could not get tiu to update software

Are you powering the TIU through Fixed 1 or aux power? Are you using the jumper to put TIU in program mode?

DCS 3.0????? No such current animal. 4.3 is the current version

Are you using the latest loader program, version 2.3.4?  If not download it from http://www.protosound2.com/.

For sound files, you have to use the proper file depending on whether you have 3-volt or 5-volt boards.  Files for each are not interchangeable.

Barry, I thought the TIU would update with just the USB plugged in? 

John,

All that one can do when the TIU's only power source is its USB port is to update TIU and DCS Remote software, and backup/restore DCS Remotes. Any operation regarding DCS engines requires a more robust power source than the USB port can provide.

It would appear that the USB power source is insufficient to power the DCS signal generators. Naturally, I learned this "the hard way" when attempting to operate a DCS engine on a channel other than Fixed #1, while powering the TIU from the USB port.  

Regardless, I misread the issue from the OP and swapped "good sound file transfer" and "bad TIU update" to be the other way around. Accordingly, I'll delete my first post.

That's what happens when I post before my morning caffeine!  

I thought I had done this once by mistake, not remembering to turn on the power supply.  I did realize that if you want to talk to locomotives, clearly you'd have to have track power.  I still typically power the TIU while doing the updates, and of course the ones with only the serial port require it anyway.

I think we can give you a pass so that I get a pass on the next misinformation I post, probably within a day.

John,

I did realize that if you want to talk to locomotives, clearly you'd have to have track power. 

The issue arises when one powers the TIU via the USB port while using Fixed #2 or a variable channel for the engine itself.

Good point, I see where you're going.

Are you powering the TIU through Fixed 1 or aux power? Are you using the jumper to put TIU in program mode? marty

yes i tried powering up with aux one or fixed one the red led inside powers up and i can power up the locomotives threw the dcs remote.That works but if i try power up tiu and the click start i get an immediate message error. user error something. i have to try it again and check exactly what the error message is.

when i click start after powering up TIU ,and then click start it opens up the page to tell the programs where the dcs_4.30.exe is then click open to find the file and start, that's when i get the error message?

Any idea's Marty,john,George or Barry?

thanks for any help you can supply

Alan

P.S. sound file upload or download perfectly????

Also i do have the stereo cable connecting the proto dispatch and proto cast connected together??

any ideas

I'm trying to update a rev H1 tiu to 4.30 software

Yes i had downloaded 2.3.4 loader and download the 4.30 file, it does not start to go into the TIU, maybe i missed something

. this is the first time I'm trying to update a tiu to 4.30

Alan

Alan,

The TIU isn't going into program mode. There are a few reasons for this:

• You powered-up the TIU without before the 1/8" stereo jumper cable between the ProtoCast and ProtoDispatch ports was in place
• The jumper cable is mono rather than stereo. It must be stereo
• The jumper cable is defective or not plugged all the way into the ports
• One or both of the two ports into which the jumper cable is plugged is defective.

Since the engine worked from the remote,the TIU was not in program mode. If it was, the engine would not be found.

Further, when the jumper cable is in place and working, and the TIU is subsequently powered-on, the red LED will just come on steady right away. It will not blink at all.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry the light comes on solid red and after typing in dcs4_30.exe, i get error message file not found,check the file name and try again
!??

Alan

Barry the tiu is in the program mode and comes on solid, i was letting the know the tiu worked otherwise OK!

the problem seems to rely on not finding the file and i can see the file dcs4_30.exe is in my computer, that's why it does  not make sense!?

Alan

P.S. any ideas and i have tried this on  2 different computers both with windows 7?

Alan

Alan,

dcs4_30.exe

That is not the correct file. You need to double-click that file so that it is unarchived into 2 files, one ending in".tiu" and the other ending in ".rem".

Those are the actual software update files, one for the TIU and the other for the remote.

This is explained on page 136 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

Installing the DCS Upgrade Software

To begin the installation of the DCS software upgrade, locate the file where it was saved on the personal computer and double-click on its icon. Then proceed as follows: 

• Click on "OK" to allow the WinZip Self-Extractor program to unzip the file 

• When the next dialog box appears click "Unzip." The file will be saved in a folder on the personal computer's hard drive named "My MTH files." If you wish to save it somewhere else, click "Browse" and navigate to the preferred location 

• The DCS software upgrade will be expanded and made ready to be installed. The DCS software upgrade is now ready for uploading to the DCS Remote and TIU.

Do you have a copy of my book? If so, refer to it when you are concerned about doing something right the first time. If you do not have a copy, you should!  

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

"If you do not have a copy, you should!"

Indeed you should. I would highly recommend this book, even if you don't think you need it, you really do. I have followed the directions in it many times and everything worked flawlessly. The print copy is better because you can take it to the layout or where ever you are working on something. It has probably saved me countless hours of head scratching and then asking questions here and waiting for replies.

thanks Barry it downloaded in less then 5 minutes.! Alan, wheres the web sight where i can download your book, I wanted to buy it already in book form but it is no longer available threw MTH i checked on it month's ago!

Alan

Google is your friend.

http://www.amazon.com/The-DCS-...panion/dp/1460921690

Thanks John can always count on you to find a solution to any problem!

Alan

The forum is a great [place to find out any train information, a bunch of great guys to help all forum members,thanks to all with there suggestions!I hope the remote upgrade goes as well i have to go to harbor freight to get there small clamp to hold the remote button so i can upgrade that next!

Again Thanks all

Alan

Some of the clamps are pretty stiff, and I'd fear damaging the remote.  Marty Fitzhenry introduced me to a small Craftsman clamp that has a weaker spring; I think these are also available at Ace.  When not in use, I leave it clamped over a block of wood at maximum opening to weaken the spring still further.

In addition to a stronger spring, some of the clamps have a large pad that hits the remote case and doesn't press the button quite enough.  The Craftsman clamp fits the button better.

thanks RJR do you have the Sears part number so i can purchase one in  the store today?and also the ACE [art number or nomenclature so i may purchase one from ace as well!

Thanks very much RJR for the info!

Alan

I do not have either number.  Ace around here sells Craftsman, so I assume they have it.  It's a spring=loaded clamp used for holding two small pieces together so the glue can dry.  The wide-pad style are easy to find.  I couldn't find the narrow pad style until Marty loaned me one of his Craftsman clamps when we were doing upgrades at York.  On the way back from York, I was passing a Craftsman tool & hardware store and stopped in.

When I program the remotes, I use a small spring clamp and a tiny bit of double-sided foam tape right on the button.  The allows the pad of the clamp to properly press the button.  I cut a piece about 1/8" square off a roll to do the remote.  It's not reusable, but I don't do more than a few a month for updates, so I don't worry about the foam tape.

I tried programing A REMOTE tonight but to no avail. i followed the directions exactly ,software told me to start and then press button on remote and i held it in with my new clamp , then it said to let go  and turn remote on. It will not come on when tethered, and as far i i know i thought you were suppose to hold the button in the whole time during the upgrade. does not work. I was trying to  up grade a 2.21 version remote older one. are there upgrade issues with the older remotes. tried at least 4 times?

What's next?

Alan

P.S. thanks John i ordered  Barry's book from amazon today  !thanks for the amazon address!

Alan

I've upgraded some ancient remotes, there should be no issue.  The primary reason they don't work is you either have a bad tether, low batteries, and the #1 reason is you're not holding the button down continuously.

Alan,

I was trying to  up grade a 2.21 version remote older one. are there upgrade issues with the older remotes.

Yes. Any remote (or TIU) that is at a software level prior to DCS 3.0 must be reset (Factory Reset for a TIU) immediately after it is upgraded.

When upgrading a remote, note the following:

• The stereo 1/8" jumper cable, that's used to upgrade the TIU, must be removed and the TIU powered off and then on again, before attempting to upgrade a remote
• The telephone handset cable connecting the TIU's Remote Input port and the remote itself must be a 4-conductor, not a 2-conductor, cable
• The remote must be off when you start the process and must not turn on during the process
• When told to hold down the remote's power button, press it in and do not release it until either instructed to do so or until the entire upgrade process has completed. You may be a told to hold it in and release it a couple of times before the process actually starts
• If all of the above is OK and there are still problems, check the ports where the cable plugs in on the TIU and the remote for bent or shorted pins, and also try using a new cable.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

John,

I've upgraded some ancient remotes, there should be no issue. 

That's not entirely correct. See my post above this one.

Well the remote  I 'm trying to upgrade says the battery's are low but when checked with the meter in the remote show a good voltage but the remote test say the battery is low, but the same batterey's put in a different remote says there good?

Alan

There is no meter in the remote that tests the remote's batteries.  Also, I have 2 remotes dating from the DCS original issue.  I upgrade them with no problems whatsoever.  If a remote says the battery is low, put in another battery.  DOn't turn on backlight when upgrading.

Years ago, when going from V2 to V3, I did have to do the reset as Barry notes.

Try using your finger in place of the clamp and be sure button is pressed.

When you are re-trying some procedure, always power down the TIU and then power it up again.  Also when doing another procedure, even the same type.

I got the remote to upgrade successfully , i guess there was a software bug as the low battery alarm went away ounce the 2.21 rev was changed to 4.3 now the remote works correctly!

Thanks all i just had to reset the tethered cord a couple of times and the upgrade took off!

Thanks all for your help!

Alan

True, but the upgrade should have gone successfully.  His symptoms are coming before the reset is a factor.  I agree that a factory reset is needed.

John,

True, but the upgrade should have gone successfully. 

Just to be clear, the OP asked...

are there upgrade issues with the older remotes.

Do you consider that upgrading the remote and failing to do a Reset, causing the remote to subsequently malfunction, is not an issue?

OK, you win. 

My only point was that wasn't the issue he was experiencing, he hadn't gotten that far.