Hi i just recently bought a second hand Fortec Star Lifetime Ultra...I am new to FTA and i was wondering what are the basic things i need to program my reciever to be able to work with N2...i was searching all over this form and many others for the basic tools but so far i got nothign except GTRomII v3.0 for Fortecstar...but i would liek to know what are the basic tools for hooking this up to the computer and basic files for programming this, ie charile/bev uses jtags for there recivers and either jkeys/wall is uses or flash edit etc etc...but i was wondering if there is a wire i need and if i can but it from radio shack nowknown as the source cc...please let me know what equipment i would need and what software i will need for this also what files will work on this at the back of this box is a label December 2004....i was wondering what this means.

Also sorry if i posted this in the wrong forums but i was debating if i should put this in fta newbie help/how to/ or this fortec...but since this issuse is on the fortec i decided to put it here since more fortec people will bee here to help then searching the newbie forums..thanks for the help in advance

i was wondering if anyone is able to help me here?

this file worked for me and i been up without problems
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=209336#post209336
and i just posted the loader

same here..the file is still working after updating it on monday, i hope nothing messes up

Hi Guys,
I had to Multistar receiver worked as Lifetime ultra and my neighbour had a fortec lifetime ultra, since we programed it to the latest 279 file all of them are dead. they don't even power up. Is there a way to bring them back?
I hear some thing with jtag, and I don't know what it is and how should I use it. Does any body has a repair kit ? Lots of people have this problem.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks

this file worked for me and i been up without problems
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=209336#post209336
and i just posted the loader
hey man thanks for replying and giving the link for me, that link toled me what i needed and gave the software i needed, i just got the cable now and ill try out your steps, will reply and let you know if mine works, thanks once again also to you realplaya3tn , thanks alot both for your help and input

before i load the file i jsut wanted to know if anyone had any success with the fortec lifetime ultra manufatures in december 2004, i only have one of these boxes so i just want more input, just to be safe i had to ask this question and will wait till i get a response

mine was build agust 2004

mine was build agust 2004
ok thanks for your reply, so with this information now i know my box must work with the file...i will try the file out later on and let you know on my progress

i downloaded the 279 file to my reciver and now i cant get pass the language screen..well i can go to setup and everything its just after all that i can't quit and go back to channels/guide...the last screen is the language screen...

also the funny thing is this is the same dish as i was using for dish and i had 84-93 percent signal but now that im using this on FTA i only have 30-34 signal...or atleast i think that it means signal ...well if someone can reply with help on this...thanks

if you only get that screen load again with a fresh download
and dont disturbe the box till is all finished and until it resets by it self and turns on
if it doesn't write correctly then go back to a Lifetime Ultra_050519_272_api(NTSC) bin and then try again
choose the lenguage and then when you go to set up the satelite choose lnb on
that will increased the quality
then choose the settings (make sure you have everything rigth)
for the channels load the dido package but read how is done since the channel loading is done with the box on
and not at the start like the 279 bin
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38014
then try to write the 280 version here
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=39075
it has a couple of channels missing but that way you can queep on adding all the missing channels and after is all finish save your channel list for future loads

if you only get that screen load again with a fresh download
and dont disturbe the box till is all finished and until it resets by it self and turns on
if it doesn't write correctly then go back to a Lifetime Ultra_050519_272_api(NTSC) bin and then try again
choose the lenguage and then when you go to set up the satelite choose lnb on
that will increased the quality
then choose the settings (make sure you have everything rigth)
for the channels load the dido package but read how is done since the channel loading is done with the box on
and not at the start like the 279 bin
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=38014
then try to write the 280 version here
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=39075
it has a couple of channels missing but that way you can queep on adding all the missing channels and after is all finish save your channel list for future loads
ok thanks for your help...but wait one second...let me get this straight we are suppose to load these files with the wire plugged to the outlet but with the switch in the off position? ifso ive problay been doing it wrong...ive been downloading these files to my box with the unit plugged to the outlet and then having the unit turned on...please reply with an answer..thanks

hey man thanks for replying and giving the link for me, that link toled me what i needed and gave the software i needed, i just got the cable now and ill try out your steps, will reply and let you know if mine works, thanks once again also to you realplaya3tn , thanks alot both for your help and input

no problem man, i help with what i can

need help. i have a lifetime ultra. everytime i try to program it this error comes up "update fail." how can i correct this problem
thanks rattler128 :sad:

I've used the recommended process and procedure (i guess) when flashing.
I have the correct cable, with an adapter. When I use the 279 bin, it tells me "flash failed".I have reset the reciever before clicking "download". Please tell me what I am doing wrong.................any info would be appreciated

Rockford

are you do fortstar stb up dater v3.31 may work . :wacko: :wacko:

need help. i have a lifetime ultra. everytime i try to program it this error comes up "update fail." how can i correct this problem
thanks rattler128 :sad:

check your cable...make sure you're using an rs232c 9pin female to 9pin female serial cable, there may be other things that are not letting you to download, but try that first

I've used the recommended process and procedure (i guess) when flashing.
I have the correct cable, with an adapter. When I use the 279 bin, it tells me "flash failed".I have reset the reciever before clicking "download". Please tell me what I am doing wrong.................any info would be appreciated

Rockford


try turning the back switch off,wait a minute, and then as soon as you see the first light on your receiver (the dash) click download, wait until your receiver turns off and on...it will do that by itself and you should have channels

i just left the receiver on and the channel froze until it completed, and then it rebooted itself

I just tried it again... is there something I should do in one of the settings on the reciever before I attempt this? the reciever is the same before everything went nag2

I just tried it again... is there something I should do in one of the settings on the reciever before I attempt this? the reciever is the same before everything went nag2

ok...you're using an adapter...go to my computer and check the device drivers...make sure that you actually have a com port, if you don't...it's not going to work

I think The com you are using may be busy by other devices like modem. Make sure your serial port is enabled and is not used.

ok can someone just tell me one simple th8ing when your downloading the file to your box you plug the box to the outlet and..what leave the switch in the on or off position..pleases let me know

ok can someone just tell me one simple th8ing when your downloading the file to your box you plug the box to the outlet and..what leave the switch in the on or off position..pleases let me know


Plug the Box into the wall outlet. Leave the switch on the back in the OFF position. Hook up the 9 pin serial ( straight thru, not a Null modem cable) into your com port on your computer and also into the back of the box. Start the program to get it ready to load the bin file on your computer. Turn your box switch ( on the back of the box) ON, as soon as you see the first bar light up, click download on your computer and let it finish. If it fails, and you have two com ports on your computer, you may need to try the other port setting in the flashing program. Hope this helps you.

This is to load the Bin file, NOT the channel list

I think have tried about every way imaginable to flash my Lifetime Ultra, but I am still getting the "flash update fail" message. I reset my reciever to default settings, tried to flash w/ 272 & 279 bins. When I turn switch on back, wait for light, click download then the light suddenly stops. Also checked comport 1, and it says it is working properly. Does it make a difference which updater I use? (been using updater from Fortec site 3.31) If so, could some post a link to another one? Also, I cannot find a manufacture date. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.


J. Rockford

I think have tried about every way imaginable to flash my Lifetime Ultra, but I am still getting the "flash update fail" message. I reset my reciever to default settings, tried to flash w/ 272 & 279 bins. When I turn switch on back, wait for light, click download then the light suddenly stops. Also checked comport 1, and it says it is working properly. Does it make a difference which updater I use? (been using updater from Fortec site 3.31) If so, could some post a link to another one? Also, I cannot find a manufacture date. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.


J. Rockford


Check your mail!

ok thanks for your help...but wait one second...let me get this straight we are suppose to load these files with the wire plugged to the outlet but with the switch in the off position? ifso ive problay been doing it wrong...ive been downloading these files to my box with the unit plugged to the outlet and then having the unit turned on...please reply with an answer..thanks

if you loaded the channels as soon as the ligth comes then you channel list will corrupt the boot file and it will look like is fried but is not
if that's what you did you need to load the Lifetime Ultra_050519_272_api(NTSC) bin
and then load Al7bar FTA Ultra_050908_280_api(NTSC)

for the channel load
when i say on i mean not the nigthrider but all the way on to where you see the channel
once you get ready to load the channels turn the box on and wait till there is a channel number on screen click conect stb and download the list

The manufacture date on mine is on a label on the back of the receiver. Mine says January 2005 but when I look inside, I have the -70 TSOP chip, so I have NOT updated to the 279 ( -70 killer) or the 280 file as I don't want to kill the box. A friend, with the same receiver as mine ( january 2005) flashed his with the 279 file and it lasted about 5 hours then went blank. Won't even light up any more. I assume that the bin somehow made something overheat, but I am not sure what yet.
Anyone know what gets smoked when these boxes get killed?

I just loaded Al7bar FTA Ultra_050908_280_api(NTSC). My box was in the middle of downloading the channels (at 55%) and then went blank. Can't seem to talk to the box. No display no nothing. Opened it up and checked fuse, it's ok, not sure what to do next.

has anyone had any luck with the 26-183 USB to RS-232C cord to remmedy the difficulties some of us have been having? Someone reccomended this.......... Thanks

J. Rockford

Lets face it folks. We're in the middle of eliminating the wheat from the chaf.
This is a simple case of too many eager people falling for the first fix that comes
along. It's more than likely that N2 has been hacked, but D**H is one step
ahead this time. Maybe some allies,.... maybe in charge. Just how many of us
have dead machines now?????

Plug the Box into the wall outlet. Leave the switch on the back in the OFF position. Hook up the 9 pin serial ( straight thru, not a Null modem cable) into your com port on your computer and also into the back of the box. Start the program to get it ready to load the bin file on your computer. Turn your box switch ( on the back of the box) ON, as soon as you see the first bar light up, click download on your computer and let it finish. If it fails, and you have two com ports on your computer, you may need to try the other port setting in the flashing program. Hope this helps you.

This is to load the Bin file, NOT the channel list
can you go over this once more...what do you mean as soon as you see the first bar light up press download...please explain

can you go over this once more...what do you mean as soon as you see the first bar light up press download...please explain


When you first turn the switch on , from the BACK of your receiver, the light bars start to light up on the front Panel, like the Night Rider lights in the Grille of the car.
As soon as you see the Very FIRST light come on, then you click on the Download button of your computer screen which should already have the loader program ready to go. ( Timing is EVERYTHING here)
I hope this explains it.

I loaded eveyrthing as you guys said and all...but i get a black screen now...i have all the channels now but they dont work...when i go to signal i only have 29-30 now....but this makes no sense to me i had around 90 signal when i use to use this on dish but now on the fta box it only has 29-30 now...can someone tell me how to fix this or if i have to go back up and try adn find more signal..

I loaded eveyrthing as you guys said and all...but i get a black screen now...i have all the channels now but they dont work...when i go to signal i only have 29-30 now....but this makes no sense to me i had around 90 signal when i use to use this on dish but now on the fta box it only has 29-30 now...can someone tell me how to fix this or if i have to go back up and try adn find more signal..

Have you tried the switch in back? I know when I first scanned the channels w/ 90% signal, it worked good, then after a few days I turned the reciever on and had 0% signal. Someone advised me to turn the reciever off with the switch on the back wait about 10 secs. and turn back on.........and I was back to 90% - I hope this helps, I wish I could get that far (trouble flashing)

i will try and let you know

same thing happened to me today when i tried to put up another lnb for the 119 and everything went out, luckly i got the 110 back, but couldn't set up the 119

ok thanks for your help...but wait one second...let me get this straight we are suppose to load these files with the wire plugged to the outlet but with the switch in the off position? ifso ive problay been doing it wrong...ive been downloading these files to my box with the unit plugged to the outlet and then having the unit turned on...please reply with an answer..thanks
Yes, unit has to be on. To get past the language screen, you need a channel list by loading a list or doing a sat scan.

I loaded eveyrthing as you guys said and all...but i get a black screen now...i have all the channels now but they dont work...when i go to signal i only have 29-30 now....but this makes no sense to me i had around 90 signal when i use to use this on dish but now on the fta box it only has 29-30 now...can someone tell me how to fix this or if i have to go back up and try adn find more signal..
Sounds like you plugged your coax line to the "ant in" port instead of the "IF input" port.

Yes, unit has to be on. To get past the language screen, you need a channel list by loading a list or doing a sat scan.
yes i know...i needed a channel list to get passed the english screen...after i loaded a channel list...i got passed the screen

Sounds like you plugged your coax line to the "ant in" port instead of the "IF input" port.
well, yes i did...ill go now and switch it and try and let you know if it works.

Sounds like you plugged your coax line to the "ant in" port instead of the "IF input" port.
ok thanks man..you helped me out big time...i got it wokring...but i got only a few channels working some are black and no audio...but yeah ill just doa a sattelite scan and check back tommorow...you be hearing some positive rep from me

ok while i was checking what channels i got wokring....my box froze then shut off..please advise...box is genuine lifetime ultra december 2004

ok while i was checking what channels i got wokring....my box froze then shut off..please advise...box is genuine lifetime ultra december 2004
GDammit, don't tell me you got hit. I fear that you may have one of the boxes that is getting nailed by the new N2 flashes...I sure hope not, but it doesn't sound good. Unhook the cables from the receiver and try flashing the 272 to it again. If it won't power up, it is jtag time. Thank the boys at the factory for this. If it's any consolation, it's nothing you did wrong, and nobody can tell which boxes are vulnerable and which ones will make it.

damn...i feel bad for you man, a lot of problems with that box

GDammit, don't tell me you got hit. I fear that you may have one of the boxes that is getting nailed by the new N2 flashes...I sure hope not, but it doesn't sound good. Unhook the cables from the receiver and try flashing the 272 to it again. If it won't power up, it is jtag time. Thank the boys at the factory for this. If it's any consolation, it's nothing you did wrong, and nobody can tell which boxes are vulnerable and which ones will make it.
so you saying my box could be hit and could not...i unplugged it and replugged it but it wont turn on (lights wont go) allof a sudden when i was flipping through the channels...the box froze..i tried changing channels but it wouldnt go..then when i was about to go an turn it off and then turn it back on...the box turned off by its self.

damn...i feel bad for you man, a lot of problems with that box
yeah i know...but the thing i dont get is my box is a genuine...but howcome it got hit? i thought it only attacked clones

it will be known later but the only reason i can find is that
some of the components are the same as clones and changed in a later build units

it will be known later but the only reason i can find is that
some of the components are the same as clones and changed in a later build units
ok thanks for replying...so ur saying that my original uses similar components to a clone...also is my box dead...do i need to jtag it? any help would be great

also aside from telling me if mine is dead and if i need a jtag to fix this...can someone also talk about the difference with a small processor and the other processors in these boxes and all...if that has an affect on the boxes going down....just thought it may be interesting.

your receiver must be on when you flash it

your receiver must be on when you flash it
what do you mean?...my box wont light up...so i guess im out of luck?

hey i was wondering if i can 'jtag' my box with the same serial cable now...or not...please let me know....i hope so but i doubt it...just waiting for you people who know more in this to let me know...........

yesterday lots of unit got hit , I have 2 lifetime Utra they were fine for the past 10 days just hit yesterday ,when it was downloading have to jtag to revive,lol

Do you have your channels back ppv or are you only getting a few like usa

I've used the recommended process and procedure (i guess) when flashing.
I have the correct cable, with an adapter. When I use the 279 bin, it tells me "flash failed".I have reset the reciever before clicking "download". Please tell me what I am doing wrong.................any info would be appreciated

Rockford

Just wanted to let the newbies like myself know that my particular flashing problem was due to the fact that I was using the 232-C straight thru 9 pin cord when I actually needed the USB to serial cable cord (Radio Shack 26-183) Hope this saves someone alot of headache........ thanks to ramchip and others for their suggestions.

Hi all,
I currenlty have a utlra made in may 2004. I have been reading all those stories about box being dead after flashing so haven't tried it yet.

I want to try and have read that if you try to cool your chip with a fan or heat sink, it tends to help. Has anyone done it here.

Also about the cable to do this transfer, should I be using rs232c female to female or usb to serial.

thanks all :)

hello newbie here, but prior to flashing your LU(lifetime ultra), must you reset it first? I have a fortec LU and installed an Autoroll bin in it, last working was I believe July or August with few channels only not all ppv and not at all play, spic etc. I need help also as my box has been down for quite awhile now. I use the radio shack usb-serial cable.

hello newbie here, but prior to flashing your LU(lifetime ultra), must you reset it first? I have a fortec LU and installed an Autoroll bin in it, last working was I believe July or August with few channels only not all ppv and not at all play, spic etc. I need help also as my box has been down for quite awhile now. I use the radio shack usb-serial cable.


No, You can just Install the NEW 282T bin, But I personally would write the 272 factory bin first, then flash with the 282T bin file.
The 282T file has eliminated ALL freezing for me.

Flash Your IRD in the usual way by Downloading as soon as you see the first night Rider Light bar.

thanks ramchip, but what do you mean by write the 272. I'm sorry I just need more info and where can I get the file (bin & loader)

thanks ramchip, but what do you mean by write the 272. I'm sorry I just need more info and where can I get the file (bin & loader)


Write this File,
http://forums.dsstester.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=217431#post217431

Then write either the new 2.83 or the 2.82 T file to your Fortec.