Firmware Update and Reinstallation

A Homer firmware update may be required when:

1. Upgrading the SrvHo.exe server program.

2. Acquiring new SW options (such as HomSoft Control, Defined Mismatch Tuning, etc.).

3. Limiting or extending the absolute maximum of the tuning stub insertions.

4. Complete firmware reinstallation.

Task 1 and Task 2 can in principle be accomplished by merely transferring (uploading) the relevant files to the Homer device. The details of the procedure are described in the Transferring Files section. However, file changes should also be reflected in the Homer Reset files. Otherwise, reverting to a state such as the User Reset may result in a loss of newly purchased options.

Task 3 and Task 4 need additional operations beyond mere file transfers; specifically, the reprogramming of the internal motors controller.

All these tasks can be accomplished by the Tools|Reinstall procedure, or its combination with Tools|Reprogram Motors. Both menu items are only available in a reduced-functionality HomTool servicing version of HomSoft. HomTool is an automatic, complimentary part of the Homer installation. For the Homer Autotuner, the executable files are typically named TuTool_rs.exe (RS232 version) and TuTool_can.exe (CAN Bus version).

The details of the Reinstall and Reprogram Motors procedures are described next.

Reinstall

Before Start

You will obtain the reinstallation package from your distributor or S-TEAM as a zipped file. The content is typically organized as follows:

[Reinstall] directory, including:

  • FileList.txt text file, containing instructions for the reinstaller. (The file may be named differently.)

  • A collection of files to be transferred to the Homer device and processed internally.

Unzip the package and copy the whole Reinstall directory, ideally, to the HomSoft User Folder. You can open the User Folder from within a running HomSoft by the File|Open User Folder menu item.

Procedure

  • Connect the Homer and your PC with either RS232 or CAN Bus interface cable.

  • Restart the Homer device so that it operates in the respective communication mode.

  • On your PC, start the HomTool servicing version of HomSoft for the chosen communication interface (TuTool_rs.exe or TuTool_can.exe).

  • Click the Tools|Reinstall menu item.

  • After confirming your intention to continue, a File Open dialog opens. Navigate to the Reinstall directory, select the FileList.txt (or otherwise named) file, then click Open. The file transfer begins, with the progress shown in a dialog box. Some file names may appear up to three times, being transferred to different locations in the Homer device.

  • Upon completion, a dialog box appears, reporting a (possibly) successful completion of file transfers.

  • If the FileList included the instruction to reprogram the motors controller, the next dialog box reports this (and offers the possibility to skip the step).

  • Pressing OK starts the Reprogram Motors routine. After its completion, the outcome is shown in an information box.

  • Following this, the final reinstall information will be displayed.

  • On pressing OK, the Homer device will be restarted to accommodate the changes, and HomTool will be terminated.

Note: If the motors have been reprogrammed, please also consider editing the line

MaxInsert_mm=22.7

in the Tun.cfg file because it can limit the maximum stub insertion to a value lower than the absolute maximum that was just programmed.

Reprogram Motors

Note: This routine is rarely required, as it is usually an automatic part of the Reinstall procedure.

The Reprogram Motors takes the relevant motors data from the Tun.mem file and reprograms the motors controller accordingly.

Procedure

  • The routine is started by clicking the Tools|Reprogram Motors menu item in a reduced-functionality HomTool servicing version of HomSoft.

  • After confirming your intention to continue, the process begins. Upon its completion, the outcome is shown in a dialog box.

  • Following this, the final reprogramming information will be displayed.

  • On pressing OK, the Homer device will be restarted to accommodate the changes, and HomTool will be terminated.

Note: After reprogramming motors, please also consider editing the line

MaxInsert_mm=22.7

in the Tun.cfg file because it can limit the maximum stub insertion to a value lower than the absolute maximum that was just programmed.