Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems F80 i80 iPhone 3GS not charging

Ok...

Anyone who attempts to update their F80 using a cable of their own sourcing / fabrication does so at their own risk.

An F80 firmware update can be done at home using the "Flash Upload Program" (*NOT* FUPLOAD) and a special cable. You need to get the firmware emailed to you by your dealer. Use the Flash Upload Program in the normal way and double-click the .mfp file to start the update process.

The cable is an RS232 with a regular female computer (straight 4+5) connector at one end and an 8-pin male mini-din at the other with one of the pins deliberately broken off! The reason escapes me, but it is essential for the update process.

There are several types of 8-pin mini-din. It is the standard mini-din with the slightly offset (to the left) centre pin:


See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-DIN_connector#8-pin

The broken off pin is the the right-hand pin in the bottom row of the figure linked to. It's pin #2 in this diagram:


I believe that this is a standard cable with standard wiring, but I can't confirm this. The cable I have looks like a stock Lindy cable with the 2nd pin broken off. I can't find the exact same Lindy cable, but I believe that it is probably this one. I cannot confirm this though: http://www.lindy.co.uk/serial-data-transfer-cable-2m/30249.html

I apologise for hoarding this information, but I have been nervous of owners bricking their F80s. I am now posting this due to the reduction in the number of Meridian dealers and the change in support policy, both of which make it difficult for folk to get their F80s updated.

I should add that my cable is a kosher one supplied via the Meridian support organization. I have only updated my F80 once (to 1.0.12) and at the end of the process, the Flash Upload Program / F80 froze on me! Luckily, simply terminating the program and cold-starting the F80 resolved things, and the firmware update had been successful.

I'll say it again:

Anyone who attempts to update their F80 using a cable of their own sourcing / fabrication does so at their own risk.