Manually Updating Cobalt Firmware

Firmware updates were required on Cobalt 20 and Cobalt 10 consoles with version 7.2.0 - if the firmware is not updated on all modules of these consoles, their facepanels will not operate properly.

Additionally, some components may have additional firmware updates available that improve the performance of the components. Please check to be sure that the components of your system are up to date before proceeding with the use of Cobalt Version 8.x. Follow the procedures below to update any component that is not at the appropriate version.

Manually Updating the High Speed I/O Card (Congo Jr)

The information in this post is provided to assist in troubleshooting. Perform work at your own risk. ENSURE ANY POWER FROM DEVICES HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED BEFORE SERVICING ANY EQUIPMENT. If you do not feel comfortable performing the work, please contact us or your local service center. Be aware that ETC and its Affiliates are not responsible for any damage or injury caused by service of our products by anyone other than us or our authorized service providers, and such damage is excluded from the product’s warranty.

This process is only for the High Speed I/O card. Full Speed I/O cards should be updated following the procedure for Updating Full Speed I/O Cards.

With the exception of the Cobalt Programming Wing, the Full Speed I/O card can be identified by the presence of a Phone Remote (RJ11) port. All Cobalt Programming Wings shipped without a Phone Remote port.

Step 1: Exit Cobalt and power off the Congo Jr.

Step 2: Remove the side bumpers and/or Master Playback Wing/Universal Wings by removing the retaining screws using a #1 Philips head screwdriver.

Step 3: Using a #2 Philips head screwdriver, remove the 14 screws highlighted in Green (7 on each side) from the side of the Congo Jr. Then, loosen the 9 screws highlighted in Red (3 on each side, 3 on the bottom front edge) two turns only.

Step 4: Remove the Congo Jr Facepanel.

A.      Tilt the top edge up about 3 inches

B.      Slide the facepanel forward about 2 inches

C.      Lift the facepanel off of the console tray gently and rest to the left of the console facepanel

Step 5. Locate the High Speed I/O Card in the console tray

Step 6: Press and hold the Boot button on the High Speed I/O Card as power is turned back on.

WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE POTENTIAL – DO NOT TOUCH OTHER COMPONENTS INSIDE OF THE CONSOLE WHILE POWER IS ON

Step 7: Using the external Mouse, Select System Settings from the Welcome Screen.

Step 8: Press [Alt]+[F11] on the external keyboard to launch Process Explorer

Process Explorer may start minimized on the main screen. If so, choose the restore button to view Process Explorer.

Step 9: In Process Explorer, navigate to the File menu and choose Run…

Step 10: Type explorer in the Open: field and click {OK} or press Enter.

Step 11: Using the Windows Explorer window, navigate to C:\etc\nodesbin

Step 12: Right click on the following file name and choose copy

14d5.0113_IO_Kinetis_v1.1.0.9.0.4.S19

Step 13: Using the Windows Explorer window, navigate to the drive labeled BOOTLOADER, right click and choose Paste to copy the firmware to the component.

If you see more than one drive labeled BOOTLOADER, abort this update attempt and restart the console. If you continue to see multiple drives labeled BOOTLOADER, contact ETC Technical Services.

Step 14: Close all open windows including Windows Explorer and Process Explorer. Click {OK} in System Settings and power off the Congo Jr console.

Step 15: Restore the Congo Jr Facepanel.

D.      Rest the console facepanel gently back into place

E.      With a forefinger on the center bottom screw loosened in step 3, lift the plate to sandwich the console facepanel metal between the plate and the console tray

F.      Tilt the top edge down over the posts into place while ensuring no cables are caught between the facepanel and the console tray metal

Step 16: Using a #2 Philips head screwdriver, insert the 14 screws highlighted in Green (7 on each side) from the side of the Congo Jr removed in step 3. Then, tighten all 23 screws.

Step 17: Reconnect the side bumpers and/or Master Playback Wing/Universal Wings and secure with the retaining screws using a #1 Philips head screwdriver.

Step 18: This component is now ready for use on the next normal power up.