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Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: GPSlim 236 USB cable and Firmware upgrade question.
Hello all,
just got a GPSlim236 which is charging as we speak.
I have a few questions, is the USB data cable a 'standard' cable or is the wiring different? The reason I ask is that I have a cable that has the same connector for my digital camera, and if it's the same then I don't have to buy another one :-)
The other question is about the firmware, my unit has a serial 52*****
how do I find out which firmware it has? If it is not the latest (3.11) then where do I get the update files. I really don't want to have to send it away for flashing if at all possible.
I am very experienced at flashing, bios, phones, pocket pc's, dvd burners etc. so I am not afraid to give it a go.
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject: Answering my own question here.
The USB cable seems to be a 'soap on a rope' design, some electonics in a box part way down the cable. Probably contains the USB device info and does some USB to serial conversion.
The Holux UK website and shop do not list the cable (which I believe is a GR230-A2) does anyone know where I can order them? I have sent a few messages to the Holux Online Shop over the past few days but have had no response so far.
The other thing I need to kinda find out is if Holux would be kind enough to release the firmware update to me, as the unit is advertised as being user upgradable via te usb link with the correct cable, or something to that effect.
Can the update be done via a BT serial connection? Probably not as it might need to re-flash the BT stack which would bring down the BT link.
You will need this cable CA-230USB
I apologise if you have not had a response before now. I will chase this up on Monday for you.
As for the firmware update, I will check with our technical support on Monday about this for you. We normally prefer to get the unit back to do this for you incase anything goes wrong.
I wouldn't recommend upgrading the firmware over bluetooth, use the datacable if you have to do it.
What is your serial number? you have said 236-52**, if you can let me know the number after 52** then I should be able to tell you the firmare version. I believe of the top of my head, version 521+ began shipping with version 3.1.1. I can confirm on Monday if needed.
I hope this answers most of your questions.
Have a good weekend :D _________________ Nanette
--------------------
www.holux-uk.com Nanette@holux-uk.com
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject: thanks for the reply
the serial number is 236-52000027
I think it's firmware 3.1 accorting to the sirfdemo software.
The unit has the occasional long first fix.
It sees 5-7 sats during this with good strength but still takes about 4-5 mins.
to get a fix, other times ist's seconds. A forcing a warm reset usually gets a fix faster.
Occasional bluetooth probles too, not re-connecting after shut off. Have to re-link manually sometimes.
Let me know if these issue are fixed in the new formware and if I can do it myself,
Hi Kerwin,
Firstly my apologies for no-one from tech support having responded. Our preferred method of communication is via our online trouble ticket system.
The problems you are describing can be linked to the original firmware. The latest firmware version is 3.1.1. The firmware can be upgraded using the USB data cable which is available from our online shop.
May I point out that we do not recommend end users performing this upgrade as should you make a mistake it can render the receiver unuseable.
Regards,
Julie
Holux UK Limited
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:
Hi, thanks for the reply.
I was going to use your online support system, but as it clearly states, if the unit was not purchased from yourselves or one of your official dealers then the trouble ticked will get deleted. Mine was purchased via a seller on Ebay, in the UK.
So I am kind of stuck here, I have a unit that can, on occasion, take up to 30 mins to get a fix. The unit is advertised as being flash upgradable via USB cable. I can purchase the cable, but I am recommended not to perform the upgrade myself, and I have a feeling that tech. support do not want the upgrade software out in the 'wild'.
So, where do we go from here? Can I send it back to you for the upgrade?
Can I do it myself, accepting the fact that I could end up with the unit dead if it goes wrong?
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:28 am Post subject:
Just want to say a big thanks to Nanette at Holux,
I was going round in circles with the tech support people
but she has managed to sort my problem out for me,
I appreciate the help and support from Holux,
nice to have the backup on a nice piece of kit.
I am evaluating the unit for my own purposes as well as
looking to equip some of our employees with gps systems.
Technical support and backup are a major consideration
in this purchase, so far so good! _________________ Kerwin
Mine was purchased via a seller on Ebay, in the UK.
Hi,
We do have some authorised UK based resellers on ebay.
Can you tell me who you bought it from please?
We are still willing to support you if you have not purchased from one of our resellers, we just ask that you cover our costs, as we have obviously made nothing from the sale. We can perform the upgrade for you, we charge £10 for carrying this out & ask that you cover the cost of return postage.
Just a note for those of you wanting to take us up on this service - should the upgrade not fix the problem you are having, you must return to the reseller you purchased the device from. The warranty support lies with the reseller you originally dealt with.
If you would like to perform the upgrade yourself please send me a PM & I will arrange access for you to our ftp site.
Cheers,
Julie
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:08 am Post subject:
Hi all,
I now have the updated firmware installed in my 236 :-)
MUCH BETTER!!! Getting fixes where it never got before.
A big thanks to all the people at Holux for their help.
The upgrade did not all go smoothly though,
I installed the usb drivers, plugged the cable in the pc and the 236.
It felt a little tight in the 236, but went in ok.
Installed the sirfdemo and sirfflash, but try as I might I could not get a connection via the cable (CF-FRAME all the time).
Much head scratching and a peek into the usb socket on the 236 yeilded the answer.
The new usb plug had bent and pushed one of the pins out of the connector. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
It's not as if I can plug it in wrong or anything, it only fits one way round.
Great. I NEED this to work over the weekend.
Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.
Voiding my warranty I carefully open the case, and with the back of the usb plug exposed I managed to push the pin back in. A quick try and it pushes it back out again. Grrrrrrrrrr.
Checking the plug end of the Holux cable shows a small burr on the offending pin. A quick blast with a needle file and off we go again.
This time it's perfect. A little kapton tape over the back of the connector and off we go.
Now that we have a connection the firmware update was flawless.
Needless to say I am an electronics engineer and watch repairer in my spare time. I am used to fixing small things and know the penalties of getting it wrong.
Maybe I just had a bad cable but please be careful when inserting the USB mouse cable for the first time.
So there we have it, firmware upgraded but warranty voided. An eventful day.
btw. Nice work on the PCB Holux, very neat, shame about your cables ;-)
Joined: Oct 24, 2003 Posts: 18 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:37 am Post subject:
Hi, the cable is a 'special' one, it's a 'soap on a rope' type.
There is a small box on the cable that contains the USB to serial driver logic and device id.
sorry to hear about all the trouble that you initially had with the 236...I'm looking to get the same one for my imate PDA2K to use with TT5 here in the US.....would you recommend this receiver? is there support available for it here in the US?
This is for the Holux team - any idea where I can buy it from here in the US to be able to get warranty and support?
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