I am having a huge problem. I own an avic-z140BH and the other day my battery went dead and after I jumped the car I am getting a "Program Start Up Error" with the number 6 in the bottom right hand corner. Can someone please walk me through how to fix this as I am clueless as to doing this type of work. I really am a NOOB so the more directions that you can give me would be a great help! 

I thank anyone in advance as pioneer is giving me the run around and takes no responsibility. Great customer care they have being as though the radio was just installed in august of this year. Thanks again in advance and any help is appreciated.

did you have a password set on the radio

No I Didn't

BTW thanks for the first reply 

I am having a huge problem. I own an avic-z140BH and the other day my battery went dead and after I jumped the car I am getting a "Program Start Up Error" with the number 6 in the bottom right hand corner. Can someone please walk me through how to fix this as I am clueless as to doing this type of work. I really am a NOOB so the more directions that you can give me would be a great help! 

 

I thank anyone in advance as pioneer is giving me the run around and takes no responsibility. Great customer care they have being as though the radio was just installed in august of this year. Thanks again in advance and any help is appreciated.

Have you installed any updates or patches? Condi Hackmode, or any other hacks?

Make sure there is no SD in the slot. Then try a hard reboot by disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds.

If that doesn't clear it, it sounds like file(s) have been corrupted. The first thing I'd try is TestMode. You'll need to read-up on it. If it doesn't run, you're bricked and will need to send it for repair. If it does work, you might be able to run off the alternate set of program files. An AVIC Z110/20/30/40  comes with two sets of program files in two different folders (PRG0 and PRG1). I assume, when the unit is new, both sets are identical. If a file in your's i scorrupt, you can force the HU to use the second copy.

But I'm getting too far ahead of myself - need to try the other stuff first.

@RonS

First of all Thank you and the other members who are helping me very much. I am very grateful for it.

No Hacks at all my radio is as vanilla as they come lol..

I also tried a hard reset and it didn't work. Can you please point me in the right direction as to what to do because I have absolutely no idea how to get into test mode and I wouldn't even begin to know where to start looking for the recovery files at. If you can just help me with that I am sure I can get through some of it as I am an internet developer but am dumb as a brick when it comes to car electronics.

BTW I called pioneer and they said since I didn't buy the radio from an authorized dealer it would cost at a minimum of $235 to fix and that it could go all the way up to $1000. That's more than I payed for the radio. I have only had it for 4 months now and bought it brand new, I am sooooo mad that they do not give any type of support whatsoever. I changed out all the speakers in my car to pioneer and of course my head unit, I hand picked their company to get all of my equipment from and it kinda irks me that after all of the money I have spent with their company that they would at least give some support to their dedicated customers. Hey but I guess that's big business for you

Okay so in closing if you can help me locate the recovery files and point me in the direction of test mode I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance!!!

Download the zip file, unzip it and put TESTMODE.KEY in the root of an SD card.  Stick that card in your unit and turn it on. 

http://avic411.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=15233

Jason, the Admin of this site has a great video on how to navigate Testmode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipoK6dfCp_Q&feature=share&list=UUy3r5LOWS1gDfDSjnnLJT9A&index=1

Ok nrgarjr thank u so much but I have 1 question for you.... the car goes into test mode but I have no idea wat to do once I'm in there what do I do nobody has explained to me what files I need to wipe off or put on... the only thing I gathered from that video what's the backup my user data where should I go from there... remember this is not something I do everyday.. I really want to learn... this seems very hard but I know I can do it with the proper help.... thank you everyone for helpin me so far I am very grateful.. please don't give up on me I will get this done...

First - where did you by the HU? Was it new or used? The reason I ask is where I bought mine (non authorized seller) the seller provided a 1 year warranty. Never needed it, but it was reassuring. So you might check.

AFA using Testmode, I'll try to find a thread that explains what I'm suggesting to attempt a fix. We've used it before to fix corruptions caused by botched hacks. I can't tell if you've tried booting into Testmode.  If you can, there's a good chance your HU is recoverable.  Try to learn that awkward user interface to navigate around the file system. I haven't done that in over a year so I don't have the process down.

A high-level description of what I'm suggesting to try: in Testmode, go to the FFile Maintenance. In /USER folder you'll see several subfolders. PRG0 and PRG1 are the two I mentioned above. The bootloader looks in /USER for a file called PRG.FLG - if it isn't there (I think it isn't on new units), the loader uses the application files in PRG0. If PRG.FLG is present, the loader uses the files in PRG1.

So - assuming this unit has never been updated, it is currently loading files from PRG0, and PRG1 files are identical.

But before we can give more detailed instructions, we need to know if /USER/PRG.FLG is present.

Ok I will do it in the morning and get back to you with a response.. @RonS thanks so much for the help, I really do appreciate it.

I was able to get in to  boot mode and take some pics. here are the pics. please try to adjust your eyes they are pretty dark but as far as I can see the directories for PRG1 and PRG0  are exactly the same

 

I was able to get in to  boot mode and take some pics. here are the pics. please try to adjust your eyes they are pretty dark but as far as I can see the directories for PRG1 and PRG0  are exactly the same

 

 

in either case there is no prg.flg file ANYWHERE

 

thanks again as usual

 

I can't read those screen shots. I don't think I need to (turning off automatic flash helps).

OK. It is a VERY good idea, before attempting any "fixes" to back-up /USER to SD. Rule #1 when attemptin to fix something - Don't make it worse.

The Testmode file manager has a quirky user interface. So this is a good way to learn it. I haven't done it is a long while, but I think it is covered in the video.

Next, since there is no PRG.FLG in /USER, we need to add one. This is an empty file - you can create one on your PC, copy to SD, (with Testmode.key in root). Reboot the AVIC into TestMode, then select PRG.FLG on the SD, and copy it to /USER

Eject the SD and reboot the AVIC. See if that solves your problem.

One thing that bothers me is - I can't understand how the files could get corrupted in the 1st place. So - this might not fix the problem. However, this does seem like a software (rather than hardware) failure, so it is worth a shot.

Another option would be to re-install the last upgrade (CNSD-310FM). I think you can force a re-install in the TestMode menu - but I've never done that.

I found a reference in another thread that says:

"get previous update, put on sd card with testmode.key (normal one) and select force update platform and navigation."

However, that would be a last-resort and may not even work on  Z140. CNSD-310FM was an ugrade to older unitw to the latest (Z140 - at that time) software and maps. However Z140 has the additional feature of auto-equalization - using a special mic). So that feature might not be supported with the CNSD-310FM update. You could also try the latest upgrade available for purchase on NAVTEQ web-site. It is for the Z140, but might be just maps.

RonS you are the greatest you fixed my radio..... thank u very much I don't even know how to repay you. you are awesome I was sure I was going to have to pay $500 and send this in. thank you again for everything and thank you so much for your patience

You're welcome. Now that you're an expert on TestMode, you can payback by helping others. I've been helped here many times.

Merry Christmas

@RonS - not meaning to high jack this thread but you really seemed to be knowledgeable - Can you take a look at this thread and see if you have any ideas? I have researched hi and lo and have not found a path - tech support is useless (as expected). It seems to be a software hick-up so I was hoping I could get it fixed with a little help. check out the video I took of the issue. Hope you can check it out. Cheers P.

http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38453-z140bh-in-a-select-program-language-loop/?hl=loop

@RonS - not meaning to high jack this thread but you really seemed to be knowledgeable - Can you take a look at this thread and see if you have any ideas? I have researched hi and lo and have not found a path - tech support is useless (as expected). It seems to be a software hick-up so I was hoping I could get it fixed with a little help. check out the video I took of the issue. Hope you can check it out. Cheers P.

 

 

 

http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/38453-z140bh-in-a-select-program-language-loop/?hl=loop

Just for the record - here's a copy of my reply to your PM (& a few typos fixed):

What language are you trying to configure it for? Where are you? Was this a US unit that was loaded with EU software? What is the history of this unit? Is it running US/CAN software? On your Youtube vid, I notice that English is not one of the options on that initial screen - but the TTS (in Eng/Fr/Esp) options show up after you selectd Francais - so it makes me wonder if there is a conflict in the software versions.

If you are actually trying to set it as English in the US, try selectin Samantha on the second screen before hitting "OK".

I don't have many ideas - especially with many unanswered details about this unit. Maybe just install the latest (V5.0) - http://avic411.com/i...-maps-download/

I just wanted to give RonS a huge thumbs up!!!! It is members like this that make forums such a awesome place to learn things that you have no idea about. Most folks are to busy to help anyone but themselves. RonS is also 100% correct, once you learn something  do your best to pass the knowledge along when you have the opportunity. Not saying the OP needs to read the forum every day, but you get what I am saying. Thanks RonS, I hope I never need your assistance but glad people like you are here to hopefully provide the right answers. I have a thread started about the Z140BH charging a IPOD when the vehicle is turned off. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

God Bless

NCHornet

Hello to All,

I am having the similar or the same problem that Jalvini had with the AVIC-Z140-BH that was installed in 2012 by a Pioneer authorized dealer, which is " Program Start Up Error" with the number 6 in the bottom right hand corner. This unit has never gone through any SW/FW update.

• I have tried hard reset 3 ~ 4 times (pulled battery off, waited for 5 minutes and re-started). 
• Thanks to the detail instructions in this tread, I created the PRG.FLG, an empty file, on my PC, copied it to the SD that has Testmode.key in root. Rebooted the AVIC into TestMode, then selected PRG.FLG on the SD, and copied it to /USER. Then SD was ejected and AVIC rebooted. But the problem remains. "Program Start Up Error" !
•  I have also tried FW update to v4.60 following exactly the instructions by the Pioneer site:

​http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/Car-Firmware/AVIC-Z140BH_X940BT_FW-Update_v4.600_INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

But the FW update failed.

So I am back to square one with the same problem:  " Program Start Up Error" 

Any help to provide a solution is greatly appreciated !

Thanks in advance.

Ken

i have/had this same initial issue. i followed the above steps. found that my user folder did not have the prg.flg file. so i created a text file, then renamed it prg.flg (made sure the file extension changed) then insert that into the user folder on my head unit. this is also a z140bh. now my unit will boot, gives me the navigation message, you hit ok. it takes forever to select past that. then the screen just goes blank. if i hit home it will bring the main menu up but i cant select anything. if i hit mode it will bring up the radio side and i can select an input and the radio works, but is extremely slow. i cant drag the menu to see all my audio inputs, i can only select whats already showing. however i can not get the menu to work right or get the navigation side to load at all. 

i also tried performing the firmware update from pioneer. with not help. and i tried copying the files from the prg1 folder to the prg0 folder with no change. 

im wondering if maybe the prg.flg file i made isnt right but half works.

i did also use the self test option in the program test mode and it gave me an error on nadflash . the touch screen test came back good in test mode.

last i tried a hard restart (disconnect my battery) still no go.

any input would be greatly appreciated. or if anyone could share a good working copy of their unit. my unit has never been hacked or changed from factory. and it worked great last night  just started with the boot error this am. please help

additional note, when i bring up the menu page, it use to show me the main three, and in the background you could see the full list of items. it only shows the main three now. and i cant select anything. the radio side lets me select.

Mine says the same "program start up error"  but no matter what i download on my SD card and insert it won't go past this page.  I have tried to unplug and plug back up a lot and still on says "program start up error" any  suggestions???

Thanks Ron and other contribiters to this thread. I solved the program startup error on my unit by using testmode and forcing nav and platform writes from downloaded firmware to nand and it worked!  

On 12/19/2013 at 7:43 PM, jalvini said:

I am having a huge problem. I own an avic-z140BH and the other day my battery went dead and after I jumped the car I am getting a "Program Start Up Error" with the number 6 in the bottom right hand corner. Can someone please walk me through how to fix this as I am clueless as to doing this type of work. I really am a NOOB so the more directions that you can give me would be a great help! 

 

I thank anyone in advance as pioneer is giving me the run around and takes no responsibility. Great customer care they have being as though the radio was just installed in august of this year. Thanks again in advance and any help is appreciated.

I having exactly the same problem with PIONEER carrozzeria MRZ09 whereby the start screen starts and then turns black depicting in Japanese text which google translate says "failed to start  program" and number 6 appears at the bottom right corner of the black screen. Any help with this particular model will be appreciated.

How I solved my problem finally with AVIC CARROZZERIA MRZ09.

I remembered to have saved two backups for USER folder in my laptop. 1) Version before using DZOs auto Japanese-English  setup which worked flawlessly in my AVIC MRZ09. 2) Version after successful conversion to English following DZOs programme.

1) I entered in TestMode using buttons and navigated up to USER DIR, then selected all files therein and hit delete. It took time but got it done.

2) Copied the English version of backup folder into the flash disc and transferred the contents in the USER folder of the AVIC MRZ09.. It took quite a bit of time to paste. Finally it got done.

3) Removed flash disc and switched off ACC. Waited for the unit internal fan to stop completely and switched back to ACC.

4) The unit got back alive without black screen and works fine. 

I hope this solution may help someone with similar problem like mine.

On 3/13/2014 at 2:05 PM, RonS said:

Just for the record - here's a copy of my reply to your PM (& a few typos fixed):

 

What language are you trying to configure it for? Where are you? Was this a US unit that was loaded with EU software? What is the history of this unit? Is it running US/CAN software? On your Youtube vid, I notice that English is not one of the options on that initial screen - but the TTS (in Eng/Fr/Esp) options show up after you selectd Francais - so it makes me wonder if there is a conflict in the software versions.

 

If you are actually trying to set it as English in the US, try selectin Samantha on the second screen before hitting "OK".

 

I don't have many ideas - especially with many unanswered details about this unit. Maybe just install the latest (V5.0) - http://avic411.com/i...-maps-download/

Does this maps load work on AVIC-MRZ07 model?

Or does anyone know where one can find English maps US/Canada for AVIC MRZ07 model?