Manually Updating a Stagehand Unipolar V6 Card via SD Card

Do you have a Stagehand Pro 5, Stagehand Apprentice 2 or Classic+ that won't update from Spikemark?

Occasionally you may find updating the firmware for a Pro 5, Apprentice 3 or Classic+ doesn't work and displays a "-2" error. If you're in that boat, you've landed on the right page! Take a look at the instructions below to manually update the firmware.

You'll only need to make the update this way once, any future updates will happen through Spikemark.

REQUIRED ITEMS

• Computer with Spikemark

• microSD Card reader - Here's a simple one from Amazon

• A bit of patience

REMOVE INPUT POWER TO THE STAGEHAND PRIOR TO OPENING THE ENCLOSURE

1. Remove the 6 button head cap screws holding the front panel and gently tip the front panel down to reveal the Stagehand Control Card.

   

   
2. In the center of the Control Card is a smaller card that has a micro SD card at the top and a single CAT5 at the bottom. This is the ARM microprocessor.

   
3. Locate the microSD Card, remove it from the Stagehand, and connect it to your computer with Spikemark.

4. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to your microSD Card. It should have nothing on it.

5. Open a 2nd File Explorer window and navigate to the Spikemark firmware directory: C:\Users{User}\AppData\Roaming\Spikemark\Firmware\Stagehands\Motors\Version-6

PRO TIP: You may need to “Show Hidden Files” to see all the information.

1. Click and drag the “STAGEHAND6-6xx.bin” file from the firmware folder to the micro SD Card window.

1. Right Click on the new file in the microSD Card, and select Rename file. Change the name to "update.bin" in all lowercase and press Enter to confirm.

1. Click in the empty space below the new file to deselect it, and then press Eject in the top menu bar to eject the microSD Card from the computer.

2. Reinstall the microSD Card into the Stagehand. Notice that the front of the microSD Card is facing toward the enclosure.

1. With the Stagehand still open, POWER ON THE STAGEHAND.

2. Once the Stagehand card is powered on, press the small button on the underside of the board that is to the left of the microSD Card. This will start the firmware update process.

1. Wait for the Stagehand to complete the firmware update and automatically restart. Watch for the firmware version as it is turning back on to confirm that the new firmware has updated.

1. If the firmware updated successfully, power cycle the Stagehand one more time.

2. Once the power is back on, go ahead and close the Stagehand, and re-install the faceplate screws.

If you get stuck anywhere along the way, drop an email to [e-mail] or call us at: 401-289-2942 x2.