There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while the K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3. Closing the K3 Utility during a firmware update (which should cause an "are you sure" sort of dialog) will require that you send that firmware file again, and if it's the MCU, the MCU goes into a "boot loader" state which looks different and may require a K3 power cycle by removing the power plug.
The protocol used during firmware update doesn't have really tight timing requirements. There is a checksum test and an acknowledgement on each block sent. Most Windows systems are sharing time with a whole lot of processes even when you're not actively doing anything on the desktop. I routinely go through e-mail or compile other programs while firmware is loading, and I probably load firmware more often than anyone except perhaps Wayne and Lyle. Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David Robertson Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:54 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update. Phil, It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good. Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going to use. When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time slice in the process which can corrupt data. Enjoy your K3! 73 Dave KD1NA ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
