[Slot.it]

Hi.
Approximately one month ago, we discovered (thanks to Richard Girling) a problem in the allocation of the oXigen channels - something that had to be fixed, with a 2.0 version, to the expense of breaking compatibility with the existing parts (all version 1.0). So we had to do the work of changing what had to be changed, test it (we did some racing and public demonstration at the Modena 'Play!' fair, and all went well), prepare the new flash code, test the upgrade, prepare manuals and upload everything to our web site.
We did not want parts with v. 2.0 to be sold before everything was ready for the upgrade, to avoid causing too much trouble.
We are now ready to give you all the links to reflashing sw, manuals, and firmware

Download the new manuals from
http://www.slot.it/INGLESE/Oxigen_Manuals.html
In particular, new is the 'bootloader' manual. I have not proof-read it well yet, probably...

Grab the bootloading sw from
http://www.slot.it/INGLESE/Oxigen_Software.html

Get the Firmware (all versions, including current 1.x and 2.x)
http://www.slot.it/INGLESE/Oxigen_Firmware.html

Be aware: all oXigen parts purchased from now on should be 2.x - so if you have 1.x units, you will have to upgrade.
One small known bug has been fixed, too: if you pressed lane up, and brake, as if you were reprogramming the car to a different channel, in race mode, you'd also add your own laps to the new channel's car, if present. It's very nice to do so to your mate's score, but I guessed it had to be fixed

Please make sure to read the bootloading manual. There's a several pages walk-through upgrading from 1.x to 2.x.
Caveat: the controller is a bit 'deaf', so to speak: we don't know why yet, but it may take you a few attempts to reflash the controller properly. It's a safe operation anyway, if it fails, it can restart from the beginning.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Regards
Maurizio

 

[Lala]

Hi Maurizio !

1. Would have been nice to exactly know what the updates are in the different versions.

2. Is it possible to go back to an earlier version if you want to !

Thank´s.

/lala

 

[Slot.it]

Hi Lala

1 - I'm not sure I understand the question, but if you want to know what's new, then
a - different channel allocation scheme (hence the compatibility break)
b - bugfix - wrong attribution of laps when two buttons pressed during race.

2 - yes it is, but I advise not to, as all box stock parts are now 2.x, and development is only taking place on 2.0. For the dongle, it is straightforward - load the version you want. For the controller and car, to go back, you need either two dongles: one with firmware 1.x, the other with 2.x: phase 1 of boot must be made with dongle 2.x, phase 2 with 1.x). It may be possible to use one dongle only though, but please upgrade to version 2.x and don't go back.

Regards
Maurizio

 

[Colinwng]

Hi Maurizio

Can a V2.0 dongle communicate with V1.0 car chip?
Reason I ask is because I have ordered new car chips which are in transit, what version I won't know.
So do I wait before I update all in one go or can I update what I have now.

Thanks.

 

[Slot.it]

Bootloading manual updated (typo fixed page 5 and 14)

 

[Slot.it]

Updated to 1.23 - some troubleshooting added.

 

[Slot.it]

QUOTE (Colinwng @ 11 Apr 2012, 16:11) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Maurizio

Can a V2.0 dongle communicate with V1.0 car chip?
Reason I ask is because I have ordered new car chips which are in transit, what version I won't know.
So do I wait before I update all in one go or can I update what I have now.

Thanks.

No, a v.2.x dongle cannot communicate with a v.1.x chip or controller, nor viceversa.
However, if you receive 1.x car and controllers, you can easily reflash your dongle to 1.x, do the upgrade to 2.x on your car and controllers, then reflash dongle to 2.x

Regards
Maurizio

 

[Slot.it]

Hi all.
We have fixed the (known) issue which caused bootloading to be sometimes difficult to start - that is, the operation may have to be restarted a few times before it actually starts.
The problem lies in the dongle software, which does not always enter bootloading mode as expected, depending on the USB stream, and returns to 'chrono' mode rather than contacting the selected device. You may still experience some errors from the controller, regarding a 'lock byte' which cannot be read, but in general this solves most issues so the number of retries should be minimal.

To do so, we have made a special 'boot mode only' version of the 1.x family dongle software, named v 91.2, whose only purpose is to reflash the 1.x car and controller to 2.x . So, the suggested procedure is as follows:
1 - reflash your dongle to 91.2
2 - reflash cars and controllers to 2.01
3 - reflash your dongle to 2.0

Note - version 91.2 can only be used for reflashing v.1 to v.2. It's all it can do, remember to reflash your dongle to to v.2 afterwards!

While the site is being upgraded, you can fetch it from
http://www.slot.it//Download/oXigen/Firmware/firmware.zip

The manual is being changed to reflect this update

Regards
Maurizio

 

[stephmartin]

As you say, it is now almost mandatory to have two dongles (one 1.0 + one 2.0 ...) (and even two pc's ... ?) if you want to avoid multiple "roundtrips" between the 1.0 and 2.0 versions on a unique Dongle ...

I can understand those who still wait a little before investing in Oxigen... The first buyers (like me...) are now in a middle of a ford... I still wait new elements. I suppose it will be 1.0 elements but how to know it surely ? I don't want to "flash" for nothing... And when we will be sure to receive and only receive 2.0 elements ?

One more question: have you a date for the availability of the more small car chip (type "B") ?

One more time, sorry for my poor english writing ...

 

[Slot.it]

Stephane,
no need to have two dongles or two computers. Please don't - it's completely unnecessary.
Reflashing cars and controllers to v.2 is an easy operation, we've written a detailed manual, and reflashing the dongle to one version or the other is just a matter of selecting the software and click OK.

You can wait until you receive your new parts. They are most likely v.2.
Or, move now what you have to v.2, and IF you receive v.1, just reprogram the dongle to version 91.2, upgrade all that you have received from v.1. to v.2, and reprogram dongle with v.2.

In both cases you will end up with everything being aligned on v.2.

Regards
Maurizio