That would probably be 3.4.4b the last version and still the current version on the forced download stream which is all I have on both an old DRX100 and a DRX400

Hi. I also have a Pace 2600c1 with very old software 3.2.11 which i have tried every which way to get it to forced upload but no way.

Is there anything else I can try - everytime I try, I loose all my other programs.

Oh one more thing, I can't remember the pin code & have locked myself out - could this affect the download?

I am trying to run a Panasonic TU-DSB31 that had not been powered up for 3, maybe 4 years. I cannot load programmes past 781 (sometimes less).

I have been through the Installers Menu and tried an enforced System Software download several times.

Whatever I do the EPG Software Version remains as 3.1.a.5

Should I stop wasting time and accept that I have a dead box, or are there some tricks I don't know about (yet)?

You wait and leave it connected to the satellite dish and powered on. It should update eventually, sounds like the software is about 2-3 years old, never 4 years however.

digitalsatman,
Thanks for that. I have left the box connected and powered up for several days but nothing has happened! How long is "eventually"?

Anytime within the next few months, or the next software update. None has been sent to dodgyboxes for some months now, so expect a 3.6 version soon.

Loss of the PIN is not relevant where the download is concerned.

On the main point, not a lot you can do. Just wait for the automatic update, while periodically trying the forced download route Monday-Friday during working hours.
From what I can see, not many people have managed the forced download, probably because the stream is not always there.

However HERE
our friend Thomas managed it at about 1615 on a Friday. An hour later when we tried, the stream was gone.

digitalsatman,

Thanks for the information. I will wait patientlly!!

When you said to leave the unit powered on, does that mean standby (red light) or on (green light) or will either do? Sorry to be a bit dense.

Braz

Standby will do, just don't turn off at the plug.

Be patient, I've been waiting about two months.

Are you chaps SURE that the force-download stream is not available 24/7?

I did my first forced-upgrade at a very strange time of night, and I'm fairly sure it might not even have been a work-night, either. It was definitely not in the 9-to-5 bracket, that's for sure!

Only reason I ask, is because perhaps the failure to get a working force is more to do with signal strength and quality, rather than availability? Just a thought...

I have managed forced downloads many times at night and over the weekends in the past.

Jay C - thanks for that note. The only reason I was concerned that the pin code would affect the download is because I have read that once the download is complete, it automatically takes you to page 998 - I think which is the sky welcome page.

But since the pin code is locked, I can't access any channels over 800! Any ideas going round this problem?

davemurgatroyd - thanks for the confirmation... if you've got them at weekends and nights too, then it does tend to belie the myth that the stream is sometimes 'not there', doesn't it?

Balj - once the software has been upgraded, the PIN lockout will probably reset itself, when the system returns to default factory settings after the reboot. I would be very surprised if you were unable to see the customer channel.

To be totally honest, I'm pretty surprised that you can't see the customer channel now, either! I know it's up in the 900s, but it's definitely not porn! Well, not proper porn, anyway!

Perhaps it's some 'hanger-on' from the old software you have on the box still? Maybe that used to consider anything above 800 as the PIN-protected stuff? Maybe that's changed, in the meantime, as a result of the software upgrades that you're trying to get?

I would hope so - but there's only one way to find out.

Personally, I think if you're having trouble obtaining a force download/update, it's a sign that your signal-strength or quality is not good. What are your current levels there? Let us know - it may shed some light.

There have been times when it hasn't been there but doesn't seem to be always off outside office hours.

Thanks. I have always tried to force download when signals are good. The strength & quality levels are about 3/4 good each time. Though I haven't forced it recently because I thought the pin code was blocking it.

What about the version being really old 3.2.11 - could that be be the problem?

It could be, as that is over 2 years old.

I have to disagree, and say I doubt it, Tom. Remember my old 'rescued-from-a-skip' Grundig GDS3000? That died sometime circa 2003/2004, and lay in a back room for the best part of a year with a dead powersupply before finally ending up with me.

Force upgraded it as soon as it was fixed, and am now still happily running with it (and have since had various follow-on EPG upgrades without problem).

I can't be 100% accurate, but I'm fairly sure it was on either a 2.something rev, or a 3.2... it was the one with the non-graduated-colour background display, darker blue, I think, and it enabled you to hear the on-channel audio whilst looking at the EPG, rather than that awful elevator musak.

Is there a museum of old EPG screenshots anywhere? I'd be able to identify it if I saw it again, I'm sure - and if it helped to let Balj know whether his stood a chance of upgrading, it'd be useful to know, maybe?

I stand by confidently by my comment. I'll guide you through it.

3.3a6 came April 2005, and 3.2.11 came late 2004, this thread backs it up: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...=3.2.11+update

There was very few versions with '2' in them, it would be good if anyone has any screenshots of a ver 2 software, but it is unlikely so far on.

Tom

Still waiting for download. However I have to power down every few days because, although initially I get channels 101 through 781, I lose channels over a period of days until I am left only with the last channel tuned to.

Is this a symptom of the very out of date EPG software or is it indicative of another problem which might mean that, effectively, it is a dead box?

Braz.

I have had the same problem for weeks now. I have 3.2.11 software and no amount of forced updates change it. When I'm left with only 2 channels I have to power off and back on.
This week the in-laws are getting Sky+ installed so I hope to use their old box and see if that is any better.

Our Panasonic Box has EPG Version 3.5.3

We had been unable to use our Sky Digibox for the past 3 weeks, until the issue with the minidish was resolved this morning.

See this thread for further info regarding that.

Anyway, now that my minidish is & digibox are working again, have I missed any software updates, etc ?
Last edited by zippyman : 21-12-2006 at 14:47

At last, after weeks of trying I've finally managed a forced update to V3.4.4 EPG software and so far the bug has not reappeared. I did this at 3pm on a Friday so I guess a previous poster was right in so much as you need to do this during normal working hours on a week day. Assuming this is now stable I will go for multiroom.

Hi Tom - I think Ian's successful upgrading of 3.2.11 indicates that it IS still possible to get these older boxes going with the new wares (well done Ian!)

I'm still curious to know what version I started with, on my ancient old 'rescued' Grundig, but am having difficulty identifying it for sure.

I did find one website with some old screenshots of EPG versions (though the page itself is now badly out of date - it refers to an obviously-outdated EPG version as the 'current' one - and it may even be the 3.2.11 version we're discussing!)

See here: http://myhome.iolfree.ie/~icdg/dsat_gallary.htm

Certainly the one I started with was the uppermost of those two types - the one showing as May 2001 - to Current (which is wrong, obviously). I have a feeling that might be 3.2.11 or thereabouts - note the white-on-dark-blue 'sky guide' in the top-left corner, the dark-blue borders top and bottom of the screen - all of which have changed now (the skyguide logo is more 'glassy' now, and the borders are gone on the new version EPG.

It's a shame there isn't a more comprehensive screenshot history of the EPGs over the years - these things are too transient, I guess - but at the very least, if that IS v3.2.11, Ian and I are both proof that it CAN be upgraded-from... all you need is persistence, patience, and a fair bit of good luck too!

That's never 3.2.11. Just look at ITV, that went available on Sky years ago, not in 2004. I personally think think that is one of the early '2' vrsions, like 2.1.1.