Apex is shot. Any ideas??

[cato]

Well I bought an Apex controller a yr ago at MACNA. Just putting the finishing touches on a complete system upgrade and decided to break it open and set it up. Everything was great. Had connectivity/communication with it and my home network and the internet and figured before I start programming it I'd update the firmware. Went through all the steps no problem and then ZAP! As the new version firmware was uploading I was sitting in my recliner with the display module in hand, I Decided to get up and walk 15 feet to the base module to see what the LED was doing and when I touched it to check a nice static shock zapped me and everything went dead. I've pretty much tried everything except the DOS load. My display is blank. I have power to the base but blinks yellow and zero communication by all ways mentioned in the new version manual. No dice. My gut says...gotta contact Curt at Neptune. But first I figured I'd post here and see if anyone has the DOS instructions. It seems the base has no firmware on it now.

Just for the record I have tried to reload firmware via internet, via direct pc connect and in safe mode with network. Nothing. Simply can't establish communication with it at all. Bummer. Any ideas. :hmm4:

 

[aquamanic]

I think emailing Neptune is your best bet.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

The base unit has a basic set of instruction that is just enough smarts to be able to upload firmware and the controller indicates that it is running in this mode by flashing the LED on the controller. Do you get any lights on the controller?

Only when the LED is solid can you communicate with the controller; otherwise the communications is really limited to the commands the uploader sends to it.

How about lights on the Ethernet connector?

You might want to send an email to Neptune in any case; the shock you mention sounds like static and that could have caused problems so may as well get that ball rolling just in case. Support@neptunesys.com is the email.

 

[cato]

Hi guys. Yeah the controller is blinking yellow. Oddly the Ethernet lights were good, green was on but the display control was black. Yes it was static shock but a fairly good one at that. I will email Neptune. Thanks.

 

[ToLearn]

Man that stinks Cato, sorry to hear about the luck. I know your supposed to ground yourself before touching a computer hadn't crossed my mind that I could shock the Apex. I hope Neptune can get you up and running again.

 

[cato]

Man that stinks Cato, sorry to hear about the luck. I know your supposed to ground yourself before touching a computer hadn't crossed my mind that I could shock the Apex. I hope Neptune can get you up and running again.

Yeah me too. Thanks bro.

 

[schwaggs]

From the manual:

If the firmware update fails for some reason and the Apex base module does not boot up correctly, it can still be recovered. An Apex base module with corrupt firmware is indicated by a flashing yellow status LED. To recover the system:

1. Remove power to the Apex Base Module.

2. Restart the Apex flash utility. Make sure that a valid IP address is in the Network Address box (not a hostname)

3. Start the firmware update by pressing the firmware update button.

4. Wait for the firmware update to timeout.

5. Re-apply power to the Apex base module. The status LED will flash yellow, and connect to the flash utility.

 

[cato]

Back in biz! Curt at Neptune sent this email reply...

Hi,
The main firmware is corrupt in the Apex base module and it is running in
boot loader mode waiting for a firmware upload. Plug both your PC and the
Apex into your router's Ethernet ports. Do NOT use a wireless connection as
that is probably what has caused the firmware corruption. Start the Apex
flash utility. In the network address field put in the last known IP
address of the Apex and then perform the update.

Curt

Worked like a charm in like 2 mins all was back up n running. Thanks all.

 

[connecticut cichlids]

Nice!