Updating Your RB-x30 Response Pad Software for Use With E-Prime
Last Revision: May 4, 2004

The information in this article applies to:

• Owners of an RB-530, RB-730, RB-830, or RB-834 response pad who need to update the response pad's software in order to use it with E-Prime

Summary

Unfortunately, version 1.2 of the XID software that controls the RB-x30 response pads contains a bug that prevents the response pad from working properly with E-Prime. This page provides the necessary instructions to update the XID software to version 1.4. Updating the software essentially consists of the downloading a program called Xidon (pronounced Zydon) and running it.

We want to help. If you are uncomfortable in any way performing this update, please send us back the response pad and we will gladly update it for you.

The Details

Before proceeding, the USB driver must be already installed. If it is not, please install it now.

1. Take a look at the back of your response pad, illustrated below. You will find a set of four switches near the middle. Make sure that all four switches are down.

2. Unplug the USB cable from the response pad (if it's already plugged in), wait two or three seconds, then plug it back in. The small green light to the right of the switches should turn on. If it does not, this indicates that the USB driver is not installed: please install it now before proceeding.

3. You will need the Xidon program. Click here to install it on your computer. You don't have to save the install program on your computer unless you want to; we recommend that you simply run it from our server.

4. Once Xidon is installed, click on the Start button, click on All Programs, click the Xidon folder, then click on the Xidon icon to run the program. When Xidon runs, a small dialog (screen) opens.

5. The startup dialog has a button labeled Auto Detect. Click on it. Xidon will start scanning all the serial ports and USB ports until it finds the response pad.

6. Once found, the OK button will no longer be gray. Click on it. The dialog will go away.

7. In Xidon, click on the Device menu and select the last item on that menu, Update Firmware.

8. Xidon will display an "open file" dialog asking you to "Please Locate the HEX File:". Select the file RBX30_c14c.hex and then click on the Open button.

9. At this point, updating the response pad's software begins and a "downloader" window similar to the one below appears:

10. Once the updating is complete, the downloader window will close automatically. At this point, exit the Xidon program (do not try to use it after a download, it will not work; you will need to re-run it if you want to use some of its features).

11. Unplug the USB cable from the response pad.

12. In the set of four switches near the middle, turn switch 1 UP. This will make your response pad E-Prime compatible.

13. Plug the USB cable into the response pad. The small green light to the right of the switches should turn on.

You response pad is now ready to use with E-Prime.