Back from the Dead, a Pansat Story

Today a friend called me because her Pansat 3500 receiver was stuck flashing “B-80” and there was no picture.   I’ve seen this before so grabbed my laptop, null modem cable and the latest files from the forums on this site.   My friend, who has a lifetime subscription to n2news, is not very technical and put up her own mental blocks thinking that it was too tough to fix the problem.   This information is specific to the Pansat 3500 SD, however, much of it applies to FTA receivers in general.   The project for other units is similar with specific details available in the forums as well.

The first thing I did was attach the 9 pin serial cable to my laptop.   My laptop doesn’t actually have a serial port so I used a Belkin USB to Serial adapter I picked up from Newegg.com for about $12.00.    Before connecting the serial cable I made sure that I powered the receiver off using the physical switch in the back.

The first thing I did was load the Black List boot loader (X-05BL Loader v35.01 [X-05BL].exe).    This takes a bit of trial and error but you have to locate the port the USB to Serial device is on.   In my case it was located on COM 2 which means “Windows Communication Port #2”.  For some reason, this usb device likes to change port numbers different times, possibly depending on which port on the computer I am using.      The first thing to try is just simply installing the last BIN file using this method.   I used the “BIN File” button to locate the official X-05BL file downloaded directly from the forum.   Because the file is from n2news I am able to trust that it’s accurate and complete so I don’t need to take any other steps.    When I select the file the “File Type” option automatically selects the “App file only” option and I can press “Download”.

This never works the first time and sometimes it takes a few tries for the Laptop and Pansat to “shake hands”.    Inside the Pansat, as well as all other receivers, is a brain called a Microcontroller.    Within this Microcontroller Unit, or MCU, there is a little tiny software program called a Boot Loader.   The boot loader’s only job is to check the serial port for some type of smart signal when the FTA receiver first turns on.    In the case of the Pansat 3500SD there is a short window about 1 second when the laptop and the 3500 SD must “shake hands”, which is actually called a handshake.    The USB to Serial converter is sometimes not accurate enough to make this work so I find myself flipping the power switch a few times, double checking my cable connections, etc..

When the two devices do start talking I can see a progress bar move across the window telling me that all is well.   Normally the Pansat tells me the progress on the front display as it receives the file but today it shows only a dash or subtraction symbol.     This process is called the Download because the information in the BIN I selected is being downloaded into the Flash memory within the Microcontroller (MCU) on my receiver.   The download appeared to run but I can tell from experience that something isn’t correct.     When you try to upload a bin file only to repair a unit, it doesn’t always work.    Now I need to repeat the process with the primary factory firmware file (Pansat 3500S_081012_B80_v06_api.bin).   This time I can see the counter on the front of the unit counting so things look better.     The receiver reboots and appears okay but I still don’t see anything.    This is where Sammy makes a rookie mistake.

For the next hour I re-installed the boot loader, images, and factory images just as I did above and still nothing.   Here is where my age starts to show.  I realized that my friend uses S-Video and that darn S-Video connection is right next to the serial port.  Sure enough, I knocked out the S-Video connection, the little round one with a few visible pins inside.    After putting that back in I correct found myself at the Pansat language selection and I selected English.   I know see the Pansat 3500S message telling me I have API version B80 0.6 dated Oct 12, 2008.     That is the latest and greatest factory image as of this install so I’m fine and happy.    I know that it says “Pansat 3500S” but that works for the 3500SD as well.

I’m not sure if the order of these steps are important but this what works for me.   Now that I have the factory flash installed I’m going to select “SD Memory” from the menu and locate the BIN I would like to use.    This will take about 30 seconds and I’m back to the setup menu and I select English again.   If you see only English as a choice then you are doing good.   Team Blacklist bins are only available in English.     Next select the “User Setup” option to setup your aspect ratio, tv type and finally Time Settings.   Time Settings are vital to getting yoru EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) to work.   Press Exit to return to the main menu and select the Installation option on top.    The default password is “0000”.

From the Installation menu the top option is Antenna Setup, select that.      Let’s say, as an example only, that we a 4×4 switch with 3 connected LNBs.   The first LNB was connected to 100 degrees, the 2nd was connected to 119 degrees, and the 3rd was connected to 129 degrees.   The satellite names on the left of the screen can be a little confusing so here is what we could select if we were using those 3 different satellites.    By this point you should have your own sketch to know exactly what satellites you want and what ports on your switch you have them.    You don’t need a switch but most installations will have some type of switch or DISEqC.   Here are some of the selections available:

ECHO 9/T-13/Ku – Echostar 9 at 121 degrees - http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish121.html

ECHO 7/Ku – Echostar 7 (as well as Anik F3 and DirectTV 7S) at 119 west - http://www.lyngsat.com/119west.html

Select this option if you are trying to test out how to receive this satellite.   If you are testing this satellite, select the “Dish-Pro” LNB if you have a Dish 1000.2 or similar dish, otherwise select the correct LNB type.   Leave LNB Local-Freq at the default value of 11250.   Enable the 22KHz tone for 119 and select the correct port on your DiSEqC switch.    For 119 I like to move down and select “TP” (transponder) and move over to #4, 12268H.   This transponder carries some fun stations.    Now you should see the level indicator at the bottom and the quality level both high in the green.    I don’t like to scan here so select Exit to save.

ECHO 8.10/Ku – Echostar 8 and 10 - http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/dish110.html

Select this option if you are trying to test both of these satellites.   They both broadcast at the same orbit.   Select your LNB type, DiSEqC and so on.   Make sure you check your switch ports here.    The transponder (12224 V) is actually the same on multiple satellites so the quality level can still show a strong signal if you have the wrong port selected.   Do no adjust the Skew, TP, Local Freq, or 22kHz settings.

Once you have all of your satellite ports setup select “Blind Scan” from the installation menu.   Select a satellite which will then show the Degree value that you are used to seeing.   For example,  if you selected ECHO 8.10/Ku you should see 110 degrees.    For Echostar FTA you’ll want to select Polarity and move to Horizontal for scanning.   Select “Scan” to begin.     Plenty of additional details on how to scan are available in the forums.

Once scanning is complete something cool happens, the clock is automatically set and accurate.   If you see that then you are on the right track.   You’ll also notice the stations may not be in the order you like.   One easy way to fix this is to select the “SAT” button on the remote and select a pre-defined channel package.

My friend’s beloved Pansat 3500SD is now back from the dead and working great!

ENTER VIP MEMBERS SECTION