Update to 1.10.16 fails. Tried the instructions in the release notes and now my radio is a BRICK

k0eoo

Hello Bob, you should make a separate post for your issue so Flex see's it right a way vs. tacking it onto this one.

KY6LA_Howard

Bob submit a Helpdesk Ticket

Lawrence Gray

Ditto the comments from N9VC re: ICOM updates--the radio is completely bricked if it fails a firmware update and the customer must pay to ship it and to repair it, regardless of warranty.   I have had Flex's from the Flex-1500 to the 6500 I have now.  I have never once experienced an issue updating the firmware or Windows software.  The support provided by Flex is excellent.  It does help to follow the directions explicitly.

There really isn't any excuse for your tirade, which doesn't accomplish anything.  Following my reading of your immature outburst, I promptly updated my 6500 to 1.10.16.  As usual, the update was quickly done, without any issue.

Thanks Flex, for another nice update and your continued support.

Gene - K3GC

I have spent long and mostly happy years supporting PCs.  Don't do that any more (at least not for Pay).  Now I play with radios mostly for fun - some frustration.
Through all tech there is a constant thread.
The more frustrated you get the less likely you are to solve the problem .
RTFB - read the effing book
Finally, the problem is almost always caused by a loose nut between the chair and the keyboard.
If the OP would listen to at least half the advice given here he would doubtless have the problem long solved and be happily playing radio
By the way, curse at me and I quickly reach for the on/off button.
Entertaining thread

Wim

I had the same update issue as you on my 6500 , it stayed stuck in 'updating software' I had tried to power it off, press the ok, tried many things, eventually I ppowered it off for 1 hour then left it turned on and after a few minutes it suddenly completed the update. So I would say try a few more times to power it off for 15 minutes, then on for 15 minutes and prey for the best ... It eventually worked for me....

Terry K7NY

6500, windows 8.1 update was fast.
He missed the part about powering down radio. Love my Flex
Terry

WV9L

I couldnt agree more. I guess no ones ever had the computer go out on a $70K truck before...lol. If its a computer, its possible to have issues. Nature of the beast. Guess some should go back to tube radios.

Patrick

I could use a nice 6700,  if you don't want it any more, don't through in the river.  Send it to me as I know I can fix it.  I will pay the shipping on it also.  No problem.


Thanks

KY6LA_Howard

I leased a new $125,000 BMW 750Li which burned 1-2 quarts of oil every 750 miles. It should not happen to that class of car but it did. BMW Said nothing was wrong and refused to fix it albeit they gave me free case of oil every 2,000 miles or so as part of their included maintenance program. I actually thought I had caused the issue by driving 180MPH in GERMANY within the first 500km. But later I found out it was a design error endemic to that model year. At least Flex is pretty good about standing behind their customers. BTW. Now leasing a Tesla. No oil USED ANYWHERE. The moral of the story is that no one can anticipate everything but if the manufacturer stands behind the product like Flex does you should be ok.

Mike va3mw

I'll give $1500 CDN for your 6700 as is and I'll pay shipping.

Gene - K3GC

$1800 US and shipping

dlwarnberg

I got 500 peso's for that brick.. holler

W9OY

1  Disconnect the power supply from the wall for a few minutes
2  Plug the power supply back in and turn it on
3  Hold down the OK button and keep holding
4  Hit the power button
5  Keep holding the OK button until the radio counts down
6  Let the radio restore to factory default
7  Reinstall the new software or downgrade back to a previous version

I just checked the help desk submission form and it is working perfectly as far as I can tell.  If you're unable to make the radio work submit a help desk ticket 

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

I worked Antartica with the new software and a vertical.  I don't think it's busted.

73  W9OY  

WA4FOM

Lee, to be fair I went through the procedure you described.  It is essentially the factory reset procedure, but I followed yours nonetheless.  The problem is, the moment I give the thing DC power, it turns on whether or not I press *ANY* buttons and comes up with the purple LED and the display saying "UPDATING SOFTWARE".  This includes attempting your instructions to the letter.  This makes essentially nine times I have attempted to factory reset the radio with the same results each time.  If there exists a more harsh way of resetting the radio, I don't know about it.

If I get a chance to attempt submitting a ticket this week (doubtful), I will.  Otherwise, I've fished out my still-functioning Flex 5000A that should meet my needs for the time being.  It ain't as sexy as a (functioning) 6700, but it'll do.

Thanks much for the sincere attempt at helping me with this (for me) infuriating problem.

SteveJ

The Flex sure is a money pit.  Real SDRs don't use an external computer.

SteveJ

Big Bucks.... BMW & Tesla.

Mike va3mw

Another Troll?

SteveJ

Never had a problem updated the Icom 7700.  Never heard of anyone that has done that.  Can't compare updating the 7700 to installing new Flex software.

David Orman

You've had time to post everything you have in this thread, but not enough time to submit a ticket? It really does seem to be your best option since the documented procedure and community help apparently hasn't worked for you. I'd suggest taking a minute or two to at least cut and paste a ticket in from your many posts in this thread, sans the hostility. I suspect you'll get taken care of. Good luck!

W9OY

Sorry it didn't work for you.  I've never heard of this result but there may still be an easy fix.  Certainly frustrating.   Give Dudley a call tomorrow.

73  W9OY 

N6OIL

I'm not sure if this has any bearing on this issue but whenever I do any updates to the Flex I take it off my network switch and plug the ethernet cable direct into my PC I figure this way I have one less thing to cause any problems. When the update is good then I go back to the switch. I never ever had an issue with my 6500 and any updates, knock on wood!   

KY6LA_Howard

Don't feed the troll

WA4FOM

David, I never said I didn't have time to submit a ticket; those are your words.  I said that the attempt to do so failed.  That led to my coming here and did nothing for my attitude.  In defense of the ticketing system, I was able to submit a ticket a few minutes ago and yes, sans the hostility or in fact expression of any emotion whatsoever (i.e., "just the facts").  I even received e-mail confirmation of the creation of the ticket.  I do thank you for your advice.

Patrick

Call them in the morning, I am sure they will accept your call.  

[Deleted User]

Ah yes . . . When someone says something negative about flex they are called a TROLL . . . Lets start the name calling

Steve K9ZW

@Steve KK9W - look over SteveJ's posts to the community please. Or should I say the posts that haven't been deleted. Howard KY6A is only pointing out the obvious. 73 Steve K9ZW

WA4FOM

To tell you the truth, I'd call them if I could be near the radio and be able to immediately try their suggestions.  The fact that the radio is unresponsive to (now about 20) attempts to perform a factory reset is daunting.  Unfortunately, work is the curse of the drinking class, so I'm going to opt for the e-mail route and, if time permits, take any steps they offer and try them out when I can.

Tim - W4TME

Bob,

I am sorry to hear you are having issues with the upgrade processes and I can appreciate your frustration.  Experiencing issues like you have encountered during an upgrade are rare and are normally not fatal.  We'll be able to resolve this problem.  

I also am concerned about your issues opening a HelpDesk support ticket.  There are two ways to do this; via the HelpDesk's web interface or by simply sending an e-mail to support@flexradio.com.  To expedite getting assistance, I have converted your ticket into a HelpDesk support ticket.  One of our support engineers will be contacting you this morning to address your concerns.

Again, we apologize for your inconvenience.

N7BCP

The majority of radio updates I install end in the pink LED of death but I'm always able to recover with a radio reset and retry once or twice.

Roy Laufer

Just to show you the absurd coincidences that make like much more amusing...

I have not had a great time with my Palstar AT2KD - the first one arrived with parts missing (feet/bumpers), the replacement unit had a dead switch.

I wrote complaining about Palstar's apparent lack of QC, to the vice president and wife of the President of the company and never received any response.

Yesterday I seemed to have lost all my HF antennas (the Palstar AT2KD just died).

I swapped in another (MFJ) antenna tuner and went to Palstar's web page to see who to complain to, and I saw this glowing review on the website's front page:

"Mine performed flawlessly...it just sits there and works"
-WA4FOM

So, Robert can be impressed, just not with his 6700?

I've had my own bricked Maestro and such, but FRS has been outstanding in their rapid and helpful support.

Palstar, not so much.

We all have our own unique points of view.

Vy 73,
Roy AC2GS