Introduction

If a Super Elite reader is not running the latest version of firmware, a USB drive with the necessary update files can be used to update the reader without directly connecting it to a computer. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for downloading the firmware, preparing the USB drive, updating the reader, and verifying the firmware version.

Requirements

• Super Elite reader
• Octal card running firmware version 90_1 or higher
• USB drive (Type-A connector, at least 128MB in size) 
• Computer with an active internet connection or a stored copy of the latest firmware downloaded already

Step 1 - Identifying the current Octal firmware version

While the Super Elite is powered off, insert a charger into the reader. The Octal display will show the battery charging status as well as the current Octal firmware version in the bottom-right corner.



If your reader has a version that is 90_1 or higher, you can proceed with the rest of the steps below. 

If you are running an older version of firmware, you will need to stop and use the Dashboard software on your computer to update properly. Once up-to-date, it is safe to use this USB update process.

Step 2 - Downloading the latest Octal firmware

To download the latest firmware for the Super Elite, visit IPICO Answers at Super Elite - Octal Firmware Upgrade. In that article, you will see a release history and three files listed. Click on each one to download.



Once complete, you should find these files in your computer's Downloads folder.

Step 3 - Preparing the USB drive with the latest update files

Locate the three files you downloaded in Step 2:

• CHANGELOG - A technical overview of what has changed between firmware versions and can be opened with a text editor, not necessary for the update process
• octal_patch.dat - Necessary for the update process
• octal_patch.sig - Necessary for the update process

In Windows, right-click on some empty space in the folder and select ‘New > Folder’, making sure to give it the exact name of ‘updates’.



Drag octal_patch.dat and octal_patch.sig into the new folder that you just created. Right-click on the ‘updates’ folder and select ‘Copy’ to place it into your clipboard.



Insert your USB drive and open the drive in Windows Explorer. Paste the ‘updates’ folder onto the USB drive by right-clicking on some empty space and selecting ‘Paste’. Once the ‘updates’ folder has been successfully copied to the root directory (top-level) of the USB drive and not inside other folders, you are safe to eject the drive by right-clicking on the drive letter in Windows Explorer and selecting ‘Eject’.

Step 4 - Updating the Super Elite

With the reader powered off, insert the USB drive into one of the USB ports on the Octal card. Power on the reader and the Octal will detect the USB drive, see the ‘updates’ folder, and begin the update process automatically.



Wait 2 minutes for the process to complete and then the reader will restart itself automatically. You will know when it is finished when the Octal screen takes you back to the main screen showing the status, time, network, etc.

Step 5 - Verifying the firmware version

Open the menu on the Octal screen by pressing the red ‘Enter’ button on the reader. Navigate to ‘Help > About’ to see the Octal version displayed.