Technical Support Information No. 196c July 2013

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1 Customer Focus Page 1 of 7 This new release of TSI 196c is an update to the original File Transfer Application explaining slightly different operation and new functionality for recovering from devices that continue to reset and not boot successfully! Maxum File Transfer Application The SYSCON2 is the primary control board used in the Maxum, the Maxum II, the Network Access Unit (NAU), and the Advance Plus Door assembly (used to upgrade Optichrom Advance GCs to include many Maxum features). The SYSCON2 consists of two boards, the Communication and Analytical Control (CAC3) board and the SYSCON Interface Board (SIB). Only one SYSCON2 is used in a particular device. The CAC3 contains the processor and memory functions for the SYSCON2 as well as control of external Ethernet communications (via the Ethernet Switch Board). The operating system for the SYSCON2 is now Windows CE (older versions used PSOS), which includes a file structure similar to Windows versions seen on PCs. Certain files on the SYSCON2 are used to determine the health of the system and can be used for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Since it is difficult to know which files are relevant, the Maxum File Transfer application was created in order to download the appropriate files pertaining to system health (includes current database and debug files). Once retrieved, these files can be sent to Siemens for evaluation. Furthermore, there may be instances where the Syscon2 may not boot successfully, which is a difficult situation to resolve. This has caused many boards to be replaced and sent in for warranty when the actual board is fine. The issue can result from a failed upgrade, a corrupt database, or some other internal failure to the file system. On the earlier Syscon1 and Syscon+, it was possible to recover from this condition by stopping the unit at the bootloader menu and then performing an upgrade to the same software version using Maxum Utilities. Unfortunately, this is one shortcoming of the Syscon2 that will be addressed in future software releases. For this reason, new functionality has been added to this application to recover from this condition. This will be explained in more detail below. Installation and Operation Installation and operation of the application is easy. Unzip the files from the MaxumFileTransfer.zip file to the desired location on the Workstation PC, which will create a new folder named MaxumFTP. The application is started by running the executable file MaxumFTP.exe. This will bring up the following window. The new window now has two selectable options, Maxum Log File Transfer and Maxum Flash Disk Recovery. The Maxum Log File Transfer option is the default option when first opened.

2 Customer Focus Page 2 of 7 Note: The procedures listed below assume the computer and the analyzer have already been set up to communicate and have a suitable Ethernet wiring connection. If not, the applications may fail. Maxum Log File Transfer Procedure In order to get the most recent copy of the database for the file transfer, first use the HMI to perform a Save to Flash. Then, in the Maxum Log File Transfer window, type in the IP address of the Maxum device and select <Retrieve Files>. The status will show Retrieving Files and will download several files to a new folder under the Maxum File Transfer folder. After completing the file transfer, the status should show Completed Successfully and the following message window will appear.

3 Customer Focus Page 3 of 7 After pressing <OK>, the following window will appear showing the folder location. The newly created folder is named based on the IP address and the current date. This folder contains the transferred files and will be overwritten on each execution of the application for the same date. In the event of a system failure, these files should be saved and upon request made available to Siemens for evaluation purposes. Note: The files are no longer compressed automatically because of issues with Winzip installations on certain computer systems. The user may compress the files using available compression software before sending if required by policies blocking malicious file content. Maxum Flash Disk Recovery Procedure Select the Maxum Flash Disk Recovery button from the main Maxum File Transfer window and the following window will be displayed.

4 Customer Focus Page 4 of 7 Once selected, the following message appears warning the user that this will leave the unit with a blank database requiring a current backup of the database to be restored to the unit once recovered. Press <OK> to continue. For Syscon2 with Software Version 5.0 In the Maxum FlashDisk Recovery window, type in the IP address of the Maxum device and select 5.0 from the Recover to Maxum Version drop down list. Once selected, it is possible to select the <Recover FlashDisk Files> button.

5 Customer Focus Page 5 of 7 For Syscon2 with Software Version 5.1 and Later In the Maxum FlashDisk Recovery window, type in the IP address of the Maxum device and select 5.1 from the Recover to Maxum Version drop down list. This will bring up the following warning instructing the user to enter the proper hardware type. This is required because starting with software version 5.1, there are three possible hardware configurations available for the Syscon2. These are: Maxum with the new Touch Screen Syscon2 connected through the new Touch Screen display Maxum with Black and White Display Syscon2 connected throug the original Black and White display Maxum Modular Oven Touch Screen display only without Syscon2

6 Customer Focus Page 6 of 7 After selecting OK, the File Transfer window changes to the following for the selection mentioned above. After selecting the correct item from the Hardware Type list, it is possible to select the <Recover FlashDisk Files> button.

7 Customer Focus Page 7 of 7 File Recovery Process For either version, once the Recover FlashDisk Files button is selected the following window will be displayed while trying to connect to the device If successful, the following window is displayed and the analyzer should boot with a blank database. Now the correct database can be restored using Workstation software. If the connection fails, after some amount of time the following message will be displayed for 5 seconds allowing the user to cancel the operation. If not cancelled, the application will continue to try until cancelled.