What's a .BIN file

DragstkDragstk Syracuse, N.Y.
edited February 2004 in Science & Tech
I have a Surfboard SB3100 cable modem. I have found a site that has a firmware update for it. When I downloaded it, it came as a .BIN file.
I cannot open this file. Windows says it can't open it, and offers to search the web for a way to open it. No go, there either.
So, my question is, what is a .BIN file, and how do I deal with it?
Thanks in advance;
Dragstk

Comments

  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    It either the firmware or a CD image. I'm inclined to think it's the firmware. How large is the file? Is there a firmware upgrade utility on the Motorla website?

    IMHO, unless you're having issues that are directly remedied by the firmware upgrade, I wouldn't even bother.
  • test_tube_tonytest_tube_tony Dallas TX Member
    edited February 2004
    .bin is usually a binary file. u will need some sort of software to update the firmware. u should check the instruction manual for details on how to do this. my last one had to be done thru telnet with a serial cable hookup.
  • test_tube_tonytest_tube_tony Dallas TX Member
    edited February 2004
    p.s. sorry for the short-hand reply.
  • DragstkDragstk Syracuse, N.Y.
    edited February 2004
    It seems that Motorola doesn't support the 3100 any more. All the links I tried where inactive. Also my cable company (Time-Warner) doesn't want to know anything about this.
    I have no problems with it, I just thought I might be able to squeeze a little more out of it. But I have run into .BIN in other incidents. I just thought you guys could shed some light on the how's and why's of a .bin.
    I guess I'll leave the modem alone.
    Thanks for your time
    Dragstk
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    you don't need to open it. there should be some kind of interface for you cable modem, either through an internal web page in the modem, or through telnet. you besically need to be able to upload that bin file into the cable modem and then tell the modem to upgrade itself with it. sometimes when they're small files, you can open bins with wordpad or notepad, but there's nothing to see really.
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Dragstk wrote:
    I guess I'll leave the modem alone.
    Dragstk

    probably the wisest thing you could do really. you never know sometimes with these firware updates, they might make your modem do weird things. if it's extra performance you're after, you might look up info on how to uncap that modem, but be warned, the cable companies are not too happy with people who do this.
  • DragstkDragstk Syracuse, N.Y.
    edited February 2004
    Actually; an article on uncapping the modem is what got me started on this. I figured that upgrading first, might be the easiest, then go for the tweak. Your right about the cable companies not being very happy with the mods.
    I guess I'll keep my questionable activities to other things...did I say that outloud? :)
    Thank you all for your help. TT Tony, I understood your answer completly, no prob. w/ the short hand
  • JustinJustin Atlanta
    edited February 2004
    BTW, .bin files usually line up with .cue files of the same name. The link together to create a disc image or something of that likeness. Perhaps you only got a partial DL for the update. Best left alone though, since it works anyway.
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