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-
- Microcom FirmUp README.TXT
- FirmWare Update Procedure, Tips and Tricks for Microcom FlashROM Modems
- Revised 08/02/96
-
- Technical Support
- Microcom Inc.
- 500 River Ridge Drive
- Norwood MA USA
- (617) 551-1313 Monday-Friday 8:00am - 7:00pm EST
-
- ========================================================================
-
- ■ This document addresses the following upgrades;
- 1. Modem firmware by Microcom FirmUp(tm) Windows Applet
- 2. Modem firmware update with Terminal Emulation Software
-
- ■ FirmUp(tm) now features enhanced Windows95(tm) compatibility for both
- PCMCIA and Parallel Modems. FirmUp will automatically switch to
- serial mode until the firmware upload process is complete. No
- additional configuration is necessary for notebook computers under
- Windows95(tm).
-
- ■ The following Microcom Modems are Flash ROM Upgradeable:
-
- DeskPorte Fast Plus TravelPorte Fast
- DeskPorte Fast TravelCard 28.8 P
- Deskporte Fast EP Travelcard Fast
- DeskPorte Fast 28.8 P HDFast
-
- ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ NOTE: │
- │ External Parallel Modems must be upgraded by Serial Connection. │
- │ Firmware can NOT be upgraded through the Parallel port. │
- └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
-
- ■ Firmware files for all Microcom FlashROM Upgradeble Modems are
- available at the following locations:
-
- WWW: http://www.microcom.com
- FTP: ftp.microcom.com
- Modems: /pub/modems/firmware/domestic/ [USA]
- /pub/modems/firmware/internat/ [International]
- HDMS: /pub/hdms
-
- BBS (617) 551-4750
- Domestic Modems: Conference (2)
- International Modems:Conference (13)
- HDMS: Conference (3)
-
-
- Basic Installation Procedure for the Microcom FirmUp(tm) Applet
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 1. Obtain the current firmware file for your product.
-
- 2. Create a directory for the FirmUp program files on your hard drive.
- Example: MD c:\firmup) Copy all of the included files to this
- directory.
-
- 3. Install For Windows 3.xx:
- Create a program item by selecting File/New
- Description: Firmup
- Command line: C:\Firmup\Firmup.exe
- Working Directory: C:\Firmup
- Click on Change Icon.
- Double click the icon
- Click OK
-
- Install for Windows 95:
- Open Explorer and change to the c:\firmup directory. Create a
- shortcut for firmup.exe and drag to the location of your choice.
-
- 4. Update Procedure
-
- Execute FirmUp by double clicking on the icon. Select the correct
- com port and modem type. Click on the [INFO] button. If you
- receive a "Modem not Found" error message, recheck your COM port
- selection.
-
- Now select the correct radio button for your Microcom modem
- product.
-
- Click on the [Update] Button. A file selection dialog box will
- appear.
-
- Select the correct path to the firmware file.
- Example: c:\firmup\M0853318.DPF
-
- Now click on the [OK] button and the update process will begin.
-
-
- What to do if the Firmware Update Fails:
- ----------------------------------------
-
- - Windows 3.11 Flow Control Mismatch:
-
- Microcom Modems are configured to use hardware (RTS/CTS) flow
- control by default. Windows 3.1x default settings are XON/XOFF
- flow control. You can optimize your port settings by going into
- Main -> Comtrol Panel -> Ports -> COMn . Change the Flow Control
- setting from XON/XOFF to "Hardware" on the drop down selection
- box.
-
- - Use a Slower Port Speed:
-
- For Windows 3.11: Select a Port Speed of 9600 bps or lower in
- Main -> Control Panel -> Ports -> COMn
-
- For Windows 95: From the START Menu, select Settings ->
- Control Panel -> Modems Icon -> Modem Properties Tabbed Page ->
- Advanced Settings. Change Serial Port Speed to 9600 bps
-
- - Regarding 16550 UART Serial Support:
-
- The TravelCard Fast and TravelCard 28.8 P have integral 16550
- support.
-
- The firmware update procedure for all serial-connected Microcom
- modems is greatly facilitated if the serial port is supported by
- a 16550 equivalent buffered UART chip.
-
- The actual main code file for Microcom FlashROM upgradeable
- products is an ASCII Hex Dump file. Each line of the firmware
- code is protected by a checksum. In the event that a bit is
- "dropped", the checksum will fail. The 16 byte buffers in a
- 16550 or equivalent serial port will greatly reduce the
- possibility of a checksum failure due to dropped bits.
-
- - Shut Down all other Processes while Updating your Firmware:
-
- FirmUP will have a greater possibilty of success when it does not
- have to compete with other applications and processes for
- interrupt service. We recommend that nothing else should be
- running for the duration of the update process.
-
- - Reset Factory Defaults for Deskport Fast - All Models:
-
- Experience has shown that the update process may be eased by
- resuming a factory default configuration for the DeskPorte Fast,
- DeskPorte Fast+ and the corresponding rack mount models. This can
- be quickly accomplished by switch setting. Open SW2-4 and turn
- the modem off and on. Leave the switch open. Proceed with the
- update procedure. Restore the switch to the closed position and
- reconfigure the modem.
-
-
- How to Flash Update Modem Firmware with Terminal Emulation Software:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- The following terminal emulation packageshave been tested and found
- to be capable of supporting this procedure.
-
- CrossTalk for Windows and DOS TE/2 for OS/2
- Procomm Plus for Windows and DOS HyperAccess for OS/2
- MicroPhone Pro for Windows ZOC for OS/2
- QuickLink II for Windows and DOS LiveWire for OS/2
- Carbon Copy 6.1 terminal mode
- Qmodem Pro for Windows and DOS
- Telix for Windows and DOS
- {COMMO} for DOS
- Term90 - Norton Commander 4.0
- HyperTerminal - Windows95
-
- - Basic Steps for Terminal Emulation Software:
-
- Set Serial Port Speed in Software to 9600 bps
- Set Flow Control in Software to Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS)
- If your Software supports only Software Flow Control, send AT\Q1
- command to modem (XON/XOFF Flow Control)
-
- Set ASCII Transfer Options in Software:
-
- Character Pacing = 0
- Delay between Linefeeds = 0
-
- Send AT^H <enter> to modem to begin Update Process
-
- Immediately begin an ASCII Upload of proper main code firmware file
- to your Microcom modem.
-
- There will be no screen output during the actual update process.
-
- A successful upload will echo the message "MODEM FIRMWARE UPDATE
- COMPLETE" to your terminal screen.
-
- If you receive any error messages, refer to the "What to do if the
- Firmware Update Fails" section above.
-
- The upload process should take three to seven minutes to complete.
-
- -end-
-