RIGOL DP832 Power Supply - firmware upgrade

[Mark_O]

I'm not supporting their decisions - only pointing out that this is widely-known and readily apparent with the slightest research. If you want support, don't buy Rigol equipment.

I'd amend that to say, "...don't buy Rigol equipment, unless you have a reputable dealer you can depend on to handle any problems."

Where you're at, you have Drieg to handle things, and here in the US we have TEquipment (and perhaps others?).  Others may not be so lucky.

[Sparky]

recapitulation vis-a-vis RIGOL firmware upgrade -

SUCCESS!

for those with similar queries, I called RIGOL NA, talked to someone that took my email address and agreed to email me the links to the firmware upgrade and documentation.

two hours later I received the email from an Applications Engineer. I downloaded the files, and installed v1.08 in the DP832 power supply successfully.

thank you all for your responses

Great to hear!  So you were actually sent a link to download the files, and not the files directly attached to the email?  That's interesting, because for me they always attached the upgrade files to the email.

Would you mind posting a link to the update files?  Perhaps you can compress and uploading everything to a file sharing host? 

As a DP832 owner, I would like to see if the firmware & instructions matches previous.  Thanks!

[Sparky]

recapitulation vis-a-vis RIGOL firmware upgrade -

SUCCESS!

for those with similar queries, I called RIGOL NA, talked to someone that took my email address and agreed to email me the links to the firmware upgrade and documentation.

two hours later I received the email from an Applications Engineer. I downloaded the files, and installed v1.08 in the DP832 power supply successfully.

thank you all for your responses

How did the 01.08 firmware update work for you?  Did it affect any installed options (if you had any installed before the update)?  Did it fix any bugs that you observed previously, or introduce new ones?

If you have time, please post your comments in this thread.  Cheers!

[centon1]

I went from 01.06 to 01.08 with files provided via the forum.

h??p://riglol.3owl.com/firmware/DP832.zip

All options were installed under 01.06 and after the upgrade the 'Trigger' option now reports its status as 'uninstalled' and won't re-install under 01.08, it comes back with invalid key.

All other options still show installed.

I haven't yet checked to see what and if any issues have been fixed in 01.08.

I'll probably go back to 01.06, re-install all the options and then do the upgrade again to see if it repeats itself.

[W7NGA]

I'm the original poster and after some initial angst, I located the files, installed the new firmware, and the DP832 now sits proudly on the laboratory bench. A single-sheet of documentation included with the DP832, would have been of great benefit, if only to say "For latest release of firmware contact the nearest RIGOL sales office". I did attempt to use the online tool for requesting updates but it continuously hung up without any verification that my email was sent. My call to RIGOL NA the next morning was answered promptly and within two hours I had received an email with links to the software files and documentation.

As noted elsewhere, the install/upgrade documentation is misleading and incorrect. It was not clear when to press the 'Help' key during the initialization, though after a few attempts my best-guessing was successful. Remember to take the additional measures to update both analog boards.

I initially was interested in the DP1308A until I realized that you could not get three separate positive voltages whereas with the DP832 you can, and can link the two 30v outputs for positive/negative tracking voltages. I like the display, interface, and the construction/quality makes the DP832 a good bargain methinks.

The one issue is the quality of the buttons below the display. I am overly critical regarding buttons and mushy keys are an annoyance. I remember taking my HP35 calculator back to HP, three times, to get the tactile 'click' on all the keys. My DP832 has a key that works correctly but feels overly mushy. It's not an issue, considering the low-cost of the supply, and the fact that this key is so rarely used.

The firmware is now v01.08. I have no options installed. This release fixed the current/power resting values with no load, and occurrences where the rotary encoder would not change values on the first click.

[JohannP]

I have just received the latest version (00.01.09) from the Rigol offices in China.

Will install tonight and test.

Best regards

Johann

[JohannP]

It seams that this upgrade (00.01.09) happens in two steps.

You have to upgrade the "GEL" file twice and then the analog boards.

See the instructions from Rigol. See discussion #33.

Best regards

Johann

[Sparky]

It seams that this upgrade (00.01.09) happens in two steps.

You have to upgrade the "GEL" file twice and then the analog boards.

See the instructions from Rigol.

Best regards

Johann

Wow -- this is the 3rd version of this update file I have seen! 

Would you mind posting the firmware here for others?

[JohannP]

The files I received from Rigol for the DP832A for firmware upgrade from ver: 00.01.06 to 00.01.09 with instructions.

Please rename the *.jpg files to *.rar as I can not load the .rar files to the forum.

Best regards

Johann

[jc101]

Well, having had an 832A arrive last week with 1.08 installed I thought "why not".

Upgrade to 1.09 has worked a treat, and best of all, despite the colours, there is a display mode of Classic.  Easier on the eyes than the rounded one there before.  It reports as 00.01.09.00.01, boot version updated to 1.06.  The analogue boards seem to have remain the same on 01.02.00.01.02.00

[Altemir]

Well, having had an 832A arrive last week with 1.08 installed I thought "why not".

Upgrade to 1.09 has worked a treat, and best of all, despite the colours, there is a display mode of Classic.  Easier on the eyes than the rounded one there before.  It reports as 00.01.09.00.01, boot version updated to 1.06.  The analogue boards seem to have remain the same on 01.02.00.01.02.00

I can't upgrade analog board and have old version 01.01.07. I think, that firmware upgrade procedure from guide is uncorrect.

P.S. From DP8FWUpgrade.pdf I understand, that analog board upgrading is doing from Help menu 01.02.00 now
Simultaneously enabling two tracking channels by one CH1 or CH2 button is not working after power off/on

[Sebastian]

I just installed FW1.09 on my DP832 (not A) because the instruction says DP800, so I thought I'll just give it a try and it seem to work on the non A as well. I don't get the colors so I assume it's the same FW for both of them and it depends on the serial number what is displayed.

But DON'T INSTALL THE NEW FIRMEWARE because it doesn't fixes the bugs I mentioned in an earlier post, the Riglol Keys don't work and the worst new "feature" is that you can't downgrade anymore! I tried to go back to 1.06 because of the options but it does not work. I also tried to flash 1.08 but it doesn't install ether.

Has anyone an idea how to get back to 1.06? Or is there any chance that the crypto-geniuses from the other threat would update the keygen? If there is a chance I would get a jtag debugger and provide you with dumps. I would like to help, but unfortunately I don't know anything about that kind of stuff and I don't have a lot of free time either due to school.

[Altemir]

Maybe you must find previous version of bootloader?

[Sebastian]

Maybe, but I have no idea how I should get it. Is it possible to generate a .GEL file from a jtag dump?

[Sparky]

I just installed FW1.09 on my DP832 (not A) because the instruction says DP800, so I thought I'll just give it a try and it seem to work on the non A as well. I don't get the colors so I assume it's the same FW for both of them and it depends on the serial number what is displayed.

@Sebastian: Did you have any options installed before you upgraded to 01.09?  Did you loose any of the options after upgrading?  When upgrading to 01.08, people with DP832 lost the "Trigger" option, but other options remained.  Is that still the case, or more options were lost?

[Sebastian]

I just installed FW1.09 on my DP832 (not A) because the instruction says DP800, so I thought I'll just give it a try and it seem to work on the non A as well. I don't get the colors so I assume it's the same FW for both of them and it depends on the serial number what is displayed.

@Sebastian: Did you have any options installed before you upgraded to 01.09?  Did you loose any of the options after upgrading?  When upgrading to 01.08, people with DP832 lost the "Trigger" option, but other options remained.  Is that still the case, or more options were lost?

I installed the options on 1.06 then upgraded to 1.08 and lost all of the options and couldn't install them with the Riglol keys, but when I went back to 1.06 they reappeared without reentering the codes.
When I upgraded from 1.06 to 1.09 the exact same thing happened, but I can not go back to 1.06 or 1.08 now. So I'm stuck with the new version and without options.

[Sparky]

I just installed FW1.09 on my DP832 (not A) because the instruction says DP800, so I thought I'll just give it a try and it seem to work on the non A as well. I don't get the colors so I assume it's the same FW for both of them and it depends on the serial number what is displayed.

@Sebastian: Did you have any options installed before you upgraded to 01.09?  Did you loose any of the options after upgrading?  When upgrading to 01.08, people with DP832 lost the "Trigger" option, but other options remained.  Is that still the case, or more options were lost?

I installed the options on 1.06 then upgraded to 1.08 and lost all of the options and couldn't install them with the Riglol keys, but when I went back to 1.06 they reappeared without reentering the codes.
When I upgraded from 1.06 to 1.09 the exact same thing happened, but I can not go back to 1.06 or 1.08 now. So I'm stuck with the new version and without options.

I see.  I wonder if something happened wrong with the update from 01.06??  For example, see post by ted572 --- he was able to update to 01.08 and only lost Trigger, not all the options.

[marmad]

I see.  I wonder if something happened wrong with the update from 01.06??  For example, see post by ted572 --- he was able to update to 01.08 and only lost Trigger, not all the options.

Interesting that Rigol has now included what seems to be an update to the bootloader - making it impossible to downgrade further. I imagine this kind of measure will appear for all of the hacked devices eventually.

[Sebastian]

I just installed FW1.09 on my DP832 (not A) because the instruction says DP800, so I thought I'll just give it a try and it seem to work on the non A as well. I don't get the colors so I assume it's the same FW for both of them and it depends on the serial number what is displayed.

@Sebastian: Did you have any options installed before you upgraded to 01.09?  Did you loose any of the options after upgrading?  When upgrading to 01.08, people with DP832 lost the "Trigger" option, but other options remained.  Is that still the case, or more options were lost?

I installed the options on 1.06 then upgraded to 1.08 and lost all of the options and couldn't install them with the Riglol keys, but when I went back to 1.06 they reappeared without reentering the codes.
When I upgraded from 1.06 to 1.09 the exact same thing happened, but I can not go back to 1.06 or 1.08 now. So I'm stuck with the new version and without options.

I see.  I wonder if something happened wrong with the update from 01.06??  For example, see post by ted572 --- he was able to update to 01.08 and only lost Trigger, not all the options.

I don't think something went wrong with the update itself because I tried up- and downgrading between 06 and 08 f a few times. Maybe it has something to do with the serial number, but that's just speculations. Does ted572 have the A or non A model?

[Sparky]

I don't think something went wrong with the update itself because I tried up- and downgrading between 06 and 08 f a few times. Maybe it has something to do with the serial number, but that's just speculations. Does ted572 have the A or non A model?

From his posts, ted572 has DP832 (non A).  So, still odd that some updates to 01.08 result in loss of all options and others don't.

[Sparky]

I see.  I wonder if something happened wrong with the update from 01.06??  For example, see post by ted572 --- he was able to update to 01.08 and only lost Trigger, not all the options.

Interesting that Rigol has now included what seems to be an update to the bootloader - making it impossible to downgrade further. I imagine this kind of measure will appear for all of the hacked devices eventually.

Interesting, yes.  I guess the bootloader simply checks the firmware version to load and if it is not a newer firmware (or newer than some xx.yy), than the update is prevented.  But, wouldn't it be possible to overcome this check by (assuming it can be worked out) modifying the GEL file and changing the reported firmware number?  e.g. Take 01.06 firmware and modify so that its version reports 01.08 instead, which the bootloader would allow to "update" to?  Or (again assuming it can be done), modifying the bootloader GEL file and remove the firmware check?

[Sebastian]

That sounds plausible, but does anybody here know how to modify .GEL files?

[stuartk]

Two questions:

1- Does the DP832 come now pre-installed with 1.09 from the factory or is that something that users need to upgrade to?

2- Has the LM317 heatsink issue been fixed in the DP832A? I'm assuming both the 832 and the 832A had the same initial problem. Do 832A users see the silver heatsink through the side of the case?

Cheers,

Stuart

[Sparky]

Two questions:

1- Does the DP832 come now pre-installed with 1.09 from the factory or is that something that users need to upgrade to?

2- Has the LM317 heatsink issue been fixed in the DP832A? I'm assuming both the 832 and the 832A had the same initial problem. Do 832A users see the silver heatsink through the side of the case?

Cheers,

Stuart

1) The 01.09 update was released by a DP832A owner; currently unknown if it is the latest firmware released by Rigol as compatible with DP832.  Users who installed 01.09 on DP832 found that it did not fix bugs, and it prevented downgrade.  Most recent report from new DP832 owner is that it came with 01.08 firmware.  At sometime that could change...

2) I would say definitely, though I don't recall a DP832A owner mentioning it.  If you are considering to buy DP832A, you can simply check with your distributor if it has the heatsink update.


May be also read this thread for firmware/bug related info: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-dp832-firmware-updates-and-bug-list/

[stuartk]

Thanks Sparky,

The new "classic" DP832A screen using the 1.09 firmware on the DP832A is quite nice.

See post #34

Easier on the eyes then the monochrome screen.

Foolishly, I find myself quite tempted.....