Centracom Gold COIM Programming Issue

[KE9GK]

Greetings,

Having a bit of difficulty getting a CC Gold COIM to program. I am having to re-build the CDM file for this unit as it was "lost" by the previous tech. I am not 100% sure what version of Gold the COIMS were last programmed with...but there was 8.14.xx found laying around in the back room with the unit. Unfortunately this seems to be a newer version than the dates on the cards...and of course as stated earlier the CDM files are no where to be found to verify anything. This is a Classic B & LED setup...so no need to worry about the Elite aspect.

Here is where I am at:
- I have created a **NEW** CDM file and configured the resources appropriately
- I have gone into the Classic setup and configured all my CCP's and DCCM's and Switches
- I have verified all MUX and BUS settings
- I have re-addressed and added some BIMS and 1 OP (adding a few resources to the system) and reflected these changes in the CDM file.
- I have saved all the changes and exported them to the upload manager
- Upload manager (MUPL) shows correct info...when I go to "upload" it reads the COIM's current program and gives an error that its new TDM address was configured as a BIM in its current programming and then asks if I want to overwrite it...I click yes and it says "writing new persprom" in the corner....but the status bar never moves...then after about 30 seconds it gives a "MuplUtil Error #2 failed to communicate with selected resource - Please check the connection b/w the COM port and the resource"
- I have also tried to keep the COIM's old TDM address to eliminate the 1st error....but still no dice....I cant get the COIM to program.

I have tried 2 RS232 boards....2 programming cables (one OEM)...and 2 different COIMS...still no dice. From how my manual reads the RS232's jumpering is the same for a COIM vs TOMI....as is the programming cable...unless I am missing something obvious...I'm at a loss! I seem to remember something about the COIM firmware needing to match the software version...but I thought that was for stability/reliability...not raw programming. Any help you guru's can give me would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Bat3516]

What baud rate are you attempting to use? The MUPL defaults to 300 which for a new programming job I would recommend.
If you try and force it to 9600 it can be persnicitty. Also check the last dip switch (bottom if the board is upright in the cage) and make sure it is toward the back of the board for a classic (B&L).
It's also possible you have a corrupted EEPROM. You might try a fresh one just for giggles and see if that resolves it.
Bottom line is if the MUPL is telling you something and/or you can read out the card's version with Hyperterminal or Procomm, you should be able to write to it.

[KE9GK]

I have tried all baud rates without any success. I know the COIM is being read correctly...hence the TDM error I am getting...it just will NOT program! I do have the hardlock with the BIM licenses that go with this system....do I need to have that connected to the programming PC at the time of the MUPL programming?.....would that even cause this type of error if not connected? Sorry...never built a CDM file from scratch before...and not terribly experienced with the gold flavored Centracom console either. I have tried 3 different COIMS...and I have even tried swapping one of my spare EEPROMS into my spare COIM...still nothing. I still have a feeling it is due to the COIM being programmed with much older software than what I found...but I cant get a straight answer if this would cause the programming communication issue.

Again any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[Batwings21]

Have you verified all mux and buy bus jumpers? Maybe something is grabbing the wrong bus.

[KE9GK]

Yup...all are MUX 1 // BUS 1. This shouldn't be this complicated to program...its a simple conventional 12 channel B&L Gold with 2 Signalling BIMS...nothing tricky or trunking. I did get out of MOTO tech support (after a lot of whining..as I dont have an "open console support account") that my revision of software that was found in the "goodies closet" in the back room was meant for WinXP SP1...and the programming laptop has WinXP SP2 on it...but I really cant see that as being an issue seeing as how I'm not trying to run Elite...just the CDM and ADM to program the B&LED functionality on the COIM. Is there a way to blank the EEPROM on the COIM like you can in Series II? Is it possible that it is having an issue with itself because the last guy to service this thing had an older version of the CDM program? Would a blank EEPROM even help...or do I need new or re-flashed firmware on the COIM to match the software? I would have thought he would have used the one that came with the system...but this was a pull out from another PD and then xferred to a small one as a temporary bridge untill the budget got back in line to do a MCC5500 upgrade....so who knows where the original stuff even is anymore....

[wavetar]

Hmmm, I'm afraid I'm not much help with the issue..I don't know why it won't write to the COIM. I can say however that service packs can definitely cause issues. I once programmed TIMI boards (same as COIM/TOMI with different firmware) in a system that was running NT4, SP4...I used a computer that had SP6 on it for the programming. The TIMI's took the programming, but crashed & came up with the red error LED as soon as they programmed. I had to re-do the same upload with an SP4 computer, and they then started working again. So, you definitely need the firmware version to match the applicable OS version, or things won't work even if you manage to shove the upload in.

[KE9GK]

Well....

Methinks that is the problem here. The firmware is definately way older than the current CDM program (the hardlock has 1995 on it) and if it was all programmed at around that time....there is no way the 8.xx version will work. UGH! I wonder how much mother MOTO wants for 4 firmware chips?....oh $1000.00 you say....NEAT...I'' take 12!

Apparently I have some phone calls to make!

Thanks Everyone!