[Elecraft] Interesting FW Upload issue with K3 (happy ending)

[Bob]

Hi:

I am curious if this is an indication of a programmable part wear out, or
perhaps simply a timing issue between my K3 and computer.

I was installing the 5.38 firmware update today in anticipation of
installing the two new synthesizer hardware upgrades.  The K3 utility found
the latest software, connected without issue, and proceeded to do the MCU
update to 5.38.  However when it came time to the Front Panel Firmware, it
failed, complaining that a retry count had been exceeded.  The remainder of
the update went just fine, with both of my existing synthesizers being
successfully updated.

The good news is that a retry of the update (Send All Firmware to K3)
worked the second time around, but it still remarked on one retry being
required.

I have copied the log data that shows the problem, and again wonder if this
was just bad luck, or an indication that the programmable part on my FPF is
wearing out:

K3 responded with revision 05.38
16:23:43 MCU firmware load is complete
16:23:43 Elecraft K3 Utility Revision 1.13.5.9
16:23:43 OS Version 6.2 Build 9200
16:23:43 K3 MCU revision 05.38. RS-232 speed 38400 bit/s.
16:23:48 Sending firmware file C:\Users\Robert\Desktop\K3\hfpf0125.hex to
FPF
16:23:50 Retry 1 successful at address 0x00000450
16:23:51 Retry 1 successful at address 0x00000660
16:24:01 Retry 1 successful at address 0x00001B20
16:24:06 Retry 1 successful at address 0x00002460
16:24:09 Send FPF firmware failed at load address 0x000029E0
16:24:09 Ready
16:24:09 Total number of retries was 14
16:24:09 Highest number of retries for any block was 10
16:24:09 Error code 0xE2000044: Retry limit has been exhausted
16:24:09 FPF verification failed. Reload FPF.
16:24:09 Click "Close" to close this window

Here is the log for the second (successful) attempt:

16:36:36 Sending firmware file C:\Users\Robert\Desktop\K3\hfpf0125.hex to
FPF
16:37:06 Retry 1 successful at address 0x00003960
16:38:07 Waiting 6 seconds for reset to complete
16:38:13 Ready
16:38:13 Total number of retries was 1
16:38:13 Highest number of retries for any block was 1
16:38:13 Loaded FPF firmware revision 01.25
K3 responded with revision 01.25
16:38:13 FPF firmware load is complete


73, Bob, WB4SON