Firmware is a type of software that's embedded into hardware devices to control their functionality. It's a program that provides low-level instructions for how the hardware operates. Occasionally, Light-O-Rama will distribute new firmware for it's controllers. The updated version may fix bugs, improve reliability, and/or provide enhanced capabilities. In general, unless the new version of firmware has a new feature that you need to use, you should not update the firmware.
Each version of the Light-O-Rama Software Suite is distributed with the latest firmware files for every controller (as of the time of the software's release). If you need a more current firmware file, you can download it from the Light-O-Rama web site's firmware page .
The Hardware Utility can be used to update firmware for any Light-O-Rama controller, with the exception of the E1.31 pixel controllers (Aurora Core and PixCon16). If you do wish to update the firmware of a controller, do so using the following steps:
•It is recommended that only one controller be connected to the computer when updating firmware. Units can have firmware updated when more than one is attached to the computer, but if you choose to do this, make sure you select the desired unit when clicking the Configure button.
•If you haven't already done so, plug a Light-O-Rama USB adapter into an available port. Connect a Cat5 or Cat6 cable from the adapter to the controller. Plug the unit into an AC outlet, and turn the unit on.
•Open the Light-O-Rama Control Panel and navigate to the Hardware Utility section.
•Make selections in the Ports to Scan and Scan For boxes.
oIf you do not remember the unit's current unit ID, or if the controller doesn't seem to be reacting to its current ID, select "Advanced (Unknown Id)" in the "Scan For" box. If you select this option, make sure that you have just one controller connected. Otherwise, all units that are connected to the PC will have their firmware updated.
•Click the "Scan" button
•Wait for results to appear at the bottom of the page
•For the device whose firmware you are going to update, click the "Configure" button
Click the "Configure" button to change the unit ID of the controller
If you have any doubt about which controller you are updating, move over to the Test Lights tab and verify that the lights that come on are attached to the controller you intend to update (then switch back to the Configure tab). Now click the "Update" button next to the firmware version.
You will be prompted to select the firmware file - these files have an "lhx" extension. The files you initially see are ones that were installed as part of the Light-O-Rama Software Suite. If you downloaded a firmware file from the Light-O-Rama web site, you will need to navigate to the folder where you saved the download file. Select the file that corresponds to your controller. As soon as you click the "Open" button, the process of loading the file into the controller will begin. A progress bar will indicate how far along the load process is. Don't do anything else in the Control Panel until the load process is completed. If there are communication problems with the controller during the load process, the load process will automatically retry sending the data. The load process will only give up after multiple errors have been encountered.
Firmware in the process of being loaded
Troubleshooting
If the download does not start within 15 seconds of hitting the "Open" button, check that the unit is powered and properly connected to the PC. If all else fails, power the unit on and off after you click the Open button and the PC is attempting to start the download.