Updating Firmware

Dual Boot Images

The flash memory on the BS and BSC each contain two images of boot code; the golden image (used for recovery) and the normal image (the working copy).

Typical Update Procedure

  1. In the Update dialog, click 'Detect' to see what versions are currently installed.

  2. Check the box and select the file(s) for a BS and/or a BSC update.

  3. Click Update.

  4. Check the Console (Log) window for any error messages.

  5. If you updated the BS you need to power cycle everything for the change to take effect. If you updated only the BSC you need to quit and restart SpikeGLX for the change to take effect.

Corruption

If anything goes wrong during an update procedure, the normal image may be corrupted. Symptoms include:

Recovery

To get the BS working again you have to update the firmware. To update the firmware, you need a green light on the front panel of the module.

  1. First, try power cycling everything. This won't fix the firmware but it will often recover enough function to allow the Update operation to access the module.

  2. After the restart, use the Update dialog to select the replacement firmware file(s) and click the Update button. Do not press 'Detect' first (see note below). If the updater is running successfully the progress bar should be advancing.

Important:: When the firmware is in a bad state, do not use the 'Detect' button either in the configure dialog or in the Update dialog. Doing so will only lock up the BS again and require another power cycle.

Secret Button

If that didn't get the update started, power cycle again while depressing the tiny button labeled ISP on the front of the module. This tells the module to boot the golden image, which should then allow using the Update dialog as in step (2) above.

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