"ERROR Product" error message on DR-40X firmware update

[joik]

I get to the step where I select the update file - there are two available - and selecting either of them results in the error message "ERROR Product".

Anyone know how to resolve this?

I've gone through all steps twice. I've also logged a ticket with TASCAM, but I thought someone might be familiar with the issue.

Thanks.

 

[shredd]

Not sure if this is relevant experience, but:
At a time when I was attempting f/ware update on a Compact P/Studio product, there were challenges arising from whether the f/ware update I used exactly matched the hardware's product number/version - and gave a similar error code when attempted...
IIRC, it was resolved by actually going into the code of the update and changing it's "headers" so that its' hardware ID matched the hardware I was attempting to update (and a lot of praying to the Tascam gods). Amazingly, it worked, and the hardware is fine/fully functional.
HTH - good luck -

 

[joik]

@shredd, Thanks for this. Do you have any details on the exact steps? Not sure how to get into the file - or what to look for

 

[shredd]

Sorry - no - I have no specific recollection of how it's done (it was some time ago). There's a thread here on the forum that has a bunch of relevant detail. Look in there.

As I recall, it involved taking the firmware-update file, opening it with a hex-editor, and actually modifying certain data that made it compatible with what you're trying to do with it.
It seemed like an absurdly complex way to go about it...but - amazingly - after a considerable amount of fussing and about 10 consecutive attempts varying minute detail (even ONE BYTE of incorrect info causes failure/error)...it eventually worked!!!

HTH...

 

[Phil Tipping]

There's a thread here on the forum that has a bunch of relevant detail

Was it this one by any chance? (just noticed the quote includes the same link - sorry shredd!).
It was for a DP-008 vs DP-008EX though. Your Gear details says DR-40X so I don't know if a similar trick will work... but as shredd said, the message is due to trying to use the wrong firmware, and there are 2 products - DR-40 and DR-40X, so maybe you just need to confirm your exact model and then download the correct firmware for it?

 

[joik]

@shredd, Thanks. This is probably beyond me, but hopefully TASCAM will respond to my ticket. Seems nuts that an apparently simple update process will not work. I’ll update here if they help me sort it out successfully.

@Phil Tipping, I wish it were that simple, but I am using the correct download.

Also, can someone explain what headers are?

 

[Phil Tipping]

Understood, but just to confirm, you are unzipping the firmware file from Tascam? It might seem obvious, but I've come across this before so worth checking. The file from Tascam is DR-40X_v108.zip, and the unzipped file is DR-40X_050.108

 

[joik]

@Phil Tipping, Nailed it! I've been so used to updating modular synth modules with zipped files that I was on autopilot. It now works. Thanks all!