WP34s flash technical erase procedure

[MarkHaysHarris777]

(01-28-2015 04:56 PM)walter b Wrote:  So far, the manual is not written for an EE fiddling at the HW. Though not completely true due to App. H dealing with tuning your WP 34S, but you can do that without knowing about the signals at various points. Anybody who's trying to do more shall do his/her own measurements or ask the EEs on this forum who might be able to support him/her.

Totally, I get it. Actually, the only 'change' I might suggest for the manual is a clarification on 'when' the 30b loses its brains during the 'erase' power-on reset sequence. The manual is clear that upon exit the flashing will have replaced the 30b firmware. What needs to be clearer is that although you can run the (erase, power on, reset) sequence as many times as you want (and here is the rub) if your flash cable is talking to the 30b then your 30b firmware is GONE after the very first complete (erase, power-on, reset) regardless of whether the flash occurs. In other words, the sequence (erase, power-on, reset) destroys the 30b firmware... and if the flash does not work, the 30b is dead until a bonafide flash occurs. The instructions say this of course, but its not clear that before you press the button on MySamba the 30b firmware is GONE. If the flash does not work, you will not be playing with the 30b any longer 'till you get it figured out!

Cheers