50" Plasma (PN50A650) Firmware Upgrade Gone Wrong :-(

Hiya HD

Sorry, I forgot to mention that this is an Australian model, and after smacking myself in the head repeatedly for installing an incompatable firmware, I had one last check at the Australian Samsung page:

http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/detail/support.do?group=television&type=television&subtype=plasmatv&model_nm=PS50A650T1F&disp_nm=Series%206%2050inch%20(PS50A650)&language=&cate_type=all&dType=D&mType=FM&vType=&prd_ia_cd=02010200&model_cd=PS50A650T1FXXY&menu=download

Yep... our version is 1008.1.

I've got a tech coming out this week to have a look at it... I'm just glad that I didn't potentially void the warranty by putting a firmware on there that Samsung didn't recommend.

Will keep you posted

Regards,

Skootch

Hiya Skootch14,

Heh, I was wondering where that firmware came from. If it was the wrong firmware, I'd suggest quickly reinstalling the right one on there before the tech arrived, but it sounds like you have it under control.

Definitely keep me posted!

--HDTech

Hey there HDT

Well I just had the authorised Samsung sub-contracting repair tech come out... not impressed.

I realise this probably isn't the forum to air my grievances, but after I called up and specifically stated that this was a firmware upgrade issue, the following happened:

- Tech turned up with nothing but a piece of paper in his hand
- Tech plugged in TV
- Tech attempted to turn the TV on at the front panel (failed)
- Tech attempted to turn TV on from the remote (failed)
- Tech scratched his head...
- Tech tells me they'll need to send someone else out.

He told me that he'd probably have to downgrade the firmware back to it's original version, however he didn't bring it with him and he would not know where to get it from. I offered him the use of my internet connection to have one of his colleagues email him through the firmware, but no... apparently they wouldn't have it.

Upon leaving I asked him what was the problem, and where to now. This was met with uncertainty. If it's a firmware issue they'll send someone out within a week, however it has the possibility of being a mainboard issue which I may have to wait for up to 2 weeks.

So after trying to turn on a TV I told them wasn't working (and nothing more), they're now charging Samsung a callout fee, and I still have an incredibly expensive paperweight.

I know that they have to deal with the lowest common denominator when it comes to support, but after I tell them specifically that this fault came about as a failed firmware upgrade, and to have them come out empty handed, boggles the mind.

I realise I'm in Australia, but if I were you guys I'd be looking a lot more closely at who I choose to represent my company in after sales support.

Ryan

PS. I'll wait until you respond, but I think I'll be trying a downgrade back to 1004.1 from the US Samsung site.

Skootch14,

This is a good as any place to state your opinions. I'm not quite sure how the service centers work in Australia, and I don't have any influence there yet.

I don't recommend using the US firmware in other countries, citing different formats, broadcasts, capabilities and power supply issues, and I don't know how I'd possibly get any firmware from Australia. I'll look into this... keep me posted.

--HDTech

Hola!

Well I just had a real tech come around (briefcase full of tools etc...) and within 20 minutes he'd swapped out the mainboard in the back of the unit and tuned all of the channels for my viewing pleasure

APPARENTLY, when doing any kind of firmware upgrade it is best practice to format the USB drive before putting any of the files on there, and make sure that ONLY the Samsung firmware files are on there... because my progress bar went all the way to the end, but will fail once done. (I had a few JPG images on the USB disk as it was the one I also used for my digital photo frame)

This may be something Samsung might want to include on their firmware upgrade instructions

All in all, I look forward to many more years enjoying my TV

Thanks for the info/feedback HDT!

Ryan

Skootch14,

Great news, and thanks for following up.

<i>This may be something Samsung might want to include on their firmware upgrade instructions</i>

Indeed. An excellent suggestion, and will be sending this to our online teams later this evening for consideration.

--HDtech

Download the 1004.1, unzip it, and look at the date in the text file. It's July 17th 2008. If you click info when you highlight the SW Update screen on the TV itself it shows the 1006 is from Sept 9, 2008. Stick with the 1006. It's the most recent

i also got a dead unit now. updated and it actually went to 150% complete. failed and after reboot i got steady red light. anyhelp please email me moto.v600@gmail.com