Problem and Software Solution for Rev. L TIU Issue

Barry, Will the new revision L TIU have some kind of designation or production stamp to show it has the corrected updated version of the 4.2 software? I ask because I have a TIU on order. I might not have it by York. Will I then first have to hook it up to see if it works correctly?

Dennis,

quote:

Will the new revision L TIU have some kind of designation or production stamp to show it has the corrected updated version of the 4.2 software?

I've asked that question, however, any decision in that regard is still forthcoming. I do believe, however, that the next batch of TIUs being manufactured will have the problem corrected during manufacture.

I have the same concerns wth the Remote. I hope MTH finds a way to designate the fixed versions of the TIU & Remote. The LHS I ordered from is not an authorized repair station. He did allow me to cancel my order. As I have a working DCS set, I will wait for now. I just wanted the Revision L TIU & a second remote.

Dennis,

You might consider buying from a dealer who is also an MTH authorized repair center.

Just like we tell others on the Legacy forum when they ask about when they can buy 1.3 off the shelf., just but it and apply the upgrade, its really no that big of a deal to do. The glitch is minor and the Revision L seems to bring many benefits, so why deny yourself

Chris, The answer is "FEAR". If I had the skills and comfort level to do the upgrade, I would try. If there was no choice I would take the chance. If you read the other thread, upgrades are not always smooth. It is not denial, but I would expect to be able to buy a new product that is ready to go out of the box. I guess I have been spoiled by the DCS members at York that did my previous upgrades. If I find a REV. L set before York I will purchase it & ask the DCS group to upgrade it. I do have Legacy & I did the upgrade, but only AFTER Marty E came out with the video.

Dennis,

quote:

If I find a REV. L set before York I will purchase it & ask the DCS group to upgrade it

We'll do it for you at the DCS User Group Meeting at York.

Barry, Thanks. The DCS User Group Meeting people at York were the people I was referring to. They did my last two upgrades. While they did the upgrade right in front of me & explained everything they did, I am still not ready to tackle it on my own. I would like to thank all the members of the DCS Group who take the time to do these upgrades while explaining everything they are doing, free of charge.

quote:

Originally posted by Barry Broskowitz:
Please be advised that MTH has determined that some Rev. L TIUs have a small issue regarding how the TIU activates accessories. For a comlete understanding of the issue and to obtain a solution, click on this link.

Barry, I went to your link, filled in the form, got the link (DCS Rev L TIU Software Update), clicked on the link, and only got computer code?

Help!

Roger,

The file is fine, however, your browser isn't handling it properly. You need to tell the browser to save the file, not display it.

What operating system and browser are you using?

When you right click the link what options do you get, you want the one that says ""Save File as" or "Save Target as" or "Save Link as"

Then make sure to chose save file not open file if given the option

Barry,
Purchased a Rev L DCS TIU with Handheld. Swaped out for my existing TIU/AIU and had problem with ACC 1-6. When I checked Rev L's code it indicated it had 4.10 (was using existing Handheld with 4.10 on it). I know about the fixes in 4.20 but having no HO engines at this time and will probably use the Rev L as replacement on Club layout I'm hesitant to load 4.20 on it as Members Handhelds are 4.10. Have download the fix from MTH to install another day. Comments please. Also is there simple way to check new handheld for contrast problem. It was dim but after adjusting it appeared ok. Thank you and enjoy your DCS book (have all versions!)
Mike G.
wttcinc.org

Mike,

Thank you for purchasing The DCS O Gauge Companion.

First, the DCS 4.20 code is completely compatible with DCS 4.10. There is no downside to having 4.20 in the TIU and 4.10 in the remote, or vice-versa.

Second, it is not necessary to have DCS 4.20 in the TIU in order to correct the AIU ACC port problem. If you prefer to have 4.10 in the TIU, simply follow the instructions to install the corrective patch, and then reinstall 4.10 instead of 4.20.

Third, if after adjusting the contrast of the DCS Remote it appears to be consistent with other DCS Remotes, then there is no need to make any hardware corrections.

quote:

Originally posted by Barry Broskowitz:
Third, if after adjusting the contrast of the DCS Remote it appears to be consistent with other DCS Remotes, then there is no need to make any hardware corrections.

I believe the contrast problem involves dim contrast and the contrast will NOT adjust at all. If you have this problem, call MTH service and get an RA. I sent mine in and got it back in 2 weeks!

PS: Barry, the got all the uploads to install properly, trains ran fine this past weekend! Thank you!!!

Roger,

quote:

I believe the contrast problem involves dim contrast and the contrast will NOT adjust at all

That's correct.

Please,

I am trying to download the REV L ACC patch (DCStiu3_10q) but the downloading process does not work from the MTH website.

Can someone send this patch to my email address?

Thaak you very much.

quote:

Originally posted by JPLefebvre:
Please,

I am trying to download the REV L ACC patch (DCStiu3_10q) but the downloading process does not work from the MTH website.

Can someone send this patch to my email address?

Thaak you very much.

When you right click the link what options do you get, you want the one that says ""Save File as" or "Save Target as" or "Save Link as"

Then make sure to chose save file not open file if given the option

Is there a way to tell a 4.2 TIU file which has the 'patch fix' embedded as opposed to one which does not?

Hugh,

quote:

Is there a way to tell a 4.2 TIU file which has the 'patch fix' embedded as opposed to one which does not?

There is no "patch fix" embedded in a 4.2 TIU file. Rather, the "patch fix" is applied (permanently) by loading the correction software (DCStiu3_10q) and then loading the standard DCS 4.2 TIU code on top of it.

Thanks Barry
That clears up some mis=conceptions out here.

Since my layout is down for scenery updating and can't run trains , is the latest software stable now so I can send my TIU and two remotes to MTH for reprogramming. No one local does TIU updating, so have to bite the bullet and send it to MTH and pay the charges. Just want to make sure I only do it once.

(And I read too many stories on this thread of problems updating, interfacing and loaders etc, life too short to fuss and fume, so I will let MTH fuss and fume with the TIU Besides once you start re-programming, if something fails, now your TIU is brain dead and useless, and still has to go back to MTH for fixing. But that just me.)

Sam,

quote:

is the latest software stable now

DCS 4.20 has always been stable and relatively bug-free.

quote:

once you start re-programming, if something fails, now your TIU is brain dead and useless

That's not true at all.

Thanks Barry. I thought once programming began all memory was erased so unit was DOA if loading failed because the boot-up if you will was gone or over written.

Gives me more confidence if I attemped this at home.

Sam,

quote:

thought once programming began all memory was erased so unit was DOA if loading failed

That's true, however, if the update fails, just do it again.

Barry,
After you schooled me a might long ago, on the 4.10 I have had no problems with the unit, how long do you think it will take for MTH to come out with the next batch of TIU/Hand helds. Because I have no problems with the 4.10 I was going to wait until the 4.20 was perfect before purchasing.
I also need a copy of your 2nd addition DCS O Gauge Companion.
PCRR/Dave

Dave,

I haven't a clue when the next DCS TIU will be available, however, a new remote is forecast for 2013.

quote:

I also need a copy of your 2nd addition DCS O Gauge Companion.

"The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition" is available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site. Click here to go to the web page for the book.

Barry,
Did they say if the new remote is going to be compatible with the older TIU? Man I hope so, and I hope they upgraded the mechanical wheel engineering.
I will simply add a new remote control unit, my TIU works so well, I am afraid to up grade it, unless I can get to York so you guys can do it personally.
Thanks for the 2nd addition Companion link, I will order a hard copy at the end of the month.
I also wanted to thank you for all your work on this book, technical writing is a skill in itself.
I hope you make a fortune on the Book Barry, being a Professional Engineer myself, I know how much work this really was, congrat my friend on an engineering job well done.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

quote:

Did they say if the new remote is going to be compatible with the older TIU? Man I hope so, and I hope they upgraded the mechanical wheel engineering.

I expect that any new remote will be 100% backwards compatible with al previous DCS components.

quote:

Thanks for the 2nd addition Companion link, I will order a hard copy at the end of the month.
I also wanted to thank you for all your work on this book, technical writing is a skill in itself.
I hope you make a fortune on the Book Barry, being a Professional Engineer myself, I know how much work this really was, congrat my friend on an engineering job well done.

If I was in the book writing business "for the money" I would have given up before I started.

Thanks for the kind words - they're appreciated!

Barry,
Roger that.
PCRR/Dave

Barry,

   Ordered your new book today, thanks again for all your engineering efforts

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

You are most welcome, and thanks for purchasing the book!

Hi Barry, I have your new book and it is very handy and even I can understand most of it on the first reading. You did a very good job on it, and I thank you.

 

I have one of the early TIU's and Handheld  units, I think I get one blink when I power it up. They still workjust fine but If I show up with it at the York DCS User Group meeting on April 13th will you or one of the other guys be able to help me up grade it to the new versions?

 

Has there been any hardware upgrades that would preclude me getting the latest and greatest version?

 

Thank You Barry for any help you can give me.

 

 

Mario E.

Mario,

 

Thank you for the kind words and for purchasing the book - both are appreciated!

 

There's nothing to prevent you from upgrading your early model TIU to the latest DCS 4.20. Just bring it to the meeting and we'll be happy to upgrade it.

 

Please be sure to check-in on the York DCS User Group thread when it's posted in a few weeks. See you there!

I received my DCS system- used-from a local modeler. When I boot it up 3.1 shows up. Is this the version of software currently programmed in? Will it take 4.2 if I take it to a MTH dealer? I hope I didn't blow my money on it. The local MTH dealer is a certified repair station and I don't want to do it myself. The system runs ok now, I just need an upgrade.

Frank

Frank,

 

Your DCS should be easily upgraded to version 4.2 by any MTH authorized repair shop. Just make sure to get both the remote and TIU upgraded. Then, for good measure, have both reset. For the TIU, make it a Factory Reset, not  a Feature Reset.

Thanks Barry. I have downloaded your manual and  I'm slowly trying to read through the whole thing and learn as I go. There is a LOT of useful information contained within. I just hope I can retain most of what  I read! If not, I have a book to refer back to.

Is it my understanding that I should do the upgrades before trying to connect things up for TMCC running? I have the parts coming to run some Lionel and want to be sure before trying things out.

Frank

Frank,

Is it my understanding that I should do the upgrades before trying to connect things up for TMCC running? I have the parts coming to run some Lionel and want to be sure before trying things out.

That would be best

 

There were some very significant changes made to TMCC operation in DCS 4.1 (and higher) that make it much more satisfying to operate tMCC engines from the DCS Remote.

  Say what? The answer to this is all Marx to me. I would need a PHD to toot the whistle. Good Grief Charlie Brown.

Back to Forum top.