Can't install Rockbox on an H340

[guyho]

I'm going crazy with this. I've followed the instructions at http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/ManualRockboxInstall#Installing_Rockbox, yet can't get the firmware upgrade to go. I've a US H340, and I've downloaded all the different .hex files as I understand that this is necessary with the US models, yet no dice.

Help me out!


Guy

[AlexP]

So to recap, you have downloaded one of the international firmwares listed on the page you link (only one is required take your pick).

Then you have run fwpatcher.exe on the h300.hex file.

Then you have placed that hex file on your player, run the iriver firmware and done a firmware upgrade

You might then have to do this step again on US H3x0 as I understand it.

Then you downloaded the latest current build for H3x0 from this page http://build.rockbox.org

Then you have extracted rockbox.zip direct to the root of your player, so that if your player is x: you end with x:\rockbox.iriver and x:\.rockbox\

Then you have downloaded and installed the font pack from http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/RockboxExtras

If you have done all this it should be fine.  Try the manual as well at http://www.rockbox.org/manual.shtml, it is very good.

[guyho]

'Then you have placed that hex file on your player, run the iriver firmware and done a firmware upgrade

You might then have to do this step again on US H3x0 as I understand it.'

I've followed your instructions to the letter, yet when I select 'firmware upgrade', nothing happens when I press 'NAVI' to set it going.

[Febs]

Is the h300.hex file in the root directory of your player?

[guyho]

Yup- it's right there, I can see it using Nautilus on my desktop. The player can't seem to see it when I use the screen to navigate though.

[AlexP]

Hmmm, then I don't understand I'm afraid.  It sounds like something is up with the iriver firmware flashing.  Can you flash an unpatched firmware?

Warning:  Flashing the bootloader is the only part of installing on the iriver that can brick your player.  There have been no reports of this happening, but I just didn't want you to say you weren't warned!

[guyho]

I've downloaded the firmware at this location (http://www.iriver.com/html/admin/etc/adet_download_process_1.asp?fileName=H300(jp)_V129.zip&pathFlag=EG_DOWNLOAD_UP_PATH)without patching it, and unzipped it in the root folder of the Iriver, and still nothing happens when I try to upgrade the firmware.

[nls]

You could try checking the disk for errors with fsck.vfat or equivalent.
Also make sure that you eject/unmount before disconnecting the player from the computer.

[guyho]

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. I'll check to see if there are any errors on the disk, but the player works perfectly at the moment. I always unmount the player before disconnecting it, so that shouldn't be an issue.

The firmware that's on the player is 1.02 US, I think.

[AlexP]

Maybe 1.02 US won't upgrade to a non-US firmware?  Perhaps try going to 1.04 US first?

Incidently, by doing this upgrade you will forever lose your DRM playing abilities, as only the US models 'allowed' you to play crippled music

[guyho]

Right. I downloaded the US 1.04 firmware, and still nothing happens when I try to upgrade the firmware. Just to clarify, I am supposed to be pressing 'NAVI' to select 'yes' when it asks about upgrading the firmware, right?

[Febs]

What is the complete path on your player of the h300.hex file you are trying to use to update?

[guyho]

I always get stuff working in the end, and I'm happy to report that I've got Rockbox going. To do so I put the 1.04 US firmware in the main part of the drive of the H340 (not ROOT), and the upgrade worked. I then moved all the Rockbox stuff out of the ROOT folder, and everything works fine, including the themes.

Either I wasn't reading the manual right, or it pays to completely ignore instructions and flounder until you get it eventually.

Thanks again for your help and suggestions, folks.

[nls]

The root of a drive is the topmost level of the file-directory hierarcy, not a folder called root. I guess it might be a little unclear.

[AlexP]

I always get stuff working in the end, and I'm happy to report that I've got Rockbox going. To do so I put the 1.04 US firmware in the main part of the drive of the H340 (not ROOT), and the upgrade worked. I then moved all the Rockbox stuff out of the ROOT folder, and everything works fine, including the themes.

Either I wasn't reading the manual right, or it pays to completely ignore instructions and flounder until you get it eventually.

Thanks again for your help and suggestions, folks.

Haha, I can't believe it was that!  Root is a general term for the top most folder, i.e. if your H300 shows up as E: then E:\ is the root folder.  It is not E:\root.

At least this misunderstanding was just that, and not a problem with your dap.  I see that nls has now amended the manual to make this clearer - it is sometimes a hard thing to do as rockbox is written by people who know computer terminology inside out, and don't realise that sometimes what seems an obvious term might not be.

Anyway, glad it is sorted, and welcome to Rockbox!