It appears I have found the culprit with the black modules it is my base that is the problem, My cab 2 will take the 151 update but not the base serial port is suspect.
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Time to send it back to Lionel. 
Originally Posted by Boilermaker1:
That doesn't apply if the base can't read any modules. The LSU isn't the problem the way I read this, it's the actual base hardware. There have been several threads here recently with the same issue, Lionel repaired or replaced the base.
The problem is the same. My base wouldnt read or write them. It wouldnt take a black module written elsewhere either.
The fix is to call lionel and argue with them until they agree to give you an RA to fix it.
If the base can't read a black module, I really doubt it'll read any module. The chips in the black modules are EXACTLY the same chips that are in the blue modules. The only difference is the black modules don't have writing disabled. All the control lines and interface are exactly the same.
So, I'll say it again. If your base won't read a properly written black module, it is NOT a module issue and I'm sure Lionel will fix it.
Hmm. There seems to be something odd here. Chief how did you get the black module loaded with the cab2 update if the base doesn't work? If your base loaded the cab2 module with the update then the port is working. One of my bases doesn't flash the yellow light or flashes it so dimly I couldn't see it but it still does the update. Maybe this is your problem also. I assumed it didn't take until I checked and saw that it did.
Ron
Since I live in a rural area no one I know has this stuff. so i broke down and bought a new 990set. It loaded everything perfectly with the exact same hardware I was using. The new set came loaded with 1.4 so I made two black modules and reloaded the cab and base to 1.51. I then tried to load the old cab and base. The cab took the 1.51 update however the base would just sit there and flash and never finish.
The base is bad, send it back to Lionel.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
The base is bad, send it back to Lionel.
How many times will you have to tell the person this?
with Lionel giving warranty forever on the system and free shipping for Veterans it makes no since to me why people have to be told so many times to just send it back.
Originally Posted by bigdodgetrain:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
The base is bad, send it back to Lionel.
How many times will you have to tell the person this?
As many as it takes. 
I had a problem with my 1.51 base module not working and after an email to mike reagon I moved the module back and forth in the base a number of times to clean the contacts and it then worked fine. Just put the module in the base and pull it in and out about 5 times and see what happens.
I love it!!!
most of my friends up here in northern New York State
are "No Gaugers"(HO). we have fun picking on each
other. but bottom line, its all in good taste and as long as trains are running,
everybodies happy.
I also find it interesting that evertime I set up at train shows with my O
gauge board. the guys from the HO club always come obver to watch.ome of them
linger for quite awhile. They are fasinated by the BIG trains that always run
and very very rarely derail.
Trains aren't supposed to derail, right? 
well..............
occasinally at shows, Ill get a derailment and a spectacular
CRASH!!!!!!!! and the kids always say
"do it again Mr".
