GDM-8251A Firmware Update Procedure? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 05:36:10 pm
content: I just got a GW Instek GDM-8251A meter in nice condition, but it's on firmware 2.20. It seems GW have removed most stuff for this meter but I found the 2.30 firmware here on EEVblog.All I need now is the update procedure... please anyone?Ithink/hopeI have found a copy of the firmware update software, after some extensive searching. It's an Analog Devices program for sending hex files via serial to ADuC chips.There are a lot of configuration options in the program though, and I don't want to brick my meter. I definitely need that update procedure!

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 06:42:03 pm
content: Edit: Ignore the below - I still need the firmware. Looks like the meter has firmware 'issues'. I got the diode test etc working again but there's clearly a firmware thing going on when I make and save changes (I turned on USB).Never mind... looks like the thing is faulty after all. I spent all afternoon checking out the voltage and current ranges, only to just now find out that the diode test and continuity test don't work. The meter doesn't even enter the mode (although it beeps when the button is pressed).So much for my ebay bargain... back to searching for a good but cheap bench DMM.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 02:05:13 am
content: The firmware:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/gwinstek-gdm-8251a-firmware-file-request/?action=dlattach;attach=300958GDM8251A_V230_7DA400_991130.hex v2.30 ??Sorry dont know how to update, why not put it on a small size usb key <2gb and see if it detect it and update itself ??Calibration procedurehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/gw-instek-gdm-8251a-dmm-calibration/?action=dlattach;attach=285658To enter calibrationThe 5V on the CAL USB port is through a ~1k pull-up. Instead of a short use a 100ohm resistor between USB pin-1 and pin-4. So if you accidentally plug it in a real USB port, you just draw ~50mA. Actually anything below 1k works, but 100ohm pulls it to a solid Vil level.

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 09:00:57 am
content: Thanks for that. I found those threads; that's where I got the 2.30 firmware from. I'm pretty sure I can't just put the file on a USB stick. The meter just acts as a USB peripheral (with a serial/USB converter) and doesn't have the ability to connect to another peripheral. That's despite it using type A sockets on the back to make one think it would work.Also, I found the "software manual" pdf that comes on the CD-ROM and that says there is a program ("wsd_v6_7") on the CD that needs to be run to update the firmware, then to follow the procedure in the "Firmware Update Procedure" pdf, also on the CD.IthinkI have found a copy* of that software, after some extensive searching. It's an Analog Devices program for sending hex files via serial to ADuC chips.This postsays there's an ADuC845 inside the meter.There are a lot of configuration options in the program though, and I don't want to brick my meter.I definitely need that update procedure!*Found here:ftp://ftp.analog.com/pub/www/technology/dataConverters/microconverter

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 12:26:56 pm
content: Please can you make an iso of the cd-rom and host it somewhere i would like to have a copy, or members here may need it too ?Or post the pdf documentsthksEdityou have this link for an AFuC845 software ?? for an EVAL-ADUC845 evaluation board ...https://www.analog.com/media/en/evaluation-boards-kits/evaluation-software/wsd_setup_v705.zip1.6 megOnce installed, you have this doc in the folder : uC004_v30.pdf may be usefulRe Editfound this doc for the wsd line command parameters.ftp://ftp.analog.com/pub/MicroConverter/ADuC8xx/WSD/v6.7/temp/CmdLineDownloader.pdfRE RE EditlollADuC8xx Series (8052 Core) Kitshttps://www.analog.com/en/design-center/landing-pages/001/microconverter-development-tools.htmlftp://ftp.analog.com/pub/MicroConverter/ADuC8xxV1.4/ADuC8xxGetStartedv1.4.pdfftp://ftp.analog.com/pub/MicroConverter/ADuC8xx/WSD/v7.0/wsd_setup_v705.exePosted the files here, Analog ftp doesnt seem to like outside / too many connections ?? re-tried to directly open them, connections time out loll

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 02:23:20 pm
content: If I had the CD I wouldn't need to ask for help, lol. I just know that the update instructions are on there, because the pdf I did find says so. If I do find the CD or instructions I'll gladly share. The few documents I do have are still readily available for download at GW, or in other threads here.The wsd you found is an updated version; seems basically the same as the version I found with a few extra verification options. I'm only hoping it is the update program that we actually need, and that GW hasn't customized their version or something.The problem is that even if the program is correct, I'm not sure what options in it I should select to program the meter. Nor how to get the meter in a state to receive the firmware on the serial port. I would guess it's a calibration code since the user manual states "Reserved for internal uses as in firmware update and calibration" about the calibration socket.It might be as simple as plugging in the calibration key and connecting the program... but I still don't know what options to select in the program and don't want to risk bricking my meter. If it was already broken I would just play about and see what happens, but not with a working meter.ETA: I have, of course, emailed GW asking for help too. Haven't heard back yet though.

author: JXL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 05:20:00 pm
content: Here's the update procedure. Good luck!

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2019, 07:47:42 pm
content: You are a star, thank you!Looks like we have the correct software with the ADuC programmer. The procedure looks straightforward enough but doing firmware flashes without a safety net makes me itch. I'll give it a go tomorrow when I've had some sleep.Thank you again

author: Illusionist
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2019, 12:49:38 am
content: 1:47am... that counts as tomorrow although I haven't had any sleep yet.Firmware update done. Very straightforward (once I dug up a null modem lead) and I'm now on v2.3.Thank you again JXL and coromonadalix.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2019, 02:37:32 am
content: Thks to XJL we where missing the secret sauce, glad it workedRegrouped all the softs and docs in post #4 to have them in one place ... may help future eevbloggers