FlashModule Support Questions

If you have problems when using the FlashModule check the following:

1. Is power applied correctly (ie +5 is greater than 4.8 Volts above 0V)?.
2. Is your PC connected to the correct serial port on the FlashModule. The FlashModule defaults to S1 or TERM for communication with a P.C.
3. Have you selected to correct COM port on your PC (if applicable)?. Is the Module/Serial port connected to the selected COM port?. Check that you are running a suitable terminal program using the correct serial port parameters (38400,8,1,n by default).
4. Turn the power off and move the battery back link (LK3 on FM-200, LK5 on FM-400/600) South, refit the link North again. This will clear the contents of the battery backed RAM. On very rare occasions this can become corrupted.
5. If the Module is able to transmit data but not receive, check that you have not installed a SERIAL mouse on the same COM port as you are using for the Module. This will probably be in CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you have installed a serial mouse either use a different COM port or comment out the relevant lines and reset the PC. Serial mouse drivers often disable the transmitter in the PC serial port.
6. Try using Hyper Terminal or Windows Terminal. These packages do not require the CTS/RTS handshaking. If the Module works in these and not the supplied terminal, check your serial cables to ensure that the handshaking lines are connected.
7. If you can not communicate with the Module, try a another P.C.

If the FlashModule still does not respond correctly, check the remaining suggestions below before writing a full description of the fault, any error messages, etc. and faxing it to Technical support or sending it by email support@cms.uk.com.

The utilities supplied on the FlashModule such as 'load' and 'erasef' will not allow memory addresses below $30000 to be changed in any way. This is because these memory locations contain the operating system and utility programs. If your application requires these sectors to be changed, first of all you will need to generate a new image file by making the required changes to the SYSTEM.LST file and running the MERGE program for full details refer to your FlashModule User manual. Once you have got your new image file there are two ways of reprogramming the operating system sectors of the Flash memory. The easiest and safest method is to use a FlashFormatter card which is supplied as standard in the FlashModule Development Packs but not in Starter Packs. Plug the FlashFormatter into the expansion bus on the FlashModule and set the switches on the Formatter card to 'STOR' and 'Flash' and on the FlashModule to 'D'. Power the FlashModule up running the CMS terminal program. At the C> prompt load in your image file. When loading an image file the the load program detects that it is not a Minos module that you are loading asks where you want to load the data. Answer this question with the address $80000 (the Flash Formatter memory). When the data has been downloaded your new image is on the FlashFormatter. Turn the power off and plug the FlashFormatter into each FlashModule that you want to reprogram. Set the switches on the FlashFormatter to 'FORM' and 'Flash' and make sure that the FlashModule switch is set to 'R'. Power the cards up and the red LED on the FlashFormatter starts to flash. Press the push switch on the Formatter card and the LED will stop flashing. When the LED changes state the format operation has completed and the cards can be turned off. Remove the FlashFormatter card, set the FlashModule switch as required and power it up again. The FlashModule will now be running your new operating system code. You can repeat the Formatting operation as many times as required.

If you do not have a FlashFormatter then you will need to use the utility program 'upminos' to update the operating system.