Motorola ML910TM User Manual

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