Be very very careful when doing firmware updates on a C1/C2

[Scarp]

As the subject says ... be very careful when doing firmware upgrades or actually do not do this yourself.

Here is my little story:
For some investigation for the Dolby Digital EX problems, I had contact with someone from Parasound. However since I had an older firmware version (6.37), they asked me to update my firmware.

Since I had experience with Rotel pre/pro's and thought that this wouldn't be much difference, I agreed and they send me the necessary files.

So I started the update application and started the update. However everytime the update ended somewhere near 80% of the 1 MB file. I tried a zillion times and each time failed. This was very frustrating. I emailed a bit with someone from Parasound and asked what to do and the answer was "I don't know, I'll forward it to someone else". However I got no answer, so eventually I had to go to bed (it was late in the evening, since there is a time difference between europe and the usa) and I do not want to leave on my computer and the C2 indefinitly. Also I know that for most equipment it is no problem to turn of the unit, since a firmware upgrade does not overwrite code that makes a connection between the units (logical idea uh?).

Well... i was mistaken....

Whatever you do, DO NOT TURN OFF THE C1/C2 DURING A FIRMWARE UPGRADE, UNLESS IT SAYS SO TO DO THAT

Let me repeat that: DO NOT TURN OFF THE C1/C2 DURING A FIRMWARE UPGRADE

Note that at the point of turning it off, the unit was not sending anything!

The result of doing this is, that your flashchip will be dead and needs to replaced to get your unit to come alive again.

Well well ... this does not take into account, that you could get a powerfailure, trip over a wire or whatever reason the electricity fails during such an update. Its an incredibly optimistic update policy and I have not seen this a lot.

So again contact with Parasound and they where helpfull in providing a solution. At first maybe let me do the chip replacement myself, however since warranty is in the hands of the local distributor and they don't agree with me doing it myself, so they send the replacement chips to the distributor and I can go to them (my dealer is just as far away, so I can just as well drive to the distributor myself).

I do get the replacement chip for free, but I will have to pay for the labour costs of the people from the distributor. This is a point I do not agree with. This is bad service and should be free. In the future these things will definitly influence my decision in buying anything from the same distributor again (and for that fact also Parasound).

There seems to be a disagreement between some people from parasound and some others about firmware upgrades. Some think users can do that themselves, others say do not do this themselves. This is bad and silly. If they had made a proper upgrade design, then there is no problem in users doing this themselves. Just take a look at Club Rotel and see that all people that have problems, seem to get it solved anyway.

Anyway, the story is not yet over. I still have to go to the distributor and get the chip replaced.

So, to all of you, let this be a warning and be very careful when attempting this yourself.

[Kingdaddy]

As far as I know all Firmware is a part of the BIOS, and since the BIOS is the first thing any processor based electronic equipment looks at during boot-up, it must be complete, or no boot-up. In other words if the entire file doesn’t get downloaded glitch free, the unit cannot boot to a point where you can access the update process, this is not unique to Parasound equipment, it’s true with all computer based equipment today. I have flashed test equipment BIOS, my Sony TAE 3 times and just finished upgrading a Aircraft EFIS computer and they all have the same problem, if there is any kind of interruption during the process then it’s toast. A manufacturer has the same problem (I’ve been on both ends), only difference is they have some more chips on hand to replace them with, so there is really no way around this problem with present technology.

However they should let you replace the PROM yourself, it’s very easy to do and does not require any special skills.

[smalone]

Good post Scarp.

I have flashed many a mother boards BIOS's and a lot of Pre/Pro's from Rotel's to even my Halo C2 but for me it is very easy and I have the common sense to know what to do and how to do it. But Scarp is correct in that you do need to be careful and if you do not have the techno-know-how then it is probably better to leave it be or have someone that knows what they are doing, do it for you.

Now I for one love to have the latest and greatest, so when a new version of firmware comes out, I have to get my hands on it and flash away! But that is just me. :-)

Pre/Pro's are more and more like computers these days, They can crash, they can lock-up and yes, you can damage them to the point that they won't boot up!

Read the directions, follow then to the "T" and you should be ok... and when in doubt, just ask here before doing anything!

[Scarp]

It might be that its like a computer, this does not excuse it from being a bad design and if there are chances that when interupted the chip will be dead, then don't let users do this themselves. Rotel equipment have no problem with this. I've seen lots of examples where something goes wrong and still they will be able to update it at some time later.

TagMclaren is another example, they have a reset switch, i.e., they use a second chip.

Uploading the firmware takes quite a long time (at least 15 minutes) and anything can happen.

[smalone]

I can’t argue with you there Scarp. I do like the way Rotel handles there firmware upgrades. Just throw the little dipswitch in the back which is under and little panel that is held on with a little Phillips screw and go to town.

I miss my 1066 but I do like my Halo C2 more and I have upgraded the firmware with no problem what-so-ever. But I do see your point and had my power gone out or had I shut down the unit before the process was complete and had a dead unit I would be just as upset as you and would have posted the exact same warning.

I feel your pain.

One last note. I also like how Rotel seems to come out with upgrades of there firmware on a regular basis. Halo on the other hand…. Well lets just say that if it were not for this forum and the good people here I would not have ever known that there was a newer version and would not have ever gotten the chance to even try the upgrade.

So take note Parasound. Rotel has a great upgrade path and it would be great for you to follow there lead in that respect.

Have a great weekend everyone!