I'm trying to update my MX 850 and I get an error when retrieving from the remote. The remote itself says 'Fail! 1' on the screen where it normally displays Page 1, 2, etc. Then I'll get an error on my computer telling me to make sure the right serial port is selected or that I have a defective cable. Any clues? I am using true serial ports and not a USB adapter. I'm also using the same computer that I used to originally program the remote. Here's everything I've tried:

Restarting Editor software
rebooting computer
rebooting remote (popping batteries out)
installed brand new batteries in remote
verified correct pin out on cable with volt meter
tried both serial ports on computer
uninstalled / reinstalled editor software
downloaded most recent version of editor software

Attempting to send data to the remote causes the same error. The only thing I haven't tried is a new serial cable. The error code on the remote itself leads me to believe that the cable is indeed working.

Thanks in advance!
Sean

Have you done a "Live Update" to the software?

Mike

Nope I'll try that tonite. I just downloaded the latest version and reinstalled last night though. Isn't that the same?

Not really. The updatable version of the software hasn't changed since last year (mainly because it's updateable). However, I've found that with the current crop of MX-850s, you get the error message about the serial port until you do a Live Update.

And if my version of the software is not updatable? I dont have a Live Update option.

Actually all I need to do is update some learned IR functions. My cable provider updated the software on our set top box. Now when I press an arrow key on my 850 the cursor jumps two spaces instead of one. Highly annoying. So is there a way to put the 850 into a 'learning mode' like the old Pronto's? If so I wont even need URC's fantastic software to fix this problem.

So is

Main & Ent for 10 seconds

Dude if that works you are so going on my Christmas list.

I am getting the same error now. I installed the latest software on 3 diferent computers and it will not communicate on any of them. One of the machines had a real serial port. I have fresh batteries in the remote too. I thought maybe the batteries where bad so I stuck a meter on them and they read 1.540v. I did a master reset on the remote and still couldn't get it to program. After trying for hours I was finaly able to get it to write once so at least I don't have a blank remote. I have some more changes to make but now it will not program again. I have been trying for hours. I held my tongue to the left.... to the right... I even stood on my head and nothing works. Right now I am running 1.12.288 which I just downloaded from URC. I just emailed Surf Remote for a working link to the software with Live Update. Maybe there is something newer available.

I tell you what, the MX is always a PIA to program. Have friends and family with MX-850s (3 others) which all get Fail! 1 from time to time.

Can someone confirm the pinout on the cable?

Tip = TD
Ring = RD
Sleeve = GRD

Pin 2 = RD
Pin 3 = TD
Pin 5 = GRD

I just tested my cable with a meter and it looks like GRD is shorted to RD. If I play with the cable I can break the short. I don't know how my cable got damaged though. I sits in a drawer most of the time. Tonight I will borrow a different cable and see if that helps.

Yippee!!! It was the cable. I just built one from scratch and now I can program again. And I can confirm that the specs above are correct. :)

Never mind - too late :-) (but do put some heat shrink or electrical tape between the long ring ground and the other 2 connections so it does not happen again)...

So I have now tried a making my own cable per Surf Remote's instructions (twice actually) and still get the error. The remote still says 'Fail! 1' and the pop up on the editor software has the code 102-47UU-0000.

Does anyone know how I can get a copy of the updatable software? Or should I just put my MX-850 on ebay and get the Harmony 890?

Thanks!