Firmware upgrade 4.1, USB port discovery problem

Posted by: skipper44 on 21 December 2014

Whilst attempting to update the SuperUniti firmware to 4.1, I've managed to install the USB driver and it shows up in the system profiler as "CP2101 USB to UART Bridge controller" where there was none earlier, however on the Streamer Updater I do not get the "SLAB_USBtoUART" option in the dropdown.

 

To QUOTE NAIM TN0030, Issue 1, 12/12/2014:

"Mini USB will come up as CP2101 USB to UART Bridge controller, on the Streamer Updater it will be listed as SLAB_USBtoUART."

 

Am using Yosemite on my MBPro (early 2011), and SuperUniti with USB mini B. Could it be a cable connectivity fault? My SuperUniti is compatible for the update.

 

I've tried re-downloading all the software involved, and even used my son's pre-Yosemite MBPro. 

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

skipper

Posted on: 21 December 2014 by ChrisSU
Have you downloaded the USB driver software as per Naim's PDF instructions?
Posted on: 21 December 2014 by skipper44
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
Have you downloaded the USB driver software as per Naim's PDF instructions?

Yes, I have. From SiLabs. As described in TN0030 (Technical Note 0030, Issue 1, 12/12/2014)

Posted on: 22 December 2014 by Scooot
Hi,
I downloaded usb driver but also had issues.where I went wrong was after downloading the driver software I thought that was it.After a while it dawned on me I hadn't installed it just downloaded it.
Just a thought.
Scott
Posted on: 23 December 2014 by CharvilJon
This one is annoying me now. Similarly have an early 2011 Mac book pro and a NDX with mini USB. Have downloaded and installed - I think - all the drivers but none are showing up on the system profile. Stumped. Ideas?
Posted on: 23 December 2014 by sjbabbey

CJ

 

The driver creates a "virtual" com port. I'm a PC user rather than mac and I was concerned that I could see no sign of the hardware/driver in Windows Device Manager (although it did show up as installed in Control Panel/Programs & Features). What's more it did indeed create the virtual com port and allow me to use the usb to miniusb cable to complete the upgrade successfully.

Posted on: 23 December 2014 by alan33
I have the drivers for both the USB-to-RS232 and the USB-miniUSB virtual COM ports on my Mac Mini

(running Yosemite). Is it possible you have started the updater before attaching the cables? I noticed that the drop-down list of ports did not include those which were not connected first - similar to the default apple setting that hides your DVD if there is no media installed... I used both successfully - miniUSB for the SuperUniti, RS232 for the v1 UnitiQute. Might be worth a quick check by connecting things first, then starting the app. 

 

Regards, alan 

Posted on: 23 December 2014 by Ralphisto

Maybe a stupid question: Is Firmware and Software update the same?

 

Many thanks

Ralph

Posted on: 27 December 2014 by skipper44
Was this Mac or PC?

Originally Posted by Scooot:
Hi,
I downloaded usb driver but also had issues.where I went wrong was after downloading the driver software I thought that was it.After a while it dawned on me I hadn't installed it just downloaded it.
Just a thought.
Scott

 

Posted on: 27 December 2014 by skipper44
Originally Posted by alan33:
I have the drivers for both the USB-to-RS232 and the USB-miniUSB virtual COM ports on my Mac Mini

(running Yosemite). Is it possible you have started the updater before attaching the cables? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Might be worth a quick check by connecting things first, then starting the app. 

 

Regards, alan 

Hi Alan,

 

Have been travelling hence this late response. I can't say for sure, but I think I had everything connected - ne'ertheless I shall follow your advice and try after ensuring everything is connected.

thanks.

skipper

Posted on: 27 December 2014 by Scooot
Hi skipper,
It was pc.

Scott
Posted on: 27 December 2014 by CharvilJon

Success. Many thanks for suggestions. Took an age to find the USB cable - swear these things hide when you need them - but once all linked up, re-installed the drivers and all went smoothly from there. 

Posted on: 27 December 2014 by skipper44
Thanks again Scott,
 
The problem was that the driver had been downloaded but not installed.
 
In my case it was a Mac, but the problem was the same - downloading the driver but no installing it. You left a jolly riddle for me, the "half-baked" digerati. So for those who may find themselves in the same predicament:
 
1. Double clicking the <SiLabsUSBDriverDisk.dmg> after unzipping it did not install it, just as Scott said.
2. The .dmg disk image opened/ mounted successfully using Disk Utility (control-click, and 'Open with..')
3. Not being knowledgable about these things, the write up on page 2 of the NAIM Tech Notification saying,
 
"To check to see if the Com ports are ready available, do the following:"
About this Mac -> More Info -> System Info -> Hardware -> USB  which eventually leads to seeing 

CP2101 USB to UART Bridge controller

led me to believe that all was well, whereas this only indicated that the Mac was able to see the piece of hardware called the UART which resides in the Uniti.
4. Once the .dmg is mounted and opened, you must see the familiar cardboard box icon representing <Silicon Labs VCP Driver Installer> which is a .mpkg, 
5. Once this is installed (yes, double click or command-O), the
 
SLAB_USBtoUART
will appear, as described, as an option when you run the NAIM Updater.
6. You can also check if the driver is installed by following the path MAC HD -> System -> Library -> Extensions -> SiLabsUSBDriver.kext the presence of the last indicating a successful installation.
7. after that it's plain sailing!
8. Beware of progeny studying Liberal Arts, for they comment that such streaming services are killing the musicians ability to survive.
9. Food .. . .
 
skipper 
 
 
Originally Posted by Scooot:
Hi,
I downloaded usb driver but also had issues.where I went wrong was after downloading the driver software I thought that was it.After a while it dawned on me I hadn't installed it just downloaded it.
Just a thought.
Scott

 

Posted on: 28 December 2014 by Scooot
Hi Skipper44,
Great news you are now sorted.The problem with my vague instructions was due to me running blind.I have very limited knowledge about anything pc and none at all when it comes to mac's.To be honest I would probably struggle to do the process again as it was more luck than judgement how I eventually installed the driver.

Happy listening and all the best for 2015.

Scott
Posted on: 30 December 2014 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by CharvilJon:

Success. Many thanks for suggestions. Took an age to find the USB cable - swear these things hide when you need them - but once all linked up, re-installed the drivers and all went smoothly from there. 

Hi folks,

Rather than start a new thread, just jumping in here as my problem is closely related.

Was  updating my UQ 1 (which has had the 192 board installed by Naim).  At 10% there was a communication failure message...check cables etc.  Having done this I restarted but noticed that the network leds on the UQ were not pulsing...just solid green.  Needless to say the upgrade installer could no longer find the device.  It's now 'stuck' with 'firmware upgrade do not disconnect' on front panel and is inoperable.  Was too late to catch Naim support this evening but just wondering if there's a method to 'reset' the unit and start again.  Anything to avoid returning to factory!!

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by hungryhalibut

The network LEDs don't matter, as you are linking via USB. You need to tell the laptop not to sleep, under the power management settings. Hopefully someone who has encountered your issue will chime in.

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by skipper44

Thank Scott, enjoying new discoveries and old memories on Spotify!

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

The network LEDs don't matter, as you are linking via USB. You need to tell the laptop not to sleep, under the power management settings. Hopefully someone who has encountered your issue will chime in.

Hello, Halibut,

As it's a UQ 1, it's a RS232 connector, so doesn't this mean a network connection to the PC is required? 

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by hungryhalibut

Yes, the computer needs to connect to the Internet to get the new firmware. Once that's done, it squirts the code down the USB lead to the streamer.

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Yes, the computer needs to connect to the Internet to get the new firmware. Once that's done, it squirts the code down the USB lead to the streamer.

I took a deep breath and restarted and it's run up to 10% then failed again.  Am keeping restarting it and last time it failed at 13%.  A message said it would reload firmware then sort out the network address.  I think I may have a substandard USB/232 cable...

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by skipper44

The 'how to' write up, or video, I do not remember which, insists that both computer and Uniti device be connected to the same LAN using Ethernet, before commencing the download and loading of the firmware. I thought this was probably enabling a method of validating the process, soomething like correct software going to the correct device and though I'm sure this could be done via the usb alone, the network connection probably provides a crosscheckl among other serious  things. 

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by sjbabbey

The computer needs to be able to find the streamer through its network address so has to be connected to the network itself to do so.

Posted on: 30 December 2014 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

The computer needs to be able to find the streamer through its network address so has to be connected to the network itself to do so.

I've restarted the process umpteen times but the farthest it's got is 13%.before returning a communication failure.  I'm going to get a decent USB/232 cable tomorrow and I've also dropped Naim support a line to see what they have to say.  I'll report back hopefully tomorrow, but nevertheless, thanks for your inputs.

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by Anthony H:
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

The computer needs to be able to find the streamer through its network address so has to be connected to the network itself to do so.

I've restarted the process umpteen times but the farthest it's got is 13%.before returning a communication failure.  I'm going to get a decent USB/232 cable tomorrow and I've also dropped Naim support a line to see what they have to say.  I'll report back hopefully tomorrow, but nevertheless, thanks for your inputs.

I eventually got it to run to 100% but then it failed the next step.  Naim advised me to do a factory re-set but it's stuck on 'firmware upgrade do not switch off'.  I fear a significant bill looming....!

Posted on: 06 January 2015 by Anthony H
Originally Posted by Wat:

I fear a significant bill looming....!

 

That should not be the case. Naim cares a lot about its customers and will help you get it working. 

I guess so.  It's frustrating that an upgrade can end up like this and having to go to dealers and ending up being without the device for weeks.  I also have a Uniti 2 which flew through the upgrade.  I won't give up on Naim though - it meets all my needs and beyond!!