How to Update Spider Firmware Models 1 - 8

We occasionally release firmware updates for Spiders. These updates may include new functionality, bug fixes, or both. We recommend that you do include firmware updates as part of your scheduled maintenance.

Please note the Spider 4, Spider 2 and Spider 1 can no longer be updated. This is only for the Spider 3, Spider 5, Spider 6, Spider 7, and Spider 8.  If you have a Spider X, please visit: SX - Firmware Update

Important Requirements

You must have a power supply connected to the Spider to do the firmware update.

Installing the Updating Application

Windows

Note - If you have a version of the Windows updating application from before June 2017, please use add and remove programs on your computer to remove the old one first. Supported operating systems for the updater are Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Windows XP and below are not compatible with the Spidertracks updater.

1. Please click download the Spidertracks Updater (Windows).
2. Click on and run the installer, following the steps of the install wizard and accept any prompts to install device drivers. It may pause for up to 5 minutes to download updates to your computer's version of Java.
3. If an updated version of firmware is found on the Spidertracks server, you will be prompted to download this. Please accept.
4. Click finish when prompted to complete the installation of the updater.

 

Apple Mac OSX

Note- If you have a previous version of the Apple Mac Updater, please delete it before installing this version. The Spidertracks Updater is only compatible with Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra and Mojave.

Note: You may be prompted to install the libusb drivers, click OK to accept this, follow the installation, and then restart the updating application.

1. Download the Spidertracks Updater for Mac
2. Double-click the .dmg file that has been downloaded
3. Drag the Spidertracks updater to the applications folder and eject the disk image from your desktop by dragging it to the trash
4. Go to your Applications folder and double-click the Spidertracks Updater to start the application - there may be a warning stating that the Updater is an application downloaded from the internet. Click Open.

Performing The Update

1. Power the Spider through the normal power connection (not the USB cable) with at least a 10V DC power supply. Generally this would be aircraft power or from a car power supply.
2. Ensure you have an internet connection and open the Spidertracks updater.
3. Once the updater has loaded, you will be prompted to plug your Spider in - use the short black USB reprogramming lead supplied. If you have a Spider 7 or Spider 8, please disconnect the Spider keypad cable and connect the USB reprogramming lead into this plug.
4. When the updater finds the Spider, the screen will change to give you an overview of the current Spider settings.
5. If there is a new version of firmware available you will be prompted to install this - click the Update button to do so. Note, you must be in range of Internet for this to work. Note, if using a mobile hotspot, the firmware update files size will be less than 1 megabyte.
6. Once your firmware has been updated the new settings will be displayed in the Updater window. Leave the Spider plugged in until the updater has confirmed the latest version is loaded which may take up to 10 seconds.

Troubleshooting

• For Spider 3, Spider 5, or Spider 6, if the LED above the Watch button is illuminated, then the Spider is in 'bootloader' mode and will not be recognised by the Updater. You will need to manually reprogram the Spider in this case.
  • Windows: Select Programming from the top left of the window and then Reset from DFU. The updater will automatically reprogram and install the latest firmware.
  • Mac: Select Programming from the top left of the window and then Restore. The updater will automatically reprogram and install the latest firmware.

• For Spider 7 or Spider 8, if the LED above the Watch button on the Keypad, when the Spider is powered by normal power, is illuminated, then the Spider is in 'bootloader' mode and will not be recognized by the Updater. You will need to manually reprogram the Spider in this case.
  • Windows: Select Programming from the top left of the window and then Reset from DFU. The updater will automatically reprogram and install the latest firmware.
  • Mac: Select Programming from the top left of the window and then Restore. The updater will automatically reprogram and install the latest firmware.

• If your Spider takes more than two minutes to update and looks to be stuck at any percentage completion, please try unplugging and plugging it back in again and following steps 2 - 4.

•  If the Spider is no longer recognized by the updater application after disconnecting it, and the LEDs won't illuminate, please follow the next steps:
  • Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
  • Press and hold the SOS and Mark button on the Spider at the same time.
  • Connect the USB cable to the computer without releasing the buttons.
  • On the updating application, click programming and restore Spider, this should bring the Spider back to life and process the firmware update.

• If you get the message AtLibUsbDfu.dll not found it may be that the driver is not found. Please unplug and plug the Spider back in, and wait for a minute. It should find new drivers and start to install them which can take a few minutes. If this does not work, please uninstall the application and reinstall it.

For any other issues, please contact [e-mail].