Topic 'Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475' in forum 'TekSavvy' - dslreports.com

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:33:24 EDT

Pir8pete posted : your correct, I will offer the newer fw if they want but 1.0.6.1 will be the main stream ;) you'd be surprised how many bugs get fixed in just a few versions.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:46:28 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by hightech:

how do we get the new firmware for the SB6121?

You don't really want it. You want 1.0.6.1. Otherwise Rogers will not respond to trouble tickets when Teksavvy opens them.

For very specific exceptional cases, some might want to experiment with newer firmware, but that will be exceedingly rare.
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:44:06 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by Pir8pete:

for ppl wanting to upgrade there SB6121, here is the newest factory firmware version to date.

[att=1]

Link -> »www54.zippyshare.com/v/19165995/file.html

The versions do keep coming. Nice to know the modems are still being supported, but one wonders if they shouldn't be a little more careful about what they release :)
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:27 EDT

Pir8pete posted : have to have the hook ups, as it's not avail. to the general public

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:10:36 EDT

hightech posted : how do we get the new firmware for the SB6121?

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:06:16 EDT

Pir8pete posted : for ppl wanting to upgrade there SB6121, here is the newest factory firmware version to date.

[att=1]

Link -> »www54.zippyshare.com/v/19165995/file.html

I will be setting up shop to flash SB6121 for the Ottawa area as there's no one able and willing for the ppl that aren't sure how to do this. I'll post another thread with the details. This version fixed alot of issue's since 6.1

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:47:47 EDT

xanthrocroi posted : I'm honestly at a loss as to what the issue could be as Rogers techs have literally replaced everything they could. I do have a new modem coming in tomorrow (Friday) and if that resolves the issues (or if its old firmware) at least I'll have a rough idea of what the issue is.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:10:49 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by xanthrocroi:

Out of curiosity what kind of symptoms might a firmware issue be?

Periodic reboots is pretty much the one symptom.

a friends modem worked at my place mine was iffy at his, first test it did not work and second test it did.

Unfortunately, this is inconclusive. On one hand, somebody elses modem working well on your line is almost certain proof that your line is fine. On the other hand, when you bring your modem to a new location, it can sometimes fail at the HFC DHCP step (that is, HFC MAC address pulls an HFC IP address for communication with Rogers CMTS--NOT the DHCP process that gets you an Internet routable IP). So, having it work one time but fail another could mean modem fault, or just HFC IP issues.

So... If the modem reboots at your friend's place after getting online in the first place, then it is probably a modem problem. If the modem just doesn't get online at all (in particular, online light just keeps blinking), that is the issue I mention above and doesn't say anything about the modem's state of repair.
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:03:37 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by callous99 :

Now that you've seen the dcm476 in the inside, does it have the same sized heatsink as the 475? Anything remarkably different from the 475 that you can recall?

I'd forgotten about this question :) The 476 has a much smaller heatsink. It isn't clear why though, and I'd hesitate to draw much inference from that.

In fact, if you check all the pictures from mlord up thread, I think you'll be able to see the difference for yourself. Not sure which hardware rev of the 476 mlord has though...
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:55:49 EDT

xanthrocroi posted : I'd done the tech support with the folks over the phone and everything was right where it was supposed to be. They think it's a modem issue and I should have the new one in Friday.

Any time it went down I couldn't see the state of the power outputs as I couldn't connect to the modem. It almost seems like the T3 stuff that was going on a little while ago. Part of me is regretting switching from DSL to cable as I have never had a single issue on DSL and cable has started off with a super sour taste.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:52:01 EDT

resa1983 posted :

said by xanthrocroi:

Out of curiosity what kind of symptoms might a firmware issue be? I'm new to the world of cable Internet and I've had nothing but problems since my service was first set up a week ago.

In that week I've had two Rogers tech supports come out, I've been provided the number to the service company so that I don't need to go through TSI/Rogers, the cables from the taps have been completely re-ran to my apartment, no splitters and nothing else on the system and my modem was still just restarting constantly like my US was timing out. TSI is sending me a new modem though a friends modem worked at my place mine was iffy at his, first test it did not work and second test it did. When the modem gets hooked up if I have the .08 should I just hit up mlord as he's in Ottawa and have him flash it for me?

Restarting like that can be a symptom of old firmware.. Have you checked the state page in your modem though? If the stats are too far out of range, it can cause rebooting like that.
--
Battle.net Tech Support MVP

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:21:30 EDT

xanthrocroi posted : Out of curiosity what kind of symptoms might a firmware issue be? I'm new to the world of cable Internet and I've had nothing but problems since my service was first set up a week ago.

In that week I've had two Rogers tech supports come out, I've been provided the number to the service company so that I don't need to go through TSI/Rogers, the cables from the taps have been completely re-ran to my apartment, no splitters and nothing else on the system and my modem was still just restarting constantly like my US was timing out. TSI is sending me a new modem though a friends modem worked at my place mine was iffy at his, first test it did not work and second test it did. When the modem gets hooked up if I have the .08 should I just hit up mlord as he's in Ottawa and have him flash it for me?

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:49:50 EDT

anon posted : Now that you've seen the dcm476 in the inside, does it have the same sized heatsink as the 475? Anything remarkably different from the 475 that you can recall?

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:51:37 EDT

Pir8pete posted : I completely understand, just thought you might wanta tinker with it. To my knowledge, a person would still have to sub to use that "Hacked" fw. It can't go online with all the security in place, it just shows modem Daig. info.

On another note; I left a newer factory fw for the SB6120/SB6121/SB6141 -> SB_KOMODO-1.0.6.10-SCM00-NOSH.NNDMN link up as it addresses alot of issues.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 19 May 2013 16:01:06 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by Pir8pete:

Hacked firmware ;)

Pir8pete, I'd really appreciate it if you could start a new thread with the hacked firmware links, and delete it from this one. I have no objection to that stuff in general, but we don't want any negative attention placed on the service mlord, zinc and I offer.

edit:
In an attempt to be diplomatic, I think I haven't stated the point strongly enough...

What individuals choose to do with their own equipment isn't my concern, but I consider it morally unacceptable to make a business out of theft of service. In addition, because my business treads into the grey area of flashing cable modem firmware, I'm very careful to make sure I don't do anything that ISPs could reasonably find objectionable. This is why I want no association between my legitimate firmware upgrades and hacked firmwares.

I very much appreciate the helpful intent, but I hope you understand why it is important for you to take the hacked firmware link somewhere more appropriate.

edit edit:
Thanks very much Pir8pete! I was recomposing then you changed your post. :)
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:40:02 EDT

Pir8pete posted : Here's a newer factory SB61XX Firmware
»www39.zippyshare.com/v/30507039/file.html

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:31:40 EDT

Teddy Boom posted : And while I have 5 minutes, a fellow dslreports user has agreed to host the files, so here they are:
»download.voipfan.net/CMfirmware/···8.31.bin
»download.voipfan.net/CMfirmware/···2.16.bin
»download.voipfan.net/CMfirmware/···2.50.bin
»download.voipfan.net/CMfirmware/···.6.1.bin
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:01:44 EDT

dslCanuck posted : Thanks to Teddy Boom and mlord for the info/files to upgrade my 475.
Went successfully today using the TFTP method. Wasn't too hard at all timing the pin8-shorting to access the console.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:50:01 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by Imaria:

What's the best way to get in contact with you to get a DCM475's firmware upgraded? I think I sent an email via your website, but I believe utoronto's aggressive mail filters ate it.

Hi Imaria, I sent you a pm a little while ago. Thanks!
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:13:25 EDT

Imaria posted : What's the best way to get in contact with you to get a DCM475's firmware upgraded? I think I sent an email via your website, but I believe utoronto's aggressive mail filters ate it.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:35:52 EDT

bbhog posted :

said by QuantumPimp:

I'm impressed that you guys are offering to fix modems for $10 or less. Clearly not a industrial money making enterprise. That is very caring and generous.

Yeah, Teddy is a stand-up guy!

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:33:44 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by dannyphones:

Hey Teddy Boom,
Where abouts downtown do you live?

How easy is this new method?

I'm at Bathurst and College.

How easy...
Hard for me to judge. I have to perform a similar procedure to this on every DCM425 I sell, so I've become very practised. On the 425s, a couple of people who do this kind of thing have given up trying and get me to do it for them when they need it. At the same time, a lurker here at dslreports managed to do a DCM425 pretty easily--"it took me about 20 tries" he said, which isn't bad for a first timer.

In fact, he did it without the serial console cable even.. For the DCM475/6 A method that doesn't require serial console may be feasible, but will require more development.

If you have a TFTP server set up, and if you have a TTL to RS232 serial cable, we should talk.
(in fact, I'll stick the last couple of details in the post above, and then all you'd need is a copy of the firmware)
--
electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:19:46 EDT

dannyphones posted : Hey Teddy Boom,
Where abouts downtown do you live?

How easy is this new method?

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:44:50 EDT

Teddy Boom posted : Meanwhile...

I finally have a DCM476 of my own to play with, and I've been playing.
(well, I had a DCM475 of my own way way back, but it sold quickly)

Turns out it is possible to upgrade the DCM476 with just a TTL serial cable and a TFTP server. The method is similar to the DCM425 method.. Apply a short to pin 2 of the SPI flash at exactly the right moment and you get an open console.

(edit to add some instruction)
Serial console settings
Baud: 115200
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
Parity: none
Flow control: Xon/Xoff

The moment for the short
First power up with the serial console connected. After about 3 seconds of being powered on, the console should display a bunch of information in plain text. Get used to how long it takes from applying power to seeing the output. Then apply power again, but this time apply a short between ground and pin 2 of the SPI flash (on the 476, or pin 8 on the 475) just at the moment that the information would be displayed.

If you see the normal output, you were either way too early, or too late.

If you see the Broadcom wavy logo, but the output is stuck, you've done it very slightly too early.

If the output is much longer, and results in a prompt that you can type instructions at, you are in.

Command to flash


cd d
dload -i2 192.168.100.10 02.50.bin

(or, you know, 02.16.bin if it is a 475)

A thing of beauty :D

I don't mind making up detailed instructions if the demand is there, but for now just pm me if you'd like to give it a try.

And, I'm almost certain that this will work just as well on a DCM475, but we won't know until somebody tries.

more edits:
So I just did the upgrade on a DCM475 using the short method, and it works just as well. Of course the DCM475 has a 16 pin SPI flash, so you have to apply the short to pin 8 instead of pin 2 on the 8 pin SPI flash. Everything else is exactly the same.

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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:35:34 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by Scycotic:

And some new guy is in Kitchener/Waterloo and charges $10

That is zinc, here's the thread:
»[Cable] Kitchener/Waterloo firmware upgrades

I just pinged him to see how things are going.
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:44:47 EDT

Scycotic posted : And some new guy is in Kitchener/Waterloo and charges $10

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:46:08 EDT

mlord posted : Yes, No.

mlord is in Ottawa and charges $5
Teddy Boom is in Toronto and charges $10

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:11:28 EDT

Cory posted : I was wondering if anyone is still doing firmware flashes? If so is anyone doing them in the GTA area closer to concord/thornhill/richmond hill?

Thank you.

Cheers

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:47:34 EDT

QuantumPimp posted : Thanks for bringing back memories :-)

I built and designed these USB <-> SPI programmers shown in the attachment. If I remember correctly it cost about $3.50 to make (based on ATTiny45 or 85 ... can't remember) .

Mostly did it for experience and fun but after making a bunch the hobby was too much like work at slave wages. Ended up spending weekend after weekend hand soldering, hand testing, hand packaging, hand shipping. Yuk.

Still have a dozen hanging around somewhere.

I'm impressed that you guys are offering to fix modems for $10 or less. Clearly not a industrial money making enterprise. That is very caring and generous.

SPI Programmer

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:33:05 EDT

ShetiPhian posted : Teddy Boom and mlord both preform the upgrade but you need to take your modem to them.

If memory serves me correctly:
mlord is in Ottawa and charges $5
Teddy is in Toronto and charges $10

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:34:25 EDT

iudjin posted : I am another DCP-475 modem owner with 2.08 version of firmware told by TekSavvy to get or buy new modem.
Are you still helping people with firmware update ?
Thanks in advance.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:24:43 EDT

anon posted :

said by mlord:

...The first 64KB appears to be a fixed "bootloader" area, including MAC address and various crypto certificates...

said by Teddy Boom:

...I'm pretty sure it is in the configuration file, along with what speed of service you are getting, and what priority on the network you should get...

said by Teddy Boom:

...Do theft of service issues make this a bad idea?

Overall, I'm really not sure what I think, but it is worth discussing.

Presumably if a user if a user changed speed, priority, or mac address in the configuration, the ISP would be able to detect and fine said user.(assuming they bothered to monitor this sort of thing)

Other changes to the configuration or firmware (better logs/settings) could be made undetectable by the ISP, but would not really be worth the time AFAIK.

So I don't really think there is any problem with randoms upgrading firmware.

related thought: There are a lot of Raspberry Pi's floating around that might be overkill but might be able to do the job.

Other related thought: depending on the keys used in the modem one might be able to push your own upgrade just by plugging it in to a crafted device (without opening the modem), but I guess there is no point in attempting that harder and less robust approach.

Anyway thanks Teddy Boom and mlord for all the hard work, I hope it motivates the ISPs to take a more sane approach to firmware upgrades and less likely to adopt a more open approach for modems.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:26:27 EDT

mlord posted : You've got a PM.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:33:19 EDT

chall2k56 posted : mlord,

I sent you an email, not sure if it got thru, since I couldn't remember my old username and password....If you dont get it, can you send me a PM with an email address to get at you with, so I can get my modem upgraded to avoid the disconnects

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:24:44 EDT

mlord posted : Want me to bring you a pre-programmed Atmega328p when I visit (about 10 days from now) ?

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:10:49 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by mlord:

Yeah, the cheapest, easiest way to assemble a rig, is to clone my setup.

Parts list with heavy edits:

3.3V Arduino compatible chip (eg. Atmega328p, cost $3.50).
clips ($3/each, need 6),
12VDC to 3.3VDC power supply (about $5)
a breadboard ($4)
an SD-card socket (to hold the new firmware) ($10)
a couple of LEDs, resistors, and that's mostly it.

So.. I've been trying to source clips, and I can definitely get those Zeroplus ones from China for just under $1 each landed in 200 unit quantity. Or about $1.50 each landed from the US in 20 unit quantity.

I'm sure we could get the DC power cost down below $2 with enough effort, but certainly not more than $3.20 as here:
»dx.com/p/dc-4-5-35v-to-1-25-30v-···d-156808

Micro SD card with converter as socket socket is $4.10 here:
»dx.com/p/2gb-micro-tf-card-with-···k-128032
(but only ~$3.50 if you buy 10)

Then there is the PCB, but that should be cheap enough as well.

Overall, looks like $20 cost is doable. Realistically it would still have to sell for $50 shipped though.
(mlord would have to be paid for his efforts! And others, who contribute significantly to logistics, if that's how things were to go)

The point of all this... Is it worth pursuing any further?

Possible issues:

Should people of varying experience and competency really be attempting this?
(seems to me that isn't a big deal, people will self select--if you can get the modem open, you can probably handle the electronics)

Do theft of service issues make this a bad idea?

Overall, I'm really not sure what I think, but it is worth discussing.
--
electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:55:14 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by mlord:

The 476 probably just has a newer generation chip that uses less power.

Funny, but ya, it is probably the LEDs. Even though the 476 draws more, that theory is probably still correct, the CPU probably is a little more efficient.

There is also probably a field failure aspect. Once they know there are very few field failures, they can afford to be a little less conservative about the thermal design.
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:12:11 EDT

mlord posted :

said by mlord:

I've also now measured consumption on my nearly 3-year old DCM-475 that connects us to the internet here, and it shows pretty much the same number as the brand new DCM-475. Both are about 16% more power efficient than the DCM-476, independent of which PSU is used.

Heh.. it's probably due to those blindingly bright blue LEDs on the DCM-476. Perhaps I should swap out the resistors on those for higher values and see if the power consumption takes a measurable drop afterward. :)

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:14:22 EDT

mlord posted :

said by mlord:

The 476 probably just has a newer generation chip that uses less power. Neither modem is really "better" than the other, though I do prefer the soft green LEDs of the 475 to the garish blue ones on the 476.

Okay, I've taken a current generation DCM-475 modem and compared power consumption with my August/2012 DCM-476 modem. The DCM-475 actually uses ever so slightly less power than the DCM-476.

This is in "idle" mode, with no cable line connected.
And the difference was small, but consistent.
Slightly less than one watt.

0.044 amps @ 125VAC versus 0.052 amps @ 125VAC.

Edit: I've also now measured consumption on my nearly 3-year old DCM-475 that connects us to the internet here, and it shows pretty much the same number as the brand new DCM-475. Both are about 16% more power efficient than the DCM-476, independent of which PSU is used.

There are also slight differences between PSUs, depending upon which stock the manufacturer happened to have on hand when packaging the individual modems. The variance there seems to be within half a watt.

Cheers

Re: Upgrading Firmware on Thompson DCM475

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:44:59 EDT

arthurwinslo posted : I have yet to have problems using 3M SOIC clips on these SPI based modems (both 8 and 16 pin variants). I've programmed a considerable amount with them as well. I've ordered them from digikey. My only gripe with digikey is the shipping but they came in one day which was great. The Pomona ones are good as well.

You have to be careful when picking up probes from eBay. I ordered a batch last summer and the pitch on them was not what the auction described, the pitch of the grabbers were too big. I guess you get what you pay for when going the cheap route.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:39:58 EDT

Scycotic posted : lol my dad has a whole bag full of those in the basement from a few decades ago...never knew they were worth that much! Makes me wonder how much the rest of the stuff lying around is worth...

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:23:07 EDT

mlord posted : No problem.
I've put two each of five colours (10 in total) into a baggie for you. :)

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:12:31 EDT

Teddy Boom posted : Ya, a couple would be great, just to see what I think of them :)
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:56:43 EDT

mlord posted :

said by Teddy Boom:

How bad were the ones you got (from dealextreme I guess?)?

Yes, the generic clips were from dx.com (DealExtreme). I did manage to use them to flash a couple of modems, but the tips on them are about 2X the size of the XKM grabbbers, making it quite difficult to attach them to adjacent pins. And they simply won't fit underneath the DCM-475 heatsinks.

I can give you a handful of them when I return your modems, if you want.
They do make excellent clips for everything except the modems! :)

Cheers

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:58:55 EDT

Teddy Boom posted : edits....

Here we go.. Zeroplus grabbers for $1 each, unknown shipping:
»siliconkit.com/ocart/index.php?r···t_id=218

and these guys not much more with cheap shipping to US addresses:
»store.nkcelectronics.com/view_cart.asp
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:57:00 EDT

Teddy Boom posted : Ya, I found that eventually..

There appears to be a variety of generics available.. How bad were the ones you got (from dealextreme I guess?)?

These look a little better than the ones you got, still not good though:
»www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Grabber-SMD···1be4a176

This guy has a large quantity of Agilent ones for some reason, cheap if you need the numbers:
»www.ebay.com/itm/New-AGILENT-167···2ad#shId

Another seller with the slightly better looking generic:
»www.ebay.com/itm/1-set-4MM-banan···70df3da6

Have you seen this:
»sigrok.org/wiki/Probe_comparison

This was an interesting enough thread, just sticking it here for future reference:
»www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ch···gestion/

And linked in that thread, very nice but still not cheap:
»www.ebay.com.my/itm/TEKTRONIX-SM···bb52b8c1

Oh well.. I better get back to work :)
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:12:36 EDT

mlord posted : Those clips say $6.62 for a pair of clips, or $3.31/each.
Digikey sells the (superior!) E-Z-Hook XKM grabbers for $3.01/each.

I like the idea for a cheap micro-SD slot, though!
Full-size slots, like the blue one above, go for under $2/delivered on eBay.
But micro slots are really hard to come by at a reasonable price.

Cheers

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:51 EDT

Teddy Boom posted :

said by mlord:

The fancy blue sub-module is a $3 pre-fab unit off eBay (China).

Of course there is an even cheaper way to get an SD card slot. Or, more accurately, a micro SD slot. Just solder up an SD to micro SD adapter :)

But as you've been saying, the real cost behind a flashing rig are the clips.

Are these cheaper than the ones you found before?
»www.mcumall.com/comersus/store/c···uct=4498

Still not really cheap...
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electronicsguru.ca

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:57:30 EDT

mlord posted : I like the new soldered-up flashing rig so much, that on Sunday I made a second one for myself. Heh heh.. now that it's all so "finished" looking, I'll probably never have another person drop by in need of it! :)

But I can always re-purpose it as a data-logging rig if need be, and I definitely have uses for those from time to time. The extra header on Rig #2 (top edge) is for the main serial port, so I can reprogram it "in-circuit" when needed, but also for logging serial data from a server (needs external level conversion). And there are enough free "holes" in the perfboard to add a couple more I/O headers for temperature monitors or similar.

Cheers

Rig #1: going to an ISP.
Rig #2: for myself.

Re: Upgrading Firmware on DCM-476 modems

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:04:10 EDT

mlord posted :

said by mlord:

The fancy blue sub-module is a $3 pre-fab unit off eBay (China). But I just need only the physical card slot from it, and not all of the other stuff. So the built-in 3.3V regulator there is unused, as there's a larger 3.3V regulator on the main board.

Speaking of which.. I noticed the main regulator getting unusually hot (thus the heatsink). Today I delved into this some more, and discovered it being due to some interaction with the one on the blue sub-module. So I removed the (unused) regulator from the sub-module, and power consumption is now 1/10th of what it was before. Much better.

Cheers