Topic: What does 'Reset' do in the bootstrap mode and can I use without PC?

[ITGEEK]

The reason I ask is that my 1197 recently had something corrupted,
probably a waypoint and the system froze up on me.
I was almost at the point of sending it in, but several hours later,
I managed to downgrade the software, then upgrade.

The bootstrap can be accessed by holding down the View key
while pressing the Power key.

It would be nice if HB built into their systems some method where we
can Reset the system or even delete all of our waypoints before
the unit actually boots up.
I had a hell of a time with it.
I know this option would save user's a lot of grief.
I was wondering if the HB techs use the Reset option to first try and
fix a frozen machine.

Greg, are you there?
Thanks in advance.

[sonar2000]

I asked that same question in your original post.  You are right in making this a seperate topic. Good posting... We should know what a reset accomplishes and the value of such...
Chuck

[ITGEEK]

Chuck,
I hope this isn't one of those things that HB won't talk about.
The 'Reset' may do nothing at all.
But, I'm afraid to ever try it without knowing exactly what it does.

If you think about it, and 'Reset' can actually unfreeze a frozen machine.
HB would be out thousands of dollars on systems that are
out of warranty, and are sent in because they're frozen up.
User's would be able to handle a lot of system problems themselves.

Just sayin.

[sonar2000]

ITG   
I totally agree with you...But this is the way of companies who have computer based offering combined with service.
We, the user, want more freedom to 'help" ourselves.....but maybe they dont trust us with our abilities..
Oh well, we do what we can and help those with what we learn. 

Robert's forum has a lot of helpful information here thanks to to guys who post and help...

Thanks for all that you offer in assistance..

Chuck

[ITGEEK]

Thanks Chuck,
I've learned a lot from this forum.
Thanks to all the people on the forum that are willing to help out
when they can.

I can tell you from first hand experience that when your very expensive
machine goes on the fritz, you feel like there's something in
this world against you.  Sending my unit back to HB is the last thing
I really want to do.  I've sent it in twice now, and both times they took care of me and
fixed it, but it's still an ordeal.
If I can somehow or some way figure out the problem, then I'll give it
my best shot at fixing it myself.
But, I honestly think that I've spent more time messing with my unit
than actually fishing.

It's forums like this that have saved me (more than once), from throwing my
unit against the wall and busting it into several pieces.

[sonar2000]

I understand the frustration with a non-functining device. For fishing I would probably go back to a long day of luck and chunk the whole thing in the lake.. .... .... .....

In the SAR world we do not have time for device failure so we spend double the amount to back up each device. Expensive yes but we cant afford down time to a unit malfunction...

To clarify this a bit furthur, we dont buy 2 MST side scans ($35000+) but have a second unit on standby that can be available in as little as two hours..However, we will make do with lesser costing items until the standby gets on site. This does make for some slower operations but we can still be limitedly productive..

$3000 is a bit expensive for fishing but it does have benefits however I can't see a second $3000 investment.  Maybe a second lesser costing unit.
I see some of the guys here have bow and stern mounts so they have the redundency.

Oh well.  It is only money...

Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

Uhhh, I’ll try and answer the question now if you guys would like.

I originally believed that the Reset menu in the bootstrap, does the same function as the Restore Default menu does in the unit’s menu system.  The bootstrap menus were what we were originally going to use to both test the units by and to have the Customers reprogram their units by.  So I thought that I would try this, seeing as I have never used it before.  Set my old trusted 987c Si unit up to run in Normal mode and made a bunch of menu changes.  Powered the unit off with the power button and powered it up in the bootstrap mode.  I tried the Reset option several times and could note no changes.  Powered the unit off with the power button again and powered it back up in the Normal operation mode: the result was that none of the menus changed back to the factory defaults nor were any waypoints, tracks or routes deleted.  As far as I can tell it did nothing whatsoever.  I am assuming that this was disabled at some point in an older version of software or maybe it was never put into operation once the unit was released into production.

[sonar2000]

OK, so should we request this to be reactivated thru the wish list or will you take forward?
It would be nice to have a way to "reset" the unit and clear corrupted issues..
chuck

[ITGEEK]

Greg,
If a menu item was added to the bootstrap to 'Delete All NAV data from System'.
This may unfreeze a machine if a corrupted waypoint is the culprit, or if
the current track is taking up too much memory, it would free the memory.
I'm not saying this would be a cure all, but it may save a lot of
people from having to send their machines in to customer service.

Anybody in their right mind would have their waypoints saved on
an SD card anyway.

[Humminbird_Greg]

“Anybody in their right mind would have their waypoints saved on an SD card anyway.”
I doubt that the majority of Customers do ITG.

I will not pursue that because:
1.) I think that the original function was the same as the Restore Defaults menu.
2.) The Engineers will want to know why you are even accessing the bootstrap mode and ignore any requests to activate or change it since the end-user should not be using it (it is not present in the newer units).

Having some sort of further reset option for non-functional units is a good idea though and should be added to the Wish List on this site.

[sonar2000]

OK...added to the wish list
Chuck

[ITGEEK]

2.) The Engineers will want to know why you are even accessing the bootstrap mode

I don't know Greg, maybe these are some pretty good reasons:
.calling HB customer support for a return mailing label
.having to unhook my machine and remove it from the boat
.finding a suitable box and adequate safety packing for it
.taping up the box and applied the label
.taking the box to the post office.
.and maybe paying 300 bucks to get my unit fixed.

I'd say that's more than enough reasons for
me, and I'm sure for a lot of other users out there.

[sonar2000]

ITG.......+1

.Having to do without the unit while waiting on the return from HB
.Having to purchase a backup unit for use when the primary is gone
.Getting lost on an unfamiliar body of water

these are my three additions..

Chuck

[BassMeUp]

I agree with the addition of Hard Resets, just like when a computer (PC) freezes... I just had an issue when trying to load Google Earth created trails into the 1197... Everytime I tried to VIEW/OR DELETE all nav data the unit would reboot just after pressing the Right Arrow, plus it would make a pop sound... I had to downgrade the software version to 4.950, delete all Nav data, upgrade the software back to 6.180, whjich works now, and now try to reload fresh Nav data with test in between loading...

I made a movie of the issue with my Droid phone but am unable to post that type of file in this forum... If desired by any Humminbird rep/emp I will try to convert it into another format for your viewing... Due to it being a software issue...

Thanks,
BassMeUp

[ITGEEK]

Yea,
I think that corrupted navigation data (trails, routes, waypoints) are a
major source of headaches for a lot of users.
There should be some method or option of turning off all NAV data
before the machine boots up.
Otherwise we have exactly what you describe.
Install an older update, fix or delete the NAV data, then re-install the
newest update.  Then re-install the NAV data.

I've been through it once and it is an unpleasant and stressful situation.
I think this problem is an extremely common one that has resulted in
many users having to send their machines back to HB.

[sonar2000]

Very good replies guys. And right on point.

I hope the mfg does not lose sight that this is a computer and as such needs external influenced resets.

As BassMeUp said computers do lockup..

Chuck