[Elecraft] firmware upgrade snafoo

[Sam Morgan]

I just tried upgrading to the new beta firmware
from the last beta firmware...

normally when I do this,
the k3 puts the MCU LD on the display
then at some point the K3 freaks out and the red tx led starts blinking
back light goes black
this has happened every time (maybe 7 times) I have done a firmware upgrade

then I have to turn the power off to the k3
Because the K3 is locked up in stupid mode
and will not respond either to the computer/k3 util
or any button on the K3's face (like the off button)
then restart the power supply,
then turn the k3 again
and all is well and the upgrade has continued just fine

this time I was not so fortunate
I unziped and copied the software into the K3 Firmware directory
started K3 util
it said there was new MCU firmware
the box was checked
I told it to go ahead and install it
then I get some negotiations between the computer and the K3
then the k3 util starts talking about errors
the K3 freaks out and the display goes black
red tx led is blinking
k3 util starts babbling about failed connection
I have to do the turn off the power supply dance,
turn off the k3 util,
turn the power supply back on,
turn the k3 back on

but this time no joy

repeat at least 5 times

finally I
turn the power supply back on
turn the k3 back on
(same flashing red tx led and black display with MCU LD dimly seen on screen)
start the k3 util pgm again
select ALL the check boxes
(by the way by now it says the k3 has NO firmware installed)
I tell it to install ALL the firmware
this time it works
the rig lights back up and all is well


EXCEPT FOR MY BLOOD PRESSURE......	

can some one tell me exactly how this is suppose to work
and what steps I must be doing wrong.
this is getting very old and even more scary,
I'm about to get to the point I will never update again,
it's just not worth the terror I have to go through to get it done

little history:
I am running XP home,
I have uninstalled/
downloaded K3 util again fresh/
reinstalled K3 util
at least 2 times previously,
to try to fix this.
cleaned the register,
deleted any residual files
stood on my head and prayed (not and easy task)
considered sacrificing virgins, but none were to be found :-(
help, please!
-- 
GB & 73
K5OAI
Sam Morgan