Updating Firmware on Congo Family Consoles

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on a USB memory stick

Facepanel Preparation

Step 1: Plug in an external USB Keyboard and mouse
Step 2: Hold down the "?" button on the face panel
Step 3: Power up the console.
Step 4: Wait until "CONGO" logo disappears from the ML screen and gets replaced with an "entering diagnostics mode", or the diagnostics mode itself appears.
Step 5: Release the "?" button

Upload Preparation

In order to prepare the console for the firmware download, a windows file explorer session has to be started:

Step 6: At the Congo startup screen, press CTRL-ALT-DEL on the external keyboard.
Step 7: Click on the Task Manager button.
Step 8: In the File menu, click New Task (Run)... Then type "explorer" into the dialog box that opens. Click OK.
Step 9: Click the "My Computer" option on the left side of the explorer window, then double-click the USB Memory stick (usually drive E:).

Firmware upload

Step 10: Press the "?" button on the face panel repeatedly to step through the diagnostic tests until the message "Update Firmware [NO]" appears.
Step 11: Press the "Setup" button in order to change [ NO] to [YES].
Step 12: Press the "?" button again in order to accept this.
Step 13: Start the Firmware_Downloader.exe application.

Caution: This application has to be started within 30 seconds after the completion of the above step.

In the upload application a status line will be visible.

• Wait until the USB connection is established. This might take up to 30 seconds.
• After successful connection, the "file" button will be enabled.
• Select the correct version of the *.src file, and press the download button.

After successful completion of the download process, the board should boot straight to its normal operation, any further action is not required.

Caution: Do not turn off power to the console during the above operation.

If power is lost in the middle of firmware upload, it is usually possible to re-start the upload from step 4 again. If this is not possible for some reason, the board has to be sent back to ETC for service.
If the firmware upload is initiated by accident, simply wait for a couple of minutes.
The old firmware will still be present if the actual download process hasn't been started.

Restart the Console

Hold CTRL-ALT-DEL on the external or built-in keyboard. Click the Shutdown button in the dialog and select Shutdown or Restart. Then confirm the dialog to restart Congo.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on a USB memory stick or were installed by the Congo application

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select I/O Firmware Update.
Step 3: System Settings will send a command to the I/O Card to initialize update mode and wait for the I/O card to be detected.
Step 4: When connected, the I/O card will prompt for a firmware file and then ask to download the firmware. Select the correct .src version and click {Download}
Step 5: When complete, the I/O Downloader will return to the “Please Connect Console” prompt. Choose {Exit} to close the I/O Downloader.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings and then power off your console.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use on the next normal power up.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on the root directory of a USB memory stick

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select the Congo Jr Face Panel  in Detected Modules of the Firmware Update section
Step 3: Insert the USB drive with the firmware file on the root of the drive
Step 4: Select the USB drive letter in the Firmware Files dropdown and click {Update}
Step 5: When complete, Choose {OK} on the Firmware Update Successful dialog.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on a USB memory stick or were installed by the Congo application

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select I/O Firmware Update.
Step 3: System Settings will send a command to the I/O Card to initialize update mode and wait for the I/O card to be detected.
Step 4: When connected, the I/O card will prompt for a firmware file and then ask to download the firmware. Select the correct .src version and click {Download}
Step 5: When complete, the I/O Downloader will return to the “Please Connect Console” prompt. Choose {Exit} to close the I/O Downloader.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings and then power off your console.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use on the next normal power up.

Version History

Special Note:

While the Master Playback Wing contains a single circuit board, the top and bottom halves are updated independently of each other while needing to match firmware between the two halves. Additionally, there are two revisions of the card (B and C) that require separate firmware from each other (but same version top/bottom).

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on the root directory of a USB memory stick

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select the Congo Jr Master Upper Rev X  in Detected Modules of the Firmware Update section
Step 3: Insert the USB drive with the firmware file on the root of the drive
Step 4: Select the USB drive letter in the Firmware Files dropdown and click {Update}
Step 5: When complete, Choose {OK} on the Firmware Update Successful dialog.
Step 6: Select the Congo Jr Master Lower Rev X  in Detected Modules of the Firmware Update section
Step 7: Select the USB drive letter in the Firmware Files dropdown and click {Update}
Step 8: When complete, Choose {OK} on the Firmware Update Successful dialog.
Step 9: Choose {OK} to close System Settings.
Step 10: This component is now ready for use.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on the root directory of a USB memory stick

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select the Congo Jr Face Panel in Detected Modules of the Firmware Update section
Step 3: Insert the USB drive with the firmware file on the root of the drive
Step 4: Select the USB drive letter in the Firmware Files dropdown and click {Update}
Step 5: When complete, Choose {OK} on the Firmware Update Successful dialog.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on a USB memory stick or were installed by the Congo application

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select I/O Firmware Update.
Step 3: System Settings will send a command to the I/O Card to initialize update mode and wait for the I/O card to be detected.
Step 4: When connected, the I/O card will prompt for a firmware file and then ask to download the firmware. Select the correct .src version and click {Download}
Step 5: When complete, the I/O Downloader will return to the “Please Connect Console” prompt. Choose {Exit} to close the I/O Downloader.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings and then power off your console.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use on the next normal power up.

Version History

Required Files

Before starting the firmware update procedure, make sure the following files are located on the root directory of a USB memory stick

Update Process

Step 1: Exit to System Settings or choose System Settings from the Welcome Screen.
Step 2: Navigate to the Update tab and select the ION 1x20 Submaster Rev B in Detected Modules of the Firmware Update section
Step 3: Insert the USB drive with the firmware file on the root of the drive
Step 4: Select the USB drive letter in the Firmware Files dropdown and click {Update}
Step 5: When complete, Choose {OK} on the Firmware Update Successful dialog.
Step 6: Choose {OK} to close System Settings.
Step 7: This component is now ready for use.

Version History