Hi,

I found an ancient ibox-cloud 1, Vu+ SOLO clone. With the help of Johnny B. From http://jb8a8f8.com forum, device started to work. I installed blackhole 2.0.5 ferrari V3 firmware from flash and it's acting normally.
There are two more issues which I have:
1. Which firmware version (blackhole, openPli) is safe to install on the device, newer than 2.0.5 blackhole?
2. I don't have remote controller. On the AliExpress there are plenty cheap clones of remotes for Vu solo. On some they even state openbox S6000 compatibility (sister clone, totally same with cloud-ibox 1). Can somebody confirm that this will work?
Thanks.

Only Ferrari v3 images (and v2 backward compatible) will be ok, newer (original) will definitely be highly risky (erasing/killing your flash chip).

Concerning the remote control, take one for VU+ Solo/Duo, and it should be ok.

TS

If I'm understanding correctly, any Ferrari version V3 or V2 will work.
Its not limited to Blackhole 2.0.5 or OpenPLi 4.0 Ferrari.
So a could use newest blackhole 2.1.1 or ViX 6.0.8.
Please confirm.
Thanks

Only labelled v2 and v3 images will work (older kernel and drivers),

Newer images have drivers that will kill your box.

See here : https://www.ebay.fr/itm/284383502868

TS

P.S. : There is only a different remote code, for Solo type (as yours), and for Solo2/Duo2/Zero.

Thanks.
Actually the device, have strange issues.
Network adapter is not working and tuner shows Unconfigured, and after same time it will not boot with any blackhole version (from 2.0.5 till 2.1.1) Ferrari V3. After flashing, even with the same version it will boot again, as nothing happened.
So I will try today some different firmware blackhole Ferrari V2 ( 2.0.5 till 2.1.1).
Should I try some different firmware?
Can you advise?

Yes, try other firmwares, you can try the v2 that could be more stable for your box.

You can also check the external PSU, that should be 12 Volts, and 2-3 Amps, perhaps that one is failing... often this is the main cause.

Admin

:)))
Yes its 3 Amps. I have two of them, could test them.
Didn`t came to me, that tis cold be the issue.

I checked two external PSUs. Both have 12,30 V DC, whit out load, so I presume they work correctly. The unit don't have issues when is up.
But....I tried dozen of firmwares ( Ferrari V2 and V3) from BH, openPli, vix...whit all and any of them the story is always same. The unit is working completely ( HDMI, network, tuner) but after some hours after shutdown, video is not starting. Network is up, blue light is solid, but I can't get video with out flashing the unit again ( same or different firmware doesn't matter).it's like losing the flash ( firmware) after some time. Can you advise on this?

I think you need to get in touch with Johnny about it jb8a8f8.com,

Probably some capacitor/condensateur, that is weak, or the Flash chip that is at EOL... or some capacitor that brings power to it... but your study and description as well as all tests, will for sure help Johnny, poiting to the particular part that is the cause on the motherboard.

TS

Thanks.

The other interesting thing is, that under any firmware ( version and vendor)
Clock and date are always same 01 AM 1st of January 1970.
I could not find clock settings beside TIME ZONE.
Are there any and how to access them.

About time, that's more software related, as it should take it from the Satellite (or you can update it with the ntpd like things over internet).

One thing you could try, is when your box doesn't work. Turn off for like few hours and see if it boots when you turn it on again (after few hours) and if it does the same symptoms as previously, or does it just doesn't boot (like if the firmware was corrupted at all if you try to boot few hours after).

Admin

Yup, it is doing exactly as you described.
After few hours it does not properly boot. ( not showing any video on hdmi, and network is not active). Its actually just like firmware corruption.
Interesting, I just tested yesterday if its on, its stays on whit out any issues for hours....
So, according to my experience, it can be two things...
- weak/blown capacitator...(I checked them all visually, not one is damaged or swollen).
- bad/broken ROM(flash) chip.
Third...far possibility is generally weak/unstable external PSU.
This possibility I plan to eliminate latter today with brand new PSU.
If this doesn't help....than its one of the upper mentioned issues.
thank for the patience...

Exactly, so we are near to finding the exact cause, and most probably fixing it,

Well done,

Admin

So, it was not the PSU.
Johnny B. is detecting the cause...and more or less, we settled of faulty capacitor.
The problem is, how to test them:)))
Any ideas are welcomed.

Johnny, is the guy, probably try to find out how this happens.

As we wrote, if you turn off the box for few hours, will the box reboot ok and work ? Or once it happens, it must be reflashed, as it will never work again ? This could give some clues to Johnny, from where is the bad capacitor on the motherboard.

TS