PeterRowney

"I suggest downloading version 1.41. This version was specifically written for the XP driver. If you can get this one to install to unbrick your Elite, that will be a bit like performing a factory reset."And my apologies to Chrisaf for not noticeing this exact sentence!!

Ok, the process I used was.... 1) Hold down STOP button. 2) Plug power cable in. 3) Keep STOP button held for 30 seconds.4) Release STOP button. Wait 30 seconds. 5) Plug in USB cable. 6) Launch Elite update, and try to update.I used a Win 7 Pro laptop and ran the 1.41 update file as administrator.The first time I did it, it said "finished" and I clicked the finish button but the Elite still looked dead.So I pulled the power (why does it even have an on/off button?), but it was still dead.So I repeated the update exactly as before and when it said finished, I clicked the finish button and then left the whole thing untouched for a few minutes.Lo and behold when I glanced at the previously dead machine (dead for 4 years in fact), it was resurrected!Hallelujah and praise be to Hornby tech support.

"Yup. i accept that, but (A), he may not have any, and (B), given the amount of stress, and time lost, I would want to play trains, for a few weeks."THIS!!:-)

I don't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It works!!!!!!After literally hundreds of attempts, over the last four years it has FINALLY restarted!!!

Ok, the latest advice from Hornby was to try installing version 4.1This I did and for the first time EVER, it didn't say "update fail"It said update finished, and I clicked on the finish button.However the Elite still fails to even power on.

Well unfortunately for me, it has failed to work yet again.Following the instructions to the letter I could get the update to work, but always with the same final result."Update fail"This was on a Win7 machine.Not sure what else to try.Having absolutely no luck sourcing an elink unit 2nd hand.

Those following this thread may be interested to read the advice I finally received from Hornby UK.Notice he suggests waiting 30 seconds! not 15 for each step.Then he suggests of that doesn;t work to attempt to update without waiting at all during each step.About to try it now and see what happens. Dear Sir, Thank you for your email, Please try the following steps yourself - 1) Hold down STOP button.2) Plug power cable in.3) Keep STOP button held for 30 seconds.4) Release STOP button. Wait 30 seconds.5) Plug in USB cable.6) Launch Elite update, and try to update. IF this does not work, or an Error message comes up: 1) Pull both cables from Elite.2) Straight away, hold STOP button down, and plug power cable in.3) Do NOT wait 30 seconds, release STOP button once power cable is in.4) Do NOT wait 30 seconds, plug USB cable in straight away.5) Re-try update. This should cure your problem. If you have any issues with this, please come back to us. Kind Regards, Matt Jordan Customer Care Advisor

"PS. Can you stop using the blue button to reply and go to the bottom of the page to the text box and green reply button pls. "ooops sorry.

I've actually tried ALL those old update files including 1.1, 1.3, 1.4,1.44 I have managed to get the XP machine to start the update process (so I know the elite is in update mode) But still getting the final "update fail" message. I have been unable to find the option you mentioned to delete the driver file compoletely from XP. When I uninstall the driver in device manager it doesn't give me the option you mentioned to delete the file.

Ok, with XP i am having even more problems.Am getting error message IOexception Error in Eilte CommThat's using the driver you mentioned that comes with the update.

I have also tried different USB ports.Different cables.Three different operating systems.

Thanks so much for the replies guys.to answer a few of your questions, yes I've now tried the update using three different computers.A Win7 laptop, a Win10 PC, and last jight I tried it with a Win XP laptop.With all these computers I have run the file as administrator, I have tried all the 3 options for PC type.I am assuming that the Elite IS in update mode because in most cases the update appears to be working. It never goes quickly, and usually takes more than 2-3 minutes to complete.The outcome is ALWAYS the same. "Update Fail".I estimate that I have attempted this update over one hundred times now. (Possibly more than pidder?)I spent several days trying different things when the unit first crashed about 3 years ago.I have now spent an entire day (almost 8 hours), of trying every single trick I could find on these pages.Some of these threads I have read twice."If you do find a suitable XP PC, then remember that you will have to install the original Hornby driver "I will now try this with the XP laptop and see what happens.A final question, does the computer need to be connected to the internet for the update to work?Mine is (wifi, but I did also try a network cable. made no difference)

Hi folks. Frustrated modeller from Australia here. I purchased a Hornby Elite unit about 6 years ago from a trade show here in Australia. ($500) It was working fine, and I had it working with Railmaster software. Anyway I tried to update the firmware and it not only failed to update, but has turned my ELite into a useless brick :-( I have read extensively, the thread here and elsewhere about how to update the firmware. I know how to start the Elite in update mode. I know how to run the update file in administrator mode. I know to try the different options (1,2 and 3) for "PC type" Absolutely nothing works. After many, many hours of trying, it always says "update fail" at the end of the process. I am using Windows 7 professional, on a newish laptop. Please if there is anybody on this forum who can help me recover this $500 controller I would be eternally grateful.