How Do I Update RFM Software?

[Pintoxicated]

I have got a prism card but where do I go from here to update the software on my RFM machine?  Is there any special equipment I need to get it done?

edit - I have a PUB card not prism.   

[Caveoftreasures]

Blair, contact Beaky, he has done mine before.  You can check against the IPDB and Wayne's site to see if u have the latest upgrade/software.

I know Andy did mine with his laptop, and it wasnt an easy task. The prism card just plugs in as u know, but it wasnt as simple as just that.

[pinball god]

Unsure if there is a topic on this on aussiepinball but what you need is a NULL MODEM serial cable to interface between the machine and a pc. Then there is the software to transfer which can be downloaded from planters pinball. You can't update using a notebook unless it has a serial port. Most don't anymore and the USB serial port adapters don't seem to work.

The process is easy and if you need to make a cable, I think I have the pin configuration.

[Private Gimp]

Well, there are a few ways.

But first, you need to check the version of code you already have. Should find the information in the maintenance menus within the game.
Latest code for RFM is 1.6 (1.5 is more commonly available), it can be gotten as a download file and not easy to find installed on an equipped PUB updater board.

Methods:
1. A PUB Updater board, this is a circuit board that plugs into an available ISA slot on the Pin2000 PC Motherboard in the head that contains updated code and updates the game roms on the prism board automatically. Mark C, Wayne G or the usual suspects might have one for sale, the ones I have seen for sale go to about RFM version 1.2 or 1.4. The PUB Updater can also be updated to the later 1.5 and 1.6 code and passed around to other RFM owners (never done this myself). This seems to be the easiest way but ask around the traps and you might get lucky and find an PUB at 1.5 or 1.6 some may be willing to loan you.

2. Using an older PC with DB9 serial port, null modem cable and Williams Pinball 2000 Update Manager Software. If you have those, then you can find an updated code file on the net and use the Update Manager Software to upload it. And no, a USB to serial converter arrangement will not work with the program so the later/newer/newest Laptops with USB only cannot do it, only DB9 serial.

The PUB is the easiest method but hardest part to find with very latest code. You will need to either borrow one off somebody or buy one. The Pinball 2000 Update Manager program is free, the code files are available and free on the net and easy to find but requires an older PC or Laptop to run and do it. I updated my RFM to 1.6 using the Update Manager and bought a PUB card but never used it.

[Private Gimp]

Oh,
I amost forgot.
Go to the Pinball 2000 Collectors Page found here: http://www.pinball2000.de/
for interesting information on the history RFM and SWE1 and all sorts of other stuff.
It describes the update methods reasonably well and is necessary reading for Pin2000 enthusiasts.

[casperthefriendly]

And no, a USB to serial converter arrangement will not work with the program so the later/newer/newest Laptops with USB only cannot do it, only DB9 serial.

Actually, you *can* do it with a USB to serial converter, as long as you set the COM port number correctly. Have used one myself to update a RFM. I think the problem is that most converters default to the wrong COM port and the Pin2k update software gets confused.

Haven't used a prism card before, but have updated 3 RFM using an old desktop that had a serial port and a null modem cable (jaycar). Found the update software quick and easy to use. ymmv

[pinball god]

Sorry but I think I misunderstood the question. You have a pub card not a prism card which is in all p2000's. What gets updated is the rom card. To update the pub card you need the pub update software and a pc with a ISA slot which again is on older pc's. After updating the pub card you then slot it into the p2000 motherboard and let the system do its magic.

I'm guessing you bought a pub card for under $100 as a prism pcb can fetch over $500.

[Pintoxicated]

Sorry but I think I misunderstood the question. You have a pub card not a prism card which is in all p2000's. What gets updated is the rom card. To update the pub card you need the pub update software and a pc with a ISA slot which again is on older pc's. After updating the pub card you then slot it into the p2000 motherboard and let the system do its magic.

I'm guessing you bought a pub card for under $100 as a prism pcb can fetch over $500.

Sorry, I am pretty sure you are spot on.

I just checked my machine and the game software is V 0.80, the sound version is 1.2.

I do have a PUB card and it is labelled V1.3.

Does anyone know of a site in english with instructions for dummies on how to use the PUB to update the software?  Also, there is a jumper on the card, do I totally remove the jumper to update the game?

Thanks heaps for the info so far.

[pinball god]

Here is the Williams distributor site http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/Williams/tech/pin2000/index.html

I think this download explains the pub card. Also your current version is the default version when re-set. This version really is just designed to get he game playing and does need updating

[Pintoxicated]

I had a crack and the software has been updated to V1.3.  Massive difference to what it was running.  I am seeing stuff during the game that I haven't seen before.  

I would still like to update to the latest version if possible.  If anyone could update my PUB card I would be eternally grateful.   

[Caveoftreasures]

I am running version 1.5 and it was the latest I could find apx 12 months ago. 
It was a huge improvement over the pre 1.0 version and the game is better and more complex with better graphics AND more colour in the graphics, plus the game is harder, with more to do.

IPDB Link Only has PUB UPDATE up to and incl 1.5 so i think that is why i went to 1.5 and not 1.6.

[casperthefriendly]

I had a crack and the software has been updated to V1.3.  Massive difference to what it was running.  I am seeing stuff during the game that I haven't seen before.  

I would still like to update to the latest version if possible.  If anyone could update my PUB card I would be eternally grateful.   

V1.3 has all of the good stuff included. I highly recommend changing the new settings you have to play with - namely;

Added the ability to loop the ball under certain conditions.
   (Scenes where the shot does nothing, or if LOCK is lit let the ball loop around.)
   Adjustments are added to control this behavior. (Default: OFF)
Added an adjustment to let the ball loop through the loop shots during bonus wave sudden death.
   Adjustment "Bonus Wave Ending" has 2 settings:
   "Ramps+Loops" (original behavior) and ""Ramp Only" (new behavior)

Set the first option to ON and the 2nd to "Ramp only" - now when you shoot loops (including the middle one) that don't do anything in the mode, the ball wont get dropped into the pops all the time. Makes a fast game even faster! The 2nd one means you can keep shooting for bonus Xs in the bonus wave after you're down to the last ball, only the ramp will end the mode.


V1.4 & 1.5 were just bug fixes and coin handling stuff, so you might be OK staying on 1.3. The bug that I did experience before I went to 1.5 was a bug in Martian Bowling that sometimes caused the game to reset. Didn't reset every time, but did it often enough to be noticeable. Given that you don't get Martian Bowling that often from the "?", it isn't a complete deal breaker.


If you do want to update, check on the back of any old desktop pcs that you may have lying around - most PC desktops up until around 3-4 years ago still had a DB9 serial port (just no one used them!). As a rough guide, any desktop PC that was was running Windows XP when new is almost certainly going to have a serial port. Easy to update with a null modem cable.

[Pintoxicated]

I had a crack and the software has been updated to V1.3.  Massive difference to what it was running.  I am seeing stuff during the game that I haven't seen before. 

I would still like to update to the latest version if possible.  If anyone could update my PUB card I would be eternally grateful.   

V1.4 & 1.5 were just bug fixes and coin handling stuff, so you might be OK staying on 1.3. The bug that I did experience before I went to 1.5 was a bug in Martian Bowling that sometimes caused the game to reset. Didn't reset every time, but did it often enough to be noticeable. Given that you don't get Martian Bowling that often from the "?", it isn't a complete deal breaker.

Funny you should mention that.  I saw the bug had been fixed in the next software release.  Anyway, the first time I had seen the Martian Bowling was today, I was half way through it and the machine reset.  I made my mind up then to update again if and when possible.

Certainly is a different game with the newer software Brett.  Might have to get myself a new piece of glass at some stage I think.