Emergency Recovering with Service button MAG322/324/349/351

Purpose of service button

The service button (FN) is intended for emergency recovery STB operation. In the normal operation of STB, it boots automatically according to preset settings, access to the System Recovery Utility menu is available. The service button is used if STB fails to boot and there is no access to the System Recovery Utility menu.

Location of service button and LED

The service button is located on the rear panel of STB. The example for MAG322 and MAG324:

Specific emergency boot modes are indicated with LED located on the front panel of STB. The example for MAG322 and MAG324:

Emergency boot modes

Selecting emergency boot mode

The procedure for selecting one of the emergency boot modes is as follows:

• Unplug STB power.
• Press and hold the service button.
• Switch STB power on (still holding the button).
• Wait for the required boot mode in accordance with LED indication:

• Mode 1 Selecting alternative NAND (LED white, slow flashing). Release the button to load STB in mode 1. If the button is pressed - STB goes to mode 2.
• Mode 2 Reset to factory settings (LED white, quick flashing). Release the button to load STB in mode 2. Continue to hold the button if you want to go to mode 3.
• Mode 3. Emergency startup (LED white, lights steadily). Release the button to load STB in mode 3. Further holding the button leads to standard STB loading (from NAND).

Mode 1. Selecting alternative NAND

Mode 1 Selecting alternative NAND (LED white, slow flashing) leads to switching software load from an alternative memory bank (NAND).
NAND1 or NAND2 - banks of internal non-volatile reprogrammable memory of STB. They are intended to store and load STB software. The use of two banks of memory improves the reliability of the software update process.

Mode 2. Reset to factory settings

After resetting STB to the factory, all settings stored in the environment variables are returned to the initial values (set by the Manufacturer).

Mode 3. Emergency startup

Mode 3 Emergency startup (LED white, lights steadily) leads to download in STB Bootstrap file that contains System Recovery Utility enabling the user to perform recovery operations.

The emergency startup is used if STB does not boot because of problems with the firmware. It is applied to download the Linux kernel (that contains System Recovery Utility) from a local USB drive or over a local network from DHCP/TFTP server. After that, you will be able to invoke the System Recovery Utility menu and perform recovery actions (boot from an alternative NAND or update the software).
To download Linux kernel the USB device is verified first (if the USB device is readable and the required file is available/readable). If the first verification is failed the STB attempts to receive data (address of Bootstrap) by DHCP protocol - see Loading OS kernel (Bootstrap / uImage) via TFTP on Emergency mode.

System recovery with USB-drive in Emergency startup

• Download Bootstrap file from release of MAG<model number>, where <model number> - number value of your STB (322, 324, 349 or 351);
• On the USB drive, create mag<model number> directory (it should be located in the root directory of the USB drive)
• On the USB drive, put Bootstrap file in mag<model number> directory. Example for MAG322: mag322;
• Insert USB-drive into front STB connector;
• Unplug the power supply of STB;
• Press the service button and plug the power supply;
• Wait until mode 3 (LED white, lights steadily) and release the button - Emergency mode has been selected;
• Press immediately Menu on the remote control and hold it until the System Recovery Utility menu appears on the screen;
• In System Recovery Utility menu start recovery action (boot from alternative NAND or update STB software):
  - Selecting boot mode NAND1 / NAND2
  - Update from System Recovery Utility by USB

Troubleshooting

If the System Recovery Utility menu is not displayed on the screen:

1. Attentively re-read the instruction and make sure all requirements are provided.
2. Make sure that RC is in working condition. During pressing Menu direct RC right to the Infra-Red receiver located next to LED (hidden behind the housing cover).
3. Recheck the file name and the folder name. They should not contain characters added. Examples of wrong names are mag_322, Bootstrap (1) and so on.
4. The Bootstrap file should be consistent with the STB model.
5. There may be a failure or inconsistent configure of the USB drive - try to use a different USB drive.