Can't install Castle Link software on my PC
 

Ok so I bought a Duratrax Element brushless combo which uses a Castle ESC and claims that you can program it with the Castle field program card. So I have now bought the card because the manual calibration was pissing me off but when I plug it in I get the alternating flashing lights which supposedly means I need to upgrade the firmware. Got out my Windows XP Pro laptop (about 4 years old) and downloaded the Castle Link software but I get an error when I try to install saying only that the installation stopped prematurely. I have looked all over the Castle FAQ and can't find a similar issue with a resolution.

Has anyone had this issue and gotten it resolved? Does the Castle Field Programing card work with the Element ESC?

I think the Castle Link works with a 64 bit system. If your Windows is 32 bit that's probably the problem.

Seems like it. I was trying to install it on my really old XP Pro laptop and got the error measage. Tried to load it on my old XP Pro desktop no dice.

It loaded fine on my Win 7 laptop.

I ran into a problem trying to get the new version of Castle Link (64bit) to work with my old MM ESC. It worked fine with my MMP.
Called Castle and found out the MM used the 32bit system and I had to have a friend load my old 32bit Link disc and load the 1.32 version which disables to USB port and makes the MM work with the 64bit system. Now it connects just like the newer ESC through the MM's servo plug instead of the USB. Works great now!

Thanks for the replies. You would think if Castle were changing the specs like this that they would host the latest version that supports 32 bit as well as the newest version.

Anyone happen to have a 32 bit version that they can host for download?

castle issue
 

you have to log in your machine as the administrator, so it will let you install it. That was what Bernie told me about 5 years ago, used to be on their website under install issues. hope this helps

Yea I read that on their site...and I am logged in as an admin. So thanks but that didn't help. :(

Tried it this morning at work...installs with no issue on a Windows 7 64 bit PC. Great...now what do I do at home?

Have you tried to use the Castle field card?

LOL yes that was what I bought but I get the alternating flashing LEDs which means the software needs updated or that the ESC is not compatible. Since Duratrax and Tower Hobbies both say the field card should work with the Element ESC then I can only assume that it is compatible but needs updated. Tomorrow I will take it in to work and try the update there. I will be pissed if in the end it doesn't work...and I guess I will send it back to Tower.

It should work. Let us know how it turns out.

Well I hooked it up and updated everything. It knew right away that the field card needed a firmware update...it also said it updated the ESC. After that I was able to change all the ESC settings and the software is super nice, easy to understand and has very good descriptions of what each variable does.

Really good software IMO...other than the PITA it was to get installed.

Great that it worked out for ya :)

Ok so I also sent an email to Castle customer support about this issue and I got a response today. They sent me a link to an older version (3.41.1) of the Castle Link software and said that they have seen this issue with XP installations and that if I first install the older version and then the new version it should work. I need to get the XP computer out again to try this...when I do I will report back.

That's about what I thought you would need.

Let me know if it works so I can ask Castle to send the old version to me too.