I have an original showD and am buying new elation lights. I've never updated my version but I don't think these brand new lights would be in the latest version library.Is there a way to add these new lights to my old SD?
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Oreo, these questions may be better answered at the Elation forum. Try there and let us all know here the results. 
Oreo,
What version software does your Show Designer have? You'll find this information when you turn the controller ON, the LCD will display Show Designer Revision X.XX. The revision number is the software version currently installed in the unit. If you have version 2.00 or higher, then you'll need to do the following:
1. Download the latest software version from either the ADJ or Elation websites.
2. Download the SD Back Up software- this is what you'll use to upload the new software into your Show Designer.
3. Obtain a serial lap link cable to connect between your PC and Show Designer. You can usually find this cable at a computer store.
4. Download the Show Designer manual, if you don't already have it. The manual contains directions on updating the software.
Or- if you don't want to deal with it, you can always obtain a return authorization from our service department and send it in. They will take care of updating it for you and test all functions to make sure it meets factory specification.
If you have version 1.14 or below, then you'll have to send it in as we have to add an internal key component. Please contact our service department at (800) 322-6337. Let them know that you'd like to update an original Show Designer and they will issue you a Return Authorization number.
What version software does your Show Designer have? You'll find this information when you turn the controller ON, the LCD will display Show Designer Revision X.XX. The revision number is the software version currently installed in the unit. If you have version 2.00 or higher, then you'll need to do the following:
1. Download the latest software version from either the ADJ or Elation websites.
2. Download the SD Back Up software- this is what you'll use to upload the new software into your Show Designer.
3. Obtain a serial lap link cable to connect between your PC and Show Designer. You can usually find this cable at a computer store.
4. Download the Show Designer manual, if you don't already have it. The manual contains directions on updating the software.
Or- if you don't want to deal with it, you can always obtain a return authorization from our service department and send it in. They will take care of updating it for you and test all functions to make sure it meets factory specification.
If you have version 1.14 or below, then you'll have to send it in as we have to add an internal key component. Please contact our service department at (800) 322-6337. Let them know that you'd like to update an original Show Designer and they will issue you a Return Authorization number.
Thanks for the tips. I'm using version 2.05 m2.
I'll do as you suggest but if it doesn't work your fired...............................just a joke.
I'll do as you suggest but if it doesn't work your fired...............................just a joke.
OK, apparently your going to have to be a lot more specific than just a serial lap link cable. I've been to 3 different computer stores and either they don't know what I'm taking about or they give me 1000 alterntives and I have to decide which one to pick.I bought a 9pin female to 25male modem serial cable and tried to download but it didn't work.The 25pin connection plugged into the printer port.Even If I figure this out are the focus spot 250s in version 2.14?
Oreo,
The latest software version available for the Show Designer-1 is version 3.08 and yes, it does have the Focus Spot-250 in the fixture library.
Regarding the serial lap link cable- traditionally, it has a 9 & 25 pin sub connectors on both sides. However, you do not use the 25 pin connectors. You insert one 9 pin connector into the RS232 port of your Show Designer and the other 9 pin connector into COM 1 port of your PC. If your computer doesn't have a 9 pin sub connector, you will also have to buy a USB to RS-232 converter cable which consists of one 9 pin male sub connector to USB.
FYI - We also make a Show Designer disk drive unit that you'd use in place of your computer. Click this link to read more about it.
http://www.elationlighting.com/product.asp?ProductIDNum...telligent%20Consoles
The latest software version available for the Show Designer-1 is version 3.08 and yes, it does have the Focus Spot-250 in the fixture library.
Regarding the serial lap link cable- traditionally, it has a 9 & 25 pin sub connectors on both sides. However, you do not use the 25 pin connectors. You insert one 9 pin connector into the RS232 port of your Show Designer and the other 9 pin connector into COM 1 port of your PC. If your computer doesn't have a 9 pin sub connector, you will also have to buy a USB to RS-232 converter cable which consists of one 9 pin male sub connector to USB.
FYI - We also make a Show Designer disk drive unit that you'd use in place of your computer. Click this link to read more about it.
http://www.elationlighting.com/product.asp?ProductIDNum...telligent%20Consoles
I have a lap link cable, but I think what you need for the regular serial cable to work is a small adapter called a �Null Modem�, If I remember correctly it switches pins 3 and 4 between devices.