IR checksum error

[nexstar]

I've just received a 'new' Topline 8 (URC-8550) from OneforAll UK. They very kindly replaced the faulty one I sent to them free of charge. They also updated it with some device codes for the equipment I have:

VCR 722, 1722, 1723
Sat/Cbl 1900

I've also got a Topline 5 which the '8' is destined to replace (the family are comfortable with the Topline remotes and so I don't want to push my luck in going for any radical changes ).

I have made up a JP1 cable as I knew that I may need to do some 'quirky' setups with some of the equipment. I have downloaded most of the files I think I need and I have run IR.exe and verified the interface cable is ok.

My problem is that, when I try to download from the remote I get a window with two files offered:

URC-8550_5550 Extender (ET80ET80)
URC-8550_5550 Topline (ET80ET80)

If I then choose either of the files, I get an error report:

"Bad checksum at address $0700.
Expected $34 $CB, but found $06 $F9"

If I then click the OK button, I get another window which states:

"There is a conflict at fixed data address $0012. Do you want to replace the existing data with the fixed data?"

So far, I have answered "No" to this as I didn't want to break anything. I don't want to lose the updated codes which ofa have installed without reliably backing them up first. What should I do?

I've noticed that in the General tab/Device button window, the AMP, TUNER and AUX2 entries are prefixed by the @ symbol. Is this correct?

Also, when I go to the Devices tab in IR.exe it warns me that this remote contains a bug that prevents upgrades from working if they used upgraded protocols. It then says to set up these upgraded protocols as "Device Button Restricted". I'm very new to this and so some pointers as to what this means would be great.

[gjarboni]

I've just received a 'new' Topline 8 (URC-8550) from OneforAll UK. They very kindly replaced the faulty one I sent to them free of charge. They also updated it with some device codes for the equipment I have:

VCR 722, 1722, 1723
Sat/Cbl 1900

I've also got a Topline 5 which the '8' is destined to replace (the family are comfortable with the Topline remotes and so I don't want to push my luck in going for any radical changes ).

I have made up a JP1 cable as I knew that I may need to do some 'quirky' setups with some of the equipment. I have downloaded most of the files I think I need and I have run IR.exe and verified the interface cable is ok.

My problem is that, when I try to download from the remote I get a window with two files offered:

URC-8550_5550 Extender (ET80ET80)
URC-8550_5550 Topline (ET80ET80)

If I then choose either of the files, I get an error report:

"Bad checksum at address $0700.
Expected $34 $CB, but found $06 $F9"

If I then click the OK button, I get another window which states:

"There is a conflict at fixed data address $0012. Do you want to replace the existing data with the fixed data?"

So far, I have answered "No" to this as I didn't want to break anything. I don't want to lose the updated codes which ofa have installed without reliably backing them up first. What should I do?

To be perfectly safe, after answering no, go to File,Save (from the menus) and save the config. This is your backup of last resort before you start making changes.

Then reload IR and answer Yes -- the checksum error and the fixed data warnings are due to some nifty code that will automatically set the time on your remote. But to do this we have to resize some memory regions (a feature of 740 remotes like the Toplines). Hence the error messages.

I've noticed that in the General tab/Device button window, the AMP, TUNER and AUX2 entries are prefixed by the @ symbol. Is this correct?

I think this is note that on the Topline 5 these devices are virtual (they exist in the remote's programming but don't have physical buttons). I don't think there will be any other effect.

Also, when I go to the Devices tab in IR.exe it warns me that this remote contains a bug that prevents upgrades from working if they used upgraded protocols. It then says to set up these upgraded protocols as "Device Button Restricted".

Can someone else confirm that the Topline has or doesn't have this bug? I thought it was only the 8080 B00 & B01's that had it, but I could be wrong.

[gjarboni]

Also, when I go to the Devices tab in IR.exe it warns me that this remote contains a bug that prevents upgrades from working if they used upgraded protocols. It then says to set up these upgraded protocols as "Device Button Restricted".

Can someone else confirm that the Topline has or doesn't have this bug? I thought it was only the 8080 B00 & B01's that had it, but I could be wrong.

Never mind -- I can answer this. The Topline definitely doesn't have this bug. If it did my extender couldn't be activated normally.

[nexstar]

Many thanks for the info. I've done as suggested and saved the original configuration. The 'bug' error now doesn't appear in the Devices tab.

Should I now upload the fixed data to the remote?

I think I shall now go and lie in a darkened room while I get my head around the rest of it

[gjarboni]

Many thanks for the info. I've done as suggested and saved the original configuration. The 'bug' error now doesn't appear in the Devices tab.

Should I now upload the fixed data to the remote?

I think I shall now go and lie in a darkened room while I get my head around the rest of it

Yep, upload the fixed data and look at the clock on your remote Then when you return from the darkened room, you can add your devices, etc.

BTW, since the Topline 5 and the Topline 8 are the same internally (just a different number of physical button), you could just download from your 5 and upload to your 8 as a starting point. That way you wouldn't have to redo anything.

[The Robman]

Hey Nex,
Could you post a copy of your initial download in the Diagnosis Area, I'd like to see what odes they gave you, just in case it's stuff we don't have.

[nexstar]

Yep, upload the fixed data and look at the clock on your remote Then when you return from the darkened room, you can add your devices, etc.

Thanks again. The darkened room has been over-used recently as I've just bought a Tivo and have just finished installing a 160GB drive in it, updating the linux kernel to use its full capacity and installing Tivoweb and the various useful modules written for it. When it came to looking at the JP1 stuff last night, I thought my head was in danger of bursting

BTW, since the Topline 5 and the Topline 8 are the same internally (just a different number of physical button), you could just download from your 5 and upload to your 8 as a starting point. That way you wouldn't have to redo anything.

Yes, I might well do this, thanks. I've only then got to add in the Tivo codes.

Robman, I'll upload the originals when I get back tonight. There were the two files so I'll send them both unless told differently.

[nexstar]

Robman,

I have just uploaded the file nexstar4robman.zip in the files area.

Sorry it took so long.....had some PC downtime tonight

[The Robman]

Thanks Nex. However, the only new protocol in there was the Tivo protocol, which we already have. But it was worth a try. Thanks.

[Teleport]

BTW, since the Topline 5 and the Topline 8 are the same internally (just a different number of physical button), you could just download from your 5 and upload to your 8 as a starting point. That way you wouldn't have to redo anything.

I have a Topline 5, which can't operate DVD players. According to OneFor All a Topline 8 can.

If you statement is correct Nextar, I should be able to reprogram (using JP1) my Topline 5 to operate DVD players.

Am I correct/Has anyone done this.

Thanks

P.S. I have only just made a cable and am totally new to JP1. I've done this as my Topline 5 has developed a faulty modem and lost some device settings(I get an error message when I try to upgrade with the modem) so JP1 is my only option.

[The Robman]

With JP1, any remote can control just about any IR controlled device. The signals used by DVD players are no different than those used by any other player.

The extra good news here is that you can actually get your URC-5550 to read "DVD" while it's doing it!

[Teleport]

Wow Quick reply

Thanks Rob

So i theory I should also be able to use the Sanyo PLV-Z1 projector file downloaded from the Yahoo site and call the function "PROJ".

That's great, I'm gonna have so much fun learning JP1.

Only thing is now I'm starting to think 5 devices are quite limiting. I've seen a Topline 8 for auction on ebay which I might bid for. But idealy I'd like a learning remote so I can make my own upgrades.

I like the look of the URC9810 or the URC9960 but can't get hold of them in the UK. I'm currently looking for somewhere that will sell them and ship to the UK. Amazon.com have them and although I can buy a book from them and have it shipped over they won't sell me a Remote.

[gjarboni]

So i theory I should also be able to use the Sanyo PLV-Z1 projector file downloaded from the Yahoo site and call the function "PROJ".

Actually no, you're stuck with the built-in device names. TV, VCR, DVD, SAT, CABLE, and a bunch of others. But PROJ isn't one of them.

Only thing is now I'm starting to think 5 devices are quite limiting.

Your Topline5 is electronically identical to a Topline8 -- it just doesn't have the 3 extra plastic buttons. So using macros you can access the other three devices. And if you found a Topline8 that was defective in some electronic way, you could swap the plastic.

I like the look of the URC9810 or the URC9960 but can't get hold of them in the UK. I'm currently looking for somewhere that will sell them and ship to the UK. Amazon.com have them and although I can buy a book from them and have it shipped over they won't sell me a Remote.

If you decide to get a URC9910 or 9960, Rob will sell one to you. Check out the post "Rob's Remotes for Sale" in the Marketplace group. If you decide to get rid of your Topline, let me know and I'll buy it from you.

[The Robman]

If you decide to get a URC9910 or 9960, Rob will sell one to you. Check out the post "Rob's Remotes for Sale" in the Marketplace group.

Actually, I just sold my last URC-9960, but I still have at least 1 URC-8910 and URC-9910 left. I also have the URC-8811 which is also a learning remote.

[Teleport]

Thanks for the reply gjarboni.

So I'd probably have to set my projector as AUX.

Thanks for the offer of purchasing my Topline 5 but I'm going to use it to experiment/learn JP1 with. You would'nt want it anyway as it's seen better days, some of the silver paint has worn off the back and as mentioned the Modem doesn't seem to be functioning.

Robman,

I'd like to buy a URC-8910 from you. ($23 right?) How much is shipping to the UK Rob?

I heard some people have a problem with the thumbstick on the 8910 model (which has since been replaced). What's their gripe? To me a stick seems a lot more useable than 4/5 buttons?

Cheers

John