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Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

Troubleshooting USB to DMX Universal Downloader (USB Whip)

Issue

I am trying to use the DMX Whip to update my fixtures via UpdaterAtor but the "USB/DMX Devices" button isn't showing up.

Description

UpdaterAtor is having trouble detecting the DMX Whip. Typically, this is because there are no drivers installed for the whip. Follow the steps below to install drivers for the DMX Whip. This can happen if you try to install software or drivers with DMX Whip attached.

Fix/Solution

  1. Log into computer with admin access.
  2. Close UpdaterAtor and any other ETC Software.
  3. Open the "Run" dialog box by pressing {Windows}+{R}.
  4. In the "Open:" field, type "devmgmt.msc" and press {OK} to launch Device Manager.
    clipboard_ef34dbf4a18e55a2fa72b35221fdfd31a.png
  5. Inspect the device tree. If the drivers for the DMX Whip have not been installed, there will likely be "ETC-USB-RS485-ADAPTER" listed under "Other devices" with a little yellow caution symbol.
    clipboard_e19f95841d7b344f80a0b001b81acd613.png
  6. Right-click on the "ETC-USB-RS485-ADAPTER" and select "Update Driver".
  7. In the Update Drivers window, select "Browse my computer for driver software".
  8. In the "Search for drivers in this location:" field, enter "C:\Program Files (x86)\ETC.
  9. Make sure "Include subfolders" is checked.
  10. Click "Next" and advance through the remaining prompts from there.
    clipboard_ef3e6218ea212f1cca21a18400f8176e6.png
  11. Select ETC Update Dongle                                                                                                                                                 clipboard_e4fe23cd751a255a3421c208b13376113.png
  12. After installing drivers, you should now see "ETC Update Dongle" listed under the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" tree.
    clipboard_e73a7550436288d7fd01d119a0705df59.png

FYI: The DMX Whip is an older device and will not work updating some newer product that uses FixLink2, Like Fos/4, Series 3, Desire Fresnel, Releve' Spot,  Source 4WRD II (CE).   For those device you need a Gadget II or  MK2 gateway, both running v1.2.0 or later to update the fixtures. Note this is indicated by (***) in UpdaterAtor release note.

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