Flashing a CF card for Powerstation

Scope

This document presents the necessary instructions and software for flashing a new system image to the CF card utilized in conjunction with the Powerstation. These steps should only be taken by direction of a Telos Alliance Support Engineer.

Description

Updating a Power Station from very old software (1.1.x) to current software (3.2.x) involves several intermediate steps along the way. Sometimes a mistake is made in those steps, or one of the intermediate steps does not complete successfully. This can leave you with a Powerstation that no longer boots as a functioning unit. If this happens, a new system image can be written directly to Compact Flash card that the Powerstations boots from. This will restore the Powerstation to a bootable and operable state. Any config that was once saved on the CF card will be lost. If you had made a backup from an older version of software (1.1.x) it will not be compatible with a 2.x or 3.x version of Powerstation

DO NOT use this guide to write the system image to a standard off the shelf CF card.

If the CF card itself is damaged (no longer writable/readible) please contact Telos Support.

A pre image repalcement CF card can be purchased. Telos uses specific brands/models of CF cards rated for usage as OS storage for embedded systems

Prerequisites

• A Windows PC with Internet access

• A CF card reader (not an SD or uSD card reader)

• Tools to open lid of Powerstation

• USB Keyboard

• LCD monitor with DVI port

Process

1️⃣Determine the correct CF card image to download

Depending on the age of your Powerstation, it may be equipped with one of two different model CPU boards. Essentially, first generation Powerstations' had Core 2 Duo processors and last generation Powerstations had Core i5. You must write the correct image that was built for the same model SOM inside your Powerstation.

How do I know which SOM/ CPU model I have?

Option 1:

If you are able to access the web gui of the Powerstation: Go to the System Page, look for "Hardware and Firmware" section to learn the CPU

Option 2:

If you are NOT able to access the web gui of the Powerstation (because it is failing to boot):

1. You will need to connect a USB keyboard to the rear of the Powerstation, and connect a DVI monitor.

2. Remove AC Power to the unit.

3. Wait several seconds.

4. Apply AC power to the unit and immediately start tapping the DEL key until the BIOS setup screen is shown

5. In BIOS go into Advanced CMOS Features

6. Find "Quick Power On Self Test" and change value to DISABLED

7. Press F10 and Select Y to Save

8. Start tapping the TAB key until classic BIOS POST display appears

9. The classic post will display the memory test, which will give plenty of time to observe the "CPU Brand Name" See Example:

   

10. Once done, press the DEL key again. Go back into Advanced CMOS Features and set "Quick Power On Self Test" back to ENABLED

Which Image Software Version should I use?

If you were attempting to update the Powerstation to the latest version of software, then choose the 3.2.0dai image for your CPU/SOM model. You will still need to apply one more field update to get to version 3.2.1aah, after the Powerstation is running again

We provide 3.0.1i software image for customers that wish to run on this previous stable release version. This would be a good choice if your Powerstation had the Core Duo CPU, and was "busy" with lots of faders and lots of active V-Mixers and V-Modes. You can of course still apply the field update to 3.2.1aah at a later time

Both 3.2.0dai and 3.0.1i are compatible with Element or Fusion console surfaces

2️⃣Remove the CF card from the Powerstation SOM

Please follow THIS HELPDOC to remove the top cover of the Powerstation Main

Once the cover is removed, locate the SOM module and SOM Carrier board. The CF Card is mounted to the SOM Carrier board. Simply pull the card out of its holder. See image below:

3️⃣Connect CF card and CF card reader to Window PC

Connect the USB CF card reader to the PC. Then insert the CF Card.

Windows might try to access the file systems on the card, and will likely ask you to Format the disk. Do not do this

4️⃣Use aWrite tool to flash image onto CF card

Please follow THIS HELPDOC to write the previously downloaded CF card image onto the CF Card using the Axia Write (awrite) application

Alternatively if aWrite tool does not work, you can also use Balena Etcher

5️⃣Insert the CF card into the Powerstation SOM

Replace the CF card back into the card slot on the SOM. Secure the top lid on the Powerstation

6️⃣First time booting with new image

The Powerstation will boot as if it was a new out of box unit.

1. Please follow the steps outlined in Quickstart #2 on page 9 of the Fusion Manual.

If this is an element console without a ETH4CAN board inside of it (console uses molex cable and ethernet if it does have ETH4CAN) , follow up until step 5 and then stop.

If this is a Fusion console surface, or an Element console surface retrofitted with an ETH4CAN board. Please continue following past step 5

2. Please then complete pairing and discovery process by following THIS HELPDOC

You can restore any valid backups at this time. Or start building the new configuration

Please note that the I/O Subsystem Main will still have your original configuration left in place. This is a separate component, and its config is stored directly onto that board