2.002, first disconnecting my USB attached HDD (storage), and using a formatted FAT32 8GB stick and following the recommended procedure(***see last lines). It was impossible to get the box to boot itself from the USB stick. After several attempts I decided to use Image Manager to restore an Image from the USB stick. This could not be achieved either.
I am thinking there is a bug somewhere, so tried the following:-
Re initialised the USB stick in Setup> Storage > Initialise:
Created fresh backups in Backup Manager and Image Manager.
Viewed the newly created backups using "list".
Both the .gz (system backup) and the .zip (image backup) were listed in /media/sda1/ which I assume is the USB stick.
I then attempted to restore both these files using Image Manager and Backup Manager respectively.
Image Manager showed the .zip Image backup file in /media/sda1 however the Restore button was not enabled. For this screen, the VIX Manual v1.1 text states the yellow button = Restore, whilst the image shows blue = Restore and Yellow = Download. On my box Yellow button = Download and Blue button is not enabled. With .zip Image selected, neither the Blue button, nor OK has any effect. The MENU button shows a blank SETUP screen which is empty with Red/Green as Cancel and Save.
Likewise it is impossible to do a Restore from the .gz system file within Backup Manager.

Am I right in thinking Flashing a .zip image by booting from the USB stick is the same as Restoring a .zip image within Image Manager? Then if I solve the inability to Restore my existing System and Image files from the backups I created, I no need to worry why the box will not boot from the usb stick. I would simply place VIX 5.2.002 .zip file onto the newly formatted USB stick and use Image Manager.
(***) I did read the "How to Flash to TM-TWIN-4K.pdf" which advises to unzip the download and place the entire contents in root of USB stick. I did try this initially, which created /update/tmtwin4k/xxxxx files (5 totally).
I also tried placing the .zip file in root of usb stick, and the five xxxxx files themselves in usb stick root. Then I tried the same copying to usb stick \update\. None of these worked either.

Meanwhile the box is working fine on my out-of-the-box version 5.1.032

abu baniaz
27-11-17, 21:47
If you initialise a USB stuck using the receiver, it won't be in fat32, in will be in ext4.

Midori
27-11-17, 22:22
Right. I did try with FAT32 format in the very first attempts. After trying every way to noot from stick, and Restoring former backups when even then there is no Restore Buttom enabled. what should I do? Well, I tried with the Initialise proceddure and repeated it all again. I can imagine you may need a FAT32 stick to boot a .BIN file, but why does Restore not work?

Andy_Hazza
27-11-17, 22:27
Right. I did try with FAT32 format in the very first attempts. After trying every way to noot from stick, and Restoring former backups when even then there is no Restore Buttom enabled. what should I do? Well, I tried with the Initialise proceddure and repeated it all again. I can imagine you may need a FAT32 stick to boot a .BIN file, but why does Restore not work?

You can’t “Couch Flash” (Image Manager) with ViX on ARM receivers (4K). Look at this as this might help you >> Automatic full backup by Dimtrij
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=12108&share_tid=56800&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eworld-of-satellite%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D56800&share_type=t


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

abu baniaz
27-11-17, 22:29
Using Image Manager to flash/restore images on Arm CPU/SOC receivers is disabled. There is a long thread in the solo 4k section.

You can use this plugin to do it though
http://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?56800-Automatic-full-backup-by-Dimtrij

Midori
27-11-17, 22:42
Phew ! Both this last two suggestions are way way over my head. I will have to stick with original Vix version by the sounds of it.
But tell me what theis does not work for me? Before trying alternatives, all I did was to follow what it said here
http://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?55762-How-to-USB-flash-Technomate-TM-Twin-4K

Andy_Hazza
27-11-17, 22:54
Phew ! Both this last two suggestions are way way over my head. I will have to stick with original Vix version by the sounds of it.
But tell me what theis does not work for me? Before trying alternatives, all I did was to follow what it said here
http://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?55762-How-to-USB-flash-Technomate-TM-Twin-4K

What make of usb flash drives are you using? What size? Have you tried more than just the one usb flash drive? No other usb device are present while you are attempting to flash the receiver?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Midori
27-11-17, 23:10
I have Lexar, Integral and two other USB sticks.
8 GB and smaller
I tried only Lexar. Have you tested with any other drives otyher than the one WOS sells?
As satted, I "first disconnecting my USB attached HDD (storage)"
No other usb device are present while attempting to flash the receiver.

The Vix manual says....
8.2.2.2.2 Flashing via image manager
Menu  Setup  System  VIX  Image manager 
In the image manager you find all images you have previously backed up. You can also add files manually to the same folder.
The yellow button allows you to download VIX-images directly from the WoS-server:

The downloaded image will appear in the main screen of the image manager.
For the actual flashing of any image: select the desired one and press the blue button and say ‘yes’ to the question if you actually want to flash that image. This highly convenient way of flashing is also called ‘couch flashing’.


Should work either way as documented, but you say can’t “Couch Flash” (Image Manager)". Is "couch flash" = Restore? Is there an update to the Vix manual, or is it Technomate in paperwork?

abu baniaz
27-11-17, 23:12
Vix manual has not been updated for a while.

"Couch flash" = flash/install an image using Image Manager

Andy_Hazza
27-11-17, 23:26
I use Kingston and HP without issues. My HP ones are 16gb and work fine. I have also used 16gb & 64gb Kingston ones without issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thecaretaker
28-11-17, 01:09
Re initialised the USB stick in Setup> Storage > Initialise:
Created fresh backups in Backup Manager and Image Manager.
Viewed the newly created backups using "list".
Both the .gz (system backup) and the .zip (image backup) were listed in /media/sda1/ which I assume is the USB stick.
I then attempted to restore both...

Did you unzip the image backup on the usb stick first? You need to ensure the correct folder structure for the box to recognise it. That applies to my VU box, sure it is the same for the TM.

Midori
28-11-17, 12:03
Did you unzip the image backup on the usb stick first? You need to ensure the correct folder structure for the box to recognise it. That applies to my VU box, sure it is the same for the TM.

This morning I went back to square one, reformated USB stick FAT32 and this time I unzipped the Image package directly onto the USB stick. (previously I unzipped the Image package to my PC then used MSExplorer to copy onto USB stick).
For the first time I got the "onscreen message" indicating that the USB stick was being read and with a prompt to hit the on/off button. (previously there was no prompt message).
After a minute or two the Vix setup wizard was called and after that process 'About' shows ver 5.0.032 has been replaced with 5.1.002.

So good news thus far. I now need to find and recover/restore my System Settings (Backup as Vix call it) to get the box back into service.

First need to recover possession of the TV from the second user !

Midori
29-11-17, 00:58
:):):) System Settings now completely recovered using Backup manager and all fine working now, though Restore of Image .zip via Image Manager is still disabled.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice !

Andy_Hazza
29-11-17, 07:06
The Flash via Image Manager will never be Enabled for any ARM receivers. Try learning the alternative method shown in posts #4 & #5.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Midori
29-11-17, 12:14
The Flash via Image Manager will never be Enabled for any ARM receivers. Try learning the alternative method shown in posts #4 & #5.


Yes, I am in the learning process with installing and using this new extension. I am trying to create a backup and then restore it. After an automated backup completed, when pressing MANUAL > Console I get the following message:-
55440

Does this mean a backup has been created successfully? I ask, because when I attempt to Restore, there is no backup file visible.
If I FTP to /media/hdd then there is no /bi folder.
If I FTP to /dev there is no /sda1 folder.

abu baniaz
29-11-17, 16:19
Use can use Image Manager to make the image backup.

Midori
29-11-17, 16:53
Use can use Image Manager to make the image backup.

Oh, I misunderstood. I thought your recommended Plugin would be used to create backups of Image, and System file. I assumed the same plugin would enable restore or recovery of those backups.
But actually it will not make backups at all, even though there is a popup message saying something will happen for 5 to 7 minutes and Options unavailable till later.
I used Image manager to make a Image backup, but the same original problem is there = blue button Restore is disabled.
What is the purpose of the Plugin you recommended? Any user literature I should read?

abu baniaz
29-11-17, 17:01
It has been mentioned several times that you cannot restore/flash using Image Manager on Arm CPU receivers (What you have).

How can we explain it differently so you understand this?

Midori
29-11-17, 17:07
Using Image Manager to flash/restore images on Arm CPU/SOC receivers is disabled. There is a long thread in the solo 4k section.

You can use this plugin to do it though
http://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?56800-Automatic-full-backup-by-Dimtrij

How would you interpret "You can use this plugin to do it though"?

abu baniaz
29-11-17, 17:20
Use the plugin.

You cannot use Image Manager.

ccs
29-11-17, 17:22
The plugin can be used to back up images and restore them.

My guess is that you created a backup on /media/hdd.

Image manager on a 4k arm box (which you have) can only create backup images. (The restore option is permanently disabled.)