Odd PS2 sound file upload behavior

Dave,

Which version of the Loader Program were you using? You should always use the latest available;e Loader program, which would currently be version 5.0.

Regardless, the Loader program will occasionally issue an erroneous error message that the file type is wrong for the engine. Typically, simply quitting and rerunning the Loader program will cure the problem.

It WORKED!  I had sound back!!!!  But 2 hours ago, I got a warning that the engine needed a 5V file?

I've  never run across this error before , however most of my upgrades were done years ago until a  recent one with version 5. 

. At one time the loader did a factory reset as one of the last steps loading sound files. Would hurt to do a factory  and  hopefully  the error message disappears for ever.

Menu/advanced/reset engine/ factory reset.... You may even end up with a few new soft keys.

Barry:

Loader is 2.3.4 with 4.2.  

I'm sure I wrong, but I could have sworn I saw folks complaining here about 5.0 (and it sounded like it's main driver was wi-fi, which I wasn't planning on moving to yet.)

The DCS website doesn't have access to back-level loaders, so I'm leary of moving forward if I run into issues.

Gregg - yes - I thought of this and manually did a factory reset after it loaded the file and had no sound.  Didn't do a thing.

I'm assuming I need 3V files and not 5V files and as Barry indicated, the error that was being thrown was not correct.

Maybe I'll go back down and try one of the 10+ F3 files I downloaded.

I think I might still have the 2.3.4 loader install package on the computer.  I might go to 5.0 if I can get back if there are issues.

What type of battery is in the engine?  3 volt or 5 volt? That's the only engine on the track right? 

2.4V

I'm sure I wrong, but I could have sworn I saw folks complaining here about 5.0

You are are absolutely entitled to believe whatever you like, no matter how incorrect it may be.

Regardless, my opinion is that DCS 5.0 and Loader Program 5.0 are the best versions of each that MTH has ever produced. Period.

Keep trying you'll eventually get something loaded..  use a  3  volt file.. 

DCS5.0 now loaded and installed.  Thanks Barry.

Numerous loads (and errors) of a 3V file has DCS still telling me that the engine is a 5V engine. It still comes up on the screen as 5V under Engine when trying to start the loader, and then throws the Critical Error.  Yet as you can see above, it's currently loaded with a 3V file and the sounds works great.  I'm leaving as-is for now, as my guess the FT is close enough to an F3.  But one would think it should work.

Dave

http://mthtrains.com/30-4108-1

Go to this one and see if it works. It is freight from 2005.  That file you listed is the only one posted between 2007 and 2009.  It may be corrupted.  I e-mail MTH and get it checked.  Or have them send you the factory file.   G

GGG - Thanks, but this one didn't work either. Got the same error - trying to load a 3V file on a 5V engine - WAIT - it was a 3V engine 2 days ago.  Now it's a 5V engine?   I think Barry's input that there is flakiness in throwing errors is confirmed - not that I doubted him - he did write The Book - but the odd thing now - after trying to load the above file from 30-4108-1 download and getting the error, the engine has no sounds!  I would think that the program shouldn't write anything until some type of handshake starts, but that wasn't the case.  Tried deleting the engine froom the remote and re-adding.  No change.  Tried factory reset.  No change.  No sound from the engine, just forward/reverse.  

So, I try loading the file that is on the engine, but sounds like it was stepped on by the load process: p052pf3_ft_aba_all051011afin.mth.  This file loaded fine and worked 2 days ago.  Now it won't load!  Throws the same 3V file, 5V engine error!  More confirmation on Barry's input.

So, I randomly pick a Premiere F3 that wouldn't load 2 days ago, and it loads!  And works!  And it's an F3!  This behavior seems completely random.  Again, Barry's statement "the Loader program will occasionally issue an erroneous error message that the file type is wrong for the engine"  is confirmed.

Note that I didn't have to re-start the Loader, just hit "Start" and picked a different file.

There still seems like there are various bugs in the SW, both on the diagnostics side of determining what type of processor/voltage is installed, the messages that get generated, and the over-writing what's on the engine before the process even starts, let alone finishes.

Thanks to all that helped.  While not "solved", "Better is Enemy of Good Enough."

While a message error can be random, file loading normally does not do what yours is doing. So either there is a DCS signal strength issue or the board does have some issue that cause the load not to conduct right.  Once a load starts it should load correctly.  What you are experiencing with not loading one day but loading the next is totally abnormal.  G