How to flash a Dreambox DM8000 HD via a Browser

You can flash a new firmware image onto your Dreambox DM8000 HD from a web browser. The steps below use the serial bootloader to reach the second-stage loader, then upload the image over the network.

What you'll need

• The firmware image you want to flash — it must have a .nfi extension (you can't flash .img or other formats).
• A DHCP server, a configured bootloader, or a serial cable and a terminal program such as HyperTerminal.
• A browser and a network cable — a crossover cable if you connect the box directly to your PC, or a normal cable through a switch/hub/router.
• A working, intact second-stage loader.

These steps assume you have a DHCP server. If you don't, set up an IP address in the bootloader's serial setup.

Entering the bootloader

1. Power the Dreambox down fully — use "shutdown" (deep-standby) or the power switch. Standby is not enough.
2. Press and hold the lower front-panel button.
3. Switch the Dreambox on — via the power switch, or if it's in deep-standby press the power button — while still holding the lower button.
4. The text "*** STOP ***" should appear. (If you see something like "/flash" instead, you held the wrong button.) Release the button — the bootloader is now in "waiting" mode.
5. Above the "*** STOP ***" text an IP address appears (four numbers separated by dots). If it shows "dhcp" instead, the box is still searching for a DHCP server — wait a moment. If it doesn't change, check the network cable is plugged in. If it still won't work, set an IP using the serial terminal.

Uploading the image

1. On your PC, open a browser and enter http://ip/" in the address bar (replace "ip" with the value shown on the LCD).
2. At the bottom of the page, click the firmware upgrade link.
3. On the next page, select the .nfi flash image (other formats such as .img won't work), click FLASH! and wait.
4. Switch the box off and on again. The new image should now be flashed and working.

⚠️ Don't interrupt the flash. Once flashing starts, do not power the box down until it completes — interrupting it can corrupt the firmware.