Re: Recovering a "doorstopped" modem

Patrick,

> I was able to recover a dead modem.  I will put this info on the wiki 
> later.  I'm about to leave for dinner but I wanted to get everyone the 
> info before I left.  You will need to make a USB cable for the modem.  
> The instructions have been sent out on the list and I'll get them in the 
> wiki later.  Once you have a cable, make just J1 is jumpered and power 
> the modem on.  If the cable is good, the device will be enumerated by 
> the OS.  Once you have verified the cable, here is what you need to do.
> 
> You need to get the flash program from here:  
> http://dtmf.com.ar/tainet/flash.exe
> You need to get this zip package and extract flash.bin:  
> http://shonky1.customer.netspace.net.au/BILLION_DOS_RECOVERY_B100D.zip
> 
> Make a DOS bootable disk (floppy or CD) and put flash.exe, flash.bin, 
> and boot_ldr.bin (from actiontec) on the disk.  Boot to DOS.  You will 
> need to copy the files to a writable location if you booted from CD.  
> The flash program creates a temp file.  Now with the modem connected, 
> run the following
> 
> flash boot_ldr.bin 0x0 /u /dumb
> 
> This will reload the bootloader into flash.  From here you can use the 
> recovery procedure noted at the bottom of this page:  
> http://www.embeddedlinuxinterfacing.com/wiki.php/BootloaderNotes

I got this to work *once* from Windows XP Pro *without* making a special 
"DOS bootable disk".

Before that the Actiontec modem had been re-loaded both using Actiontec's 
"magic" Windows recover program, and with the old firmware from the Wiki 
using the "hold down the reset button and power up", using TFTP from a 
Linux box.  I figured that I had exercised all options.

Then when I tried to load my own kernel, uClinux panic'ed when trying to 
mount the ROM file system, and went into "doorstop mode".

Now I cannot get the "flash.exe" program to recognize my USB device at 
all, even though Windows XP sees it.  Windows XP beeps when I take the USB 
cable in and out, and I can see the device appear and disappear from the 
"device manage" list, so I'm pretty sure I'm in "USB boot mode".  The 
console serial port is silent.

Here's the error message I get...

   flash boot_ldr.bin 0x0 /u /dumb
   *************************************************
   ******** USB Flash programmer Ver 2.6 ***********
   *********CONEXANT SYSTEMS INCORPORATED***********
   *************************************************
   Initializing USB interface...
   USB Controller not found
   Fail to locate HOST USB device

Any ideas?

And, why is a "DOS boot disk" needed?  I made one for my Win98se system 
and tried that, but that just hung forever, never recognizing any USB device.

Can we get the source to the "flash" bootstrap loader program somewhere?

I'm getting pretty frustrated!

Best regards,

Bruce


-- 
  Bruce D. Lightner
  Lightner Engineering
  La Jolla, California
  Voice: +1-858-551-4011
  FAX: +1-858-551-0777
  Email: lightner-2huV/[email protected]
  URL: http://www.lightner.net/lightner/bruce/

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