Let me add a note to the reflector about firmware updates so newcomers aren't frightened off by the involved discussion on the reflector about this topic. I find the process simple and it works well for upgrading any of the K3 devices. The procedures for firmware updating both P3 and K3 aren't fool proof. As those of us in the PC repair and building business know, directions are important to follow. And be sure not to interrupt the state of the update process by powering off the radio, computer or program before it is complete if one doesn't want to mess it up.
Bill K9YEQ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2010 1:31 AM To: 'The Smiths'; invento...@gmail.com; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 :: firmware update failure This works, but it may be more complex than is required. The P3 currently sends initialization commands to the K3 when the P3 starts up, and it doesn't check before sending these commands that the K3 is acting as a K3. If the K3 is in its "boot loader" (showing MCU LD in the LCD) some of the commands sent by the P3 tell the K3 to start receiving firmware. In that state we don't get responses from the radio except on firmware block boundaries. If you turn everything off (remove the power plug from the K3 and P3, and if necessary, shut down the K3 Utility), then don't reinstall the P3 power plug, then start the K3 and the K3 Utility, the program should find the radio. There isn't a need to change the RS-232 cable, if the P3 stays off there is a bypass relay within it for the RS-232 connection. Some have reported that the COM port used by the K3 Utility is made unusable when the P3 gets into this state. I believe that may be dependent on the USB to Serial Adapter device driver you have. A PC reboot may be necessary to free the COM port. The K3 Utility Closes the COM port handle during all controlled termination scenarios except Task Manager termination. Windows process termination closes all open handles, but sometimes the device driver doesn't complete Close. If the K3 is in "MCU LD" state, the P3 must stay off from the time the K3 power is turned on until the K3 firmware load is complete. It's not good enough to turn the K3 on, have the P3 start up with it, and then turn the P3 off. During that brief period, the P3 sends the commands that influence the K3's boot loader. Usually you can just load firmware by turning the P3 off and sending the firmware. But if anything goes wrong with the firmware load and you end up in the K3 bootstrap loader (MCU LD on the front panel) at K3 startup, the P3 must stay off to recover. I have my P3 jumpered to not start up with the K3. It needs an explicit Power On button press, and I avoid this situation. Ultimately this will be resolved by a P3 firmware change to determine the K3's state before sending it commands that could influence the boot loader. The P3 owner's manual is being updated with the details of this procedure. 73 de Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of The Smiths Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:08 PM To: invento...@gmail.com; Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 :: firmware update failure Steve , you went through the same exact thing that I did. I had thought that I missed a step, and then shut down too early or something... I guess this is an issue with the beta software, UNLESS, you start with the P3 off.. This is KEY. I did the power on button and the reset and NOTHING seemed to work.. I had the same issue with the polling not finding the rig. What I ended up having to do was 1 - Turned off the rig power supply, 2 - Closed the Port in the K3 utility under the "Ports" tab. Next I Then went into the windows "Control panel", selected "System", then into the "hardware" tab I selected "Device Manager". From there I went into the "com ports" area, and I opened the com port that I was using for the K3. I checked on the speed, changed it from the default 9600 to 115200 (or 34800 doesn't matter) and I hit apply. After that I hit okay. Even if you don't need to make a change, change it just to restart the ports brains... I then moved the K3 serial cable over to the K3 (and out of the P3 completely) Next I turned the power supply back on for the K3, then I HELD the power button down for 10 seconds (until the red light started blinking). After that I went back to the K3 Utility and I went to the "firmware" tab. I pushed the button that said "check versions now" then low and behold it finaly read the port again on the rig.. I then hit the Download ALL button and everything worked from there. Give that a try and let me know if it doesn't work..I'm sure there's other ways to skin this cat... > Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:26:13 -0400 > From: invento...@gmail.com > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 :: firmware update failure > > I downloaded the new P3 utility and the latest firmware, plus the 4.12 > release from the Elecraft server. > > I've never had any problem on a firmware update, and the new load onto > the > P3 worked just fine. > > Then, I opened the K3 fw utility and proceeded to install the 4.12 > revision. > > First, a message popped up that said I have to shut the power off to > the P3, > so I did. > > Then, the process stopped. Inconsolable. > > Now, the rig says 'MCU LD' and the TX light is flashing. The computer > cannot 'contact' the radio. Power cycles, and holding the power button > to force the bootloader are to no avail. > > I will try connecting the serial port directly to the rig and attempt > to 'fix' it that way. Any other suggestions? > > > Steve KZ1X/4 > K1, K2 ... K3 ? > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
