Prusa Firmware - 2019-12-09

[last updated: 2019-12-09]
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Detailed steps for updating Prusa Mk3 firmware:

These instructions are from here: (link to:) Prusa - Upgrading the firmware v1.6

"Firmware updater is now part of the PrusaSlicer (previously Slic3r PE)."
Since I don't have it installed yet on this Linux dual-boot, I will install it per:
(link to:) prusa3d.com/drivers
This is a download page, and under 'Original Prusa i3 mk3':

Get Firmware: under 'Firmware 3.8.1', button to 'download' saves "prusa3d_fw_3_8_1_MK3.zip"

Opened terminal, cd to directory where zip file saved, and unzipped.
It extracted a bunch of files, including the main one:
'prusa3d_fw_MK3_3_8_1_2869.hex'
It also extracted: 'Firmware_upgrade_guide_EN.pdf'
However this file appears identical to the first link above, 'Upgrading the firmware v1.6'

Get drivers: under 'Drivers & Apps 2.2.8', with a line in description saying: "Included PrusaSlicer 2.1.0"

clicking on 'Download' button brings up a box with link saying: "See GitHub releases for Linux AppImage builds."
Clicking on 'GitHub releases' takes you to:
(link to:) github.com/prusa3d/PrusaSlicer/releases

ItsFoss says procedure is:
* Download AppImage file
* Make it executable
* Run it
However, after downloading:
double-clicking on the AppImage file in fact executed it,
and PrusaSlicer Configuration Wizard opened

right-click on the tar.bz2 file, and select 'Extract here'
It created a new folder: PrusaSlicer-2.1.0+linux64-201909160925
which contains a bin folder, a resources folder, and a file: 'prusa-slicer', which appears to be a Python file
However in the end I did not use this download, and used the AppImage instead.

Install drivers: After downloading firmware and drivers, instructions say to "install drivers"
And while I'm sure it's possible to "install" the tar.bz2, the AppImage alternative does not (per my understanding of web descriptions) get "installed" in the same sense, but is merely executed from the AppImage whenever desired.
So for this first attempt, I'll proceed as if no explicit "installation" is required...
Step 4: Updating firmware using PrusaSlicer:

Open PrusaSlicer (double-click AppImage file)
Configuration (top menu bar) > Flash printer firmware
'Firmware flasher' box opens
On Firmware image field, click icon in far right of field
'Select a file' box opens
Navigate to the hex file you downloaded
double-click the hex file
If your printer is not yet connected via the USB port,
the 'Serial port' field will likely be blank.
Turn on printer, and plug in USB cable between printer and computer
click 'Rescan'; printer should now be there (if it's not. check your cable).
When it connects, the printer readout will do some things.
Click 'Flash!' (lower right of 'Firmware flasher' box)
"Flashing failed. Error log:
"...avrdude-slic3r: ser_open(): can't open device "/dev/ttyACM0": Permission denied
avrdude-slic3r: Could not open port: /dev/ttyACM0..."
forums suggest:
$ sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyACM0
Another suggestion:
$ sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER (followed by log-out & log-in)
However this may also be needed:
$ sudo adduser [your userName] dialout
trying first suggestion:
to start, $ ls -l ... shows current permissions (see also my permissions page) to be: crw-rw----
executing ... $ sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyACM0 (sets all r/w permissions, but Not execute...)
$ ls -l ... confirms r/w permissions set
Closed flash window, re-opened, selected hex file (port showed up), clicked 'Flash!'
"Flashing in progress. Do not disconnect printer" - yay!
followed after 5 min with "Flashing succeeded"
closed flasher window

Should be done and ready to use
Cycled printer power: menu > Support shows Firmware: 3.8.1-2869

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