Firmware 2079

[ClassicCrazy]

I see there is a new firmware released - I haven't had time to load it up yet.

Ryan - any progress on the Windows 10 firmware updater ?  I do still have  a Windows 7 computer that I can use next time I am out at the solar site.

Also got the email that everyone needs to go to new Mymidnite because the old site will be closing down in February .

Here is change log from firmware - I  presently  have in 2074 ( first 2074 I think ?)

11-2-2015
         Classic control Version 2074 adds My Midnite 3 capability  (MM3)

         Networking fixes added back in.

         Auto-EQ bug fixed where EQ day count would be reset if Classic went
         back to Float, essentially disabling Auto-EQ

11-9-2015
         Classic_ALL_2074_XX0V_11-9-2015  changes WbJrAmpHourChrg,
         WbJrAmpHourDisChrgadj, WbJrAmpHourChrgadj  32 bit regs to
         register address 4407 from register address 4373
         
11-16-2015
         Classic_ALL_2077C_xx0V_11-16-2015  Classic Revision 2077 with
         newer network build from 11-14-2015 and ReBulk above Float Voltage
         and SOC% fix

11-20-2015
         Classic_ALL_2078_xxxV_11-17-2015_AZT  Re-Build of 2077C

11-23-2015
         Classic build 2079   Fixes MNLP (Classic Lite panel) communications glitch

[boB]

Crazy, the windows 10 updater actually works !

I should be ready soon.  I'm not sure how we (Ryan) wants it released though because at the moment,
the one updater doesn't work as well maybe as the older one for all versions of windows.  For
windows 10, it is definitely the way to go.

Also, on my computer anyway, windoze 7, we had to disable bluetooth Plug n' Play drivers because
windows took too long finding our driver method and the Classic would boot up.  The old firmware
updater just waits for COM 8  to open up so it would usually (not 100%) work. 

In fact, maybe that PnP stuff had something to do with why windows XP, 7, etc did not always
work  and one had to try some times multiple times to get the Classic to update via USB.

Now, if everyone had a USB to RS232 dongle, like from "Profiecient" (or whatever their name is),
and a RS232 to RJ45 adapter, it works much closer to 100% of the time than the typical USB
method.  But now I can't seem to find those DB9 to RJ11 adapters anymore.

boB

[Halfcrazy]

Windows 10 is close. I am testing a beta version now, it does not have error detection so if it fails it doesn't tell you but it is rock solid. I will release it here tomorrow as beta and the next rev will have error detection. I can say it is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier to use, no com ports, no drivers just plug it in and click update (well ok there are 5 steps in the instructions )

Ryan

[ClassicCrazy]

Great Ryan - will look forward to giving it a try though it won't probably be for another week .

Bob - is this the adapter you are talking about ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-New-USB-2-0-to-RS232-Serial-DB9-9-PIN-Cable-Adapter-GPS-PDA-Converter-/171358098356?hash=item27e5bd13b4:g:d3IAAOSw-nZTm~ce
Cheap one and but on Windows 7 and up you may have to disable the auto driver update because newest drivers don't work with these copy chipsets. You need to install an old Window Vista driver.

But anyway  - what port does the RJ 45 plug into for serial ?  The one right under the MNGP plug ?

Larry

[Westbranch]

boB, did you mean one of these?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Black-USB-A-Female-to-Ethernet-RJ45-Male-Adapter-Connector-Router-Adapter-/381117510299?hash=item58bc5fb29b:g:hHYAAOSwWKtUr8w5
and then plug in the USB cable?
cause it is nigh on impossible to find a male DB9 to RJ45

ADD:  or this one http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1000M-USB-3-0-to-RJ45-Gigabit-Ethernet-Lan-Network-Adapter-3-Ports-Hub-/141735164076?hash=item210012f8ac:g:ZKQAAOSwd0BVvyO2

[boB]

Oooops !   I said   RS232  (DB9)  to RJ 45 when I MEANT   RJ11   !!!

All it is was a DB9 to RJ11 female connector in a little box.  No electronics.
You would plug a phone cable between the Classic's bottom RJ11 jack and
the "dongle"  that would be plugged into your RS232 DB9 connector.

DB9 like on the adapter shown on the EBAY link that goes to USB
on the PC.   HOWEVER, we found that these cheap USB to RS232 DB9
adapters are non-working "Prolific" Counterfeit chips that do not work.
At least I have not seen one that works.

I hear that if you try to run the Prolific drivers with these that they
will be bricked, if they were ever to work at all.

I HAVE actually found a USB to RS232 converter that does work online somewhere but
they cost somewhere around $10 each and not $1.00 or even $5.00 like the ones
Robin and I had bought and tried.  We THOUGHT we got a great deal but
in the end, they were a waste of time and money...  Not much money though, luckily.

boB

[Westbranch]

you mean one like THIS....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00425S1H8?psc=1  $15 US
Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset)

connecting to this

http://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-Female-Modular-Adapter-Ivory/dp/B008NCDN3I $4.50 US
InstallerParts DB9 Female to RJ11/12 (6 wire) Modular Adapter Ivory

News flash: Price Breaker sells on Amazon. Ca for $C2.95 + $C4.99 shipping!!!

[Resthome]

Windows 10 is close. I am testing a beta version now, it does not have error detection so if it fails it doesn't tell you but it is rock solid. I will release it here tomorrow as beta and the next rev will have error detection. I can say it is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier to use, no com ports, no drivers just plug it in and click update (well ok there are 5 steps in the instructions )

Ryan

Glad to see Midnite making progress on the Win10 firmware updates.  Would love to test it but just the wrong time of year for me as my system needs to be in a stable state for the winter months when it is unattended. And with the predicted wet winter coming up it may be April before we resume long enough trip to try it out. So will depend on all the great testers here to report back on both the new firmware and the new Win10 installer.

Season greetings to everyone.

[Westbranch]

Geez John , you make it sound like winter is a bad thing.
Here are some pics from the lake last weekend.
the close up is of Hoar Frost, the long shot is 'the baseballs' on the lake...

[boB]

you mean one like THIS....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00425S1H8?psc=1  $15 US
Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset)

connecting to this

http://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-Female-Modular-Adapter-Ivory/dp/B008NCDN3I $4.50 US
InstallerParts DB9 Female to RJ11/12 (6 wire) Modular Adapter Ivory

News flash: Price Breaker sells on Amazon. Ca for $C2.95 + $C4.99 shipping!!!

YES !!!   Those  !

I paid less for the adapter (the DB9 to RJ11) I think at our local surplus store (Vetco)  but they are out
now.  I'm glad you found some more !   

boB

[Taos]

Geez John , you make it sound like winter is a bad thing.
Here are some pics from the lake last weekend.
the close up is of Hoar Frost, the long shot is 'the baseballs' on the lake...

We're still lucky in south eastern part of canada , ottawa Ontario,I was out yesterday on my motorcycle, cool but roads were dry and no snow on th ground!
Don

[ClassicCrazy]

I used to have some of those DB9 to RJ11 adapters - never knew what I would use them for . Now if I can just find one of them !
Yes those cheapy  usb to serial adapters don't work unless you spend time trying to get the old Vista drivers installed on your computer before Windows tries to install the newest official Prolific driver which won't work on them ( and maybe destroys them ) .  You need to monkey around with Windows to turn off automatic installation - can't remember how I did it - took some geek work.  After I disabled the auto update driver thing  the lower right corner of my computer has some small print that says Test Mode .

Larry

you mean one like THIS....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00425S1H8?psc=1  $15 US
Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset)

connecting to this

http://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-Female-Modular-Adapter-Ivory/dp/B008NCDN3I $4.50 US
InstallerParts DB9 Female to RJ11/12 (6 wire) Modular Adapter Ivory

News flash: Price Breaker sells on Amazon. Ca for $C2.95 + $C4.99 shipping!!!

YES !!!   Those  !

I paid less for the adapter (the DB9 to RJ11) I think at our local surplus store (Vetco)  but they are out
now.  I'm glad you found some more !   

boB

[Taos]

I tried to download new firmware this morning and my antivirus (avast) said something like there was a virus? So I decided to download it later and closed the browser , a couple of hours later I tried again to download the file and my computer said it couldn't find the page , I'm running Windows 7   ,I'm not sure if other people are having the same issue, or is the update was removed?
Don

[Westbranch]

I've had a similar case of that "virus message'....  I usually get a choice to override (XP as well as W7). 

The part that triggers it is Windows , now, does not like anything that will modify the hard drive thus it throws up the 'virus message'. there a re/is a constant daily barrage of those messages when you do upgrades or scans of various types, at least in my case... XP seems to learn very slowly
hth

[ClassicCrazy]

Yeah I got that antivirus message too. I found the file in the quarantine section of the antivirus and made an exception for it.
Otherwise you could shut your antivirus off while you download and install it.

Bob has said he runs those through an antivirus screen before they go out and they say they are okay but the antivirus programs don't seem to want to allow them for some reason.

I just checked and the firmware is still on Midnite page
http://bob.midniteftp.com/MidNiteSolarUpdate_2079_11-23-2015_v5.00.exe


Larry