Upgrading the Mayhem and Hackrf firmware

[MattPayne76]

Describe the issue HackRF one and portapack H2 not recognized by firmware upgrading tools.

To Reproduce Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Download Mayhem firmware v1.6.0 or latest nightly release (same effect) from eried github
2. Unzip it properly
3. Plug the hackRF one & portapack H2 in USB (3V3, 1V8, RF and USB leds are on, no blinking)
4. Run cmd in admin mode
5. "cd" to the unzipped folder directory
6. Run command "start flash_portapack_mayhem.bat" (or simply double-click on the file, same effect)
7. Text displayed : Re-flash the HackRF with PortaPack firmware Connect your HackRF One to a USB port on your computer. If using a PortaPack, put the PortaPack in HackRF mode by selecting the "HackRF" option from the main menu. Press any key to continue . . .
8. Select "HackRF" mode in the Mayhem interface and confirm "Yes"
9. Press a random key on keyboard
10. Text displayed : Devices detected: 0 DFU, 0 HackRF ERROR: HackRF not found. Please connect a HackRF One to your computer's USB port. If using a PortaPack, please put it in HackRF mode after connecting it. Press any key to continue . . .

My Hardware Laptop ASUS ExpertBook - Windows 11 pro (HackRF recognised by windows and driver installed automatically first time, HackRF works perfectly with SDR# and SDR Console also) USB câble "LG" brand furnished by the french supplier "europe-connection.com", works fine for SDR# and SDR Console application. "HackRF one & PortaPack H2" branded on top and "OpenSourceSDRLab" on the bottom, Black aluminium case.

Affected versions Mayhem, version displayed : e0309b13 HackRF unknown version

Were you able to update the firmware before? Never been updated since delivery from french supplier "europe-connection.com" on the 1st march 2023.

Can you try the upgrade with a different PC/Portapack/HackRF? Tried different USB cable and different PC, same effect.

Additional If the issue is difficult to explain, additionally to the text please include images and videos.

PS: I love your work, thank you ! Matt

[eried]

Can you see the device when you connect it via USB? how does it appear in your computer?

[MattPayne76]

Thank you for answering. Everything seems fine.

In the "Driver" tab: Driver Provider: Microsoft Driver Date: 21/06/2006 Driver Version: 10.0.22621.608 Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows

And in the "General" tab:

[maietta]

I purposely bought the HackRF from Great Scott Gadgets and the Portapack from a US Seller on eBay selling the original Portapack H2, not a clone. I've heard of OpenSourceSDRLab before, but don't know if they are a reputable vendor. I know the design is open, but I wanted to avoid any issues at all.

Despite this, if you guys can't get this figured out, I would be willing to give it a go to try and replicate the problem on official hardware. I'm now watching this issue.

[eried]

Thank you for answering. Everything seems fine.

In the "Driver" tab: Driver Provider: Microsoft Driver Date: 21/06/2006 Driver Version: 10.0.22621.608 Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows

yes, looks ok. Have you seen the video that shows about DFU? https://github.com/eried/portapack-mayhem/wiki/Update-firmware-troubleshooting#dfu

[MattPayne76]

SOLVED! Problem solved by replacing the Windows 10.0.22621.608 driver (installed automatically) by the driver given in the release folder. Followed instructions provided in https://github.com/eried/portapack-mayhem/wiki/Update-firmware-troubleshooting#dfu Thank you.

OOPS I began by upgrading the hackRF one firmware and now I have a black screen. I tried to hold left button at boot but no effect. I can still disassemble the portapack and flash the HackRF with different firmware but none of the versions I tried worked. I will keep looking for a solution...

[jLynx]

Great to see its solved

[Brumi-2021]

Hi @MattPayne76 If you can reflash your device including a correct DFU without disassembly, you are very lucky . In that case you can follow my advices (written by @gullradriel and me ) , of the bottom part of that link, (where it says H2+ / H1 just black screen and no way to recover , like bricked ) but without dissasembling, just going to a previous old fw (previous to the permanent ram commit ) to recover your unit

https://github.com/eried/portapack-mayhem/wiki/Won't-boot

But if it is bricked , disassembly it and follow my instructions. (It is the same , but annoying to remove so many screws of the assembled box )

I hope it also helps to recover it !

[MattPayne76]

Thank you so much but... I am such a noob !! I thought that there was a different firmware for the HackRF and for the portapack PCB (as there was 2 files), so I flashed the "flash_hackrfone.bat" -- Thats why... Now I know ! Thanks again

[Brumi-2021]

Hi do not worry , If you operate Hackrf board alone with PC, you need to flash it with Hackrf fw (short binary) . But if you want to make it work with Portapack board as stand alone handy device , you will need extended fw binary , like Mayhem fw . (that on top of Hackrf part , has extra code to control an use PP Peripherals , like audio IC codec , keyboard, display , SD card,...) Hackrf is so well designed , that you always will be able to recover it . If bricked and no USB communication you will need DFU process , but if no bricked , and you are able to put it in USB communication mode, you can just reflash it with a proper Mayhem fw . Cheers

[ThereIsNot]

Hello There. is there anyone can help me about PortaPack H2 ??