Working With OpenTX Companion
Introduction
OK, you’ve made sure that you have a valid STM 32 BOOTLOADER installed. Now it’s time to download your very own copy of OpenTX2.x and OpenTX Companion2.x and update your firmware. Like many things in life, the first time you do this it can be, well, interesting. If you’ve accomplished what was required in the previous lesson, Using Zadig, things should proceed smoothly.
Vitally Important Note:
If you've been using Companion 9X and an earlier version of OpenTX, you already have a working STM BOOTLOADER installed, and you can update to v2.x directly through your working copy of Companion 9X. When Companion 9X informs you of a newer version being available and asks you if you'd like to download that version, select, "Yes", and follow the prompts to a successful upgrade. Just be certain that you've got current backups of both your existing firmware (r2490?) and your EEPE file in case something goes wrong.
On the other hand, if you have a working copy of Companion 9X, you’ve probably already done that! If you have not, and would like some guidance along the way, see Part 1: Downloading and Installing OpenTX Companion for some guidance.
Lesson Goals
This lesson sets up the next two lessons where you’ll download both OpenTX Companion and OpenTX, then install OpenTX Companion on your computer and flash the firmware to your transmitter. When you’re done, you’ll be a full fledged member of the OpenTX family!
Prerequisites
- An understanding of how to access and download files from a Web page
- Know where the downloaded files will be stored
- How to install applications on your computer
Background
Traditionally, this has been one of the more frustrating aspects of OpenTX. It’s difficult to embrace the firmware if you can’t even get it on your transmitter! Much of the frustration was because Windows wouldn’t automatically install the correct driver (STM 32 BOOTLOADER), and some of us-myself included-very quickly became lost and hit the proverbial wall. If you’ve completed the two Zadig lessons, you should have that problem solved. However, installing the correct driver is only the first of two steps involved in upgrading your firmware. Downloading and actually flashing the firmware is the second step.
NOTE:
At this time, there is only one way that I know of to flash OpenTX v2.x firmware to the Taranis the first time, and that's to use Companion (either 9X or OpenTX Companion) with the transmitter OFF. After the first install there are three different methods you can use. These are detailed in the discussion notes.
Lesson Progression
- Download and at least glance through the Discussion Notes.
- If you haven’t already watched them two or three times, watch Scott Page’s video: Upgrading to v2.0.
- Read the discussion notes BEFORE installing OpenTX Companion.
- Using the checklist from the “Using Zadig” lesson (up next) as a guide, connect your Taranis to your computer with the TX OFF.
- Open the Device Driver and confirm that the STM 32 BOOTLOADER is loaded. You’ve done this two or three times before. Please, PLEASE take the time to do this step. If the bootloader isn’t working, you won’t be able to flash the firmware.
- Follow the steps in the Discussion Notes to install OpenTX Companion and flash the latest version of OpenTX firmware. The lasted version of OpenTX Companion is HERE.
- As part of the install, OpenTX Companion may tell you that a newer version of OpenTX exists. This is the easiest way to get the new firmware. If so, accept the offer and continue. Follow the prompts in OpenTX Companion to complete flashing the firmware. After this, OpenTX Companion will automatically inform you of any updates.
- You’ll be tempted to engage the circuit activator/de-activator analog interrupter/circuit completion device (aka: turn on the switch) on the Taranis before you finish reading the discussion notes. Save yourself some serious heart palpitations by finishing reading the notes before you turn on your transmitter.