Upgrading your HAWK to use the latest boot ROM software is important to ensure that you can run the latest software version. As of software version 2.54 and above, every version of software is specifically designed to work with a specific boot version. For example, software version 2.54 requires boot version 1.97. So it is necessary to upgrade the boot software prior to installing the corresponding flash memory software. As of software version 2.54 and above, a zip file is provided that includes both the boot software (boot.syx) and three sysex files that contain the software (EEPROM0.syx, EEPROM1.syx and EEPROM2.syx).
These instructions apply to Poly-800 owners that have HAWK printed circuit boards V1.5 or above. Version 1.5 boards have sockets for both the boot ROM itself and for the software ROM as well. For instructions on how to upgrade boards prior to version 1.5 see discussion topic "How to upgrade your boot ROM (with PCB's prior to V1.5)"
CAUTION: You must exercise great care when upgrading the boot ROM software. If you do not follow the procedures as shown below, you may place your HAWK synthesizer into a non working condition. Carefully read through the steps below and if you are in doubt as to how to proceed contact tech support on the HAWK800 sourceforge project forums.
CAUTION: This process will erase your sequencer and global data! So if you wish to keep your sequencer and global data then back them up using sysex dumps first and then proceed to do the boot ROM software upgrade.
Step 1 - Back up your sequencer and global data now. The data WILL be erased by this upgrade process.
Step 2 - Go into "flash" mode by holding down the "Write" button while powering up your Poly-800.
Step 3 - Use MIDI to send the appropriate "boot.syx" to your Poly-800. The appropriate "boot.syx" will generally be the one that is included in the zip file along with the desired software version syx files.
Step 4 - When you see the message "Good" on the display, power off your Poly-800 and remove the boot ROM. The boot ROM is the 28C256 chip closest to the 28 pin ribbon header cable.
Step 5 - Set the boot ROM aside somewhere safe.
Step 6 - Remove the 28C256 from the socket to the right of the (now empty) boot ROM socket and carefully insert that 28C256 into the boot ROM socket location.
Step 7 - Power up your Poly-800 while holding down the "Bank Hold" button.
Step 8 - Keep holding down "Bank Hold" button and ensure that you see the following on the display:
88 88 88 (flashing)
b1.98 (where 1.98 would be the version of boot ROM software that you just installed.)
Error4
Error5
Error6
Step 9 - If you did not see the messages above then remove the 28C256 from the boot ROM location and return it to its original location to the right. Then replace the old boot ROM into the boot ROM socket location. Then check that you can power up your HAWK using the original boot ROM. If you can, try to repeat the above process and check for proper chip insertion into the sockets and double check for any bent over pins. If you have problems, contact tech support on the support forums of the HAWK800 sourceforge website. If you did see the messages shown above (especially the correct boot software version numbers) then move on to step 10.
Step 10 - Power off the Poly-800.
Step 11 - Insert the original boot ROM into the location where the 28C256 was beforehand (to the right of the boot ROM).
Step 12 - If the original boot ROM has a sticker on it, remove it (or write the next BOOT version number on it).
Step 13 - Power up your Poly-800 and ensure that the synth displays 88 88 88 and HA-800.
Step 14 - Press and hold the "Write" button to get into flash mode.
Step 15 - Flash the latest software version into your Poly-800. (This requires flashing three files: EEPROM0.syx, EEPROM0.syx and EEPROM0.syx, in three separate flashing steps.)
Step 16 - Power off your Poly-800 and power back on and ensure that your Poly-800 boots up all the way to finally show "11 P". You should not see any error messages at all. If you do see error messages, contact the support forums on the HAWK-800 sourceforge project website.
Last edit: katoomba 2021-04-04
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NOTE: If you just installed a HAWK into your Poly-800, you do NOT need to upgrade the boot code. What you DO need to do instead is install the "flash software". For instructions on installing the "flash software", go to https://sourceforge.net/p/hawk800/discussion/software/thread/0a0e807f/#bc96
Upgrading your HAWK to use the latest boot ROM software is important to ensure that you can run the latest software version. As of software version 2.54 and above, every version of software is specifically designed to work with a specific boot version. For example, software version 2.54 requires boot version 1.97. So it is necessary to upgrade the boot software prior to installing the corresponding flash memory software. As of software version 2.54 and above, a zip file is provided that includes both the boot software (boot.syx) and three sysex files that contain the software (EEPROM0.syx, EEPROM1.syx and EEPROM2.syx).
These instructions apply to Poly-800 owners that have HAWK printed circuit boards V1.5 or above. Version 1.5 boards have sockets for both the boot ROM itself and for the software ROM as well. For instructions on how to upgrade boards prior to version 1.5 see discussion topic "How to upgrade your boot ROM (with PCB's prior to V1.5)"
CAUTION: You must exercise great care when upgrading the boot ROM software. If you do not follow the procedures as shown below, you may place your HAWK synthesizer into a non working condition. Carefully read through the steps below and if you are in doubt as to how to proceed contact tech support on the HAWK800 sourceforge project forums.
CAUTION: This process will erase your sequencer and global data! So if you wish to keep your sequencer and global data then back them up using sysex dumps first and then proceed to do the boot ROM software upgrade.
Step 1 - Back up your sequencer and global data now. The data WILL be erased by this upgrade process.
Step 2 - Go into "flash" mode by holding down the "Write" button while powering up your Poly-800.
Step 3 - Use MIDI to send the appropriate "boot.syx" to your Poly-800. The appropriate "boot.syx" will generally be the one that is included in the zip file along with the desired software version syx files.
Step 4 - When you see the message "Good" on the display, power off your Poly-800 and remove the boot ROM. The boot ROM is the 28C256 chip closest to the 28 pin ribbon header cable.
Step 5 - Set the boot ROM aside somewhere safe.
Step 6 - Remove the 28C256 from the socket to the right of the (now empty) boot ROM socket and carefully insert that 28C256 into the boot ROM socket location.
Step 7 - Power up your Poly-800 while holding down the "Bank Hold" button.
Step 8 - Keep holding down "Bank Hold" button and ensure that you see the following on the display:
88 88 88 (flashing)
b1.98 (where 1.98 would be the version of boot ROM software that you just installed.)
Error4
Error5
Error6
Step 9 - If you did not see the messages above then remove the 28C256 from the boot ROM location and return it to its original location to the right. Then replace the old boot ROM into the boot ROM socket location. Then check that you can power up your HAWK using the original boot ROM. If you can, try to repeat the above process and check for proper chip insertion into the sockets and double check for any bent over pins. If you have problems, contact tech support on the support forums of the HAWK800 sourceforge website. If you did see the messages shown above (especially the correct boot software version numbers) then move on to step 10.
Step 10 - Power off the Poly-800.
Step 11 - Insert the original boot ROM into the location where the 28C256 was beforehand (to the right of the boot ROM).
Step 12 - If the original boot ROM has a sticker on it, remove it (or write the next BOOT version number on it).
Step 13 - Power up your Poly-800 and ensure that the synth displays 88 88 88 and HA-800.
Step 14 - Press and hold the "Write" button to get into flash mode.
Step 15 - Flash the latest software version into your Poly-800. (This requires flashing three files: EEPROM0.syx, EEPROM0.syx and EEPROM0.syx, in three separate flashing steps.)
Step 16 - Power off your Poly-800 and power back on and ensure that your Poly-800 boots up all the way to finally show "11 P". You should not see any error messages at all. If you do see error messages, contact the support forums on the HAWK-800 sourceforge project website.
Last edit: katoomba 2021-04-04