Hi all
I looked thru some/most of the posts on upgrading from 1.3 ==>1.4 and 1.4 ===> 1.5. Some of the info goes back a while so I was looking for the current thinking - in terms that I might understand.
I am guessing that the Black module, are much like the Blue/Tan/Orange modules and won't fit into the USB port or any other port on most PCs or an adapter either. Is this correct? Has anybody worked thru overcoming this? Here on the forum, in the US or China?at Lionel?
Perhaps my situation is a bit different. My PC is in my 'office' and my layout is elsewhere in the house, not near by. So the way to get an upgrade is to disconnect the base from its position on the layout - i.e., the "U" wire, the "data and comm cable" and the power jack - carry the base, the cables and the power supply from the layout to the location where you have your PC. Alternatively, you get a LapTop with a USB/serial port cable. Using the computer connection from the Legacy cables, connect it into the serial port, insert a Black Module into the base, and begin downloading from the Lionel site.
Lionel now offers upgrade modules for sale at the same $19 they charge for the re-writable modules price plus shipping costs. In talking with Lionel this AM, they suggested that the Black modules are unsupported by them, though they sell them. They also said there were additional features that are contained on the modules that they were unable to describe, that might be useful with the downloading.
How do you guys do the upgrades, infrequently as they occur -- 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 in two years? How infrequent is that?
Do you buy the black, writable modules, go thru the disconnection of wires and movement of equipment, use a 2nd PC or buy the upgrade modules that Lionel offers?
Is there something I am missing?
Ralph
