What causes "The card is not answering correctly! Restarting reader for safety"

Chris230291 · Oct 4th 2023

Occasionally I get the following error in my Ncam logs

Code

2023/10/04 00:50:01 689CFE8F r (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] Warning: needed try nr 2, next ECM has some delay
2023/10/04 00:50:01 689CFE8F r (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] classD3 ins54: (-1) status not ok 6d 90
2023/10/04 00:50:01 689CFE8F r (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] The card is not answering correctly! Restarting reader for safety

Any idea what might cause this?

Code

[reader]
label                         = sky_uk
protocol                      = smargo
device                        = /dev/ttyUSB0
fallback                      = 0
caid                          = 0963
readtiers                     = 2
detect                        = cd
mhz                           = 534
cardmhz                       = 369
group                         = 2
emmcache                      = 1,3,2,0
blockemm-unknown              = 1
blockemm-u                    = 1
blockemm-s                    = 1
blockemm-g                    = 1
audisabled                    = 1

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**master G** · Oct 4th 2023

Quote from Chris230291

Any idea what might cause this?

Maybe its got something to do with the mhz & cardmhz values. These should be set on the smargo itself and not in oscam.

Chris230291 · Oct 4th 2023

I have the options all set to ncams defaults.

pasted-from-clipboard.png

Any idea what the values should be?

If you know I can look into how to change them on the smargo.

Perhaps this is why my ecm times are higher than I expected?

Code

2023/10/04 17:44:15 26371627 c      (ecm) dvbapi (0963@000000/FFFF/17CB/B5:19D89806B8F955DEED46E7FF17975CE5:0F06000000000000:): found (235 ms) by sky_uk (L/1/16/16) - SkySp Mix (lg)
2023/10/04 17:44:17 26371627 c      (ecm) dvbapi (0963@000000/FFFF/17CB/B5:09DC27F5963F1B2D26933D1A6C972CD0:0F06000000000000:): found (235 ms) by sky_uk (L/1/16/16) - SkySp Mix (lg)
2023/10/04 17:44:25 26371627 c      (ecm) dvbapi (0963@000000/FFFF/17CB/B5:E14AF65E9ED5C58CEC8A0D0C5AC18DB2:0F06000000000000:): found (234 ms) by sky_uk (L/1/16/16) - SkySp Mix (lg)

**master G** · Oct 5th 2023

I tried looking for the Smargo Smartreader+ tool (srp_tools), but it seems the official website Argolis is gone.

Default Smartreader+ speed is 3.69MHZ and most cards works with that. So maybe just removing mhz, cardmhz and autospeed from Ncam will work.

Chris230291 · Oct 5th 2023

NCam filled in those values for me from the automatic setting.

Code

    2023/10/05 17:09:44 240D6181 h    (webif) Reader sky_uk restarted by WebIF from 192.168.1.146
    2023/10/05 17:09:45 340EC95A r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] creating thread for device /dev/ttyUSB0
    2023/10/05 17:09:45 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] Reader initialized (device=/dev/ttyUSB0, detect=cd, mhz= AUTO, cardmhz=369)
    2023/10/05 17:09:46 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] card detected
    2023/10/05 17:09:50 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] ATR: 3F FD 13 25 02 50 00 0F 33 B0 0F 69 FF 4A 50 D0 00 00 53 59 02 
    2023/10/05 17:09:52 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Card type:   SYAV
    2023/10/05 17:09:52 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Rom version: 40LF
    2023/10/05 17:09:52 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Credit available on card: 35 euro
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] FuseByte: 05
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Region Code: N15     
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Country Code: GBR
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] Pincode read: 9342
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] PCB settings: 3F 0 E 0
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] type: VideoGuard BSkyB (0963), caid: 0963
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] serial: ########, BoxID: ########, baseyear: 2009
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] ready for requests
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [smargo] found card system videoguard2
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] THIS WAS A SUCCESSFUL START ATTEMPT No  1 out of max allotted of 1
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] card detected
    2023/10/05 17:09:53 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] type: VideoGuard BSkyB (0963)
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] ------------------------------------------------------------------
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |- class -|-- tier --|----- valid to ------|--- package name ----|
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] +---------+----------+---------------------+---------------------+
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 00 ---|-- 0003 --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 00 ---|-- 000b --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 00 ---|-- 0010 --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 00 ---|-- 001d --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 30 ---|-- 30e3 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 30 ---|-- 30e4 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- 30 ---|-- 30e5 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b7 ---|-- b765 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b7 ---|-- b766 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b7 ---|-- b772 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b7 ---|-- b773 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b8 ---|-- b846 --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b8 ---|-- b860 --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b8 ---|-- b8d2 --| 2025/12/20-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b968 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b999 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b9a3 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b9d5 --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b9dd --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:09:54 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] |-- b9 ---|-- b9ee --| 2025/12/28-00:00:00 | 
    2023/10/05 17:10:05 6A14CD2E r   (reader) sky_uk [videoguard2] ------------------------------------------------------from-ins76--

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I bought the smargo used off ebay.

So I guess I need to chnage the firmware on the smargo?

Are these the files I need?

EDIT:

I didnt read what you said properly.

I'll try with auto disabled and the other values at the default 357

**master G** · Oct 5th 2023

Quote from Chris230291

Are these the files I need?

Yes, update the firmware, leave the default settings and hopefully that will work.

Chris230291 · Oct 5th 2023

Is newer better?

Do I go straight to 1.5?

**master G** · Oct 5th 2023

Quote from Chris230291

Is newer better?
Do I go straight to 1.5?

I`ve never used a smargo, so can`t say if the upgraded firmware is any better or not or what way is best to upgrade.

Chris230291 · Oct 5th 2023

I was unable to get any of the updaters to work in Windows.

The drivers installed.

The reader was detected as a USB serial connector.

But the software couldnt detect the device.

**master G** · Oct 5th 2023

Quote from Chris230291

I was unable to get any of the updaters to work in Windows.

Try the attached versions.

Chris230291 · Oct 5th 2023

Thanks I will try tomorrow.

Chris230291 · Oct 6th 2023

Here is what I found.

Given up with Windows. It doesnt work at all.

In Linux I am having a little success though...

Code

chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_tools_x86 -d /dev/ttyUSB1

smartreader+ version v1.1

MODE    autoswitch
FREQ    3.69 Mhz
KERNEL  normal
T_MODE  t = 0
EGT     0
chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_update_x86 -h

Smartreader+ update tool v1.3

usage: <options>
options:
        -d <comport> (default comport = "/dev/ttyUSB0")
        -b activate bootloader
        -f flash device (must be in bootmode)

chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_update_x86 -d /dev/ttyUSB1

smartreader+ version v1.1
chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_update_x86 -d /dev/ttyUSB1 -f
smartreader+ update error
chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_update_x86 -d /dev/ttyUSB1 -b

smartreader+ version v1.1
error activation bootmode
chris@awesom-o:~$ sudo ./srp_update_x86 -d /dev/ttyUSB1 -b -f
smartreader+ update error

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I think this is early/original firmware (1.1).

From what I read only 1.3+ supports Windows updating, so I must use Linux.

Any Idea why I cant flash it?

**master G** · Oct 6th 2023

Copy to your PC linux server FTP 2 files:

srp_tools_x86

srp_update_x86

Set on console both files chmod 755

sudo ./srp_update_x86 -b

Remove and reinsert SmartReader+

sudo ./srp_update_x86 -f

Remove and reinsert SmartReader+

sudo ./srp_tools_x86

Chris230291 · Oct 7th 2023

Thanks for trying but those instructions didnt work.

What causes "The card is not answering correctly! Restarting reader for safety"

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