Firmware Tool

Quickly upgrade your Toppy's firmware in just a few minutes.

Version 2.0.3 - Page updated 07/02/2010

CONTENTS

WHAT DOES IT DO?

It provides a quick and easy way to upgrade Firmware in a few minutes - without the 30+ minutes of downtime required when following the 26 recommended steps to do it all manually. You can even upgrade during a commercial break.

Existing Firmware can be backed up before upgrading - which is a big plus for those owners whose Toppy came with firmware that can not be found online.

New firmware can be safely tested in a matter of minutes. And reverting back to a previous firmware version is just as easy.

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HOW IS THIS BETTER THAN USING THE OLD METHOD?

Basically it's just a big convenience boost. You don't even need a TV connected (see Warnings). A few mouse clicks and everything required for a successful firmware upgrade is done for you in a matter of minutes.

Plus you can backup your settings, and backup your existing firmware which may not be available for download.

If you chose to associate .tfd firmware files and .std settings files with Firmware Tool during installation you can launch Firmware Tool by either double-clicking on a .tfd or .std file, or by right-clicking on a .tfd or .std file and selecting Upgrade (Upgrade is the default, so you can just press Enter).

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HOW TO USE:

To run auto mode you need to first select the firmware to upload - on the manual page.

Or you can drag and drop a .tfd firmware file (or a .std settings backup) onto the firmware tool window, or double-click on the firmware file to launch it, or use Windows' "Send To" to send it to firmware tool.

If the backup paths and upload settings file entries on the manual page are blank when the program is started it will insert and use the defaults. If you use the virtual settings file name of settings*.std it will automatically upload the settings it just backed up.

Once auto mode is started the start button changes to a cancel button. If you press cancel to stop the auto mode process firmware tool will wait until it is safe to stop before stopping.

If you don't know which firmware you have, or which one to use, have a look at
Andy Cullen's Recommended Firmware

If the firmware upgrade fails with an unusual message on the Toppy display check out the
Toppy Error Codes

RELEASE NOTES:

Version 2.0.3
- Major bug fix for Auto Mode.

Version 2.0.2
- Minor bug fix.

Version 2.0.1
- Minor bug fixes.

Version 2.0
- Merged installation into ToppyTools Suite installer.
- Added ToppyTools Updater support.
- Added advanced tab where you can run firmware patcher or pack/unpack firmware.
- Added USB 1 option.

Version 1.0
- First release.

FUTURE PLANS:

- Use the firmware's application version to name the backed up firmware.
- Warn user if toppy is currently recording.
- Warn user if a timer is due to start recording.
- Tidy up status bar, and log, messages.
- Add detection if Toppy connected by USB 1 or USB 2.
- Add more reliable USB, and FTP, connection detection.
- Add support for FTP via ftpd-topfield for use with an NSLU2.

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INSTALLATION:

ToppyTools Suite will keep itself updated. Though you can still download, unzip and run the latest ToppyTools Suite installer.

Before the installation is finished you will get the chance to associate TFD firmware files and/or STD settings backup files with Firmware Tool. Selecting to associate will enable you double-click on any tfd or std file (or selected files) to send it/them to Firmware Tool. You'll also be able to right-click on tfd firmware files and/or std settings backup files and select "upload" instead of navigating to the "Send To" sub menu.

UPGRADING:

ToppyTools Suite will keep itself updated. Though you can still download, unzip and run the latest ToppyTools Suite installer.

UNINSTALLING:

Run the uninstaller from either the link in the ToppyTools folder in "All Programs" on the "Start Menu" or from the "ToppyTools" folder in the "Program Files" directory (usually C:\Program Files"). You can also uninstall ToppyTools Suite from Window's "Add and Remove Programs" in the "Control Panel".

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COMPATIBILITY:

- Works with all Topfield 5xx0 and 6000 series PVR's and PVRt's - See full list.
- Firmware Tool only works via USB from a PC running Windows 2000/XP/2003.
- FTP via an NSLU2 or Icebox2 etc are currently NOT supported.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Aldarin's FTP Server for Topfield v1.1.5 - included with Firmware Tool.
- A stable working USB connection to your Toppy - preferably USB2.
- If you have never connected your PC to the Toppy before you'll need to download and install the "Topfield Windows Applications Setup" which you can download here: TopfieldTools Applications and USB Driver Setup
- Power Saving turned OFF (in Device Manager) on the USB root hub you're Toppy is using.
- And preferably no other USB devices connected (that are turned on) that use the same USB root hub.

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WARNINGS:

1) If you do not have an earthed antenna connected to the toppy when plugging the toppy's USB into your PC you should plug the USB cable into both the PC and the toppy while both the PC and toppy (and any other devices that are connected to either) are UNPLUGGED from the power point. Failure to do this may kill the USB ports on your PC's motherboard. This has nothing to do with firmware tool.

2) When you close firmware tool it tells you if you need to do a "hard reset" (and explains how). If you skip doing this (or forget) you WILL have missed recordings and other problems.

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CREDITS:

- A big thanks to Jammer for his tireless beta testing.
- Thanks to Blade for the help file.
- And thanks to Aldarin for allowing me to include his FTP Server.

LICENSING:

Shareware. See the included License.txt for further licensing details. By using this software you are agreeing to the licensing terms outlined in the included License.txt. Also see license documents included with any bundled 3rd-party utilities or applications.

Firmware Tool is included in ToppyTools Suite

ToppyTools Suite has a 30 day trial period. To continue using it beyond 30 days requires a license key.

DOWNLOAD ToppyTools-Suite.zip - 3.6MB