Motorola ML910TM manual Purpose and Requirements, What You Will Need

Upgrade Procedures for R1.0 ML910™ RUGGED NOTEBOOK Firmware and Software:

1)Embedded Controller Firmware, for #2 or as a prerequisite for a R1.0 to R1.1 upgrade

2)Support RF Pass-through in Retrofitted ML900 Docking Stations

Purpose and Requirements

This procedure provides step-by-step instructions for a qualified computer technician or administrator to upgrade the firmware and software components of Release 1.0 ML910™ RUGGED NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS (ML910) shipped prior to approximately June 2, 2008. R1.0 notebooks shipped after that date already include these features, as do all R1.1 notebooks.

There are two cases for using these procedures:

1)To upgrade the Embedded Controller (EC) BIOS firmware to version 4.8, which is a prerequisite for upgrading the EC to version 5.1 or later, as part of the ML910 R1.0 to R1.1 upgrade. The latter upgrade is required when migrating from Windows® XP Professional to Windows Vista™ Business edition, and is covered by a separate upgrade package. For this case, only Procedure I needs to be completed.

2)To enable a R1.0 notebook to operate properly in an upgraded ML900 docking station. Procedures I through IV need to be completed.

The new features in the ML Administrator Application (MLAA) and the ML User Application (MLUA) are added specifically for customers intending to operate their ML910 notebooks in ML900 docking stations that have been modified to add ML910-compatible RF pass-through connectors. ML910 RF pass-through operation is automatic and requires no configuration when used with ML910 high-tier docking stations, but must be enabled and configured using MLAA and MLUA for use with these modified ML900 docking stations. These instructions are provided in Procedure IV.

Additional information regarding RF pass-through operation is included in the latest ML910 Rugged Notebook User Guide, 6871008P31-B. Refer to Chapter 4, Expanding Your Computer, under the RF Pass-Through heading. This guide may be downloaded from the same site where these instructions and the firmware/software upgrade package are located: www.Motorola.com/ML910.

What You Will Need

CD or DVD Burner In addition to the Motorola firmware and software files, a CD or DVD burner is required to create a bootable disc needed to update the EC BIOS. The ML910 you plan to upgrade may already include an optional drive in its media bay; either the Combo (CD RW / DVD) or the Dual (CD RW / DVD RW) drive can burn CDs. Only the Dual drive can burn DVDs. External media burners may be used as well.

CD/DVD Burning Application The R1.0 ML910 notebook initially was shipped with a copy of Nero 7 Essentials, which was later updated to Nero 8 Essentials. Either version can be used to create the

MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo, and ML910™ RUGGED NOTEBOOK are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © 2008 by Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved.

ML910 R1.0 RF Pass-through Upgrade Procedure, Version A