Cannot Flash FBM MK III

[Weegie]

I thought I'd try again to update my FBM in order to run the latest version of the VKB_DevCfg tool. When I tired this before I was able to flash the FBM but I had problems with the software and nobody seemed to be able to help me solve it.

So first I'm currently running firmware v1.79 and VKB_DevCfg v0.77.23

The latest version I know of is firmware v1.82 and VKBDevCfg v0.79.04

Now the problem I cannot get the ZBootloader to see the FBM I always get a red dot and the warning that the device is not connected.

I have tried going directly through a USB 2.0 port on the back of the motherboard and some other variations. I have tried starting with the FBM powered and the FBM disconnected followed by a reconnect when the ZBootloader is open. I have tried on both a Win 7 and Vista machine and absolutely nothing.

The stick seems to upload program files fine and I do not have problems with the older interface apart from some annoying problems with VKB_DevCfg doing stuff its meant to or not meant to on occasions but that's more connected with the VKB_DevCfg flakiness than the stick I think.

It was due to some of these weird problems with VKB_DevCfg that made me want to upgrade to a newer version to see if some of the problems I'm encountering have been solved, but as I'm unable to flash the stick with matching firmware I am dead in the water at step 1

I am reasonably competent and dis-assembling the stick or making some hardware changes do not bother me either in case there is a hard delete for the firmware required via jumpers or buttons on the board

Anybody help?

[UIV]

Please, explain me step by step (with details), how do you try to reflash the controller.

[Weegie]

Hi UIV

Not so much to tell but step by step

Restart Windows

Start Vkb_DevConfig and select the FBM (it's the only VKB device currently connected and is marked as a composite device)

In Vkb_DevConfig select Tools then the Bootloader button

This switches the stick off

Remove the USB cable and plug it back in to switch the stick back on

Start Z Bootloader at this point I usually see this



If I load the Firmware I want to flash I get this



If I hit Flash it nothing happens
If I restart the device and then hit Reset I get this



If you need more let me know

[Sokol1]

In Vkb_DevConfig select Tools then the Bootloader button
This switches the stick off
Remove the USB cable and plug it back in to switch the stick back on

When you unplug and plug the USB cable you turn OFF Bootloader mode and reset stick to normal mode. Try skipping this.

[Ron61]

Try to fix it using the Boot jumper, as described here https://yadi.sk/i/SKIvZJAk33eecQ.

[Victorus]

Sokol is right)) Try to flash once again, but do not unplug joystick. zbootloader must start automatically after vkbdevcfg will be closed. Ir no, try to launch manually.

[Weegie]

Hi Sokol & Victorus, I'm grateful for the assistance

When I press Start Bootloader from VKB_DevConfig 0.77.23 , the Bootloader doesn't load and the FBM switches off....................nothing else

I just tried exiting Vkb_DevConfig manually and started the Z-Bootloader manually after.

The bootloader still tells me the device is disconnected.

If I press reset on the bootloader I get a different error code but similar results



Ron61 thanks for the manual, if I cannot resolve it I'll certainly give the hard reset a try

I'm also starting to wonder if this is why I had problems trying to upgrade to the latest Vkb_DevConfig, on that occasion I managed to successfully flash the firmware but then the VKB_DevConfig was throwing up errors. I then had to reflash back to earlier firmware in order to run VKB_DevConfig 0.77.23 as the older program would not run with the upgraded firmware.

I mentioned it in this thread

http://forum.vkb-sim.pro/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2531

Once again thanks for the help, as I'm struggling

[Ron61]

Usually there are no problems with definition and firmware. But there were cases when third-party software of some manufacturers of mice of other equipment did not allow the joystick to enter the firmware mode . Cured either by running on another machine, or by disabling some devices. Well, the jumper Boot, too, has not been canceled .
p.s. somewhat dumbfounded and makes you think about the inscription in the lower right corner, do not you think?

[Sokol1]

Other tip is add a line in "zconfig.ini" - sees for overcome Windows UAC restrictions.

in the section [User] need to add a line User = Developer

[Weegie]

Thanks

No joy with either I'm afraid.

The test mode for Windows is to use an unsigned piece of software for a Space Navigator, which was not running at the time.

I also have tried Z-Bootloader on an older laptop running Vista and get exactly the same results I'm getting on the Win 7 machine, admittedly that was only using the Z-Bootloader standalone. I have not as yet loaded VKB_DevConfig across to the Vista laptop to try and run the bootloader automatically through Vkb_DevConfig.

If I ever get the new Firmware to flash then I'll try running the newer Vkb_DevConfig on that too, in case there is a conflict.

When trying to upgrade the Firmware no other HID software was running with the exception of the Kensington trackball software, other devices are plugged in, Kensington Trackball, Space Na6vigator, TM Warthog stick & Throttle.

I am running in Administrator mode and I have "Developer" in the Z-Config script.

A copy of that is shown below, looking at it I wonder if the "Njoy32 activation on demand=0" line has anything to do with it?

I'd also be grateful if minds more knowledgeable than mine would take a quick look to see if there are any other glaring anomalies

[UIV]

1) Connect the joystick to USB
2) Run VKBDevcfg-C
3) Click on the joystick
4) Make a screenshot
5) Click "Bootloader" button
6) Close VKBDevcfg-C
7) Run Z-Bootloader
8) Make a screenshot
9) Upload the screenshots here

[Weegie]

The is only thing that differs from your instructions UIV.

When I click on Bootloader in VKBDevcfg-C is the VKBDevcfg-C program shuts itself down without any intervention on my behalf and all the LEDs on the joystick go out.

I then manually started Z-Bootloader without doing anything further so when Z-Bootloader is started the joystick has not been touched and has no LEDs lit.

The 2 images requested





If you need me to repeat it slightly differently or require another procedure or more information just let me know

[UIV]

1) Connect the joystick to USB
2) Run VKBDevcfg-C
3) Click on the joystick
4) Make a screenshot
5) Click "Bootloader" button
6) Don't run Z-Bootloader.
7) Run vkbDevCfg-C again.
8) And post the screenshot :-)

[Ron61]

Is the file ZBootloader-С.exe located in the configurator folder? For a proper start, it should be there.

[Weegie]

Oops apologies UIV

The final screenshot



Ron61
My Z-bootloader is in a separate folder. So I copied it across to the Vkb_DevCfg-C and lo and behold



Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.......................Many thanks to everybody I've learned something else

Now will it flash the firmware??????