[BUG] Valve Index base station update

[JulianGro]

Describe the bug
I am not able to update the Valve Index base stations firmware. Bluetooth isn't implemented and USB doesn't make the lighthouse show up in SteamVR Update Devices. I am running SteamVR beta 1.10.6.
I am also not finding any clear instructions on the internet, on how to update the device.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Connect Lighthouse to computer via usb
2. Connect Lighthouse power
3. open SteamVR
4. got to Devices -> Update Devices
5. the device will not show up

Expected behavior
There should be an option to update the Lighthouse, or information on the process of updating, in case this is the wrong procedure.

System Information (please complete the following information):

• Distribution: Linux Mint 19.3 (Ubuntu 18.04.3 based)
• SteamVR version: beta 1.10.6
• Steam client version: Jan 23 2020 23:59:24
• Opted into Steam client beta?: No
• Graphics driver version:: 440.48.02
• Gist for SteamVR System Information: https://gist.github.com/jug007/1ad7a0760b5f979c53c7a32ed656f77b

Additional context
The reason I want to update the lighthouse is an issue I have encoutered, which makes the lighthouse useless for tracking compared to the other one. It seems like it is not working at all and I am using just one lighthouse instead of both. The lighthouse makes the distinctive sound that they make and two strong IR light can be seen when pointing a camera at it.

Note: Commenters who are also experiencing this issue are encouraged to include the "System Information" section in their replies.

[zurohki]

With my original Vive base stations, you can manually update them on Linux by copying the firmware file over, it just doesn't work. I soft bricked mine - they didn't run at all, but uploading a new firmware file still worked. I recovered them by plugging them into a Windows machine and updating the firmware there.

Just saying, be careful fiddling with them. I'd update them on a Windows machine until updating base stations is officially supported.

[kedodrill]

You can't update the base stations, as it entirely relies on Bluetooth.

#207

Above is a more generalized issue, so thank you @jug007 for making this specific issue. Hopefully we will be able to update our base stations soon :)

[yaomtc]

As of now the update system is partially implemented, but it crashes in the process of trying to update. Fortunately, it detects this the next time I start SteamVR and does a successful recovery (not sure if any firmware data was sent to the device at any point, but the base station doesn't get bricked, so that's nice)

[johnblommers]

It's February 2024 and my base stations cannot be updated on Linux. This running the very latest Valve software.

[yaomtc]

When you comment, it comes with a timestamp attached. But thanks for the update.

[johnblommers]

When you comment, it comes with a timestamp attached. But thanks for the update.

Yes, comments do indeed come with time stamps. By also stating the date I was adding emphasis; repeating a point to ensure the message is understood.

Which is that users are languishing waiting for a 100% working Valve VR solution.

[8bitprodigy]

It's December 11th and this issue still persists. What the hell is Valve even doing?

[Hicks79]

Same here.

#755
#207

[johnblommers]

It's December 11th and this issue still persists. What the hell is Valve even doing?

What Valve is doing is pushing its loyal Linux-using customers towards Microsoft Windows and Meta Quest products. That is a crying shame.

Gabe, WTF?