Application Name:
Current Version:
Firmware Loader
5.0.1
The following notes provide the revision history and a list of known software issues in
the current release. For more information please call your Extron Application
Engineer.
Updated:
April 5, 2010
Extron Products Affected:
All Extron products with upgradeable firmware.
TECH NOTES
PC System requirements – Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
KNOWN ISSUES
The following is a list of known issues found in Firmware Loader Version 5.0.1
Issue (originated in v4.0) – “Failed to Verify” error message after MGP 464
upload – Extron Firmware Loader has intermittent trouble verifying a serial upload
of firmware to an MGP 464. In this event, Firmware Loader cannot restart the device,
so the user must do it manually by recycling the power. Once the device has
restarted, it will once again be in an operational state. This issue is known to occur
with Firmware version 2.02.0036, but may occur with other versions as well.
Issue (originated in v4.0) – “Failed to Upload” error message after Fiber
Matrix 6400 upload – Extron Firmware Loader might incorrectly report that a serial
upload of firmware to a Fiber Matrix 6400 failed. In this event, compare the firmware
version on the device to that of which you were trying to upload. Retry if necessary.
This issue is known to occur with Firmware version 2.01.0023, but may occur with
other versions as well.
Issue (originated in v4.0) – Annotator Baud Rate Not Reset after Upload –
Extron Firmware Loader temporarily increases the baud rate of the device port
through which a firmware load is taking place. Annotator’s firmware occasionally has
trouble saving baud rate info to the device’s NVRAM, which prevents Extron
Firmware Loader from verifying whether a firmware load was successful. Cycling the
device’s power shortly after an unverified firmware upload can result in the baud rate
of the upload port remaining at 115,200, instead of being decreased back down to
9,600.
Issue (originated in v3.4) – Intermittent SCP Firmware Upload Error – When
uploading firmware to the SCP series, the Firmware Loader may time out (error
message appears). It is recommended that users close all other applications before
attempting to load firmware, and avoid using the system while an upload is taking
place.
Issue (originated in v3.4) – MTPX sensitive to PC speed – Some computers
with faster processors, or that are running fewer processes, may be too fast for a
successful firmware load to an MTPX.
Issue (originated in v3.3.1) – Devices left in inoperable state – IN1508, SW
DVI series, and VSC series devices will be left in an unresponsive state when a
firmware load is interrupted. Once a firmware load is initiated, the process must be
allowed to complete.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 5.0.1
Affects:
Engineering Revision: E22022
Software Revision: 5.0
Date: Feb 15, 2010
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue (originated in v5.0) – 64 bit versions of Windows unable to find
Firmware Loader when launched from Extron configuration and control
applications – Extron configuration or control applications are unable to find
Firmware Loader when the Update or Upload Firmware menu item is selected, and
therefore prompt the user to locate the application. This issue has been resolved.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 5.0
Affects:
Engineering Revision: E21000
Software Revision: 4.0
Date: May 27, 2009
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue (originated in v3.3.1) – Verification hangs on the IN1508 – If the
IN1508 is recovering from a corrupted state, the verification of new firmware may
hang indefinitely. The remedy is to disconnect power and perform a factory reset by
pressing the Output Rate button on the front panel while reconnecting power and
holding it until the front panel’s LEDs start to light up in sequence. This issue has
been resolved.
Added Feature – Newly supported devices include: TLP 700MV, TLP 700TV,
TLP 350CV, IPL 250, PVS 305SA, MTPX Plus 128, MGP 462xi, DVS 304 DVI, USP 507,
SSP 7.1, DMP, VLR.
Added Feature – It is now possible to administer more than 100 devices in one
Firmware Loader session.
Added Feature – It is now possible to administer firmware through USB-connected
devices.
Added Feature – It is now possible to administer firmware of a VLR 102 connected
serially to a PVS 305SA, as long as the PVS 305SA is connected serially to an IP-Link
enabled MLC. This is called a “Pass-Thru” connection.
Added Feature – A toolbar with Firmware Loader’s key features is now available in
the user interface.
Added Feature – Specifying the devices to which new firmware is to be applied is
now more streamlined, and proactively prevents errors by guiding the user through
the process.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 4.0
Affects:
Engineering Revision: E20017
Software Revision: 3.4.1
Date: November 11,2008
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue (originated in v3.4) – Upload Issue with USB to Serial Adapter –
Inconsistent success when uploading via a USB to RS-232 cable. This issue has been
resolved.
Fixed Issue (originated in v3.3.1) – IN1508 cannot handle reduced baud
rate – If the command line switch to reduced maximum baud rate is used, upload
will not proceed successfully. This issue has been resolved.
Added Feature – The Supported Devices list is now downloadable from Extron
servers from within the application.
Added Feature – Newly supported devices (added to device list) include:
CrossPoint ULTRA 84 HV, CrossPoint ULTRA 84 HVA, CrossPoint ULTRA 88 HV,
CrossPoint ULTRA 88 HVA, CrossPoint ULTRA 128 HV, CrossPoint ULTRA 128 HVA,
CrossPoint ULTRA 1212 HV, CrossPoint ULTRA 1212 HVA, CrossPoint ULTRA 168 HV,
CrossPoint ULTRA 168 HVA, CrossPoint ULTRA 1616 HV, CrossPoint ULTRA 1616
HVA, FOX 500 Tx/RX MM, FOX 500 Tx/RX SM, MGP 464, MLC 104 Plus, RGB-HDMI
300, RGB-DVI 300, Annotator
Added Feature – It is now possible to upload firmware to multiple Extron devices
simultaneously.
Removed Feature – The automatic logging of unhandled exceptions into
Output.txt was removed.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.4.1
Affects:
Engineering Revision: E19223
Software Revision: 3.4.0
Date: April 29, 2008
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Added Feature – New devices added to device list: MGP 464W series, MPX Plus 866
A, SMX series, Fiber Matrix 6400, SW8 series, MAV Plus 248 A, MAV Plus 328 A,
FOXBOX 4G series, VLR 102, FOX 2G series, SW12 series, SW 2 USB, SW 4 USB
series, SW4 3G HD-SDI, MTP SW6
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.4
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.3.1
Date: November 16, 2007
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue – Corrected issue of intermittent failures when loading firmware serially
to ISM 824.
Fixed Issue – Fixed reported issue with installer not overwriting or installing
devices.xml in some cases.
Fixed Issue – Occasional problems reported when uploading to the MLS 406.
Application would report “Unexpected Response…” after a successful load. The
application was missing the initial expected response of “Done” and just getting the
bootload messages.
Fixed Issue – Added additional time to allow the IN1508 to fully reset. Some
firmware loads require a longer reset period, which was causing the application to
report a failed upload, when in fact, the upload is successful.
Fixed Issue – When used with an AVT 100, the Firmware Loader application would
hang if the serial cable was disconnected after verifying connection and making
firmware file selection prior to clicking “Upload.”
Fixed Issue – Some devices require a power cycle and the dialog that reported this
message would occasionally hang if the user cycled before clicking “OK”.
Fixed Issue – Device list parser not always recognizing all XML nodes. This issue
has been corrected.
Added Feature – New devices added to device list: FOX 500 DA6 Series, Fiber
Matrix 6400, PVS 204SA.
Added Feature – Added the ability to pass in a firmware file path. When coupled
with the /Com or /IP command line switches, application will proceed directly to the
upload screen where the upload will begin immediately.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY - Continued
Added Feature – Added Advanced button to serial load page. The advanced window
allows the user to set slower pacing for devices that aren’t loading successfully due
to a fast computer. The dialog allows the user to change the pacing for each
individual unit or select multiple units. Users can choose to have these settings saved
in their computer’s registry, or to only use them for current session.
Added Feature – Added the ability to recognize an IN1508 stuck in “bootload”
mode (not responding to standard SIS commands), which can result from a failed or
interrupted firmware load. If user selects IN1508 from the drop down on the RS-232
tab, and the Firmware Loader does not receive any standard responses to queries,
the application will instruct the user how to put the IN1508 into “bootload” mode and
attempt to proceed with a standard firmware upload.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.3.1
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.3.0
Date: August 6, 2007
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Added Feature – New devices added to device list: SW DVI series.
Added Feature – Added support for newer longer part numbers that are expected
to be used in the near future.
Added Feature – Application will confirm the correct date on IP Link-based products
and ask the user if they would like to update their boxes if it is off by more than a
day.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.3
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.2
Date: January 12, 2007
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue – Added support with application modifications for HDXP series and
ISM 824.
Fixed Issue – Under some circumstances he IN1508, will respond to the bootloader
version query with binary characters. Firmware Loader can now recognize and
decipher the response. Additionally, the bootloader query SIS command was initially
“$” and changed after firmware version 1.02 to “32Q”. The Firmware Loader will take
the current firmware version into account when making this query.
Fixed Issue – When run from a User Level account, the Output.txt file write would
cause an exception. The application will now check for access rights and will not
write the file unless allowed.
Added Feature – New devices added to device list: RCP 2000, CrossPoint 450 Plus
1212 series, CrossPoint 300 1212 Series, MAV Plus 1212 AV, MAV Plus 164 A, MVX
1616 VGA A series, MVX 168 VGA A, MVX 1212 VGA A, and MTPX series.
Added Feature – A “Check for Updates” option has been added to the Help menu. A
shortcut to this has also been added to the start group.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.2
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.1
Date: September 25, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Issue – Corrected issues with failed MPS 112 uploads.
Fixed Issue – Corrected issues with failed PIP 444 uploads (specifically to firmware
version 1.01)
Fixed Issue – Serial upload for IPL T S series using mode 2 for uploading now
works.
Fixed Issue – Disabled Exit button during most uploads.
Fixed Issue – Set Defaults button on TCP/IP tab clears IP address and password
box fields, as well as, resetting the telnet port back to 23.
Added Feature – New device added to devices.xml file: DVS 304
Added Feature – New Device box on the main GUI allows a user to select a device
from a list which is populated by the device list. Doing so will update the baud rate to
the default for that device. A device does not need to be selected; the application will
still retrieve this information from the device list and the attached device’s part
number.
Added Feature – Firmware on the ISS 506 can now be updated via the Firmware
Loader serially as well as via IP.
Added Feature – F1 pressed anywhere in the program will access the Help file.
Added Feature – If the application is unable to locate devices.xml, the user will
be given the opportunity to browse for the file or continue without it. However, the
application is limited without the file.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.1
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.0.9
Date: September 25, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Disabled Bit boxes – All Extron devices require a standard data bit, parity bit, and
stop bit setting. Changing these values will cause errors in the program; therefore,
these boxes are still visible but no longer changeable.
Changed Devices.txt to Devices.xml – The list of supported devices is now an
XML file. It can now be shared with other Extron software programs.
Added Feature – New devices added to devices.xml file: AVT 100 series and the
MGP 464 series.
Added Feature – IP command line switch can now include an optional password
parameter. (i.e., /IP=<ip address>,<telnet port>,<password>)
Added Feature – Added a command line switch to set the maximum upload baud
rate. For some groups, the Firmware Loader will increase the baud rate to 115,200
to process the upload. The following command line switch will reduce that maximum
to the entered value (9600, 19200, 38400 only).
FWLoader.exe /UploadAt=38400 (i.e., /UploadAt=<baud rate>)
This can be used with any of the other Command Line Switches.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.0.9
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.0.8
Date: June 7, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed Automatic close – When another application launched the Firmware Loader
with arguments the Firmware Loader would not show the initial settings dialog.
However, after a successful upload it would return to this dialog. Now it bypasses the
settings dialog and closes the application.
Fixed Command Line Arguments – Not all information would be absorbed from
command line arguments for RS settings
Revised Command Line Arguments – To launch Firmware Loader with comm port
settings a command line argument starting with “/Com” can be used as follows:
FWLoader.exe /Com1,9600,n,8,1 (i.e., /Com<port number>,<baud rate>,
<parity>,<data bit>,<stop bit>). To launch with IP or hostname settings a
command line argument starting with “/IP=” can be used: FWLoader.exe
/IP=10.13.183.1,23 (i.e., /IP=<ip address or hostname>,<telnet port>).
Added Feature – New devices added to Devices.txt file: GSS 100, MSW series,
MPX 866 A, and ISS 506.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.0.8
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.0.7
Date: May 24, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Fixed missing Devices.txt file during MLC 52 Control Program launch – After
being launched from the MLC 52 Control Program, the application could not find the
Devices.txt file because the directory pointer was still pointing to the MLC 52’s
directory.
Fixed VSC series upload timing – Timing was off with the VSC group of products.
The upload would be processed but the application would report failure.
Changed automatic launch – When being launched from another program after
having the parameters passed in to fill port settings, the Firmware Loader will now
advance to the “next screen” if able to connect to the device on that port.
Changed default firmware directory – The first time the application is run, the
default directory that will be searched for firmware will be the Extron\Firmware
directory, pulled from the registry (if available).
Added Feature – New device added to Devices.txt file: MAV Plus 3200 series
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.0.7
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.0.2
Date: May 15, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Added Feature – The user interface has been completely revised.
Added Feature – TCP/IP functionality has been updated to allow firmware uploads
to products via IP using hostnames as well as IP addresses.
Added Feature – Added the sixth method of serial uploads for the IN1508.
Added Feature – the Devices.txt list is external to the program so it can therefore
be updated without recompiling the program when a new product is released.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0
SOFTWARE RELEASE HISTORY
Released Version: 3.0.2
Affects:
Engineering Revision: N/A
Software Revision: 3.0.0
Date: April 10, 2006
The following is a list of changes and fixes in this release.
Added Feature – IPL T series products that are connected serially need an extra
command (i.e. “+++”) typed in after pressing the reset button to begin an upload.
An additional dialog box now asks the user if this is an IPL T series box and performs
the required steps to change it to mode 2.
Added Feature – TCP/IP functionality has been added to allow firmware uploads to
products via Serial or IP.
Added Feature – Added a Help file, and the Help tool bar to all windows.
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79-508-01 Rev. 5.0.1.0