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Fastrad firmware upgrade tool 2

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Phonehed

Phonehed

Programmer
Apr 25, 2006
452
US
I'm bench testing a small box of older FastRads and I downloaded a copy of the RAD firmware upgrade tool that Exmogger posted in a link here back in '08.

I was surprised to find the files contained within that zip file were dated 1998 but I went ahead and tried it anyway on my first victim, here at my place on my newest, 100 dollar, used MICS 5.0 system.

I followed the instructions to the letter and the upgrade tool comes up and says it's beginning the download and sending the text file. Then I power up the RAD and it seems to take the upgrade but it never actually gives any real indication that it is. After about 10 minutes it just pops up a window that says the RAD is disconnected.

So I'm wondering several things that I can't seem to find any details on now:

1) Is there a newer version of the firmware upgrade that I should be using?

2) Is there a way to determine if a RAD has already had the firmware upgrade?

3) Will the firmware upgrade work using all of the default parameters (assuming I'm on the correct com port with a proper connection to the RAD of course)?

4) Did I successfully upgrade my first victim or should I be getting some kind of definitive indication from the RAD upgrade tool upon successful completion of the process?

Thanks in advance for any help on this!


Phonehed in Dallas
 
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1 - That's the only firmware upgrade of which I'm aware.

2 - The upgrade allows the FastRAD to answer a target line. Only way I know to test is to see if a connection can be made by having the FastRAD answer a DID.

3 - It's been years since I've done a firmware upgrade, but I recall setting the baud rate to 1200. You should see a series of dots scroll across the screen when the power is connected to the FastRAD indicating that the upgrade has started. It takes about 10 minutes.

4 - It sounds like it worked. The programming in the FastRAD will default if it took the upgrade.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
 
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I need the firmware upgrade tool for some RADS I have. Can anyone post a link here or direct me in the right direction
 
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Somehow I was expecting it to give me some kind of confirmation that it actually took the upgrade but I never got one and it never defaulted the RAD programming either so I don't think I successfully upgraded it. I'm gonna try again at 1200 baud and see what happens. Thanks for the help!

Phonehed in Dallas
 
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I found an old FastRAD and successfully did the firmware update. I connected to com port 1 on my PC, set the baud rate to 19200 per the instructions, clicked on File/Connect, then plugged power into the FastRAD. This is what displayed on my screen:

BEGINNING DOWNLOAD PROCEDURE

Send Text File
............................................................
............................................................

DOWNLOAD SUCCESSFUL

The dots scrolled across the screen for about 7-10 minutes.

Brian Cox
Oregon Phone
 
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In the UK, we use E-Rads. They are the same as the fastrads, but I've had a few, where I just couldn't load in the software. Once the program is running as Brian as mentioned above, go and have a brew for 5 to 10 minutes and don't touch anything, until the program finishes.


All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

If it's working, then leave it alone!.
 
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Hello Brian. I took the two rads apart and had noticed small differences between the working and non working one. I totally agree with you.

Any luck with your BCM's?.

P.S. Thanks for the present the other Month.

Take care

David

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

If it's working, then leave it alone!.
 
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Thanks for the help there guys. I think the first one I tried may have already been upgraded as it seems to be working ok on a system with PRI now.

I've still got a half dozen or so to test so I guess I just need to verify that 1998 is still the most recent release of the upgrade tool.

My instructions say to set the baud rate at 9600 and I see where Exmogger indicated that his instructions said 19200 so I'm thinking my copy is way out of date.

Hey Brian, is your exe file also dated 1998 and if it's newer than that can you post a link or email it to me?

Thanks again!

Phonehed in Dallas
 
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I take that back, my instructions did say 19200 and that's what I was using. I'm pretty sure it's just the newer ones that won't take (and don't need) the upgrade though.

Phonehed in Dallas
 
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