Handshake Error -1: A device was found but it answered incorrectly

General
1

Causes can be:

Bad USB Cable (I still use the original one I received with the Halo)

Adapter (I don’t use one. I plug directly from the computer’s USB port)

Corrupted firmware (It reads the device and states that it see an older firmware and that a newer one is available.)

The computer originally used COM Port 3 but changed it to COM Port 7 since it had a conflict with my Spooky 2 XM and Gen X generators. It will not connect with the device on COM Port 7 even though I ask it to reassign during the firmware update process.

The remainder of the error message states: If nothing else helps, please reinstall Halo firmware. halo firmware handshake error Incorrect Step 1: : err

Process to get to this point.

  1. Launch Halo Software

  2. Click File… Check for new firmware.

  3. Window pops up with header “No aha halo connected”. Body Text states “Please ensure halo is plugged into your computer. You may also continue by selecting the port a halo stuck in firmware upgrade mode is connected to.”

  4. Click Continue

  5. Window pops up with Firmware Installation header. Click on COM Port 7 (same as in device manager). Click Continue.

  6. Window with “New halo firmware available” pops up with body text "Firmware version 3.21 is available. Currently installed is 2.14. Do you want to install? Upgrade software first.

I click to start the installation. A new Window pops up that the install is starting and I then start getting the handshake issues. as noted in the subject headline.

I would like to figure out why this wont’ update the halo. Thank you for help in this matter.

2

I have attempted to load the software and attempt the firmware update on two other computers with the same results. The software attempts to update the firmware, see the device, starts the process and then I get the same handshake error.

3

Hi macnlkc, thank you for providing such detailed troubleshooting information. That’s very helpful.

Since you’ve now tried the firmware update on multiple computers and are getting the same firmware handshake error, this does not appear to be related simply to one computer or COM port.

If your Aha Halo is already showing that it is in firmware update mode, please keep it connected directly to the computer, open the latest Aha Halo software, and use the Firmware Update function again. You may need to retry the firmware installation a few times for the device and software to complete the handshake successfully.

There is no need to use the previous button-combination recovery steps once the Halo is already in firmware update mode.

If the handshake error continues after several attempts, please contact us at support@ahaharmony.com and include a screenshot of the error message. Our support team can then help you check the device more closely and guide you through the next steps. :purple_heart: