Updating Helix after a long time

[nickstermc]

Hi there, 

just looking for a bit of help and guidance. I’m a Helix rack user and for various reasons haven’t had the time I would like with my guitars and gear over the last few years. As a result the last update my Helix got was 2.5 ( the placater update). Is it straightforward to go from 2.5 to the most recent 3.6? Can I do it in one jump? Or do I need to go stepping stone style. Just wondering because there seems to have been some fundamental software changes in that time. I also have some 3rd party IRs that I use a lot (Ownhammer). Will they disappear in the update? Looking at update instructions from Line 6, a factory reset seems to be required?…. which suggests I’ll lose everything. 
Bit nervous as I have found the Helix firmware to be a bit fragile and glitchy in the past and prone to locking up on booting and when doing updates. 
 

Appreciate any tips, experience or guidance you can offer 

 

Many thanks 

[silverhead]

You can do it in one jump, although updating from that far back might involve a second update that you will be notified about. My only, and strong, advice is to follow the update instructions carefully and exactly.

 

Just as a precaution use your current version of HX Edit to create a full backup. Then begin the update by downloading and installing the HX Edit v3.6 package. Then run HX Edit and follow the instructions.

[datacommando]

On 11/8/2023 at 11:37 PM, nickstermc said:

Appreciate any tips, experience or guidance you can offer

 

Hi,

 

Yes it is possible, but as mentioned by @silverhead in the post above, there are a couple of things to be aware of.

 

First, there was an major change to the Helix Core operating system at version 2.80 which could make it seem as if the installation had failed part way thought the update. This was to be expected and was listed in the Release Notes with a note telling users not to panic. Despite this warning many did anyway, resulting in a spate of posts claiming "Update bricked my Helix". Not true - it was user error.

 

Anyhow, you should be aware that there was another update to the Core at version 3.5 with a similar result of people thinking the update had failed. Plus there is also a similar thing happening with v.3.60 firmware.

 

Before attempting to update I seriously suggest that you make backups of your entire Rack contents, then read, study and inwardly digest all the information provided in the 3.60 Release Notes - here:

 

 

Above all - DON'T PANIC!

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

[somebodyelse]

I think, you have to update to v2.80, first, then v3.15 and then it can be updated straight to the latest version(?).

 

My advice, read and follow the instructions VERY carefully - I'm pretty sure it mentions about pre-v2.80 in there.

 

As the other guys have said, do a full backups before you start.

[nickstermc]

Thanks for the helpful info. 
 

Conflicting advice about whether you can update in one go. Anyone know for certain? 
 

Also, the line 6 guide talks about the boot failure message. Do you just sit that out and wait? It says don’t panic but what do you do? Also when you have to do the mandatory factory reset it says turn the unit on whilst holding certain buttons. But… the unit is already on doing the update??? Do you turn it off? Does it turn itself off before this stage? I understand it’s important to follow the instructions to the letter but there are some gaps I feel. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by nickstermc
Rephrase last sentence

[datacommando]

On 11/10/2023 at 11:26 AM, nickstermc said:

Conflicting advice about whether you can update in one go. Anyone know for certain? 

Hi,

 

From the Release Notes 3.60 - posted by Digital_Igloo (Eric Klein - Chief Product Design Architect at Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. / Line 6 / Ampeg) - so basically, he is the guy who knows for certain.

 

My Helix/HX is at version X.XX. Can I go straight to 3.60?

Yes, but note that if you're starting from 2.80 or lower, the update may appear to happen three times and will take notably longer than 30 minutes. This is normal.

 

plus this:

 

1. With Helix/HX connected to your computer, launch HX Edit (3.01 or higher), and make sure you're signed in. HX Edit knows when a new update is available and will walk you through the entire update procedure for both hardware and software, including backing up everything to your computer. IMPORTANT! If you're running HX Edit 3.00 or older, download HX Edit 3.60 and repeat step 1.

 

The section in red would appear to indicate that if you are updating from firmware prior to v.3.0 you need to download the latest HX Edit (3.60) and install using that. Note: you need to back up everything from your hardware using the version of HX Edit that already have installed before attempting to update. Older presets are not compatible with the new Firmware and will be updated automatically later - see below.

 

As for the “Boot Failure - Entered Update Mode” message, you are aware that it is documented in the Release Notes. This is due to the major changes to the Helix Core and can take a while (brain transplant), but wait for the message in HX Edit stating the device needs to be reset - Click Resume and wait for the second part of the update to finish.
 

When the install is complete, your hardware should auto restart and go through the “Rebuilding Presets” routine - once again this could take a while. Now you can perform a Factory Reset on your unit and you can check out all the new factory presets (again, refer to the notes). When you get bored with that you can simply restore everything from your back up files. Note: when you load up your old presets and restart the hardware it will go through the “Rebuilding Presets” routine again - in fact it will do this every time you load a single preset created with any previous version of the firmware. This is normal because the Core has been modified, and all presets need to be updated to work properly in the new system.

 

IMPORTANT - during any update, do not have any other software running in the background that may cause the installation to lose focus. Turn off screensavers, and/or sleep functions, and audio streaming, etc.
 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[mrkphpps]

Every time I update my Helix, I am a little bit nervous.  Every time I follow the advice from datacommando and read the release notes and follow instructions to the letter.  Every time it has worked.

 

The release notes talk about update from versions earlier than 3.15, and datacommando says it can be done.  I haven't done this myself, but that would be good enough for me to attempt it.

 

As the release notes say, back up your presets and IRs first, and make sure you are working from the latest release of HX edit.  Don't panic when you get the boot error message - it's normal, the release notes tell you to expect it when updating from firmware earlier than 3.15.  Don't panic - it does take a few minutes to continue, and I confess it made me nervous and felt a lot longer than it actually was when I did the 3.15 update.  Don't overlook the factory reset which will indeed clear the Helix - that's why you need the backup so you can restore - make sure that the restore is sorted and covers everything you want to keep before you update.

 

Even if the worst happens, and theres a power interruption or some other unexpected problem with updating via hx edit, datacommando has posted step by step instructions on how to recover.  Thanks datacommando - knowing your advice is there if I need it has been a great reassurance for me and I suspect many others who don't post too often.

 

Most of all - glad you're back to guitar and helix - hope you get to enjoy playing some more!

[nickstermc]

Thanks again, especially datacommando, that clears a lot up. Last, and hopefully final question…… I need to back up all my presets prior to attempting this as everyone had stressed already. Do I do that using the current (very old) version of HX Edit I have, or do I download the most recent version of HX Edit and then back up all my presets on the rack unit? 

[datacommando]

On 11/10/2023 at 10:59 PM, nickstermc said:

Thanks again, especially datacommando, that clears a lot up. Last, and hopefully final question…… I need to back up all my presets prior to attempting this as everyone had stressed already. Do I do that using the current (very old) version of HX Edit I have, or do I download the most recent version of HX Edit and then back up all my presets on the rack unit? 

Hi,

 

It can be a bit confusing, but the routine is:

 

Backing Up Helix/HX Hardware

1. Connect your Helix/HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB and turn it on. Do not use any sort of USB hub.
2. Open YOUR CURRENT VERSION of HX Edit (NOT the new HX Edit 3.60).
3. From the top File menu, select "Create Backup..."
4. Click "Create Backup."

The backup file you create is your “Fail Safe” - ensure you have copy should thing go off kilter.
 

Once you have the backup safely stashed away go to the DOWNLOADS menu item at the top of this page. Click the menu and from  "- Choose Hardware -" select Helix Rack, then under "- Choose Software -" select HX Edit, now select your PC/Mac OS from under the "- Choose OS -" tab, then click “Go”.  From the next page you can select HX Edit 3.61 for your Helix Rack.

 

Download this to your computer and where note the download is, and then run the HX Edit installer. When installed,  launch the new version of HX Edit while connected to your Rack via USB. If you are connected to the internet and logged into your Line 6 account, after HX Edit starts up, it should pop up a message informing you that a new version of the firmware is available, (if you are not logged in you need to do that and then the update info should appear). From now on simply follow every instruction provided by the auto installer - this includes making backups. Don’t try to skip anything, just follow the instructions to the letter, even when you think it is taking a very long time. And, remember, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR COMPUTER TO LOSE FOCUS. Do not allow it to enter sleep mode, run a screensaver, stream audio or anything else, like checking FarceBook, until the update is done and verified. Please don’t go for a walk while doing this.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

[datacommando]

On 11/10/2023 at 1:02 PM, mrkphpps said:

Thanks datacommando - knowing your advice is there if I need it has been a great reassurance for me and I suspect many others who don't post too often.

Hi,

 

Thank you so much for your comments, but I am only one of several other forum contributors who try to assist to the best of our abilities. Over the years we have tried to do our best, even to the point of translations through Google when necessary. A real United Nations of Support.

 

It’s reassuring to know that our posts have actually helped others to fix their issues. It’s nice to have our efforts acknowledged.

 

TY