Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G98 Software failed

Hi. I am new here. I have a Meridian collection.

The G98 I tried updating and seem to have selected the wrong file from the menu. Now when I try uploading the correct file it actually downloads is completely and says "store success" but then will not boot up after reset.

I tried contacting Meridian but they have removed all references from the website and also have fired the support guy James who I worked with on other repairs. Very bad actually, they seem to have turned their backs on old customers.

I am stuck with a G98 in great condition new PSU and DSL710 drive. But no function. Any tips?

What kind of interface are you using between your PC (or is it a Mac) and the G98? If a USB to RS232 adapter, which one?

Unless the controller has failed, you cannot brick a G98 due to a failed firmware update. It has a separate BIOS that handles the flash so should always accept a re-flash attempt, even if the re-flash fails multiple times.

So keep trying.

First I would like to mention that Meridian contacted me and said James was NOT fired and is happily working elsewhere, so I wish to retract that statement (how?) and apologize to those may not have liked that info.

About the RS232, I use the COM on the PC, but also have tried an ATEN adapter, all for pro use that I use daily with Alcatel HP Cisco and other network devices, as well as industrial controllers galore. So it wouldn't be a compatibility issue especially with the hardware COM port on a rather good HP Elite Desk PC.

I am though unable to flash the G98 completely, progress bar reaches 100% and then I can go for an hour and it's still there. No message, please reboot or anything.

Thank you for this comforting news, the system does have a boot loader functional as the "Meridian" logo comes up brightly and it displays messages such as "downloading".

Comment

It is odd that Meridian felt it necessary to contact you to correct your post re "James" but seemingly cannot engage with customers directly when they encounter problems with Meridian products.

"There is no such thing as bad publicity" often ascribed to Phineas T Barnum of US circus fame is one view, but I prefer the modification by Brendan Behan "There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary".

Hector

Your communications cable needs to be a ‘null modem’ cable, such as this example.

I utilised this particular cable in resurrecting my otherwise bricked G95.

Funnily enough, a similar thought crossed my mind!

Love your quote btw

Hi
I use RS-232 most days and have a HW com. So pins 5-5 2-3 3-2 crossed. That is the "official" null modem cable. Am I missing something? Should it be a different speed? I use default settings.
Thanks,
David

Have you tried using the USB maintenance port and FTDI drivers?

I can't remember if USB can be used for firmware - iirc originally you could not but an early firmware fix then enabled it. Which is odd as bootloader is separate to firmware so may be wrong on that but worth a try.

The other thing to check is the throttle setting in uploader - can't remember which way it needs to slide.

IIRC I was advised to Throttle it back by the most helpful advisor of this Parish.

Hector

Hi
There is no USB port visible to me, maybe on another HW version? Or is it internal? This one only has RS232 externally, and I did try reducing speeds of the com down to 300 baud or so, and various rates up to 115200.. When I connect with Cisco or Alcatel switches for example, the rate can determine if I am able to CLI with the device. But at any reasonable rate say 9600 it writes "erasing" then "Downloading" and finally the PC tells me it's done, but the 98 remains downloading indefinitely. I did swap over the EPROM from another 98 I had for drive issues, and although version was much older (1.81 vs 2.11) it worked right away. So it's definitely the EPROM thing not being able to complete the write and store cycles. Maybe bad memory sections?
As to a USB interface, quite often I do have a "USB Console" port on network devices (my real job) and find the interface over USB much better than the multi pin, and of course no wiring issues like crossed or straight or special pinouts. But I can't see such a connection on the 98 exterior.