How to Proflash an Instrument

The information provided is for help with Commtest Instruments products:

  • vbSeries® instruments, MMS data loggers, Profiler instrument


QUESTION

How do I PROFLASH my instrument?

ANSWER

PROFLASHING is the system used to install an operating system (firmware) into the instrument.

Firmware files are included with each revision of the Ascent® software, but it is advisable to check for the current release version on our website download area.

Downloading the Firmware

Go to the appropriate download page for your instrument. The firmware is shown as a .exe file. This is a firmware (.mpf or .hex file depending on the instrument) that has been made into a self extracting executable.

There are two options for extracting the file. Click the link and you will be asked to 'Save' or 'Open' the file:

  • Save: Download and save the .exe file to your hard disk then run the executable by double-clicking it.
  • Open: Click Open and you will be asked where you want the file saved to on your hard drive.

    A good place to store the file is within the Commtest program itself. A default install will put the software in:

    C:\Program Files\Commtest Instruments\'your software package'\

    The Ascent software has a separate 'Proflash' directory to store firmware files.

    It is vital that you upload any data you wish saved from the instrument to the software before you begin! PROFLASHING will restore the instrument to the factory default state and delete all stored information.

Before Performing the PROFLASH

In order to Proflash a vbOnline or a vbX series instrument such as the vb7 vibration analyzer in Ascent 2007 and later, you must first add the instrument to the Ascent software. If you have not done so already, follow the Add vbX Instrument to Ascent procedure below. If your instrument has been added previously, or is a vbx000 series instrument (such as a vb3000 vibration analyzer) or a Profiler or MMS data logger, skip to the Begin the Proflash section below.

Add vbX Instrument to Ascent

  • With the instrument powered on, connect and turn on the battery charger.
  • Connect the instrument and the PC using the supplied communications cable (USB or Ethernet).
  • Start the Ascent software on the PC.
  • In the Ascent software, select Edit>Manage>vb Instruments... The Manager - VB Unit window will open.
  • Click the Add vbX button. The Add vbX window will open.
  • Check the right-hand panel of the Add vbX window. If your vbX instrument is listed (identifiable by its serial number), click the Add Selected vbX button or double-click the instrument name. Confirm that you wish to add the instrument in the confirmation popup. Your vbX instrument is now added to the Ascent software.

Note: If your instrument was not displayed in the right-hand panel, continue through the steps below. Otherwise see the Begin the Proflash section below.

  • If you are using a USB cable, type the instrument's IP address into the IP address: field then click the Test button within the USB area of the Add vbX window. If you are using an Ethernet cable, type the instrument's IP address into the IP address: field then click the Test button within the Network area. If you do not receive a confirmation popup stating that the instrument has been located, check the USB or Ethernet IP configuration on the vbX instrument.

Note: To view the instrument's current IP address configuration, open the Network menu on the instrument. In the vb7 vibration analyzer, for example, this is located within the main menu's Options screen. The IP address displayed in the instrument's network screen should match the IP address displayed in the IP address: field immediately to the left of the Test button in the Ascent software's Add vbX window. If they do not match, change the address in the Add vbX window's IP address field to match the instrument IP, then click the Test button again. If this doesn't work, check that the instrument is correctly connected to the PC, that no firewall agents are active on the PC, and that the vbX driver has installed correctly (uninstall the driver, disconnect the instrument from the PC then reconnect to reinstall the driver).

  • Once the instrument has been detected, click the Yes button on the vbX instrument detection popup to add the instrument to the Ascent software. Your vbX instrument is now added to the Ascent software.

Note: Once your vbX instrument has been added to Ascent, you can view and adjust its properties by double-clicking the instrument name in the Manager - VB Unit window (Edit>Manage>vb Instruments...). You must return to the instrument properties window to Proflash the instrument and to set the instrument's IP address.

If you use your vbX instrument through a network connection and you want the instrument to obtain an IP address from your network DHCP server, set your vbX instrument's IP as follows:

  • Open the Manager window (Edit>Manage>vb Instruments...) and double-click your vbX instrument. The instrument's vbX Properties window will open.
  • Within the Ethernet area of the Setup tab, check the box beside Obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP.
  • Click OK.

If Ascent is unable to connect to your vbX instrument, try the following:

  • Open the Manager window (Edit>Manage>vb Instruments...). and double-click your vbX instrument.
  • Within the Ethernet area of the Setup tab, click Locate.
  • Click OK.

Begin the PROFLASH

  • With the instrument powered on, connect and turn on the battery charger.
  • Connect the instrument and the PC using the supplied communications cable. If you want to save any information that is still stored in the instrument you should transfer this now.
  • Start the Ascent software on the PC.
  • In the Ascent software, select Edit>Manage>vb Instruments... The Manager - VB Unit window will open.
  • Double-click your instrument (identifiable by its serial number) in the new window. The instrument properties window will open.

Note: if your vbX series instrument is not listed, it has not yet been added to the Ascent software. See the procedure Add vbX Instrument to Ascent above.

  • Click the Proflash button in either the vbX Properties window's 'Setup' tab or under the 'Tasks' tab for vbx000 instrument. The Proflash window will appear, listing the available firmware version(s) stored on your PC.

Note:

If Ascent locates more than one firmware file within the selected folder, it will list all versions present. The recommended vbX version will be highlighted at the top of the list. The text Recommended will also be displayed beside the recommended firmware revision under the Suitability column. You must select the recommended/suitable vbx000 update manually.

  • With the recommended firmware version highlighted, click Proflash or Proflash now! (for vbx000 and older instruments). PROFLASHING the instrument takes approximately one to two minutes. The instrument will display a series of progress messages then prompt you to reset the instrument. Do not interrupt the PROFLASH process as this will damage the instrument. Read this FAQ article on avoiding instrument lockup during the PROFLASHING process.

FAQ ID: 11610 Last Reviewed: 2 November 2007
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