Control Flash program locks up

I'm trying to flash my first CompactLogix 1769-L18ERM and on the third step where you select the firmware revision to load, there is nothing shown. If you try the browse button, it doesn't change the location. It stays on c:\program files(x86)\controlflash. Anyone seen this before and can help me out? Tried on my laptop and desktop with same result. Thanks.

Have you downloaded and installed any of the firmware files?

I thought I did. I went back there this morning and it now says no downloads available for v21.011...??? for my controller 1769-L18ERM-BB1B. My Logix Designer is v21.03. In yesterday's download there is a file contents.txt with this in it:

ControlFlash version: 12.00.01
Created: 02/20/13 11:27:32
Catalog Number Revision Script Filename
1769-L18ERM |21.011.49 |C:\L1y\L1y-v21-release-v21.011-B2\R21_11_49_TO_SAP\PN-173954.nvs
1769-L18ER |21.011.49 |C:\L1y\L1y-v21-release-v21.011-B2\R21_11_49_TO_SAP\PN-173954.nvs
1769-L16ER |21.011.49 |C:\L1y\L1y-v21-release-v21.011-B2\R21_11_49_TO_SAP\PN-173954.nvs

I thought I was confused yesterday...

OK, after some more downloading I was able to install version 20 seris B into my seris B PLC. I need v21 in the plc. Allen Bradley does not show firmware for this combination, only for v21 seris A which is why I wasn't seeing a firmware version to load. v24 series B will also show on the firware list after downloading. So it looks like I may have an incompatible combination or something. Waiting for a response from my AB rep.

I have the same exact problem, right down to the PLC model and required firmware version, and the L1y... file download.

Today I reinstalled all of Studio 5000 on a clean PC with no luck, and also copied ControlFlash from a remote system with the same PLC on an installed site having verified that it did show the v21 firmware. The copy just gave a blank list again on the system I need to update.

I then downloaded the kit builder and built an L18ERM v21 kit and still ControlFlash shows a blank list. I'm assuming something in the controller is inhibiting the v21 firmware from showing, yet it doesn't generate an error as it would if say I'd selected the wrong processor type. I grabbed a later firmware just to see what happened and v27 appears fine, but I don't want to flash that.

Did you get a solution?

Yes, I have the solution. There is no firmware for series B V21. You can drop down to V20 or up to V24. I went up to 24. Fortunately my AB vendor was kind enough to get me to Logix Designer V24 without any $.

Thanks for the update - we'll see if Rockwell UK are so accommodating .

I guess this means the other PLC we have on site is a type A.

Hi everyone, I saw this old topic, and I apologize for bringing this up again. I am having exactly the same issue here in our tech. high school, with our new CompactLogix 1769-l18erm, B series. I have successfully updated the controller`s firmware to revision 20, but since we`re using Studio 5000 version 21, I need a revision 21 firmware on our controller. I cannot flash it over ControlFlash, just the same as posted here before. Rockwell does not offer revision 21 for B series, but here`s what`s confusing me still - on my ControlFlash version 12 I still see this:


Catalog Number Revision Script Filename
1769-L18ERM |21.011.49 |PN-173954.nvs

So, does this definitely means this firmware is for A series, and I cannot use it on my B series controller?

And finally, could someone please be so kind to write, than there`s no other way but to install RSlogix5000 version 20, or Studio 5000 version 24 or later?

Thanks, and kind regards.

From my experience you have to either go to V20 or V24 to solve this problem, unless you change to a different CompactLogix plc.

That's correct. There is no v21 or v23 firmware for a 1769-L1nER series B PLC (and v22 doesn't exist at all). So your options are v20, or v24 and up.

A colleague suggested me to upgrade my software to Studio5000 V28. Since there`s no other option, guess I`ll have to go for it. I see B series firmware 28.011 and 28.012, so I don`t expect problems with it.

Thanks a lot for your replies, kind regards.