SymNet ExpressCobra Series - Troubleshooting Common Problems; Problem Diagnosis; Firmware Upgrade Procedures; Firmware Upgrade Methods

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SymNet Express Cobra Family
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting:
Common Problems and solutions
Dancing Lights.
If any of your SymNet units power on and seem to suffer from Dancing
Lights Syndrome, never fear. This simply means that there is no active
Site File loaded. Download your Site File to the hardware (F4) in order
for the settings to be stored.
Serial Communications.
Besurethatyouuseastraight-throughRS-232cableconnectedto
theDB9portlabeledRS-232.Yo umustconnecttowhicheverunitis
master for a given ring. It is permissible to connect to any ring provided
thatyouconnecttothemasterunit(theunitwithanAddressof1).By
default, SymNet Designer communicates with the hardware units at a
baud rate of 115,200 bps. This is how the baud DIP switch (number
1) is configured in the examples on page 6. However, if you have a PC
thatisincapableofoperatingatthisspeed,asettingof57,600bps
is available. DIP switch 1 will be opposite of the examples on page 6
andthespeedof57,600bpsmustbeselectedinSymNetDesigner’s
Preferences dialog accessible from the File menu.
Firmware.
IMPORTANT: To run SymNet Designer, the firmware in your hardware
devices must match the firmware versions included with the software.
If you receive SymNet Designer with a new SymNet device from the
factory, then the firmware versions should already match. However, if
you are connecting to an older SymNet system, the firmware versions
in hardware must match those included with the version of SymNet
Designer you are using. The correct firmware files are always included
with each software release.
When downloading a Site File to SymNet hardware, the firmware
versions will be checked and you will be prompted to upgrade firmware
if necessary.
CobraLink and Express Only: For CobraLink and Express Cobra
units, there is also CobraNet firmware from Cirrus Logic. You may need
to upgrade this firmware as well. See Upgrading CobraNet Firmware
using CobraNet Discovery in the SymNet Designer release notes for
instructions.
Upgrading Firmware using Auto Upgrade
1. Install SymNet Designer. This will copy the necessary firmware files to
your computer.
2. Launch SymNet Designer.
3. Connect your hardware devices as they would be for normal
operation. It is highly recommended to power down or disconnect
power amplifiers and speakers.
4. In SymNet Designer, choose Hardware->Upgrade Firmware.
5. Press the Auto Upgrade button. This will upgrade all connected
devices.
6. When finished, click ‘Close’.
Ifyouencounterproblemswiththisprocedure,usetheManual
Upgrade procedure below.
Upgrading Firmware - Manual Upgrade
1. Install SymNet Designer. This will copy the necessary firmware files to
your computer.
2. Launch SymNet Designer.
3. Connect your hardware devices as they would be for normal
operation. It is highly recommended to power down or disconnect
power amplifiers and speakers.
4. In SymNet Designer, choose Hardware->Upgrade Firmware.
5. Clickthe‘Upgrade’buttonunderSymNetMicroprocessorle.An
‘open’ file dialog will appear allowing navigation to the firmware files.
The default location is: C:\Program Files\Symetrix\SymNet Designer
X.X\Upgrade.
6. SelecttheleSymNet_MicroProc_VXXXX.binandclick‘Open’.
7. When nished,clickthe‘Upgrade’buttonunderSymNetFPGAle.
SelecttheSymNet_FPGA_VXXXX.bitleandclick‘Open’.
8. IfyouhavemorethanoneSymNetdevice,selecteachdeviceusing
the Address dropdown at the top of the dialog box and repeat steps
4-6.
9. IfyouareusingCobraLinkorExpressCobraandhavemorethanone
ring, repeat for all devices on all rings using the Ring dropdown at the
top of the dialog box.
10. When finished, click ‘Close’.