Einstein™ E640 Firmware Update

Current Version Date Download Size
Version 31 December 05, 2012 E640-V31.zip 1.2 mb


Version 31 Firmware Update for the Paul C. Buff, Inc.™ Einstein™ 640 Flash Unit
This firmware update is for Einstein™ 640 Flash Units with version 19, 20, 22, 26, 29 or 30 firmware. Einstein™ units with version 31 firmware will not require this update. When the unit is powered on, the firmware version will flash on the bottom of the screen for approximately 2 seconds. The firmware version can also be found on the diagnostics screen in the lower left corner.

Prerequisites:
  • You will need a memory card reader capable of accepting MicroSD cards OR a MicroSD to SD card adapter and card reader capable of accepting SD cards.
  • You will need a new or formatted (FAT16) MicroSD card (2GB or less) to install this firmware update. Only standard-capacity MicroSD cards are supported, MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC are not currently supported.
  • Mac Users: Be sure that you do not format to “FAT” on a Mac. The term “FAT” on a Mac is actually FAT32, and will not work to update your unit. The card must be formatted to FAT16 in order to work. If you do need to reformat your card, you can format it in a PC or you may be able to format it in an SD capable camera with the appropriate adapter; however, we cannot guarantee all cameras will format appropriately.

About This Firmware Version 31 Update:
This firmware download updates all Einstein™ units having firmware version 19, 20, 22, 26, 29 or 30. Firmware version 31 updates the following:

From Version 30:
  • Corrects the displayed flash duration values for the settings from -2f to -2.9f while in action mode.
  • Values are communicated to the Cyber Commander from the E640, therefore no update is necessary for the Cyber Commander.

From Version 29:
  • Allows the fan to be controlled by the internal temperatures of the light. The fan will run at slower speeds at cooler temperatures and higher speeds as the light warms up.

From Version 26:
  • Updates E640 internal component drivers to latest versions.
  • Users will not notice any changes in performance or features from firmware version 26.

From Version 22:
  • Updates E640 for compatibility with Pocket Wizard Power MC2 remote
  • With the Cyber Commander™, when the Einstein™ is not in a selected group, the new firmware turns off its modeling lamp and disables the sync jack and slave eye

From Version 20:
  • Increases the Pump Temperature reading at which the light shuts off from 60°C to 105°C, increasing the time before thermal shutdown.
  • Includes a cosmetic change to the diagnostics screen.

From Version 19:
  • Corrects an issue where the light may double fire when a triggering cord is connected in the 1/8” sync jack.


Click here for PC instructions and here for Mac instructions.

PC Einstein Firmware Download Instructions

1. Download and save the new firmware to your hard drive:
  1. Click here to download the firmware update.
  2. Save the file “E640-v31” to your hard drive, we recommend to the desktop.

2. Copy the firmware version 31 onto the new MicroSD card:
  1. Insert the MicroSD card into the card reader.
  2. Navigate to the MicroSD card drive, and click to open.
  3. Keeping the MicroSD card window open, click on “E640-v31” file on the hard drive (desktop).
  4. In the new window, you will see a folder titled “PCBUFF”.
  5. Click and drag the “PCBUFF” folder you downloaded to the MicroSD card, unzipping if necessary.

3. Update the Einstein™ firmware using the MicroSD card:
  1. Disconnect the power cord from the light.
  2. Insert the card with preloaded firmware into the light, gold contacts first and facing the rear panel. The card must be inserted at a 90º angle. Press down until you hear a click.
  3. Plug in the power cord.
  4. The unit’s screen will go solid white and begin to flicker quickly, then more slowly, for about 25-30 seconds.
  5. Once the flickering has stopped, remove the card by pressing in and letting it pop up.
  6. Power on the light.
  7. As the unit reboots, “SW-0173 Ver31” should appear on the screen.
  8. Repeat this for each light that requires the update.
  9. Be sure to remove the card from the light after the update. Leaving the card in place in the unit will not damage the unit, but each time that the unit is powered on, the system will repeat the firmware update process.
Mac Einstein Firmware Download Instructions

1. Download and save the new firmware to your hard drive:
  1. Click here to download the firmware update.
  2. Save the file "E640-v31" to your hard drive. If you have the option to choose a location, we recommend saving the file to your desktop.
  3. Locate the saved "E640-v31.zip" zipped file on your desktop or in your downloads folder. Double-click the file to unzip, revealing the "PCBUFF" folder.

Note for Safari Users:

If you DO NOT see the "E640-v31.zip" zip file on your desktop or in your downloads folder, look for a folder titled "PCBUFF" or "EINSTEIN." As the file “E640-v31” is a zipped folder, certain Safari browser versions are set by default to automatically unzip it. Due to this setting, when you go to locate the "E640-v31" file, it may have already been unzipped to the next folder in the directory path named "PCBUFF". Additionally some versions of Safari may further unzip to the "EINSTEIN" subfolder.
- If Safari has unzipped the file to the "PCBUFF" folder, no further action is needed. This is the folder that you will click and drag to the MicroSD card in Step 2 below.
- If Safari has unzipped the file to the "EINSTEIN" folder, you will need to create a new folder for it. To create a new folder, choose “New Folder” from the Finder menu. Name the folder "PCBUFF" (in all caps, without the quotation marks). Place the "EINSTEIN" folder inside the newly created "PCBUFF" folder. Move on to Step 2 (below) as normal.

2. Copy the firmware version 31 onto the new MicroSD card:
  1. Insert the MicroSD card into the card reader.
  2. Navigate to the MicroSD card drive, and click to open.
  3. Keeping the MicroSD card window open, click and drag the "PCBUFF" folder you downloaded to the MicroSD card.
  4. Eject your MicroSD card from your computer.
3. Update the Einstein™ firmware using the MicroSD card:
  1. Disconnect the power cord from the light.
  2. Insert the card with preloaded firmware into the light, gold contacts first and facing the rear panel. The card must be inserted at a 90º angle. Press down until you hear a click.
  3. Plug in the power cord.
  4. The unit’s screen will go solid white and begin to flicker quickly, then more slowly, for about 25-30 seconds.
  5. Once the flickering has stopped, remove the card by pressing in and letting it pop up.
  6. Power on the light.
  7. As the unit reboots, “SW-0173 Ver31” should appear on the screen.

Updating additional Einstein™ units.
If you have additional Einstein™ units to update, follow these steps for each additional unit.
  1. Place the MicroSD card back into the card reader.
  2. Navigate to the MicroSD card drive and click to open.
  3. Keeping the MicroSD card window open, click and drag the "PCBUFF" folder (the same downloaded folder that you clicked and dragged before) to the MicroSD card. When you drag the folder to the MicroSD card, you will be prompted with a message stating that there is already an item named “PCBUFF” in this location. Click “Replace.”
  4. Follow Step 3 (above) to update the firmware on the Einstein™ unit using the MicroSD card.


If you have any questions regarding this firmware update or your Einstein™ unit, please contact us.