Problem running 6131 extender

frdfsnlght · Post by **frdfsnlght** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:15 pm

I've read and reread the installation instructions but I can't get the extender to run on the remote. Some background:

URC-6131 bought unmodded.
I added the JP1 connector and 2k EEPROM (bought from filebug.com).
I made the JP1 cable about a year ago and it works perfectly (at least when I program my 2104) (it may be the older design, but I'd have to check).
I didn't need to save any previous configuration, so I skipped to step 9 in the installation instructions.
I've uploaded the 6131_extender1_.txt file (without any modifications) to the remote successfully.
I'm doing all this on a desktop PC, not a laptop.

According to the instructions, I should be able to press the Power button (after disconnecting the JP1 cable) and get 4 blinks of the LED. That's where I'm having problems. I get no blinks. All other buttons seem to 'work' in as much as the remote blinks as expected, but the PVR Power button doesn't blink, ever.

I don't know if it's related or indicative of a problem, but when I try to download from the remote (before or after a 981 reset), IR gives me an error:

Bad checksum at address $0000. Expected $74 $88, but found $77 $88

If I compare the downloaded file with what I uploaded (6131_extender1_.txt), only the first 2 lines differ:

Code: Select all

From the download:
000:  77  88  50  56  52  30  50  56  78  31  01  88  10  2F  2A  6A
010:  20  3C  21  F7  33  FF  34  22  30  20  00  00  00  00  03  44

Code: Select all

From the upload:
000:  62  9D  50  56  52  30  50  56  78  31  01  88  10  2F  2A  6A
010:  20  3C  21  F7  33  FF  34  22  30  20  00  01  17  03  03  44

I've searched the forums and the only thing remotely (ha!) similar refers to cable or EEPROM issues, but I don't think that's my problem. What now?

-Tab

mtakahar · Post by **mtakahar** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:15 pm

From the download:
...
010: 010: 20 3C 21 F7 33 FF 34 22 30 20 00 00 00 00 03 44

The value at the address 01D being 00 indicates the remote isn't recognizing the EEPROM. Try the 981 reset again and see if it gives you 4 LED blinks, and re-check the solder joints/orientation of the EEPROM if it gives a long blink instead.

Hal

frdfsnlght · Post by **frdfsnlght** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:09 pm

Well, the 981 code gives 4 blinks with a very slight delay between the 2 middle ones. I'm pretty sure the solder joints are good (and the chip is in the correct orientation according to the datasheet). I had read about bad solder joints, and I've done a fair bit of soldering in the past, so I'm pretty sure they're ok. I can recheck them again later tonight (when I have time to warm up the iron and take the remote apart, again).

Assume for the moment the joints are ok. Anything else I should check or try? Is there any other diagnostic data that would help determine what's wrong?

-Tab

mtakahar · Post by **mtakahar** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:35 pm

Sorry, I misspoke. I was thinking about the register that holds the EEPROM flags, but of course, the remote wouldn't write anything back if it didn't recognize it at all.

I would try:

flesh/old betteries to see if it's a voltage mismatch issue
increasing the transmission delay
from a different PC if possible

Hal

frdfsnlght · Post by **frdfsnlght** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:30 am

I tried to use "flesh" batteries, but they're far too expensive and don't come in AA size. They also complained loudly when I tried to insert the electrodes in either end. The complaining was so loud, in fact, even if I could them to work, the noise would probably be intolerable while trying to watch movies.

I had forgot to mention that I'd been using fresh batteries already. I'd also been using a transmission delay of 1600. I don't have another PC handy.

But, for some reason, I tried another 981 and 980 reset and uploaded again, then things started working. I'm not sure why it worked this time and not the 10 times before.

Thanks for help!

-Tab