Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Thread Like Summary - 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?

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.

Thanks Ian for answering the question from ANet. The advice I received was precautionary and I had no problems.

My bad, no USB port on the G98.

The throttle slider is not the same as reducing the baud rate. The throttle was added for precisely these sorts of issues. There is absolutely no handshaking going on and irrespective of baud rate, which should be 9600, it goes through all the right motions then things can occasionally get out of step and you are none the wiser until it just hangs.

This throttle was added to the downloader for a problem that I (I suspect I was not the only one but I was an early G series adopter so very much a guinea pig for a number of things) was having. I beta tested it. It sorted my problem. Unfortunately that was 15+ years ago, and, like the USB port, things are a bit hazy. But if you have the correct downloader, it will have the throttle slider somewhere, possibly behind the scenes somewhere. I think I slid it to the right, but when being a contortionist leaning over the tops of PC screens, its quite possible that I was looking at things up side down! All a bit of a balancing act to find the right range for the slider iirc. As you will know from your real job, these things are not always consistent and lots of things come into play, tolerances, luck, magnetic anomalies etc. So worth trying that throttle slider.

The chip used in the G98 is the same used in other pieces of Meridian equipment (i.e. 800 DV02 card) and is a bit more than an EPROM!
Is should be a surface mount chip on a 48pin carrier board.

It's certainly worth reseating the carrier board. Have you verified that the software you have obtained is O.K. (i.e. does it verify and checksum correctly? Is it definitely for the G98?)

I've never had any issues updating a G98 (and I've updated a few...)

Do you still have another G98 you can try?

Good luck,

Steve

Hi David

Very interesting about DSL drives. I live in hope for the revival of my 596. Steve fitted a new drive to my 598 some time ago and this now plays both DVD and CD. Thank you for your valuable contribution it is much appreciated.

Hector