I am trying to update my QA403 to version 1.202. I downloaded the software package and installed it, but, when I try to open it, it says I need to update the firmware. I tell it to do so, but then I get the message: “An exception was caught. Was the HW in IPS mode? One or more errors occurred.” (I have absolutely no idea what his means because I’m not a computer engineer or programmer). I then click “OK” and it says: “Finished updating the flash. Please unplug the hardware, wait one second and then re-plug the hardware.” I then quickly follow the instructions and unplug the QA403 from the USB hub and plug it back in. When I do this, the Link and Atten lights come one and it loops back to the first message that the firmware must be updated. The Link and Atten lights stay on. I can’t get past this. HELP!
Hi @ScottRichardson. This may be of no use, but have you tried looking at these posts?
Not really. I am not a software person; I’m a vacuum tube audio unit repair person and a point-and-click user of computers (Macintosh, although I use a PC only for the QA403). I don’t have a clue regarding programming, modes, coding, firmware, commands, etc. If I can get a set-by-step guide on how to fix this, I’ll be a happy camper.
Perhaps the to-do list in the following post is what you are looking for:
It is assuming I am well-versed in programming and overall software usage, which I am not:
- Try on a Win10 PC if possible. But if not, it’s worth a shot on Linux [Understood. I’m using a Windows 11 PC]
- Unplug the QA403 hardware [Understood]
- Start the QA40x application [Understood]
- Once the app is up, click on the title bar of the app (to make sure it has focus) and type ‘QA40x’ (no quotes). You should hear a beep or similar. [There is no place to type anything in the title bar]
- Notice there is a new menu called “DEBUG” just after the HELP menu [I see the DEBUG menu]
- Plug in your QA40x hardware, and verify a device with VID:PID 0x1FC9: 0x0022 is connected to your machine via HW manager or lsusb, etc. [I have no idea how to verify if “a device with VID:PID 0x1FC9: 0x0022 is connected.” I don’t know what the “HW Manager or lsusb” are]
- From the DEBUG menu, select
Load Default Secure Image (must in be HID mode)[I have no idea how to make sure it is in HID mode or even what that means] - Get ready to watch the status at the bottom. It will go really fast and you might not see it. But it should reflash [Understood]
- Unplug the QA40x, wait 2-3 second, and re-plug. It should be connected. The cycling front-panel LEDs indicate the flash was successful. [Understood]
My computer flashed a message that there had been a problem updating Windows, so I told it to retry the update (must have happened in the past). The computer then restarted and now the version 1.202 seems to be working.
If “QA40x v.1.202” appears in the pricipal window and the program works, then it’s probably okay!