K3 Problem: Blank display & Won't turn OFF

[K8RS]

Need help with my K3 S/N 280.

While loading new firmware into the KPA500, something happened to my K3.  The firmware load to the KPA500 appears to have succeeded, but now the K3 is ON with a blank display, the K3 won’t turn OFF and the K3 Utility says that “COM3 is being used by another application”.  It looks like I’ve lost my K3 firmware and cannot access the K3 in any way.  Wow, what a mess!  I tried turning things OFF and , then, ON again to no avail.

What happened?  And what can I do to get the K3 to identify itself and work again.

Roger K8RS
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[Rick WA6NHC]

Roger,

Do you have a KAT500?  It must be ON before booting the K3.

Does it say MCU LD on the display (may be unlit, use a flashlight)?  Then
reload the firmware.

The COM3 busy may (probably does) require a reboot of the computer.

Try disconnecting the serial port.  Since the computer hung that port out to
dry, it may be toggling something that denies the K3 the ability to boot.

73,
Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: K8RS

While loading new firmware into the KPA500, something happened to my K3.
The firmware load to the KPA500 appears to have succeeded, but now the K3 is
ON with a blank display, the K3 won't turn OFF and the K3 Utility says that
"COM3 is being used by another application".  It looks like I've lost my K3
firmware and cannot access the K3 in any way.  Wow, what a mess!  I tried
turning things OFF and , then, ON again to no avail.

What happened?  And what can I do to get the K3 to identify itself and work
again.

Roger K8RS

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[Matt Zilmer]

To put your K3 back into a usable state:

0.  Kill the KPA500 utility program.  This should leave your COM3 free
for the K3 utility.  If it doesn't then reboot the computer.

1.  Remove the K3 power and leave it disconnected for 15 seconds or
so.

2.  Re-connect K3 power and hold the K3's power switch down for 10
seconds, then release (might take a little longer).  To be sure the K3
is in a force-load state, look at the display.  It should have the
backlight off and MCU LD showing.

3.  The K3 is in a "force-load" mode now.  Bring up your utility and
reload firmware.  

Best to contact Elecraft support so that they can help figure out what
happened.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Thu, 30 May 2013 16:06:46 -0400, you wrote:

>Need help with my K3 S/N 280.
>
>While loading new firmware into the KPA500, something happened to my K3.  The firmware load to the KPA500 appears to have succeeded, but now the K3 is ON with a blank display, the K3 won’t turn OFF and the K3 Utility says that “COM3 is being used by another application”.  It looks like I’ve lost my K3 firmware and cannot access the K3 in any way.  Wow, what a mess!  I tried turning things OFF and , then, ON again to no avail.
>
>What happened?  And what can I do to get the K3 to identify itself and work again.
>
>Roger K8RS
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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