Applies to:
DigiCart E/EX, model E-3000
Warnings and Notices:
WARNING: Hazardous Voltage. Contact may cause electric shock, burn, or death. Disconnect all power from the unit prior to attempting any servicing of the equipment. Service should only be performed by qualified personnel.
CAUTION: Use proper ESD precautions when working on equipment to prevent damage to the internal components.
Symptom:
SD card reader upgrade or replacement required.
Possible Reason(s):
The old DigiCart E series had a Zip drive which may need replaced.
DigiCart EX systems may have a failed SD card reader or failed hard drive requiring alterations ot the SD card reader configuration.
Solution(s):
Due to the variations in main board, SD card readers and different hard drive configurations, it can be difficult to determine the correct settings to make the system function. The below information and matrix attempts to define the different working configurations.
1. The first step is to determine the main board variation.
There were two main variations identified by the revision of the main board. They are classified as revision "D" or revision "E".
This is needed in order to determine which firmware version must be loaded on the system for the configuration to be operational.
- By Currently Running Code Version
- View the screens as the unit is booting or press the "ENTER" key if the unit is booted to view the firmware version.
- Units running versions 1.01 through version 1.17a or any version ending in a "D" are considered revision "D".
- Units running version 1.18 or any version ending in "E" are considered revision "E".
- By Unit Serial Number
- Unit serial numbers ending in DCE_10001 thru #DCE_81172 are revision "D".
- Unit serial numbers ending in DCE_81173 or higher are revision "E".
- By Board Revision
- On the top side of the main board there is a white "Rev" block. If filled in it will identify the revision "D" or "E".
- By Board Serial Number
- On the top side of the main board, the board serial number can be found.
- Serial number starting "DCEMxxxx" are revision "D"
- Serial numbers starting "ZFDCEMxxxx" can be either "D" or "E". Refer to other identification methods.
- Serial numbers starting "NRCxxxxxxxxxx" are revision "E"
2. Next identify the SD card reader to be used.
"Red Adonics" or "Black"
The two types of SD card readers used can be identified by the color and brand of the card reader.
- Red PCBA brand with the Adonics label. Referred to in documentation as the "Red Adonics".
- Note that this adapter has a master/slave jumper and depending on the hard drive used, may need to be switched.
- Black or dark green PCBA usually having the code "SD35VC0" imprinted on it. Referred to in documentation as the "Black" SD card reader.
- Note that this card reader is fixed to "master" and so the hard drive or hard drive adapter used must be set to "slave".
3. Identify the type of hard drive and hard drive adapter.
This is important as certain hard drives or adapters may not be compatible with the selected SD card reader.
The interface using on these systems is an IDE (ATAPI). There were three types of drives used in the system.
Note that if replacing the drive, some testing may be necessary as not all drives or adapters will be recognized or usable. In general, the drive should be a higher end, NAS or Servaliance type drive. Lower end desktop or "green" drives tend to power off when not in use which can cause issues with the system.
- IDE drives were orginally used but have been out of production for years. Used drives can still be found on the open market.
- The orginal drives were 160GB to 250GB, Seagate or Western Digital drives.
- Updated systems used a blue or green IDE to SATA adapter with a Western Digital "Blue" drive. The
- Note that Western Digital "Blue" drives manufactured after around 2012 were no longer usable as they powered down when idle.
- The blue or green adapter board was fixed to Master.
- Final shipping units used a red IDE to SATA adapter and a Western Digital "Purple" or Surveillance drive.
- The red adapter has a master/slave jumper.
Once the above information is understood, the chart below can be used to identify the combinations of Drives/adapters, SD Card Readers, and firmware that are needed to make the system function.
SD Card Reader
Red Adonics
Red Adonics
Red Adonics
Red Adonics
Black
Master/Slave
Slave
Master
Master
Master
Fixed to Master
Drive or Adapter
Green / Blue
Red
Red
None
Red
Master/Slave
Fixed to Master
Slave
Slave
IDE Drive set to Slave
Slave
Firmware Ver.*
1.26D or 1.26E
1.29D or 1.29E
1.39D or 1.39E
1.39D or 1.39E
1.39D or 1.39E
Notes
-
-
This is not a well tested configuration.
This is not a well tested configuration.
-
* Select the correct "D" or "E" version based on the main board in the unit.
Note that it is possible other configurations may work, these are just know to work.
Also note that in some cases the drive used matters. Some drives, even with the correct master/slave setting may still cause issues. If the system has a difficult time identifying the drive or is slow to respond, try swapping in a different drive.
Notes on loading firmware:
The firmware must be written to the coldfire processor chip on the main board. There are three ways to load firmware.
- Option 1: Firmware provided on a Zip disk or SD card.
- Inserting the firmware card into the system and using the hidden menu (Utility + 1) will write the firmware to the chip.
- Option 2: Firmware provided on a NFS share.
- If the firmware update is placed in the root directory of an NFS share that has been mapped to the system, it can be written using the Utility + 1 method.
- Option 3: Factory programming.
- The unit can be sent back to the factory in order to have the chip flashed with the appropriate firmware.
The hidden Utility menu:
When the system is booted up, there is a hidden menu available by pressing the UTILITY key and one of the four Hot-Keys.
- Utility + 1: Firmware update
- This function will write the firmware to the system from either the internal SD or Zip drive or any selected mounted NFS share.
- The firmware must be located in the root directory.
- Utility + 2: Write firmware to removeable media.
- If the firmware update is placed in the root directory of an NFS share that has been mapped to the system, it can be written to an SD or Zip disk in the system.
- Utility + 3: Restore setup parameters
- This resets the functions in the SETUP menu to their factory defaults.
- It does not remove the content.
- Utility + 4: Lamp Test
- This lights all of the front panel LED's as long as both buttons are held down.
Firmware Recovery:
In the event that a firmware load goes awry, or you need to revert to the previous firmware, the following recovery method can be used.
- Power off the unit.
- Hold the Utility button down and power on the unit.
- When the version number is displayed, release the utility button.
After the system boots with the old version, the system will prompt to make the old version the current version. Press ENTER to make it so, or EXIT to retain the newer version. If you EXIT and then reboot the system, the newer version will come up.
Further note, if you update the firmware twice with the same version, both the backup (old version) and the new version will be the same.