6060 Spine Road

Boulder, CO 80301 USA

T 303 444 2009
F 303 444 9543

FIELD SERVICE BULLETIN

TITLE: TOC, 500RL 2.14CH5 Firmware Upgrade
PRODUCT/MODEL: FSB NUMBER: UPW 13-04 A
500RL
DATE RELEASED: 05/17/13

TOOLS OR PARTS REQUIRED: CATEGORY: Product Performance Information

CASK 74220-07
ASSOCIATED DIN: N/A REFERENCE BULLETINS: N/A

PART NUMBER: N/A LOT/DATE/ SERIAL #: N/A

BULLETIN TOPIC:
This Field Service Bulletin is provided for information only. These changes are part of our commitment to continuous
product improvement. While in most cases there is no need to change the firmware version of existing 500RL TOC
analyzers, they may be upgraded to take advantage of the new features and corrections.

In May of 2013, there were changes made to the firmware for the Sievers 500RL TOC Analyzer. There were no changes
to the DataShare Program. The new version of firmware released for the Sievers 500RL TOC is 2.14CH5. This change
applies only to model 500RL TOC Analyzers outfitted with an Ethernet System Board.

The firmware was released to implement features and corrections to version 2.13CH5. All changes are documented in
the ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN section of this Field Service Bulletin.

NOTICE

If your 500RL TOC Analyzer is equipped with version 2.02CH5, 2.10CH5, 2.11CH5, or 2.13CH5 we highly recommend
the upgrade to 2.14CH5. Any analyzer equipped with 2.02CH5, 2.10CH5, 2.11CH5, or 2.13CH5 should be upgraded
to 2.14CH5. Please refer to the tables at the end of this bulletin for ordering instructions.

2.02CH5, 2.10CH5, 2.11CH5, or 2.13CH5 may generate an unrecoverable lock-up situation at data or audit trail
export. This could result in an Error 51. This problem is random and unpredictable. Failure to upgrade may result
in requiring replacement of the system board and a loss in data and audit trail history. This upgrade is free of
charge to customers who currently have 2.02CH5, 2.10CH5, 2.11CH5, or 2.13CH5 firmware. If validation activities
have taken place with 2.02CH5, 2.10CH5, 2.11CH5 or 2.13CH5 firmware, be assured that the upgrade of the code
to 2.14CH5 does not in any way affect the Model 500RL’s analytical performance characteristics.

It is also recommended that the HLoader is also upgraded to version 5.00 PRIOR to the 2.14 upgrade. Refer to
Field Service Bulletin UPW 13-08 for guidance. Upgrading the HLoader will prevent the instrument from not
finding the code/application.

The DataShare software version that is compatible with 2.14CH5 firmware is 1.13PDS.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN:

Firmware Changes Overview

Changed version to 2.14.002CH5.

Changed copyright to 2013.

Added support for maintaining two copies of the data history. Each record in the data history is checked
for CRC and replaced from the backup copy if it fails the CRC check.
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 Added support for maintaining two copies of the audit trail. Each record in the audit trail is checked for CRC
and replaced from the backup copy if it fails the CRC check.

Upgrade Actions to be taken

If you decide to upgrade your Firmware or choose to upgrade to an Ethernet System Board equipped with 2.14CH5
firmware, we are recommending that the upgrade be completed prior to the annual maintenance activities. If you
decide to upgrade the HLoader, the firmware should be upgraded after the HLoader upgrade.

The sequence of events should be to collect any AS FOUND data deemed necessary, Save the System, upgrade the
HLoader if desired, upgrade the Firmware and/or Ethernet System Board (NOTE: if installing a system board there is no
need to perform upgrades, System Boards are equipped with the proper firmware and HLoader), restore the system,
perform the routine annual maintenance, and finally perform any other procedures you deem necessary as described
in the Operations & Maintenance Manual or Validation Support Package.

NOTE:

When upgrading from version 2.02CH5 to 2.14CH5 in a single step, the user settings may be lost and will not be
recoverable with a System Restore. The settings must be reentered manually.

Options that are active at the time of upgrade will remain active after the firmware change. The DataGuard,
Conductivity, System Suitability, Linearity, and DataShare options, which were present prior to the upgrade, will remain
by following the procedure outlined in the upgrade instructions. If you would like to order any additional options with
your firmware upgrade, order the kits listed in the Other Options section of this bulletin.

You must have an Ethernet System Board to use firmware version 2.14CH5. You can order a kit, or you can download
the firmware and manuals from our website, www.geinstruments.com. The Ethernet System Board does not support
firmware version earlier than 2.02CH5.

NOTE:

When downloading from www.geinstruments.com, firmware 2.14CH5 is in compressed file format. Extract the folder
structure and files to a blank USB drive for installation into the analyzer. Installation instructions will be extracted
along with the installation file.

Ordering upgrade kits

The upgrade kits are packaged as described in the following table. When ordering, follow these three ordering steps:

Firmware Kit – The firmware kit comes with installation instructions. All documents are electronic and located on
www.geinstruments.com/library/manuals . All documents are written in English only.

Firmware Kit

User Interface Language Kit Number Version

English/Japanese/Chinese CASK 74220-07 2.14CH5

800 19025 E Page 2 of 4

 Software Kit – There were no changes to the DataShare program. The software kit comes with installation
instructions, the CD that contains the program and manual and the DataShare USB activation key for a single
instrument.
All documents are located on www.geinstruments.com/library/manuals. All documents are written in English only.

DataShare Software Kit

User Interface Language Kit Number Version

English/Japanese/Chinese CASK 74303-03 1.13PDS

Other Options and Documentation –The following table lists the options and documentation that is available to
supplement the firmware/software upgrade.

Option or Kit Number or Document

Description
Documentation Number
Activates DataGuard within the instrument firmware
DataGuard CASK 74400
to support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
System Activates System Suitability testing and Linearity
CASK 74000
Suitability/Linearity testing.

Conductivity CASK 74100 Activates Conductivity capability.

DataShare CASK 74303-03 Activates DataShare capability.

Validation Support Combined Volume I and Volume II Version 2.14/1.13
Package Volume I and II CDVL 74250-07 EN IQ/OQ/PQ Guidelines, Firmware History and SOP
English written in English only
Combined Volume I and Volume II Version 2.14/1.13
Validation Support IQ/OQ/PQ Guidelines, Firmware History and SOP
CDVL 74251-07 EN
Package Site License written in English only to be used for multiple site
installations.

NOTE: Any features active in your analyzer prior to the upgrade will remain if you have followed the instructions in the
upgrade kit.

Ordering Ethernet System Board upgrade kits

The Ethernet System Board upgrade kits are packaged as described in the following table. The Ethernet Board will be
equipped with 2.14CH5 firmware. The kit will contain the board and installation instructions.

Part Description Kit Number

Ethernet Board with 2.14CH5 CAPK 74720-01
Reworked Ethernet Board with 2.14CH5 CRPK 74018-01

Ordering Display/Display Interface Board upgrade kits

The TFT Display Upgrade kit contains installation instructions, the TFT display, and the TFT interface board. To use the
TFT display, your unit must be equipped with the Ethernet Board and have 2.02CH5 or later installed. You must install
the Display AND the Interface Board when upgrading.

Part Description Kit Number

TFT Display Upgrade CAPK 74700-01
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 Downloading Firmware and Manuals

To download the firmware and supporting documentation, go to www.geinstruments.com. Click on Library, then
Manuals or Support then Software Firmware Upgrades select 500RL-v2.14 Ethernet.

After you click on the link for the firmware download, you will be asked to complete a form. Upon completion of the
form, the Technical Support Group will send you a password for access to the download. The download includes two
instruction files. One file will provide directions for arranging the files on a USB. The other file provides directions on
how to perform the actual upgrade of the analyzer. There is no password necessary to download the Operation and
Maintenance Manual or the Validation Support Package Volume I, BUT to download Volume II, you will be asked to
complete a form. Upon completion of the form, the Technical Support Group will send you a password for access to
the Validation Support Package Volume II.

ATTACHMENTS: APPROVED FOR: Contact GE Analytical Instruments Technical

YES NO INTERNET (ALL) Support at:
IDENTIFICATION: PARTNERS (AND USA 1 800 255 6964
INTERNAL)
Europe 0161 864 6801
INTERNAL (ALL)
Worldwide 303 444 2009

APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY: DATE: 05/17/13

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