Software Bisque Knowledge Base Article – 1200

REPAIRING INCORRECT PARAMOUNT ME FIRMWARE INSTALLATION

ISSUE

My Paramount ME uses the MKS 4000 control system (red electonic board). I’ve updated (“flashed”) the firmware to version 1.1.45 (using the file named MKS1145.out). Now the mount does not function properly.

1. Download the MKS 4000 Serial Port Utility Application (this zip file contains the compressed fiile named MKSer.exe and two firmware updates: mks-1145.out for the MKS 3000 control system and mks4-2519.out for the MKS 4000 control system.).  Mkser.exe allows the latest firmware to be installed to the MKS 4000 control system (that is, to replace the older, incorrect firmware with the newer, correct version).
2. Extract (or unzip) the file MKSer.exe and the two .out files to a folder named “C:/MKSSer” on your computer.
3. Click Start | Run, enter “cmd” and then click OK to display a DOS prompt.
4. From the DOS prompt, type “C:” (no quotes) and then press <Enter>.
5. From the DOS prompt, type “cd mksser” (no quotes) and then press <Enter>.
6. From the DOS prompt, type “MKSer COMN” (no quotes) and then press . The “N” in “COMN” must be the COM port number that the Paramount ME is attached to. For example, if the Paramount is connected to COM port 3, type “COM3”.  Note that mkser.exe supports COM port numbers 1-4 only.
7. From the DOS prompt, type “MKSer” (no quotes) and then press to launch the utility application.
8. On the MKS-O-Rama window, click “Get Version” (near the upper left corner) to verify communications with the MKS 4000 control system.
9. In the text box next to the “Download Code” button, type “C:/MKSer/MKS4-2519.out” (no quotes). Note: this file must reside in the same folder as MKSer.exe. Copy it from TheSky6’s folder first.
10. In order for MKSer.exe to upgrade the MKS 4000 firmware, a “programming” DIP switch on the Adaptor Panel must be set to the PGM position.
11. Click “Download Code” to install the correct firmware version. A status message is displayed near the bottom of the window.
12. Set the position of the Adaptor Panel’s Run/Program DIP to the Run position.