New KR1 Firmware RK1006 FAILURE

Michael · Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:54 am Post subject:

Normally "double posting" is not allowed, however, in this situation, go ahead and post your comment to the PC5220 thread as well.

Your comments are relevant to both the RK1006 thread and the PC5220 thread.

Thanks.
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acorda · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

After making a comment in the KR2 thread, it was suggested that I describe my problem in this thread, so here goes:

First, my configuration: KR1 with RK1006 firmware, KPC650 EVDO card, WiFi Turned OFF (using cat5 to 10/100 switch), Yagi external antenna.

Location: South of Fredericksburg, VA, (1xRTT only available here), approximately 3 miles from tower. Signal level: ~-76dBm without Yagi, ~70dBm with Yagi (6dB improvement ~= doubling of signal level?)

Problem: KR1 Locks up approximately 1 to 2 times a day (sometimes more) with Red status light, requiring power-cycling to restore functionality. Attempts to Disconnect/Connect using the web management interface fail. Blue light on KPC650 continues to blink _slowly_ even through the KR1's repeated attempts to disconnect/re-initialize itself. (Note that this is not normal KPC650 behaviour. If you do a manual discconnect on the KR1 when it is functioning normally (i.e. not "locked up"), the blue light on the KPC650 will switch to continuous-on, rather than blink. This is what I believe it should do when disconnected and functioning normally in either a laptop or the KR1.)

Things I've tried: This is my second KR1, the first exhibited identical symptoms, and when I tried to reload the firmware, it bricked up reqiring me to return it to Kyocera for replacement. This replacement unit exhibits identical symptoms. indicating that this is probably not due to a defective unit. As I've indicated above, I have loaded the RK1006 firmware, disabled WiFi and purchased a Yagi to see if this would help things... no dice, the problem remains.

Here is the interesting part. On a recent 2-week trip to Connecticut (EVDO country!) I set up the KR1 to see what would happen. The signal strength was ~73dBm without the Yagi. The KR1 performed flawlessly, with not a single lockup during the entire trip! To me this indicates that both the KR1 and KPC650 seem to be working normally in EVDO mode.

Anyone have any ideas what might be going on here? Any suggestions? I'm beginning to believe that the 1xRTT tower is putting the KPC650 in some funky mode that the KR1 is unable to clear,(possibly because the KR1 does not implement the full PCMCIA interface spec? Can the KR1 perform a _hard_ reset on the KPC650?). Hence my admittedly somewhat sarcastic comment on the KR2 wishlist thread.

-al-

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 451

Scott · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

UPDATE ON THE KR1 UPGRADING and "UNBRICKING" PROCESS

Kyocera's official word is that the KR1 recovery process only works with Windows and Internet Explorer (based on how the information was conveyed, we take this to mean Windows XP SP2 with IE v6.0.2900..., until we can receive further clarification). They are indicating that Firefox/Safari/Camino/Opera/Conquerer, etc, will not work. As well, this hints that consistently successful UPGRADES will only work with a Windows computer and Internet Explorer version 6.

(note to Mac users: Booster-Antenna.com can provide a KR1 that has already had the upgrade applied, or if you bought your KR1 from our store, use one of our upgrade services: (mail-in or advanced)

As of Feb 9th, 2007, Kyocera's seven-page firmware upgrade document does not warn against platform or browser type/version issues, even though these may appear to exist (and even though the document itself has a screen shot depicting the FireFox button bar).

They also fail to suggest that there is a need to remove the EVDO data device BEFORE attempting to upgrade. That is an important step everyone should take.

Kyocera's online document covering the recovery process does not yet reflect any of these new methods/policies either, as they include information for setting up your Mac to do the recovery process (Macs don't have Internet Explorer version 6): "Note: This procedure varies depending on your operating system. Please reference sections for Windows XP, Windows 2000, or MAC, as applicable."

Other items worth mentioning:

Only attempt the recovery process with your EVDO PC Card or USB modem/tethered phone REMOVED from the device (unplug the device prior to powering up the KR1).

Make sure the Ethernet cable is NOT plugged between the KR1 and computer at the time you power on the KR1.

AFTER the KR1 is powered on, and the computer has been set to the 192.168.0.2 static IP settings, and the subnet mask is set to 255.255.255.0 and the gateway is set to 192.168.0.1, THEN plug in the Ethernet cable between the two.

Do not close browser, open new browser windows, run apps, etc. while the process is taking place.

Make sure you wait TEN minutes BEFORE you remove the power cable from the KR1.

If it appears that the recovery process was successful, RESET the KR1 back to factory default settings prior to doing anything further.