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.

It is not hard to brick it.

My AD88 was acting crazy shutting itself down all the time and refusing to recognize my iPhone 3GS. It was fixed with a hard reset by the dealer.

Is the F80 firmware update service at an M Dealer free of charge?

Yes, it was in my case. Given that the F80 was, to a degree, used as a means to draw new customers into the fold, I can't imagine any dealer spoiling such a new customer relationship by charging for a 5 minute laptop/cable update. But that's just my experience and opinion!

Cheers

George

My F80 was repaired by factory around May(?) 2010. It came back with v1.0.14.

Changes in 1.0.14 over 1.0.12 is upsampling and apodising

Mine was from the earliest batch of public F80's so below may be indicative of running changes.

Return slip stated:
Fuse polyswitch 0.3A FEC ???
Moulding F80 Drive Mouth ??
Sleeve Outer F80 V2
Box F80 (Inner) Mk2
Assy F80 PCB Display (the fault)

Display, Drive Mouth and i80 fuse replaced, updated software

Why boxes and drive mouth were replaced remain a mystery. Unit and boxes were in perfect cosmetic condition when left with dealership.

Oh yes, just kidding about apodising and upsampling Don't know what differences in .14 are. Seems like .12 and fuse change covered i80 so its possible that its only minor changes.

I think we all know what happens when you leave a Ferrari with a dealership. You're lucky it wasn't totaled...

Yes, the Valet Parking scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off always comes to mind when handing my car over to Car Dealers or Valet.

My Drive Mouth Broke and was sticking out. They fixed it, but perhaps its a known issue that they sorted for you prior to it breaking.. Chris