Tip on updating the Flytec 6030/ Brauniger IQ+

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Fabiano
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Joined: Thu, Sep 18 2003, 10:53:17 pm
Location: Rio de Janeiro

Tip on updating the Flytec 6030/ Brauniger IQ+

Post by Fabiano »

As some of you might have ran into trouble trying to update to the new firmware version (5.04a) which is a critical update, for without it you may have your GPS turn off mid-flight, thus invalidating the igc file, I thought about sharing what I did to overcome the lack of recognition of the USB communication drivers (Prolyfic) between the device and most Windows OS computers.

What you can do is install a Virtual Machine like Oracle Virtual Box into your current Windows version, and use it to install Windows XP inside the box.

Steps:

- download and install Oracle Virtual Box: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtual ... 80-Win.exe
- *get yourself a Windows XP Virtual Machine compatible version (https://helpdeskgeek.com/virtualization ... -for-free/)
- Install the XP VM onto the Virtual Box
- download the Flytec 5.04a installer from the Flytec site: https://www.volirium.com/wp-content/upl ... _5.04b.exe
- donwload the Prolyfic driver files from the Prolyfic site: http://www.prolific.com.tw/UserFiles/fi ... _v1200.zip
- copy the Flytec and Prolyfic donwloads to a Pen Drive
- run the Virtual Box software
- run Windows XP under the Virtual Box
- stick the pen drive to your PC : you should hear 2 different USB recognition sounds, as both the current Windows version as well as the Windows XP will recognize the Pen Drive into their OS.
- open the Pen Drive folder inside the XP environment and copy both files (Prolyfic + Flytec) to any folder in Windows XP.
- unplug the Pen Drive
- install the Prolyfic driver into Windows XP, running the executable on the XP environment
- plug your instrument into the PC and wait for the customary USB recognition sound on your version of Windows
- click on the Virtual Box interface Menu Under "Devices" then "USB" and activate the Prolyfic drivers
- wait to hear the old Windows XP USB recognition sound
- run the Flytec Updater executable and as for the Port choice just leave it on "Auto"
- the updater will find the instrument and install the firmware

Voilà! Hopefully it should work and update your instrument without a glitch!

It's actually easier than the instructions above make it seem, and well worth the trouble to keep this great device still current!!

*I guess the hardest part is preparing the WIndows XP file, I have a computer savvy friend who prepared the file for me. In case anyone is interested, I could make it available via wetransfer.
Last edited by Fabiano on Tue, Jul 06 2021, 03:48:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Aeropilot
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun, Nov 18 2012, 09:28:39 am

Re: Tip on updating the Flytec 6030/ Brauniger IQ+

Post by Aeropilot »

The same windows10 prolyfic driver issue also exists with the Flytec 6015 model. And, perhaps with other Flytec instruments. Running the pc processor as a virtual 'xp' or earlier windows version is a viable work around for commo with the 6015/6030 etc.
User avatar
Fabiano
Posts: 825
Joined: Thu, Sep 18 2003, 10:53:17 pm
Location: Rio de Janeiro

Re: Tip on updating the Flytec 6030/ Brauniger IQ+

Post by Fabiano »

Yes this solution is something to have forever in stock when dealing with these older instruments.

I thought it's pretty clever that we can bypass a later OS with a previous OS kinda hidden under the hood.

We're lucky Volirium is still updating the device.
Last year I paid to upgrade the 6030 to the WGS84 ellipsoid thing, which I thought was only fair and now I must send them a contribution for this new patch.


When my fellow pilot Marcello cleverly suggested I try the VM route, I just really never thought this would work, but it did!
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