Saturday, July 11, 2015

Another Error 014 Suggestion

From BlanSten (on Reddit):
 
So I tried everything that came up in a dozen Google links: I rebooted, I turned off the network pings in the secret menu. I switched the wireless channel (twice). I entered and reentered my password a million times. I did the factory reset a few times while connected to the wired network. I turned the cipher type from AES-TKIP to just TKIP. I did a factory reset. I even took it back to the store and got a different one, figuring maybe I had a bum wireless card, but I got the exact same error with the new one. 
 
Desperate, I called tech support, and quickly discovered that their suggestions were a hair away from being insulting, and nowhere near helpful. After going through the motions, doing things I'd already tried (really? you need me to write down the secret menu key combination that I could do in my sleep by now? really?), I was about to give up. (One thing he did have me do that wasn't in any of the suggestions I found online: Switch the "Cycle software update server" from Beta to Release, but after doing this, the software it downloaded had the exact same version number.) I finally asked the guy why it was that I have a dozen wireless devices that can access the Internet via my router with no problem, but the Roku can't seem to manage it. He had a scripted answer for that -- "The Roku is a highly specialized device, and its advanced software needs special set up to function properly..." I told him I thought it was more likely that their software was full of bugs, after which he put me on hold, probably to write nasty things about me in my customer file.

Anyway, while he was running through obvious solutions that I knew wouldn't work, I decided to try shutting off wireless security on the router altogether. Voila! The Roku got online with no problem, meaning the wireless hardware is functional. But I'm not comfortable just leaving security off, so I figured I should try different variations on the security settings to see if maybe there's a combination that would work.

I tried various combinations of WPA mode (Auto WPA/WPA2, WPA2, WPA) and Cipher types (TKIP, AES, TKIP and AES) until finally hitting on the winning combination of WPA2 Only and TKIP. And the Roku connected (and continued to connect) without a problem!

I'm not saying these settings will work for everyone, but I have a feeling that the router security settings are at the heart of a lot of people's problems here. And I'm kinda ticked that Roku hasn't figured this out yet. The Roku 3 is a fantastic piece of equipment otherwise -- fast, easy to use, great streaming options -- but I can only imagine that a LOT of people have returned their boxes because of not being able to determine how to get around this error. All told, I probably spent 10 hours this week trying to sort this out. That's absurd!

 - If you're getting the Code 014 error, first shut off your security to see if the device will connect that way, then try various combinations of WPA modes and Cipher Types. For me, WPA2 Only and TKIP eliminated the issue.

Hope this helps!

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Uninstalled Angry Birds and want it back?




Rovio has pulled out of their partnership with Roku and there is no method of getting back if you want to re-install. Here is the response I got from support.
Roku says contact Rovio and Rovio says talk to Roku.
Hello there,
and thanks for contacting us!
It seems that Roku has given you incorrect information. Unfortunately we have finished the distribution of our games on Roku platform on the 31st of August 2014. Thus, there is unfortunately no longer a way to re-install the game on your Roku.
I apologize for the inconvenience. With regards to the game you had paid for, I would suggest you contacting Roku directly to ask for a possible refund.
Despite what Roku support and Rovio say, factory reset works!!

Friday, July 3, 2015

Enhanced Remote Works on Roku 2! (sort of...)

Roku Enhanced Remote
The other day I saw the Roku Enhanced Remote with built-in headphone jack listed for the Roku 2 and got all excited!  

Sanity check: it works only with the Roku 2 (2720R) and the Roku 2 (2720RW).

It does not work with the Roku 2 XS (3100R) or Roku 2 XD (3050R).

(sigh)

Did you know that Roku means 'year' in Polish?

Title: Know the Idiot of the Year

Text: This gentleman paid a magician $500 to make him invisible and then proceeded to rob a bank in Tehran.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Forensic Analysis of the Roku XS

The guy at this site does an unbelievable job breaking down the Roku XS and the Linux code that runs it.  Not for the technical faint-of-heart.  A bit dated but still an awesome read.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Roku Remote Options

Some of you may already know that the Roku remote can be a bit tempermental.  You may wish to consider setting your Roku remote aside and start using the Roku Remote Control App in its place.

You can get the Roku Remote Control App from here or just go to the App Store on your phone and search for "Roku Remote Control". They have both an Android version and an iPhone version.

IMHO, the Roku Remote Control App is a whole lot better than the Roku remote control.  I use the Roku Remote Control App about 98% of the time - it really is that much more convenient and reliable.

Go ahead and check it out.  Oh, yeah, it's free so the price isn't so bad either!