PLC 5 Firmware Crash Log Warning

[Vetteboy]

Since upgrading to RSLogix 5 V6.00.00 we are getting a message everytime we go online that a PLC Firmware crash log has been found in the processor on 3/5 of our PLCs. Now since we were having no troubles before the upgrade, I see it as a new functionality in the software, and not a real processor problem at this time. We contacted Rockwell as the message says to, but there is a lot of red tape involved in figuring out what happened. These units are 10 years old, they work, and I don't really care what happened. If it happens now, I care. If something happened once 8 years ago and this log is referring to it, I don't really want to know every time I go online. My co-worker said Rockwell told him to wipe out the processors and reload our programs to remove the nag. I was just wondering how many people have seen this, and if there is an easier way.

 

[Ken Roach]

Gosh, that's a new feature I haven't seen. Nifty !

The PLC-5 operating system, much like it's bigger cousins, can log data into an internal memory file in the event of an operating system crash. It's by no means a common occurrence, but it can happen.

The data area in the PLC-5 bears the name "IBD", so the utility to retrieve it via the serial port is nicknamed the "IBDead" utility. It's not a public tool, and even though it's as bulletproof as they come (hook up, press button) I've had plenty of customers claim it retrieved no information, while still insisting they had a firmware crash and not an application fault.

IBD data isn't cleared until the processor is powered down and the battery removed. It even remains if you load a totally new application file. Sometimes it persists for years.

I think the going-online warning is a good way to make it apparent that you're dealing with a once-crashed processor, so you know ahead of time if the IBD utility is going to have something to retrieve.

 

[msinclair]

Hi Ken,

Can you verify that IBD functionality has in fact been included in the latest release of Logix? If so, is there any restriction about how to get on-line to get at the firmware crash log (you mention using the serial port)?

I have a processor where I suspect a firmware fault may have happened, and would love to prove/disprove it. If the IBD functionality is not included in Logix, is there a way to get a copy of the tool?

Thanks,

Marc