AUTOSTAR INFORMATION Last updated: 7 January 2001

Bad Download Recovery (SAFE LOAD)

Subject:	 AAAHHHHH Fried autostar!
Sent:	Thursday, January 4, 2001 11:10:41
From:	grrass_snake_man@ic24.net (grrass_snake_man)
I know, I know, I should have followed the warnings, but as my Auto star
got trapped in a download I could not end I turned autostar off, now
there is NO life in it!  I have looked through your brilliant site but
it would seem no one else has been dumb enough to do this !

ANy suggestions???

Thanks,

Deren.

From the Autostar 2.0 README file: "SAFE LOADER MODE IN YOUR Autostar:
If the firmware in your Autostar crashes and you cannot access the "DOWNLOAD" menu item on your handbox, you can use the "SAFE LOADER" feature of your new Autostar software (version release 1.1G and above). To get into the safe loader, follow these simple steps: 1. Make sure the Autostar and ETX are turned off.
2. Press and hold the "ENTER" key and the Scroll Down Key located to the right of the help key on the Autostar handbox.
3. While depressing both keys, turn on your Autostar power switch. This will require you using both hands.

You should see "FLASH LOAD READY" on your display. This indicates that you can proceed to Update new software to your Autostar."

And more:

Subject:	 Diagnosing an Autostar / Flash Load Problem
Sent:	Saturday, January 6, 2001 11:03:44
From:	rseymour@wolfenet.com (richard seymour)
(this is a response i wrote to a direct Email...)
------

> Our computer crashed during the download, we tried the FLASH LOAD
>procedure, but the Updater says it cannot find the Autostar. HELP!

You can use Hyperterminal to test the hookup, even in FLASH LOAD mode.
Just be -very- careful... it's exceedingly fragile at that point.
Also: whenever downloading -walk far away- from the computer.
Any other activity can cause the download to fail.
 It'll beep when it wants you...

But: FLASH LOAD:  when using this, you have to hook up the cables,
start the computer, start the Autostar (into FLASH LOAD), and
  *then* start the Updater.

IF that doesn't work, then try:
 Hookup and start as above, then fire up Hyperterminal.
 Tell it you want a direct connection to COM1 (or COM2),
 and set the baud rates etc to 9600, 8-bit, no parity, 1 stop bit.
 The keyboard is now "connected" to the autostar.
  Type a control-F
   It should respond "D"
  Type a control-D
   It should respond ">"

IF neither of those work, then most likely it's a cable or 
 COM port problem.  Wiggle things until they -do- work.

Leaving Hyperterm running, unplug the cable from the COM port.
Look at the connector on the PC.  with the tip of a small
 screwdriver, try and cross-connect pins 2 and 3 
   -------------
   \ 1 2 3 4 5 /
    \ 6 7 8 9 /
      --------
That's the pin numbering, facing the computer's connector.
With those two pins shorted together, -anything- you type on
the keyboard should appear on the screen.  IF it doesn't,
 it's a COM port problem.

IF it works (keys reflect on screen) plug the cable back in, 
and move to the other end.  (I'm assuming a 505-type cable to
a 495 or 497 Autostar... the following is NOT APPLICABLE to
a 506 cable set) Unplug it from the Autostar, and short pins
 1 and 2   (that's the left two, when the cable is held facing
 the end of the connector, pins up, plastic locking tang down.
  Remember: we're looking at the end of the connector 
-----------
| 1 2 3 4 |
|__    ___|
   |___|
which would be inserted into the autostar.
Anyway: short pins 1 and 2, (i use a tiny paper clip)
and, again, try keyboarding at it.  Again, what you type 
should appear... if it doesn't, it's the cable.

IF it does appear, try the whole mess again... reboot the PC
and all that to guarantee that you're starting with a clean deck.

Good luck
--dick

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