There has been an issue for Avid HD Native users in that you needed to be on Mac OS 10.6.7 to update the firmware on the HD Native card but then to use it the compatibility specs quote that 10.6.8 is the minimum Mac OS to run HD Native systems on. That isn’t too much of a problem if you are installing your system on a Mac with 10.6.7 but what if your system is already on 10.6.8 or even 10.7.x, what do you do?
Well Avid have realised this problem would be pretty common and so have come up with an application that will update the card’s firmware what ever version of the Mac OS you have above 10.6.7. Here are the details and the links…
NativeCardFlasher is a utility for Mac and Windows that can update both the Safe and Main firmware images on an HD Native card. After running the NativeCardFlasher, the factory default settings are updated to the latest version for compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6.8, Mac OS X 10.7, Windows 7, and with the Thunderbolt MacBook Pro. It is not necessary to update an HD Native card if you aren’t running one of these operating systems or computers, but it is still recommended for future compatibility.
System Requirements
NativeCardFlasher requires one of the following:
A valid installation of Pro Tools HD 9.0 or higher
– or –
If Pro Tools is not installed, the HD Native drivers must be installed (www.avid.com/drivers)
NativeCardFlasher works in the following configurations:
Mac OS 10.6.8, 10.7.x and Thunderbolt MacBook Pro if Pro Tools HD 9.0.4 or higher is installed
Mac OS 10.6.7 or lower if Pro Tools HD 9.0.3 or lower is installed
Any Windows 7 computer
Installing NativeCardFlasher
To install the NativeCardFlasher utility:
Download the NativeCardFlasher.zip file.
Unzip the file.
Open the NativeCardFlasher folder and locate the NativeCardFlasher file.
Double-click the NativeCardFlasher file.
The default behaviour is executed, updating both the Main and Safe images on all attached HD Native cards. A Terminal (Mac) or CMD (Win) window opens, showing progress and verification. The Main image is updated first, followed by the Safe image. A successful update is indicated by “Programming: 100% — Complete!” and “Verifying: 100% — Complete!”
If an error occurs, see “NativeCardFlasher Errors” below:
When the update process is complete, the following occurs:
On OS X, the Terminal stays open. Quit the Terminal application.
On Windows, the CMD window automatically closes.
After updating the HD Native card, shut down your computer (full power off ).
Start your computer.
If you are running Pro Tools HD 9.0.3 or lower with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher, you will need to use NativeCardFlasher on a system with Windows 7 or Mac OS X 10.6.7 or lower. If Pro Tools is not installed on that system, run the HD Native driver installer from the Avid website before using NativeCardFlasher. Do not close or quit the Terminal/CMD window during the update process.
To download the Read Me instructions click here
To download the NativeCardFlasher for Mac click here
To download the NativeCardFlasher for Win click here