Experience of upgrading the firmware on Amunsden MIB2.5 system

[varaderoguy]

**Updated Sept 2021**

The latest firmware version is 0480 for SOP4.x hardware.

 

**UPDATED May 2021**

 

**Updated Feb 2024**

Minimum size of SD card is now 32G

 

**Please note everything on here - is generally warranty effecting - break it and you'll need to pay to get it fixed**

 

Dear all,

 

I thought I would pen down my experience in terms of upgrading my firmware on my 2019 Octavia Scout.  I have cleared me writing this piece with the Briskoda Moderators.

 

I have always berated Skoda for the fact that there are firmware updates available to fix various silly niggles on the Entertainment system.  I have a Amunsden system (Bolero with Sav Nat).  You have to play silly games with your dealer, just so they can look to see if any of your MIB system faults are displayed as a known issues....which is the measure that they use.  The point is that unless your car system is seriously glitchy, dealers won't generally touch the MIB system.  I am an IT guy, and this kind of thinking (especially with the more modern connected systems) depresses me....the world is told to patch,patch,patch - but VW group choose not to do so unless absolutely necessary.

 

I now understand why....because the MIB2.5 system upgrade that I managed to get hold of for my Scout - took over an hour to upgrade.  Time is money in dealers and this is why when dealers do a firmware update, then charge it as a warranty claim.   On my system, there were many many patches for 0475.  The version of firmware provided by a member on this forum was for 0478. 

 

(May21) There are also different version of firmware available.  This is an important thing to note: There are generally (for Bolaro and Amunsden) - different software strands:

 

They are: SOP2.x, SOP3.x and SOP4.x - when you look at a firmware version, you will be presented with a version such as 0472 - this says that it is a SOP Version 4.x .  You can only update SOP4.x strands with another SOP4.x strand.  Therefore, if you have 0472, you can upgrade to 0478.  If you have a SOP3.x - e.g. 0359, then you cannot safely upgrade to SOP4.x 0478 firmware.  There are people on here who say they can do it, but this is a risky area and you risk bricking your hardware.

 

Now some legal stuff - because Briskoda cannot officially endorse anything that you do to your car (its a forum for Skoda enthusiasts, not dubiously obtained software) and the fact that the forum doesn't want to be sued by VW Group for posting non-authorised/obtained software, all the dealings for firmware has to done behind the scenes.  Its sad that way.  The firmware files are generally quite large (my copy was about 3GB).

 

So once you have found the appropriate thread for your MIB system (it could be a Bolero, Amunsden or Columbus system), whether it is a MIB, MIB2 or MIB2.5 system, and you have found the appropriate member who has access to the firmware, you will be asked to take a photo screenshot of the system information.  You can find that in System Information in the MIB system under Menu and Settings.  This information shows the VW part number and the current firmware level.  Do not confuse this with the maps/nav version information.

 

If you are brave enough to do the firmware update, my other caveat is that you need to know your way around a PC.  I'm a linux guy (which helps), but a good technical expertise level is useful.

 

You will need:

 

The link to the downloaded software

An 8GB / 32GB SD Card - DOS partition and formatted in FAT32 (Linux land it is called vfat)

 

Download the firmware image - it will have a filename similar to: MST2_EU_SK_ZR_P0478T.7z . Briefly, that equates to: MST2 = MIB2 or 2.5, EU_SK_ZR are all countries (its a Europe and Russia image) and P0478 is the firmware version.  The file is given in this case in a 7zip format (highly compressed).  I know there are Windows decompression tools available, but I use 7z command line - in this case "7z x MST2_EU_SK_ZR_P0478T.7z".  Make you do this in a new directory (otherwise it write files all over the place in your current directory).  You should also file scan the files to make sure there are no virus's.

 

After a while, you end up with a directory full of files.  You can safely move the .7z master file elsewhere.  There will be a new directory created with the same name as the firmware.  Go into this directory and copy the content onto your SD Card.  This process will take about 30 minutes all told.

 

Eject the SD and go to your car.....

 

You will need:

 

Either VCDS or ODBEleven (you'll see why in a moment....theory is that you don't need it, but I like my approach better.) (You don't need VCDS or ODBEleven - May 2021)

A battery charger (because the engine has to be switched off and the battery voltage maintained whilst the upgrade occurs)

 

With VCDS or ODBEleven, you need to enable diagnostic mode on your car.  ODBEleven costs you only 10 credits for this.  You can read how to do it on Ross-tech's website for VCDS. You need your ignition keys with you to at least turn on the car ignition for this.

When diagnostic mode is enable on the MIB system, you can take out the keys and disconnect your ODBEleven/VCDS system. (not needed)

 

Now connect up the battery charger to your battery and start the charging process.  Remember, if the MIB system detects voltage levels below 12V (I think it is 11.8V), it will not allow you to upgrade (or its a bad idea anyhow).  Think of it doing an Android upgrade with low battery voltage - not advised.

 

Get into the passenger seat, and go into the glove compartment.  Remove your current SD cards in SD1 (and SD2 if you have that slot).

Switch on the MIB system and insert your SD card with the firmware on it - into SD1.  It must be SD1 slot only.

 

With the MIB system on, press and HOLD the Menu button until you get some hidden menus appear.  Top option is labelled firmware/updates.  Select it (either press screen or use the right hand knob and press your selection).  Select Upgrade as the option you need.

 

The system will go away and read the SD Card and see if there is a firmware update available.  If all is working well, the system will reboot and put itself into Emergency Update mode (Scary Screen).  You will now right here find if your files are corrupted or not.  First attempt at my upgrade....it didn't go well, because I use 7z e as opposed to 7z x flag to extract the files.  Once that snafu had been fixed (and I stopped panicking) , and I had the files in the right order in the right directories, all started working.   I had over 100 updates - these were mainly CPU related and firmware for the bluetooth modules etc.  They take time to process....be patient.

 

After about 60 minutes, the upgrades finishes and the radio reboots - once to ask you whether you want to downgrade your system to the previous firmware level (press cancel here).  The system then completes and switches itself off.  Leave it for about 60 seconds.

 

After 60 seconds, switch it back on...(in my case, the Scout Logo appears) and the system boot up. 

 

All seemed to work well, but I had some minor niggles to content with.

 

1) The GPS module went AWOL for about 10 minutes, then came back to life.

2) I could not get Skoda Connect to work.

 

Skoda Connect was an interesting one - and I fixed it an interesting manner.  I ended up doing a car factory reset.  Skoda Connect still didn't work.  A quick check with the Skoda Connect app showed I was logged out, so re-registered the car with my login.  The app showed all was well and re-registered, but still no Skoda Connect.  I left it to do its thing....(got bored).

 

Today - I had another look at the problem....I realised that because I re-registered the car, that all the personalisation options had gone back to factory reset.  I had to go into Menu-> Personalisation and re-associate the car with my profile....Skoda Connect then started working correctly.

 

I hope this is helpful for somebody to understand the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 19 February by varaderoguy
Updated instructions - Sept 2021

[varaderoguy]

PS - I cannot offer any firmware files - there are other members on the forum who can.  Find the thread for your radio system first and post your screenshot of your system there and await a response.

[Kosbe]

I did the firmware 0475 to 0478 update today without any issues. I have also Skoda Care Connect services activated.

Update process didn't took an hour with a fast SD card.

 

At the end of the update process head unit asked to connect to tester for head unit version check. I pressed cancel there.

[Liviux]

Any visible changes after the update to 0478 ?

[Liviux]

?

[asavvyman]

Hey Varaderoguy, thanks heaps for sharing your experience. I've been wanting to back up the original SW before updating anything, I've considered this a good practice for any IT stuff. I haven't been able to find any information about doing this. Did you consider it yourself and if so find a way to do so?

[varaderoguy]

On 15/08/2020 at 01:42, asavvyman said:

Hey Varaderoguy, thanks heaps for sharing your experience. I've been wanting to back up the original SW before updating anything, I've considered this a good practice for any IT stuff. I haven't been able to find any information about doing this. Did you consider it yourself and if so find a way to do so?

Kinda not really possible - the way the Harman work it, is that you upgrade the firmware - and if you need to - you can downgrade the firmware afterwards.  I personally think that approach sucks, but I suspect this is down to the available space on the MIB system.  There are links to the MEGA website - with the original firmware images knocking around, which you could potentially apply.  I haven't tried a downgrade (nor would I want to).

[varaderoguy]

On 24/07/2020 at 14:14, Liviux said:

Any visible changes after the update to 0478 ?

Not really - the UI is smoother.  It fixes a whole load of Bluetooth glitches and Android/Carplay gotchas....and generally makes the system work properly.

[marky9074]

Not sure if I am being dense.... but where is the diagnostic mode app in OBDeleven? I have the pro version, but did not see anything leap out at me when I just connected up....

[langers2k]

I think it's actually developer mode rather than diagnostic mode?

 

I don't recall needing to enable it when I did my firmware update...

[marky9074]

I've got battery hooked up to charger, so assume its not necessary......

[varaderoguy]

I seem to remember discussing about enabling Developer mode on the MIB system. Turns out that it isn't strictly necessary (I thought you had to have Developer mode enabled on the MIB system to get the upgrade options, but it looks like that isn't necessary). Developer is also called Green Screen and can be enabled via an app function on ODB11 or enabled on VCDS. Its not needed....ignore that part of the instructions.

[camfran]

Hi @varaderoguy - thanks for the summary of your upgrading experiences. Am about to do the same to go from 0468 to 0478 to try and fix a CarPlay problem that just arose.

 

Just wondering - after updating the firmware, did you have to use ODBeleven or other to reset a fault on the "Confirmation of installation change" setting? (as 

 

Many thanks

[varaderoguy]

No - no VCDS or OBDCEleven intervention is required. The only thing that you will find is a Software Version error which cannot be cleared unless you have ODIS. Your Skoda garage or VW Specialist can clear this error. Good luck.

[langers2k]

1 minute ago, varaderoguy said:

No - no VCDS or OBDCEleven intervention is required. The only thing that you will find is a Software Version error which cannot be cleared unless you have ODIS. Your Skoda garage or VW Specialist can clear this error. Good luck.

 

The software version error can be cleared using VCDS or OBDeleven... No need for ODIS 👍

[camfran]

Hi @varaderoguy - OK good to know, thanks for the tip.

 

In terms of the battery - if it's well charged do you reckon it's really necessary to hook up to a car battery charger? Guess I'm surprised that the head unit upgrade would require so much juice! Can see the value of better safe than sorry though.

And @langers2k - good to know ODBeleven etc. can do it too, thanks!

[varaderoguy]

Really @langers2k
 Wow okay. Tried it with 20.3 VCDS and it didnt play nicely.

[varaderoguy]

1 minute ago, camfran said:

Hi @varaderoguy - OK good to know, thanks for the tip.

 

In terms of the battery - if it's well charged do you reckon it's really necessary to hook up to a car battery charger? Guess I'm surprised that the head unit upgrade would require so much juice! Can see the value of better safe than sorry though.

And @langers2k - good to know ODBeleven etc. can do it too, thanks!

The update will abort if the power to the car goes below 11.2V, so you either have to have the engine running or have a battery charger. However, I seem to remember that one of the update screens it says that you shouldn't have the engine running.....hence the need for a battery charger. If they do this work in the dealer, they hook the car up to a battery charger. 

[langers2k]

Yup, should be fine using VCDS, certainly worked on 20.4.2.0 when I updated my headunit.

 

Quick google...

Quote

 

Fix software version error:
1) 5F (Infotainment) module, Adaptations, channel: 'Confirmation of installation change'
2) Note your current coding
3) Start Windows calculator and set it to 'Programming mode' and select 'HEX' option
4) Calculation: (current coding) Xor C9D2
5) Change the adaptation channel to the new code (Don't be surprised if it changes back to the original coding, this is normal!)
6) VCDS main screen, 'Auto-Scan'
7) Check for fault codes on all modules and clear the DTCs

Note that VCDS displays your code in 'xx xx' format (small letters and a space character). You have to remove the space before you calculate your new code.

When you enter your new (calculated) code, insert the space again and use lower cases. EXAMPLE (don't use these values):
'1a 1a' (original coding of the adaptation channel)
1A1A Xor C9D2 equals D3C8
Enter it as 'd3 c8'

If your original code starts with zero(s) just remove them before calculating (i.e. 0A fb=AFB).
If the new (calculated) code is less than 4 characters, insert zeros in the beginning (i.e. FBB=0f bb)

 

 

[camfran]

And if I don't do the error clearing on VCDS or ODBeleven - will error codes pop up when I use the car? Or is it literally just the guys in the service garage who'd be able to see any evidence of the error?

[varaderoguy]

The latter....only the garage will see the error. They won't bat an eyelid. No error is shown in the car.

[Andy730]

Hi @varaderoguy , I have followed your instructions to the letter. I chose the top option (labelled firmware/updates).  I selected 'Upgrade' as the next stage and then it took me to another screen with 'Choose input option'. and below that was listed 

CD Disk

USB

SD Card

All three are greyed out.

 

I have also tried to update via the settings and 'Update Software' This option goes to a green rotating circle but after a few minutes comes back with no media source to allow update.

 

Can you or anyone else assist with why and what I might be doing wrong? As I said, I have followed your instructions and tried with several different cards but, user error can never be ruled out.

 

Andy

[varaderoguy]

Hello @Andy730 - sounds like you have problem with the SD Card. 

 

It will need to be formatted in FAT32 format (and ideally using 4k block size) - head back to your PC - reformat the disk in FAT32 mode (right-click over the SD Card and Format).  Under Format - it should give you either NTFS or FAT32.  Select FAT32.  Press Format....

 

When completed, unplug and replug back in the SDCard - then copy over the files again.  Wait until all the files are copied across and make sure you properly UNMOUNT the SDCard.

 

You can now go back to the car, re-insert the files and restart the upgrade process.

[Andy730]

Thanks for the reply and info. Unfortunately, even going through this process (again), it just will not pick up on the fact that there is information on the card and I just get the 3 greyed out options....

I have just tried to update maps and that won't work either.....

Very frustrating as I did this with my Mk2 and it worked like a charm!

 

edit: I have just ordered a new 32g SD Card which will arrive tomorrow. Fingers crossed that will help. I'll let you know how I get on.

Edited 29 March, 2021 by Andy730
Added info

[varaderoguy]

Just out of interest, did you copy the top level folder to the sdcard and all the files underneath....or did you go into the folder and copy all the files across?

 

I can do a Zoom session and show you how to prepare the files as necessary. BTW what system do you have? Amundsen or Bolaro?