F.1. hard bootloader reset – Pololu Maestro User Manual
Page 33

14. It will take a few seconds to erase the Maestro’s existing firmware and load the new firmware. Do not
disconnect the Maestro during the upgrade.
15. Once the upgrade is complete, the Firmware Upgrade window will close, the Maestro will disconnect from
your computer, and it will reappear. If there is only one Maestro plugged in to your computer, the Maestro
Control Center will connect to it. Check the firmware version number and make sure that it now indicates the
latest version of the firmware.
If you have problems during or after the firmware upgrade, then it is possible that you loaded the wrong firmware
onto your Maestro or some other problem corrupted the firmware. The solution is to retry the firmware upgrade
procedure above. Even if your Maestro is not recognized at all by your computer and you see no sign of life from
it, the instructions in step 6 and
can help you get the Maestro into bootloader mode. If you continue to
have trouble after trying multiple times, please
for assistance.
4.f.1. Hard Bootloader Reset
The instructions below describe how to force the Maestro into bootloader mode by performing a hard
bootloader reset. Most customers do not need to use these instructions, but they can be used as a last resort
in case something has gone wrong.
One reason to do a hard bootloader reset is if you accidentally loaded the wrong firmware onto your Maestro. The
result of loading the wrong firmware is that your Maestro will have corrupted, unusable firmware. The Maestro will
not be recognized by your computer and it will probably not blink any of its LEDs. In this case, the normal method
for getting the Maestro into bootloader mode through the Maestro Control Center will not work, and you will have to
resort to a hard bootloader reset. After that, the Maestro will be in bootloader mode and you can restore the Maestro’s
correct firmware.
1. To perform a hard bootloader reset, first make sure the Maestro is powered off. It is best if you can just
disconnect everything from it.
2. Using a screwdriver, a small piece of wire, or some other conductive tool, short the two exposed bootloader
pads together. The pads are shown in the pictures below:
Bootloader pads for the Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo
Controller.
Pololu Maestro Servo Controller User's Guide
© 2001–2014 Pololu Corporation
4. Using the Maestro Control Center
Page 33 of 73