Firmware Upgrade

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You can install the latest version of the software for the N1000A or 86100D. Newer software versions upgrade the operating system of the instrument mainframe and the plug-in modules. The instrument's software can also be downgraded to a previous version, if needed.

Download the software upgrades from the Keysight website: www.keysight.com/find/flexdca_download. In the search box, type the instrument model number and click Go. Scroll down to the "Software & Firmware Downloads" section and follow the Firmware Upgrade link.

Starting with the A.06.40 software release, only the 64-bit FlexDCA installer will be available. Please plan to migrate to 64-bit Win7 or Win10 in order to continue to have access to the latest versions of FlexDCA. Older FlexDCA versions supporting 32-bit operating systems will continue to work. Going forward, Keysight will provide upgrades and defect fixes only for 64-bit operating systems.

To Upgrade Instrument Software

SICL/LAN and the FIREWALL

The ability to control the instrument over SICL/LAN requires that two programs be unblocked by the firewall. You might be prompted by a firewall application to block the Keysight Remote I/O Port Mapper Utility and the Keysight Remote I/O Server. If you decide to allow the features to be blocked, then remote control of the instrument over SICL/LAN will not be possible. We recommend that you select Unblock on these features. However, if you block these features, you can always reconfigure the firewall at a later time to allow SICL/LAN.

After you have obtained the software upgrade file for your instrument, perform the following steps.

  1. Copy the software upgrade file to a USB Flash Drive, external USB CD-RW drive, LAN folder, or other device so that the file will be available to copy to the instrument.
  2. On the instrument, click File > Exit to exit the 86100D application.
  3. On the Start menu, click My Computer.
  4. Select the D: drive and create a new folder. Give the new folder a meaningful name. For example, Software Upgrade.
  5. Copy the upgrade file (.exe file extension) from an external memory device to your new folder.
  6. Select the upgrade file to begin the installation. Click Next twice for the installation wizard to automatically uninstall the current version and install the newer version.
  7. If you are prompted by a firewall application to block the Keysight Remote I/O Port Mapper Utility and the Keysight Remote I/O Server, select Unblock.
  8. From the Windows desktop, double click the program icon to start the FlexDCA application.

To Downgrade Instrument Software

After you have obtained the software version file for your N1000A or 86100D, perform the following steps:

  1. Copy the software upgrade file to a USB Flash Drive, external USB CD-RW drive, LAN folder, or other device so that the file will be available to copy to the instrument.
  2. On the instrument, click File > Exit to exit the FlexDCA application.
  3. Click Control Panel on the Start menu.
  4. Click Add or Remove Programs, and select the current FlexDCA software version.
  5. Click Remove to remove the current software version.
  6. Click My Computer on the Start menu.
  7. Select the D: drive and create a new folder. Give the new folder a meaningful name. For example, Software Upgrade.
  8. Copy the new file (.exe or .msi file extension) from an external memory device to your new folder.
  9. Select the new file to begin the installation.
  10. From the Windows desktop, double click the program icon to start FlexDCA.