This is a procedure to setup a new unit or recover a hung one.
Read entire post before starting.
Review the steps you are going to do many times until you understand it well.

Many users are still having problems that look like bad software memory management. As noted before and elsewhere, this box does not handle data format changes gracefully. In reality they crash & burn.

WARNING: It is easy to get hung fast. Upgrading from a previous Bootloader Channel or Satellite data is not as clean as it should be. The safest way to proceed is to always do a Factory Default command before and after each new load or Receiver Upgrade.

What is known (aka - Rules):
Any Factory bin may be loaded IFF (if and only if) you do a Factory Default Immediately after loading
DO NOT load across Bootloader version updates
DO NOT load across Satellite version updates
DO a Factory Default before & after ANY data format changes
NEVER go backwards - the unit can become a brick and will have to go back to Viewsat *

Note: the Factory bin on the Viewsat web site is "VIEWSAT_VSHD_V0121", the files thread here is "VS 9000HD Factory Bin File - V0121 (Updated)", the package downloaded is "VIEWSAT_VSHD_V0121". They are all one and the same.

Note: When you switch between the Factory and Release bins or the New and old GUI, a Factory Default command is required before and after the load to avoid problems. The options for these programs differ and must be initialized.

Current Software: Package ==>> bin
Factory : VIEWSAT_VSHD_V0121 ==>> VIEWSAT_VSHD_V0121.pgm
Release : PFTAHDSW-080730H ==>> PFTAHDSW-080730H.pgm

What to do:
A - new unit or unit with Menu access:
'Power Off' with the back panel switch
Disconnect antenna
Copy Factory and Release bin's to a USB Drive
With only a TV connected, 'Power On' with the back panel switch
Factory Default
Plug USB Drive into front port
Receiver Upgrade Factory bin
Wait for reboot
Factory Default
Receiver Upgrade current Release bin
Wait for reboot
Factory Default
'Power Off' with the back panel switch
Connect antenna, audio, ...
'Power On' with the back panel switch
Setup Options, Antenna & Scan satellites

B - Hung or boot-loop unit without Menu access:
'Power Off' with the back panel switch
Disconnect antenna
On USB Drive:
Copy current Release bin
Create a directory "USB"
Copy Factory bin to "/USB/PFTAHDSW.pgm"
plug USB Drive into front port
With only a TV connected, 'Power On' with the back panel switch
The display shows: "BOOT", "CHECK USB", "DOWNLOAD"
When the display shows: "ERASE" - pull the USB Drive out
Wait for unit to complete Erase, Program and re-boot (Notes #3, 4)
Factory Default
Plug USB Drive into front port
Receiver Upgrade Release bin
Wait for reboot
Factory Default
'Power Off' with the back panel switch
Reconnect antenna
'Power On' with the back panel switch
Setup Options, Antenna & Scan satellites
Do a Serial load of the Factory bin as a last try procedure if the Boot "CHECK USB" load fails.
We have not seen a case yet where it is necessary.

Notes:
Menu commands or operations are indicated with text Like This.
VIEWSAT_HD_V0121 is the Factory software with Bootloader version 1.05; Main S/W version 1.21; Satellite version U00D.
When doing a reboot it comes up in the 'Off' or 'Standby' state (display only shows time). This is a feature of the new software. Use the remote to 'Power On', then 'Menu' quickly.
It is very important after a reboot to get into the Menu immediately. Allowing the software to read the old memory data can cause a hang or boot-loop. The Factory Default will initialize all data.
Do NOT load any saved data. This may be a source of problems. Edit changes into the new data.
The Factory has a major new "look and feel" GUI (Graphical User Interface). It contains Satellite Version U00D.
The current Release contains both old and new GUI packages. The Old version contains Satellite Version U00B. The NewGUI version is reported to have serious issues with the External Tuner and other areas. It contains Satellite Version U00C. Read the discussion threads before loading the NewGUI or posting questions.
Note:
When you switch between the Factory and Release bins or the New and old GUI, a Factory Default command is required before and after the load to avoid problems. The options for these programs differ and must be initialized.