New firmware for the Beta Kids

[Bunkie314]

Okay. I'll borrow a laptop.

I need to get an email off for the bootloader.

[Bunkie314]

Okay next dumb question.  Will only a windows 7 system be able to update firmware after the new Bootloader is installed or can other windows OS be used?

[Mario]

Okay next dumb question.  Will only a windows 7 system be able to update firmware after the new Bootloader is installed or can other windows OS be used?

The new Bootloader 2.1 (new) supports Windows XP/7/8/8.1 , and linux. Pretty much anything but Mac.

I even think Ryan has updated it with his Android device which supports USB Host. Right Ryan?

Mario

[dgd]

To everyone,
This is what's new on firmware version 1709:
Version 1709:
..etc..

Some nice additions in 1709. Thanks.

Do you have a list of the new features  that you are working on for the KID?
I would be interested in any AUX functions you will be adding.

dgd

[Bunkie314]

Okay next dumb question.  Will only a windows 7 system be able to update firmware after the new Bootloader is installed or can other windows OS be used?

The new Bootloader 2.1 (new) supports Windows XP/7/8/8.1 , and linux. Pretty much anything but Mac.

I even think Ryan has updated it with his Android device which supports USB Host. Right Ryan?

Mario

So I could potentially use a tablet or my note II phone?  Now that is nice!

[RossW]

The new Bootloader 2.1 (new) supports Windows XP/7/8/8.1 , and linux. Pretty much anything but Mac.

Is that because you hate the mac and won't support it; because you haven't got around to it yet (but it's coming); or "it may work but I don't have a mac to try it with"?

If it works for linux, it should work for Mac, since Mac is basically FreeBSD under the hood.

[dapdan]

Houston,

We have a problem. I was updating the kid and now it seems to be not responding. I actually got two betas. The first one went fine. Ok while I was doing the second I notice something strange but I continued anyway. The screen was flickering every so slightly. I uploaded the boot loader flashing green light stoped. Then I re-booted it and it did not display the "bootloader v2.1" thing. Instead all of the holiday led were light and the display showed nothing except an inked out first row and an dim back light. Please "doc" give it to me straight.

Cheers...
Damani

[Westbranch]

I just have to ask , more because I don't think this may be an issue, and , secondly because I am not familiar with the vagaries of the OS of the machine.. 

Will it work on a 32 bit Windows 7 LITE notebook machine?

[Halfcrazy]

Dapdan
Sounds like trouble but I will let Mario respond.

Westbranch
On windows I suspect it should work just fine on the 32bit windows 7

RossW
I am told Mac does something funny with there Drivers that causes it not to work. I will ask Andrew for a better definition though.

Ryan

[atop8918]

Hi,
Yeah you would think OSX / BSD would work, but apparently the Mac version of BSD does something non-standard with USB devices. While I was working on the Bootloader I found that Linux and Windows dump the file and file system data as you would expect -- albeit in different orders. Mac did nothing. No data came down the wire even though the file showed up as being on the device on the OS-side. I tried ejecting the device -- again, no data came down the wire but the device showed up as ejected and removed. When I dug a little deeper I found that NXP -- the manufacturer of the chipset we use -- mentioned in their application notes that they did not support Mac for USB as they do something non-standard. I think the gist of it is you have to pay them cash money in order for them to either add your device to their list of "things that just work" with Mac so the OS will actually write to the device, or for them to tell you the sneaky trick required to trigger the data transfer.
That is my suspicion but I have not basis for this conclusion and don't want to get sued by Apple for spreading potential misinformation. I also don't want to pay them any extortion money.

[Free Energy Freak]

Ryan,

Email sent a bit ago.

[dgd]

This boot loader and firmware update is real easy compared to firmware updating a Classic.
Followed the instructions but after getting to TECH menu and to firmware update and pressed ENTER as instructed then NOTHING. Supposed to go into update mode but it doesn't. Did this about 20 times, power off/on KID and checked the USB cable to WIN7 laptop.
Gave up to next day and started again, same process and NOTHING, I pressed that ENTER rubber button enough to push it out the back of the KID  and halfway to USA but still nothing.
About to give up again when I started sneezing as I pushed the ENTER key and the KID went into update mode.
The laptop showed new F: drive
From there drag and drop went well
1712 loaded up good and it seems stable. Have not seen much battery voltage wandering away from actual voltage but need to load up inputs of KID and see what 'appens.
The stress and heat is too much, need some beersies 
dgd

[Halfcrazy]

Ryan,

Email sent a bit ago.

Sorry If I missed anyone. I was out all week at a show. Hit me again via Email ryan@midnitesolar.com

I am still trying to go backwards through emails from last week

Ryan

[TomW]

Gave up to next day and started again, same process and NOTHING, I pressed that ENTER rubber button enough to push it out the back of the KID  and halfway to USA but still nothing.
About to give up again when I started sneezing as I pushed the ENTER key and the KID went into update mode.

dgd;

Not to beat a dead horse but I had noticed this anomaly with the buttons on The Kid. A key press needs to be firm and prolonged and not just a short tap.

I think this was addressed in another thread and longer buttons was the proposed "fix"?

On my Classic(s) if you hold the button down too long you might activate the next option selection so was spoiled by the quick jab selection method?
.
Tom

[dgd]

dgd;

Not to beat a dead horse but I had noticed this anomaly with the buttons on The Kid. A key press needs to be firm and prolonged and not just a short tap.

I think this was addressed in another thread and longer buttons was the proposed "fix"?

On my Classic(s) if you hold the button down too long you might activate the next option selection so was spoiled by the quick jab selection method?
.
Tom

Thanks Tom. I had not noticed those messages about button sensitivity but now I am more careful and there is a definite technique to getting the button press just right.

The battery voltage reading drift is now definitely resolved with 1712.
5 days and the KID battery voltage is spot on with the Classics and Fluke.
Thanks Mario
dgd