Keysight 34461A Firmware Update error causing DMM to hang after bootup. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: kevinlee16888
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 26, 2020, 08:55:06 pm
content: Hi everyone.Hope someone can help.After I updated my 34461A to FW v3.02, it says update error after a reboot. I then update it to 3.01 and now after bootup, the screen hangs. Please see attached photo. All keys are not responsive, except for the power button.Hope someone can tell me how to force an older 2.x firmware back to it's working state.Cheers,Kevin

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2020, 09:33:50 pm
content: I had this happen with mine updating to 3.0 and managed to recover and complete the upgrade.Check the earlier release notes. I seem to remember there was a requirement for earlier firmware to be updated to 2.17 before you could update to 3.0 or later. If memory is right you'll need to install the earlier firmware (forced update via usb drive in front panel, can't remember how as I've not got my notes here) and then work forward from there.Yup, memory correct:QuoteDetails here:https://www.keysight.com/main/software.jspx?cc=GB&lc=eng&nid=-32051.1242960&id=2367633&pageMode=CV

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2020, 09:37:14 pm
content: If it isn't responding to the keypad, can the downgrade be performed with SCPI commands?

author: NoisyBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 05:12:43 am
content: I agree, if the DMM is frozen and will not respond to any key presses, then USB update won’t do you any good.I saw similar issues like this in the Keysight forum, unfortunately I don’t recall any resolution.You never shared what version firmware you are upgrading from originally, and how you applied the update. More importantly, why you think going back to V2.x would fix the hang. Look at the top section under prerequisite on the firmware page, downgrade to V 2.x is not supported for the latest firmware version.Rather than randomly trying to downgrade firmware, I suggest you wait to see if you can find some answers from the community so you don’t end up in a unrecoverable state.

author: JDubU
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 05:39:54 am
content: Does the firmware update utility find your 34461A using the direct connect option?

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 07:43:32 am
content: I'm not quite sure what's happening, but I highly recommend giving our support center a call, those folks are super helpful for me when I'm having trouble with something.

author: NoisyBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2020, 07:52:00 am
content: X2, they always have been extremely helpful.Here is the Notice on the firmware downgrade:* NOTICE: Downgrading the 3446xA and 34470A FirmwareBefore downgrading to a ‘Previous’ firmware revision, note the firmware revision currently installed (Shift - Help – About).Firmware revision A.03.01-02.40 and below can be downgraded to any previous (posted) revision.Firmware revision A.03.01-03.15 cannot be downgraded, and revisions above that can only be downgraded to A.03.01-03.15.