Firmware 3.4

[OntheWay]

Just downloaded 3.4 for my XV-11, but not sure whether its 100% safe to use. Comments please.

[OntheWay]

Well, it already failed to install updater tool (x64),"key not valid for use in specified state". Very informative..

[chris-s]

Where did you download this firmware ?

[joeschmo]

Where did you download this firmware ?

http://www.neatorobotics.com/support/so ... pdates/xv/

[chris-s]

I've got a XV-15 running V3.1 and the website says "There are currently no updates available for your robot.
Please check back soon for information on future updates"

[joeschmo]

I've got a XV-15 running V3.1 and the website says "There are currently no updates available for your robot.
Please check back soon for information on future updates"

This may be of help:
http://neatorobotics.com/support/articl ... -releases/

The table shows if your bot has an RSN of 3.1 then it's up-to-date.
I haven't tried updating mine yet. I currently have 3.2 firmware on both my bots.

[vic7767]

Where did you download this firmware ?

The only download site is at NeatoRobotics.com

[OntheWay]

Where did you download this firmware ?

After registering your bot, software updates link appears. In the following page, it asks if the current sw version is 3.4 or prior to 3.4, the latter directs you to download page.

[chris-s]

Mine is 3.1 and seems to be up to date.

[OntheWay]

Here;

And here;

[joeschmo]

I successfully upgraded both my bots to 3.4 and have both currently running missions. I ran into the green dim light issue with one but was able to wake it up after messing around for a bit. I'm hoping I'll see an increase in run times.

[glnc222]

Website Failure

The website for updates requested registering the machine before updating. The machine was registered before two years ago but all record of the personal account, not just the robot, was lost; the website has changed and the old database may have been discontinued.
The new website would not accept the serial number on the back of the machine built in late 2011.
When calling customer service, I was advised no machines which do not issue error messages on the LCD can be registered. I was also told no machine more than one year old can be registered. I was told no machine more than 12 months old can have its software updated.

There are some legal issues in that but I will chalk it up to typical failures in technology product service, which is seldom of any value.

Anyone considering buying a Neato for its supposed update capability, or its warranty, might consider the performance. It might be necessary to sue the insurance company to get anything done. That can be one of the differences between a private company like Neato Robotics and a public company like iRobot.

[OMG-LOVE-MY-NEATO]

Was finally able to update firmware to 3.4 from 3.2
It wasn't easy .. I had to "trick" the website to finally let me pick 3.4
Was able to download the updater .. Install/update - Install/update the USB driver also ..
Then during update .. The bot kinda freaked out could hear the USB sound going off then on ect.
screen went blank and the power button light went a real soft green
Didn't seem to be working .. finally it rebooted and asked what language I wanted ..
TRUNED OFF ! ;( I thought it was broke .. the webpage came up and said it didn't update/failed update
I hit the power button .. and it TURNED ON! Ask What language I wanted - English
Seemed Fine. I went to the support and it says 3.4 ! WOW I was Happy !
Tried The Update Again .. Says Its Updated .. So .. I have NO Idea if it really did...
But Seems to work !

Let you know tomorrow .. how it runs !

UPDATE ..

Well my bot seems to be working fine ...
I am not sure if the update did anything .. It seems to work about the same.
Same battery run times.
Seems to take same amount of time to do a room.
Same cleaning patterns kinda ( seemed a little different But just could be me )

I did notice that it may get a tiny bit closer to the wall.
And does corners a tiny bit different.

Anyway .. She works will see how she runs in the next few days

[glnc222]

Customer service is advising callers not to update Neato's unless the installed firmware is faulty because of problems caused by faulty update operations, from internet failures or what not. Like the risks in undergoing surgery of any kind, anesthesia and so forth.
That is an unusual position which is not entirely logical, and should indicate a sudden burst of complaints about updating failures causing problems.
The position not to update is inconsistent with the need to correct errors or make improvements in previous software.
It is pretty odd to tout the advantages of an update feature and then say not to use it.
The real solution is robust updating procedures which can undo erroneous installations, familiar in the industry.
We may just be seeing another sort of bandaid applied for inadequate systems programming and firmware design.
This type of problem was never prominent before the BotVac introduction and the adoption of the new commercial imbedded software OS for microcontrollers. The updating website was reworked some for that, so lots of changes to get wrong. All sorts of computer things go wrong when there are upgrades -- even on this forum's software.

[susantx3]

Registered my newest Neato to get access to the installer and 3.4 firmware. I then updated 5 of 6 Neatos'. The updater determines whether or not your Neato can run 3.4 firmware and one of my Neatos did not qualify.

I used Windows 7 O/S and a version of internet explorer that had nothing added to it. I also shut down the computer after each install because Windows 7 will not eject the Neato.

Process could not have been easier and the Neatos are running great.

OP thanks for the heads up on the new firmware.

[glnc222]

one of my Neatos did not qualify

Is there a noticeable difference between the unqualified unit and the others?

[hal9000]

I'm pretty sure the 3.4 update will only run on the Linux-based XVs

[glnc222]

They have really shot themselves in the foot on this one. Three different agents advised by phone not to make any updates to Neato firmware unless the machine was broken, so they have been instructed to give that advice as general policy (at least it shows they get instructions...). Since all current dealer inventory was acquired before this software release, no one should buy any until new units are delivered with better software -- according to their advice, anyway. This is something even dealers should complain about. A specialist like Robot Shop at least might understand it.

[edit] Of course, if the machine is broken, it might not be able to perform updates. Catch-22.

[glnc222]

Yet another implication of Neato Robotics new update website: it may be impossible to update any used machine sold, if that machine was previously registered.

[edit] After belatedly gaining access to the update website, I notice both the account registration and the bot serial number profile has an "edit" feature. No separate "delete" tab is shown, but it may be possible to delete accounts or robots registered to an account, by blanking out the item. I have not tried it. This would make possible transfers. Anyone selling a used bot should attempt to de-register it.

[edit] Could not edit blank the registration of an old XV-11, which does not matter much, but would for later models eligible for updates. As soon as a unit is registered to obtain an update, no future owner of the machine could update it further. In some cases the procedure would seem to be keeping one machine for updating and mount system boards from other units into it. The system does, however, seem somewhat indifferent to errors made in entering a serial number. Go figure.

Machines cannot be re-registered to a new owner with the current software for that site. No update can be performed without registering the machine.
Any buyer of a used machine should understand that updates are not possible without special arrangement with the seller -- who may not even understand the issue. Sellers who never updated the machine should not register it, so the buyer can do so. Any buyer must understand it cannot be resold with an update capability once it is registered and updated.
The registration requirement appears to have been added to Neato's website just over the last couple of months, between July and September 2014, probably along with upgrades for BotVac and new OS firmware etc.


[edit] Just so it is clear, when the Neato Robotic vacuum was introduced several years ago, the update capability was advertised as an advantage compared to competing products. Future improvements in software were promoted as a valuable feature. Numerous reviews of the product all mention this feature, and are now all incorrect and misleading. Not to mention dealers promoting the advantage to customers, all now false representations.

[edit] For those unfamiliar, devices like cell phones and GPS navigators etc., even PC's, use periodic updates with registration, properly supported by the necessary features of company websites, account management etc. The industry is quite familiar with the kind of investment needed for such procedures.

[vic7767]

That certainly raises another issue with folks that offer replacement main boards to Neato owners with broken bots. Now What ? Buy a board from me, ya gotta live with the version already loaded in it.