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Elite Firmware Update

The following guide is designed to walk you through the procedure of updating the R8214 Hornby Elite Firmware. It is recommended that you use a Windows XP or NT computer to perform the update. Please ensure that if you are using a Laptop that you are connected to a power supply or that you have sufficient battery power to complete the process.

If you have already installed the driver and know which COM Port the Elite is using, you may skip straight to Step 5. If you experience problems performing the update please consult our Trouble Shooting Tips.

Apple computers running OS X (10.5 and 10.6) support the Elite without the requirement for drivers - it is built-in to the operating system. Downloading / uploading of the firmware to the Elite can be done on a PC emulator on the mac.

Step 1. Downloading the update

Download the latest Version of the Hornby Elite Firmware v1.4

  1. Download the above Zip file and save it to your desktop.
  2. Extract the Zip file and save the contents to a folder named "elite" on your desktop. (You may need to download file decompression software, such as WinZip or StuffIt, to open the .ZIP file.)

The update contains 8 files/folders.

  • Application Files - Firmware Data
  • Bootloader - Firmware Data
  • "Device Manager XP and NT" - Shortcut to Device Manger for discovering which COM Port to use (Windows XP and NT Only)
  • "R8214 Elite 95 NT XP Driver" - The Elite driver
  • "R8214 Elite Vista W7 Driver" - The Elite Vista & Windows 7 driver
  • "Elite V1.4 Setup" - The Elite Firmware Update
  • "Elite V1.4 Notes" - Additional instructions for the new features of 1.4.
  • "READ THIS FIRST - Prepare the ELITE for the update" - A quick guide how to put the Elite into Firmware Update mode.

The update program requires your computer to have the Microsoft .NET 4.0 framework installed. In absence of this framework, the program will automatically download it from the Microsoft website. Should you prefer to install the .NET framework manually or require support, help can be found on the Microsoft web site

Step 2. Connecting the controller

PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE ELITE UNIT IS POWERED OFF BEFORE CONNECTING THE USB CABLE

  1. Connect the R8214 Hornby Elite directly to the PC using the USB cable (Do NOT use a USB hub)
  2. Hold down the STOP button on the Elite unit, and plug in the power supply to power on the Elite.
  3. The green LED will illuminate, and the PC will detect it has new hardware.
  4. You may now release the STOP button.

Step 3. Installing the driver

1. Windows will ask you if you would like to search online for software. Select the option labelled "No, not this time" and click Next.

Elite Driver Install Step 1

2. On the next screen choose the option "Install from a list of specific location (Advanced)" and click Next.

Elite Driver Install Step 2

3. Select the first option "Search for the best driver in these locations". Ensure the option "Search removable media (floppy, CD ROM...) is unticked and ensure the box labelled "Include this location in the search" is ticked. Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder where you saved the firmware and driver. Select this folder and click OK. Click Next to install the driver.

Elite Driver Install Step 4

The installation may warn you that the software has not passed Windows Logo Testing with Windows XP. Click Continue Anyway to proceed.

Elite Driver Install Step 6

Elite Driver Install Step 7

The driver is now installed.

Detecting which Port the Elite is connected to

  1. In order to update the Elite firmware you must know which Communications Port the Elite is using. Right-click on My Computer, select Properties, and select the Device Manager tab.
  2. Scroll down the list until you see "Ports (COM & LPT)" and click the '+' symbol to expand the menu.
  3. Look for an item labelled "R8214 Hornby Elite" in the list. Make a note of the "COM" port number. e.g COM3
  4. You can now close this window.

Performing the Firmware Update

1. Double click the Setup software icon to begin the update process.

2. Click Next

Installing Update Step 1(1)

3. Use the dropdown box to select the correct COM Port .

Installing Update Step 2(1)

4. Click Download to begin the update.

The Elite may take several minutes to update. During this time do not under any circumstances disconnect the Elite from the PC or the Power supply as will cause the firmware to become corrupted.

Installing Update Step 3(1)

When the update is complete the unit will restart and be ready to use!

Installing Update Step 4(1)

Troubleshooting

Before the update process can begin the software displays the message "Error in open port".
Ensure that the Elite is connected directly to a USB port on the PC, and not via a USB hub. If it is already connected directly to a USB port, try connecting the USB cable into an alternative USB port on the PC.

-        Unplug Elite from USB cable and remove power cable
-        Then hold the stop button and plug the power cable in keep holding the stop button for 15 seconds
-        Then leave for 15 seconds
-        Attach the USB cable from the computer to the Elite – leave for 15 seconds
-        Then run the firmware software

This process will stop the ‘error in open port’ message.

At the end of the Firmware update the software displays "Update Fail" and the Elite unit will not operate.
Ensure that the Elite is connected directly to a USB port on the PC, and not via a USB hub. If it is already connected directly to a USB port, try connecting the USB cable into an alternative USB port on the PC, or lowering the "Bits Per Second" by opening the COM Ports Properties in the Device Manager and going to the Port Settings tab.

The Firmware Update will not run due to the error "You cannot start application Bootloader from this location because it is already installed from a different location"
Update Firmware Error
The previous version of Bootloader will need to be uninstalled before the update can be run. On your computer, click Start > Settings > Control Panel. Open the Add or Remove Programs window and scroll down the list to find "Bootloader". Click Change/Remove and then follow the on screen instructions. Once Bootloader is removed, you will be able to run the update.

For more advice and support please contact Hornby Customer Care

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