Wireless Music Systems (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[hydrophish]

I've been eyeing the SB for awhile now, however I'm now reading on both Amazon and these forums that there are a number of issues as the result of the latest firmware.  Curiously I haven't seen any responses on these forums by logitech employees or moderators.  So I'd like to know from someone if/when the firmware issues will be addressed because I don't plan on buying one of these until they are.

Thanks,

phish

[LSH]

Don't hold your breath waiting..... If the Squeezebox (of which I own 3) is anything like the Logitech Harmony 1000 remotes I own, Logitech will do NOTHING to fix them despite promising otherwise. They will eventually release another "upgrade" which may fix some problem or problems, but they will most likely create a whole new set of problems in the process. This is exactly what happened on the latest 7.5 release for the Squeezebox, and also has happened over and over agin on their other firmware.

Of course they NEVER provide a means to go back a version. That would be much too smart and sensible.

My advice: Buy another brand. Logitech makes really nice hardware, and I like their speakers, headphones, and all the stuff that has NO FIRMWARE, SOFTWARE, OR EMBEDDED code. Their software absolutely and totally **bleep**, and they don't know software quality assurance and testing whatsoever.

Larry

[snarlydwarf]

Firmware (and software) is updated nightly if you wish to be a bit more 'cutting edge'.

There are always 3 versions of SBS (and related firmware):

  'stable' or 'release' (which is right now at 7.5.0)  this changes every few months.

 'nightly' or 'testing' (right now at 7.5.1) which changes most nights.  This gets 'safe' bug fixes. it may someday be

    released as the next stable version, or it may not.  It's usually pretty safe to run, and is the fastest way to get a less buggy version.  Even though it updates nightly, you don't have to update every night.  If the Monday Night version works for you, you can stick with it.

  'unstable' 'development' 'scary stuff': this is the "next gen" server... right now this is at 7.6.0.  At some point it will be an official release.  It may or may not work day to day.  If you install it and it works for you, good.  If it breaks in fun and interesting ways, report it so they can fix it for the next night.  I know that sounds dangerous, and perhaps it is... but I've been running unstable scary things for the last couple of years and most of the time it's fine.  (There are periodically "big changes" that are more likely to break things than usual, but most of the time it's safe.)

You can always switch back and forth, too: if you install a scary development snapshot and it won't run for you... you can always go back to another version.

So, yes, bugs do get fixed.. whether they are -your- bugs or not, I dunno.  Nor do I know the timeframe for a specific bug: some are more complicated than others.

[LSH]

Thanks snarlydwarf!!!,,

I find this altogether amazing and wonderful news!!!!

How can I access and install other firmware??

Regarding switching back and forth, I am only aware of 1 method to go back to the previously installed firmware, which is to hold down the "Rewind" button while rebooting. This method ONLY WORKS if you have not installed the newer firmware a 2nd time (as I and many others have done) in an attempt to get it to run properly. As soon as a second download / install is made, the ability to "revert" is entirely lost.

Perhaps you are aware of a way to overcome this problem as well? It would seem that access to new firmware on a nightly basis offers the best potential to return my Squeezebox radios to working condition again as they were when I originally purchased them.

Any, why, oh why, oh why DOESN'T LOGITECH PUBLISH OR DESCRIBE THIS solution??

There are many of us who have been without our radios for weeks now, filling this and other forums with the very same complaints and issues, to say nothing of the Logitech customer support people not offering this advice.......

Please link / post the way to get to this firmware.

Many, many thanks from all of us!

Larry

[steves4567]

The Logitech website has changed significantly in the last couple of months.  This used to be pretty easy to find, but I was unable to get there from the standard website.  The nightly builds can be found at http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Nightly_Builds.  The Bugzilla based bug tracking system can be accessed at http://bugs.slimdevices.com .  Good luck!

[steves4567]

Note also that you can get any past released versions at http://downloads.slimdevices.com.  You can easily go back and forth between versions by simply downloading and installing a previous version.  I generally save the downloads of any nightly builds I install, since those aren't readily available.  I run the Windows Home Server versions, and I often have to uninstall the current version to install a new one.  Sometimes even the SqueezeCenter uninstall doesn't work, but "Add and Remove Programs" can be used to get me back to a fresh environment.

[LSH]

steves4567,

Thanks so very much for your help!

I went to the suggested URL and downloaded the updated 7.5.1. Windows software. After installing and running it, I found the download of the newer 7.5.1. firmware release. I have downloaded and installed this update, and will now test the radio to see if it has returned to normal behavior. I am surprised that this update was not "pushed" to Squeezebox owners like the prior (crummy) 7.5.0 version. I now see that downloading and running the PC software followed by connecting the radio to the PC server allows access to firmware otherwise unavailable, including beta 7.6.0. software (which Logitech seems to not recommend except for those looking for adventure).

I will report back as soon as I have had a chance to evaluate this new release.

Thanks once again for your kind assistance. I really appreciate it very much.

Larry

[LSH]

I am EXTREMELY PLEASED to report that my 3 Squeezebox radios are now working as well as they did on April 5th, the day before Logitech pushed the infamous 7.5.0. firmware "update" which entirely ruined my radios and many other peoples' radios.

After 2 months of complaining and asking for help, I am very relieved that another user has shown me the method to get to another, more stable release.

Version 7.5.1., available by first installing the Windows server software on a networked PC and then using it to install new firmware on the Squeezebox radio(s) has led to a radio which no longer crashes, turns itself off, turns itself on, or does other screwed up things.

Why Logitech has NOT announced or pushed this newer version of software to replace 7.5.0. is a totally mystery to me. Had I not received the above help, I would still be sitting with 3 bricked radios.

Thanks again to Steve, and, to Logitech I once again say:

Get your f-r-i-g-g-i-n act together you pathetic amateur software hacks.........

Larry

[hydrophish]

So I thought I'd check back on this thread as I'm still considering buying one of these, but don't want to until I know the major bugs have been resolved.  So is the concensus that the latest firmware makes these usable again?  I've also been considering the sonos player suggested on other threads in here.  Thoughts?

Thanks,

phish

[LSH]

I have Internet radios from Logitech, Grace, and several PC and iPhone-based software applications.

I would rate the Logitechs as being more suspectible to problems, including server outages, firmware bugs, poor service from the manufacturer, and weak quality control. Although my radios are now (after 2 months outage) back to working again, I feel very little confidence in either Logitech or the Squeezebox design. I am especially turned off by the total dependency on Logitech's web-based approach to delivery, making the radio essentially useless if the Logitech website is down, and making the radio useless unless one knows which firmware to use and not use.

It took me 2 months to get back to a working system as a result of the last fiasco with 7.5.0. Logitech has yet to push the updated 7.5.1. or beta 7.6.0. firmware, and I would still be totally screwed unless the kind assistance of a fellow user (who is obviously extremely knowledgable) had not been offered.

Who knows what will happen the next time firmware is pushed? Will there be other disruptions? I am betting the answer is yes.

Bottom line........nice hardware and crappy firmware, along with a poor customer service organization. Not worth all the wasted time and aggrevation.

Larry