real newbie needs help, please

[watchinthewheels]

Hi I just got a dbox 2 and im trying to set it up to watch (NTL/Virgin Media) tv through. I am really struggling though. I have done a channel scan and found the channels but they all come up blank, apart from BBC. I heard something about installing a softcam? is that right? I am not trying to get free channels btw I am subscribed to cable but cant get access to the channels, even if I put my smartcard in. Im just really confused by the whole thing. I am currenty running a neutrino image, though there are multiple menus and things labeled as sportster. Please can you let me know what the first step would be to getting my tv running. I honestly dont understand atm.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[lincsat]

If you have a fully UK modded sportster, then the Cams and keys should all be installed, if not, the easiest thing would be to install a UK Image.

You will need to have a read of the Tutorials and guides, have a browse around the forums, there's plenty of information available. When you've made a few posts and become established, you may get access to our downloads section with some images on there.

[watchinthewheels]

Thanks for the reply. The box says it has a cam but its just called cam2 whatever that is, it doesnt sound like a propper cam. It isnt actualy letting me watch anything other than BBC. Im not sure if that means its not correctly setup or if that I dont have the keys I need or what. Im a little out of my depth. If I need to reflash is that possible over lan? and what would you reccomend flashing with? I am getting very confused trying to get the neccessary info because all my searches seem to turn up satalite rather than cable related articles.

[jimbo]

BigMAQ.co.uk | All Things Good and FREE!!! might be of use?

[watchinthewheels]

Thanks for the link, ill have a look at that asap.

[watchinthewheels]

Ok I have had a look at that and downloaded the toolbar, unfortunatly I now dont know what I have to do. I have an image file and a set of keys. How do i flash the dbox? can I do it over the LAN or is it more complex? Also what do I do with the keys? They appear as a list or numbers and I dont have a clue what to do with them.

[MickeyF]

Find any answer to your questions i am in the same boat ? See what happens when you have a free lunch....can you fix my cable system !

[edds]

Originally Posted by watchinthewheels

Ok I have had a look at that and downloaded the toolbar, unfortunatly I now dont know what I have to do. I have an image file and a set of keys. How do i flash the dbox? can I do it over the LAN or is it more complex? Also what do I do with the keys? They appear as a list or numbers and I dont have a clue what to do with them.

To flash a dbox2 I found easiest way was using Hallenberg's IFA (Image Flashing Assistant). You'll need an ethernet patch cable AND a null modem 9 pin cable, not to be confused with the one you'd use with a serial programmer.

Identify whether you have a one chip or two chip box, ensure it's in debug mode.

Plug power lead in to box and at same time have up button pressed on box, preload your image in to IFA by pressing Search, best to have null modem cable connected but you can get away without; tick Yes and nominate COM port and select Network card dbox is connected to. Now press Start (this may be in German, depends on version you have). And if you don't have it installed, at all, look for english version called setup_dboxifa_21 and install it. By pressing up channel it allows time to get in to debug mode. Once program's running, let go of up button and when cursor stops running across screen in IFA type boot net and hit enter, wait until it's done.

Voila, image flashed.

[watchinthewheels]

Ok sweet, i have finaly got my db working right. got all the channels etc. Thank you very much for all your help. My one and only question is that my dbox is very hard to use, its not got a very good epg system. Is there anything I can do to make it a bit more usefull without having to totaly re-flash the box?

[Shaddax]

Originally Posted by watchinthewheels

Ok sweet, i have finaly got my db working right. got all the channels etc. Thank you very much for all your help. My one and only question is that my dbox is very hard to use, its not got a very good epg system. Is there anything I can do to make it a bit more usefull without having to totaly re-flash the box?

Not too sure what style of EPG you are looking for but if you decide to re-flash then it is much easier now you have a working sysem. Assuming you have your dbox connected to your router and have configured its network via your remote then you simply ftp your new image to dbox. Once transferred it is flashed by the dbox via the remote control. Detailed instructions are in the tutorials.