Firmware Upgrade Utility User Guide (B).

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Introduction
This User Guide provides instructions for the PanelView Component Firmware Update Utility. The
Utility is a PC application that interacts with the Boot Loader on the Terminal via a USB connection to
perform maintenance actions on the Terminal firmware. The Utility supports a viable firmware
maintenance capability that is independent of the Operating System and/or the other firmware elements
on the Terminal.

The Utility supports the following maintenance actions on the Terminal

1. Update Firmware - Installs a new/changed firmware image.
2. Clean File System - Formats the entire File System. All user-added content in the File System is
erased including all changes to the Windows Registry. The system reverts to a default Registry.
3. Clean Registry - All changes to the Windows Registry are erased. The system reverts to a default
Registry.

The maintenance actions are available on the main screen of the Utility as follows:

The maintenance actions can be invoked separately or together. Clean File System includes Clean
Registry because the Registry is a file.

In addition to standard, elective maintenance actions, the Utility permits a User to recover from the
following fatal conditions:
1. A non-functional Operating System that resulted from failed or interrupted firmware upgrade.
2. A corrupted File System that blocks the Operating System.
3. A corrupted Windows Registry that blocks the Operating System.

Note: The typical firmware upgrade methods as described in Chapter 5 of the User Manual (Publication
2711C-UM001A-EN-P) require a functioning Operating System.

Important: Before connecting the PC to the USB Port of the Terminal, be sure to install the Allen-Bradley
PanelView USB Remote NDIS Device Driver as described in Chapter 4 of the User Manual
(Publication 2711C-UM001A-EN-P).

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Update Firmware
1. Connect the USB Host port on the PC Desktop to the USB Device port
2. Use the Start Menu, open Programs and launch the “Allen-Bradley\PanelView Component Firmware
Update Utility”.
3. Once the “Firmware Update Utility” is running, ensure the Update Firmware checkbox is enabled.
Use the Browse Button to select an SC Image which is typically obtained from our Tech Support Web
Site. (e.g. SC 01-01-002.IMG)

4. When a valid SC image is opened, the Version Info is extracted and displayed.
5. Click the Begin Waiting for Connect Requests button to enable firmware updating.
6. The Utility is now ready and waiting for an update request from the Terminal.

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7. Reset the Terminal. Be certain to momentarily open the USB connection and at the same time cycle
power. Otherwise, there is sufficient power on the USB connection to keep the Terminal from
resetting.
8. Observe the progress bar and the message window for status as the image(s) are downloaded to the
Terminal. While the image is being downloaded, the Terminal shows “UPDATE 1E” on its splash
screen.

9. Wait for the Utility to report “Update Complete” on the progress bar.

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10. Wait for the Terminal to write the new image into flash memory. While the image is being written into
flash, the Terminal shows “UPDATE A5” on its splash screen. This activity will continue about 1
minute beyond when the Utility reported “Update Complete”.
11. When the new image is successfully written to flash memory, the Terminal reboots itself
automatically. Attention: Please keep Terminal powered on until it fully boots up.
12. Observe the firmware version info for the new image is displayed on the start-up splash screen and is
reported by the Configuration Application on the System Information screen.

Clean File System or Clean Registry

1. Connect the USB Host port on the PC Desktop to the USB Device port
2. Use the Start Menu, open Programs and launch the “Allen-Bradley\PanelView Component Firmware
Update Utility”.
3. Once the “Firmware Update Utility” is running, ensure the Clean File System checkbox is enabled
and/or the Clean Registry checkbox is enabled.

Note: When the Clean File System is enabled, the Clean Registry checkbox is also enabled because the
Registry (hive) is a file. Consequently, Clean Registry is always inclusive with Clean File System.
.
4. Click the Begin Waiting for Connect Requests button to enable the Clean File System and/or Clean
Registry actions to be sent to the Terminal when requested.

5. The Utility is now ready and waiting for a Request from the Terminal.
6. Reset the Terminal. Be certain to momentarily open the USB connection and at the same time cycle
power. Otherwise, there is sufficient power on the USB connection to keep the Terminal from
resetting.
7. Wait for the Utility to report “Update Complete” on the progress bar.

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8. The Terminal continues booting and automatically performs the requested actions while starting up.
9. Observe the Terminal reverts to the initial (default) startup application.

Troubles During Firmware Upgrading

If firmware update utility cannot work, make sure the USB RNDIS adapter settings are correct:

1. Open the Windows Network Connections folder

2. Reset the Terminal. Be certain to momentarily open the USB connection and at the same time cycle
power. Otherwise, there is sufficient power on the USB connection to keep the Terminal from
resetting.

3. Right-click the connection with name “Allen-Bradley PanelView Boot Loader USB Remote RNDIS
Network Device” when it appears.

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4. Select Advanced

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5. Select Windows Fire Wall Settings

6. Make sure Windows Firewall is off. Click the OK button.

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7. Click the General tab for connection properties.

8. Make sure the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) box is checked and no other protocols are checked.

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9. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and select Properties.

10. Verify that this IP address and Subnet Mask are set.

IP address: 169.254.254.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0

Software Maintenance
11. Version info for the PanelView Component Firmware Update Utility is on the About Screen.
12. Use the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to install a newer version or repair an existing
installation of the PanelView Component Firmware Update Utility.

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