problem doing firmware update

[damo]

I have recently purchased a neo geo x and a mega pack volume 1. When I attempted to perform the upgrade to version v500a, the handheld began the upgrade but the stopped half way and showed the batt charging symbol in the display.I unplugged the rocket cable and switched handheld on. It did not recognise the game card and still says version 370. I took the mega pack back to the retailer and they replaced it with another new one. when I attempted to instal it , it did the same thing as the first one and still does not work and no upgrade, I have tried this on another handheld unit and exactly the same thing happened. When I tried to do the upgrade again , the unit says faulty gamecard when it lights up, I stead of even attempting the upgrade. Can you please offer any tips for me to fix this problem? I live in Australia and wonder if there is any product support here? Thanks 
 

[krazywhiteguy310]

You might need to get the rocket cable to sit just right. I had a similar problem applying the jailbreak update and it ended up that my rocket cable wasn't making proper contact. It will take a few tries but once it starts leave it alone. And DON'T touch it.

Hope this helps

[Darth Gecko]

I hate to say this but this is exactly what happened to me. First try it got halfway then aborted. Every successive try it failed and said the gamecard was duff. Once that happened nothing would work and I literally tried it over 30 times. The cable was in as far as it would go without causing damage. The only thing I could do was return the unit to the retailer and get a new one which they flashed for me.

Edit: I had to completely exchange the handheld, Ninja Masters (still doesn't work)and the Mega pack and cable too before I had a working setup. Is staying on 370 and getting a procard an option?

[damo]

Hi Darthgecko,  
thanks for your reply, glad I am not going mad.
Did they replace the handheld or the gamecard as I have two handhelds and they both say gamecard faulty after I tried it in the first one. Also I took the mega pack back to the retailer and they replaced it but the same thing happened when I tried to apply the update. I did try to do the update first in the same handheld I tried with the first one. I am now wonderong if it is some glitch in that handheld causing the card to fail? Any clues , what did they do to fix or what did they replace,?
Thanks for your help 

[Darth Gecko]

Hi damo

In my case I had to return everything and get them to give me a machine that they upgraded themselves. To save on postage they told me not to return the dock or gamepad.

neogeox.com/eu
Gives info on the distributors for EU and Australia. I'm in the UK so my retailer was Funstock, who were very helpful. If your retailer cannot give you an updated machine, you may need to contact Blaze direct.

It is worth persevering, you will enjoy it when you get it sorted.

[Deleted]

The working replacement rocket cables have a sticker on them, as opposed to the old ones which can fail on upgrades.

[damo]

Hi again,
can you tell me what the procard is that you have suggested and where can I get one if its any good?
thanks

[Darth Gecko]

neogeox.proboards.com/thread/152/pro-card-micro-adapter-shipped

omgngx is the guy to get one from, I'm sure he will be pleased to help. Basically it is a re-wired SD card adaptor that allows you to use MicroSD cards with your Neo Geo X. For people with firmware 370, it allows you to add your own games, 50 per card. It is also used to 'jailbreak' a Neo Geo X, this lets you use more than 50 games at once and also play other emulators such as Atari, Sega or Nintendo. There are threads here that detail that process and the pros and cons of either approach.

[danthor]

I've also had similar problems when I finally decided to update, It took me nearly 20 re-attempts to update. First getting messages telling me the file was bad, then 5-7 times in which it stopped like halfway through. I was successful eventually.

[Darth Gecko]

Feb 6, 2014 4:29:59 GMT -5 @legacy said:

The working replacement rocket cables have a sticker on them, as opposed to the old ones which can fail on upgrades.

Is it a black sticker with white writing on it?

[Darth Gecko]

Feb 6, 2014 8:07:32 GMT -5 danthor said:

I've also had similar problems when I finally decided to update, It took me nearly 20 re-attempts to update. First getting messages telling me the file was bad, then 5-7 times in which it stopped like halfway through. I was successful eventually.

It does seem in some cases that the card is literally corrupted, damo has tried it on another machine too. I'm sure I read somewhere that there is a failure rate of 1 in every 100 devices. I kept trying myself all day, most of the night and the following day until the courier was knocking on the door to collect it.

[damo]

Hi Danthor,
I have tried to update the file like 50 times but after the first time when it did attempt the upgrade and got half way, every time since then it just says game card faulty as soon as the handheld boots up and the rocket cable starts flashing blue and red as if the update is working, which it isn't. Biggest problem I have is that no-one in Australia seems to offer any form of waranty or service on these units and the store I purchased them from have no units left in stock. They have offered me a refund for them but I am a game collector, love the old neo geo games, and really would love to keep these games in my collection. But I would like them to work! Anyway, thanks everyone for all your suggestions, I am feeling a bit stumped.

[Darth Gecko]

IF you did get a refund, would Funstock be able to supply one to you?

Or can Blaze help you?

[danthor]

Hm. If you're still facing problems doing the update, there's still options for you. 1)Simply use a procard instead. No new firmware or features, but lots of new games. You'll still have the Mega Pack in your collection this way, too! 2)Blaze/Tommo customer service? If you do want to update, there's that. 3)If you really wanted the update, and didn't want to deal with customer service, what if you perhaps sent your NGX to a member here who could carry out the update and Jailbreak if you desired, and sent it back to you? I don't even know if that's a more or less plausible idea, or if there's any members willing to do so. Just thought I'd throw the suggestion out if you're at the end of your rope!

[dvdxploitr]

is there any way to tell if the Mega Pack is going to have 500 or 500a on it? I'm still waiting on my NGX to come in the mail, supposed to be here via FedEx tomorrow