Manual Updates

[Jared]

Manual Update

After my own issues of jumping through hoops trying to figure out how to manually update the steam link firmware I figured I would post my solution here for anyone else that may be having trouble with "automatic updates" or any other update issues.

First and foremost find out what version of the Public release firmware the Steam Link is currently on by going to

http://media.steampowered.com/steamlink/06_2015/public_builds.txt

The number at the very bottom of that list is the current and latest Public build.
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After you know the build number that you want to install you need to copy the link below and replace it's ending number with the number of the Build that you want to download, in my case and at the time of me writing this it is on 484.

http://media.steampowered.com/steamlink/06_2015/SystemUpdate_full_484.zip

Paste it in whatever browser you desire and begin the download.
After it is done make sure to rename it to SystemUpdate.zip (just remove the _full_BUILDNUMBER)
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Now we need to setup a small thumbdrive with the correct filesystem naming for the Steam Link.
Create a folder on the "root" of the USB Thumbdrive called "steamlink"
Than throw the SystemUpdate.zip file into that folder.

USB Thumbdrive ->

/steamlink/SystemUpdate.zip

**PS** : It is probobly safe to make sure that you are on a public platform rather than beta if you are installing a public firmware, all you have to do is add a few more things to the USB Thumbdrive. (Better safe than sorry..)

Since you already created the steamlink folder, head on inside it and create a config folder, inside that create a system folder.
Create a text file called update_branch, open it and simply write public on the first line, save it and close it.

USB Thumbdrive ->

/steamlink/config/system/update_branch.txt

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Now for the last steps.

Completely remove the power to the Steam Link via the power cable.
Plug the USB Thumbdrive into your Steam Link.
Plug the power cable back in and let the Steam Link power on.

It might flash the boot screen a few times Do Not Panic it seems to do this for some and not for others, just give it a minute or two and it will eventually begin the system update. and there you go, you now have the latest Steam Link firmware via USB Update, Enjoy.

Note : If the update does not begin You MUST plug the usb drive into the usb port that is right beside the power port on the back of the Steam Link, this does not apply to everyone.

[Cincinnatus]

thx

[Charles NelsonReilly]

I verify that this update process works. I appreciate your help!

[TriadWarfare]

I came here to say THANK YOU. Hot damn it was so hard to find a guide that would work when all suggestions point to RMA since they forgot to properly implement a firmware recovery process for this.

I don't want to get the hassle of having to have this sent back all the way to the US as I only had around 7 day warranty on this thing. I'm in a country where killing drug addicts through whatever means necessary is more important than consumer rights.

You definitely need more exposure. I've updated this thing at the 530 update. May Lord Gaben put discounts on your games!

[AetherCollectives’ Other Acct]

Thank you! Factory reset failed and it bricked my link. This fixed it.

A very important note you left out tho. You MUST plug the usb drive into the usb port that is right beside the power port on the back of the Steam Link. For some reason, the link will not provide power to the other 2 ports when I tried this and refused to start the update. After moving the usb drive to the port next to the power port, it powered the usb drive and promptly proceeded to update.

[Jared]

No problem guys.

[DracTactics]

I use this guide all the time, saved me so many headaches every new update that's released for the steam link. Jared! is the hero the Steam Link community deserves

[Jared]

Originally posted by BetaLeaf.net Software Engineer:

Thank you! Factory reset failed and it bricked my link. This fixed it.

A very important note you left out tho. You MUST plug the usb drive into the usb port that is right beside the power port on the back of the Steam Link. For some reason, the link will not provide power to the other 2 ports when I tried this and refused to start the update. After moving the usb drive to the port next to the power port, it powered the usb drive and promptly proceeded to update.

Hmmm this is odd, I went back and tested this a couple times and it seem to work on any of the USB ports that I tried, could this be a problem with your SteamLink ? Regardless I will add this to the guide above!

Originally posted by DracTactics:

I use this guide all the time, saved me so many headaches every new update that's released for the steam link. Jared! is the hero the Steam Link community deserves :chug::masonfist::chug::masonfist:

Haha, hey i'm just glad you are able to use this guide as that is what it was intended for!
I did try to publish this guide to the actual SteamLink guides page but I apparently do not have access :c

[AetherCollectives’ Other Acct]

Yea it was weird. The other ports wouldn't even power up. My flash drive has a LED indicator to tell if it is powered and if disk activity is in progress. Only one port was even powered. It is definitely strange because the port should be powered regardless but in my case it wasn't. I got my steam link a month ago during the sale so maybe its revision specific.

[slouken]

Originally posted by BetaLeaf.net Software Engineer:

Yea it was weird. The other ports wouldn't even power up. My flash drive has a LED indicator to tell if it is powered and if disk activity is in progress. Only one port was even powered. It is definitely strange because the port should be powered regardless but in my case it wasn't. I got my steam link a month ago during the sale so maybe its revision specific.

This sounds like hardware failure. All ports are tested before the units leave the factory, but something may have been damaged in transit. Feel free to contact support about an RMA if you want.

[[KiD]Falcone]

Restore does not work. The first line of the file should write the word "public"? Nothing to write is not necessary? When you upgrade, it will display the progress? I only have the Steam logo Link on blue background. And tell from USB flash drive which file system should be?

[AetherCollectives’ Other Acct]

File system should be fat32. Make sure it says "public" (without quotes) and hit enter afterwards so you are on line 2. Save and try on the port closest to the power plug.

[Mitch]

Worked flawlessly. Thank you so much for the help. I've spent hours today attempting to fix it, and this finally worked.

[Koroshiya8]

I would also like to thank the contributors to this thread for helping the solve the problem.
my issue was that i cannot factory reset nor see it update to the latest firmware. This file copying to the thumbdrive really worked flawlessly, and just when i thought i spent $20usd on a piece of junk, i found a savior.. but let's not forgot how lousy the steam link is withouth this community. We shouldnt be even going through so much stress to solve this issue in the first place.

[naratcis]

a very important addition to that "almost perfect" guide: if you are using a pen drive with >2gb it will most likely not work. well for me it didnt, only after switching to an old rusty 2gb usb stick my steamlink would update its build.

hopefully this helps.

[TriadWarfare]

I got 4gb stick and it worked