Help - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

divanova · 27-12-07, 11:57 PM

Hi there!

Thank god somebody else is having the same problems as I do. Sorry Mike, your pain my gain. I am trying very hard to set up a DreamBox 500S and to catch few Bulgarian channels on Eutelsat (with a card from iTVPartners). So far I've got my DreamBox up and running, laptop hooked up to it via crossover cable, LlamaWare, FTP, CCcam 2.0.3 zip, Gemini 400 image zip and no idea what to do next. Oh, yeah at least my connection to the DreamBox seems to work.

I've read that I need to place the CCcam.ppc file in the var/bin directory (done that) but there was also reference to a .sh file which I don't have in the zip. Do I need to get one? And what to do with the rest of the files? And then? Do I need to set up something in the box or reboot and it's all done?

What about the image file? I see some info like "only running in flash" on the page from which downloaded it, what is that supposed to mean? And how to install it?

Any info, linke and help will be greatly appreciated, especially by my hubby who will finally have the chance to snug up on the couch and watch something on the tele with me.

Cheers,
Dannie

Jimdefruit · 28-12-07, 09:52 AM

Welcome to the forum Dannie. This thread is getting a bit long and mixed, so I have moved your post to a separate thread. I will try to answer your questions and hopefully clear up some of the mystery.

Jimdefruit · 28-12-07, 10:13 AM

The Dreambox 500 only has 'flash memory' unlike the 7000, 7020 and 7025, which can all have additional memory by means of usb or compact memory sticks. Therefore you can only have one image which has to go in flash memory.

An image is the Dreambox operating system a bit like XP or Vista on a PC.

Ok, once the image is installed, the Dreambox needs a means of reading subscription cards. That can be done by installing a small programme like CCcam which reads info from the card inserted in the card slot.

The programme CCcam needs another programme to start it and that programme will change depending on which image you have installed. In the case of Gemini, it is a small programme which ends in .sh and is installed in the folder /var/script.

In addition to reading cards, CCcam and other emus can read 'keys' which are data files installed in /var/keys

If your Dreambox is directly connected to the internet then you can directly download and install emus and keys from the internet. In your case Dannie, you will have to download the files to your laptop and then ftp the files into the correct locations on your Dreambox.

For Gemini, you need to download CCcam.ppc and CCcam_cam.sh
CCcam.ppc must be renamed CCcam and installed in /var/bin and the file attributes changed to executable ie. 755. The CCcam_cam.sh file has to be installed in /var/scripts and again the attributes have to be changed to 755. The .sh file must have the same name as the emu file in bin so if the bin file is CCcam_2.04 then the .sh file must be CCcam_2.04_cam.sh

We do not host emu or key files but a search around should find them for you.

divanova · 28-12-07, 04:39 PM

Thanks Jim!

It is nice to know what an image and cams are. There are not too many sites where terms are explained in plain english or other plain language for that matter. :-) By the way, great site, and lots of good ideas/info.

Back to my problems. I've found a CCcam 2.0.4 with all the needed files, placed them in the right directories, changed the attributes, rebooted the Dreambox and nothing! When I press the blue button to change the cam, I don't see the one I just installed. Only the usual 3 that I had before. Rebooted few times, but that didn't fix it either. Am I missing something? The files are there, I've check with both FTP and Telnet and they are both with 755 attributes.

Could the issue be compatability with my image? I got Gemini 1.0.5 from 21.04.2005. At least that's what the info says. Oh, and if I do need a new image how to do that? I've run DreamUp but it hangs on the message " ... now switch on the dreambox". I have! And still no connection! Do I really need the DreamUp? Can I do it some other way? What about the manual option via /temp?

Very frustrated by now. Wish I didn't have to prove to hubby that I can do all that guys can do (ok, almost all :-) )

Thanks again!

Jimdefruit · 28-12-07, 06:04 PM

Yes you do need Dreamup to install the image.

Your Gemini is very very old. What you need is the Gemini 4.2 maxvar for the 500. You can get it at Dreamboxworld or other outlets.

Now, when you use Dreamup, what it really means is now connect the Dreambox. It must be totally disconnected from the mains when Dreamup is started. So connect the Dreambox and Dreamup using the null modem serial cable and start Dreamup after deselecting the lan option. When it tells you to switch on the Dreambox, plug the Dreambox into the mains and go and have a cup of tea. It takes a while but when it is ready, select the image you want to install and tell Dreamup to do its work. Go away and have another cup of tea. As it is a serial transfer, it takes quite a while and you may think that nothing is happening.

After it has all worked, if you're lucky

do a flash erase. Dreamup says it does it but in my experience it does not do a very good job, so do it yourself. Read the manual or ask again if you dont know how to do the flash erase.

After the flash erase, the DB will reboot and you will get windows for you to select the options like PAL, language and timezone etc.

divanova · 28-12-07, 06:35 PM

Ooops. Do I really need null modem serial cable? I only have the crossover Ethernet cable, can it do?

Jimdefruit · 28-12-07, 06:41 PM

You can use the lan cable but there is a high mortality rate. You may be lucky but I think there may be trouble connecting because of the lan IP address change possibility. The only sure way is via the serial cable.

divanova · 29-12-07, 09:22 PM

Guys! I made it!!! Hip hip! me supper happy

!!! Many thanks Jim!
BTW Would you add to some of the stickies the fact that both crossover and null modem cables are needed for proper set up of the DreamBox 500, I am sure there are other lost souls like me out there.

So I flashed the image and loaded the new CCcam. It's all cool, but now my CW (CryptoWorks) card from iTVPartners doesn't seem to open the channels anymore ... (they do work on the cheap Botech box I got with the subscription package). Am I missing something?

27-12-07, 11:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
divanova Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help Hi there! Thank god somebody else is having the same problems as I do. Sorry Mike, your pain my gain. I am trying very hard to set up a DreamBox 500S and to catch few Bulgarian channels on Eutelsat (with a card from iTVPartners). So far I've got my DreamBox up and running, laptop hooked up to it via crossover cable, LlamaWare, FTP, CCcam 2.0.3 zip, Gemini 400 image zip and no idea what to do next. Oh, yeah at least my connection to the DreamBox seems to work. I've read that I need to place the CCcam.ppc file in the var/bin directory (done that) but there was also reference to a .sh file which I don't have in the zip. Do I need to get one? And what to do with the rest of the files? And then? Do I need to set up something in the box or reboot and it's all done? What about the image file? I see some info like "only running in flash" on the page from which downloaded it, what is that supposed to mean? And how to install it? Any info, linke and help will be greatly appreciated, especially by my hubby who will finally have the chance to snug up on the couch and watch something on the tele with me. Cheers, Dannie

28-12-07, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Dreamy Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 10 Thanked 64 Times in 59 Posts	Re: how to 500s Welcome to the forum Dannie. This thread is getting a bit long and mixed, so I have moved your post to a separate thread. I will try to answer your questions and hopefully clear up some of the mystery. __________________ Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

28-12-07, 10:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Dreamy Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 10 Thanked 64 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Help The Dreambox 500 only has 'flash memory' unlike the 7000, 7020 and 7025, which can all have additional memory by means of usb or compact memory sticks. Therefore you can only have one image which has to go in flash memory. An image is the Dreambox operating system a bit like XP or Vista on a PC. Ok, once the image is installed, the Dreambox needs a means of reading subscription cards. That can be done by installing a small programme like CCcam which reads info from the card inserted in the card slot. The programme CCcam needs another programme to start it and that programme will change depending on which image you have installed. In the case of Gemini, it is a small programme which ends in .sh and is installed in the folder /var/script. In addition to reading cards, CCcam and other emus can read 'keys' which are data files installed in /var/keys If your Dreambox is directly connected to the internet then you can directly download and install emus and keys from the internet. In your case Dannie, you will have to download the files to your laptop and then ftp the files into the correct locations on your Dreambox. For Gemini, you need to download CCcam.ppc and CCcam_cam.sh CCcam.ppc must be renamed CCcam and installed in /var/bin and the file attributes changed to executable ie. 755. The CCcam_cam.sh file has to be installed in /var/scripts and again the attributes have to be changed to 755. The .sh file must have the same name as the emu file in bin so if the bin file is CCcam_2.04 then the .sh file must be CCcam_2.04_cam.sh We do not host emu or key files but a search around should find them for you. __________________ Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

28-12-07, 04:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
divanova Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Help Thanks Jim! It is nice to know what an image and cams are. There are not too many sites where terms are explained in plain english or other plain language for that matter. :-) By the way, great site, and lots of good ideas/info. Back to my problems. I've found a CCcam 2.0.4 with all the needed files, placed them in the right directories, changed the attributes, rebooted the Dreambox and nothing! When I press the blue button to change the cam, I don't see the one I just installed. Only the usual 3 that I had before. Rebooted few times, but that didn't fix it either. Am I missing something? The files are there, I've check with both FTP and Telnet and they are both with 755 attributes. Could the issue be compatability with my image? I got Gemini 1.0.5 from 21.04.2005. At least that's what the info says. Oh, and if I do need a new image how to do that? I've run DreamUp but it hangs on the message " ... now switch on the dreambox". I have! And still no connection! Do I really need the DreamUp? Can I do it some other way? What about the manual option via /temp? Very frustrated by now. Wish I didn't have to prove to hubby that I can do all that guys can do (ok, almost all :-) ) Thanks again!

28-12-07, 06:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Dreamy Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 10 Thanked 64 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Help Yes you do need Dreamup to install the image. Your Gemini is very very old. What you need is the Gemini 4.2 maxvar for the 500. You can get it at Dreamboxworld or other outlets. Now, when you use Dreamup, what it really means is now connect the Dreambox. It must be totally disconnected from the mains when Dreamup is started. So connect the Dreambox and Dreamup using the null modem serial cable and start Dreamup after deselecting the lan option. When it tells you to switch on the Dreambox, plug the Dreambox into the mains and go and have a cup of tea. It takes a while but when it is ready, select the image you want to install and tell Dreamup to do its work. Go away and have another cup of tea. As it is a serial transfer, it takes quite a while and you may think that nothing is happening. After it has all worked, if you're lucky do a flash erase. Dreamup says it does it but in my experience it does not do a very good job, so do it yourself. Read the manual or ask again if you dont know how to do the flash erase. After the flash erase, the DB will reboot and you will get windows for you to select the options like PAL, language and timezone etc. __________________ Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.


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28-12-07, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
divanova Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Help Ooops. Do I really need null modem serial cable? I only have the crossover Ethernet cable, can it do?

28-12-07, 06:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Dreamy Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,563 Thanks: 10 Thanked 64 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Help You can use the lan cable but there is a high mortality rate. You may be lucky but I think there may be trouble connecting because of the lan IP address change possibility. The only sure way is via the serial cable. __________________ Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

29-12-07, 09:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
divanova Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Help Guys! I made it!!! Hip hip! me supper happy !!! Many thanks Jim! BTW Would you add to some of the stickies the fact that both crossover and null modem cables are needed for proper set up of the DreamBox 500, I am sure there are other lost souls like me out there. So I flashed the image and loaded the new CCcam. It's all cool, but now my CW (CryptoWorks) card from iTVPartners doesn't seem to open the channels anymore ... (they do work on the cheap Botech box I got with the subscription package). Am I missing something?

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