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jxliu
1261
Engineer
Apr 20, 2022
Hi all, we've had a couple false starts rolling out updated firmware for CTRL and ALT for our keyboard configurator. If you are experiencing USB port issues, please recompile and flash your keyboard again. We rolled out a fix earlier today. For CTRL and ALT, we currently have two main firmware versions: 1. "Original" - This is most similar to the firmware on the keyboard out of the box. 2. "Modern" - This version is more-resistant to keychatter (single keypress resulting in double or triple characters) and uses non-volatile memory on the keyboard to save your LED settings across power cycles. If you are curious about the technical details, see my reply to this comment. For SHIFT, Carina, and Rocketeer, only the original firmware version is available currently. Some time next week, we will be updating our keyboard configurator to add a version selector for CTRL and ALT so that you can choose to compile with either the original or modern firmware version.
jxliu
1261
Engineer
Apr 20, 2022
jxliuTechnical details Our CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, Carina, and Rocketeer keyboards use ATSAMD51 microcontrollers. Some of the original code added to QMK to support the ATSAMD51 MCUs is not compatible with QMK's GPLv2 open source license. To address this, we rebuilt support for ATSAMD51 MCUs in QMK using a library called RIOT-OS ( https://github.com/RIOT-OS/RIOT ). This rebuild is what I have referred to as the "modern" firmware version for CTRL and ALT above. The rebuild also standardizes some of the functionality that previously relied on custom code. For example, in the original firmware, the code for scanning the key matrix was specific to CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, Carina, Rocketeer. The modern version uses QMK's key matrix scanning functions and thus benefits from the improvements over the years to QMK's debounce handling. This is why the modern version is more resistant to keychatter than the original version. Our keyboard configurator is currently compiling the modern version for CTRL/ALT (note to self to update this once version selector is added) and the original version for SHIFT/Carina/Rocketeer. If you are comfortable with code and you'd like to compile your own firmware with the modern changes, use this branch from our QMK fork: https://github.com/massdrop/qmk_firmware/tree/feature/riot_m2 . The branch includes all changes from the main QMK branch up to end of January 2022. It will take at least a couple QMK develop cycles for all of our changes to be merged into the main QMK branch. A PR for the initial RIOT-OS integration is open for the current QMK develop cycle. This rebuild sets the groundwork for more improvements that we are planning to roll out later this year.
bumbibitti
20
Jun 3, 2022
jxliuThis "modern" firmware bricked my Drop ALT PCB. I've had it for years and used to reflash it no problem. I managed to fix it by discovering there was a dropdown for "original" and flashed it with that, which resolved the issue.
emreorta
1
Jun 6, 2022
bumbibittiCan confirm. Decided to use the modern firmware and my keyboard started acting very weirdly. Rolled back to the original firmware after 2 weeks or so and now it works again.
vxlx
2
Jun 7, 2022
jxliuThe "modern" for the Drop CTRL does not function properly on my CTRL. It works briefly and, as soon as I type, all LEDs shut off, and all keys stop working. I'm using Windows 10 in case that's relevant.
jxliuWith CTRL, The Modern Firmware has a bug that renders the left USB port non functional - I tried with several different compilations of firmware (custom and default). The port is usable as when you press the reset button on the keyboard the board appears immediately in DFU mode. Building my custom layout with the `Original` firmware resolved this.
JackedNerd
5
Jun 8, 2022
jxliuThis sounds awesome in the long-run, but I feel currently you should mark the new firmware as beta and default to the old one until things are more stable. On mac with the new firmware my keys would constantly become unresponsive & I'd have to unplug the keyboard and restart it. Sometimes I could go for a long period, other times I couldn't go for more than a few minutes. At first I thought it was my works new Apple Studio Display. But, so far it points to this firmware, as I had done a flash to change key functionality. (I should also mention it even dropped when I had started the firmware update, luckily it dropped while waiting for me to press fn+b (I couldn't) as opposed to mid-update). My problem echoes the above (Tsiklon's post).
(Edited)
Fusion_Reactor
12
Jun 20, 2022
jxliuWhen will the configurator use the modern version for SHIFT? The RGB setting is always lost when I un-plug and re-plug the keyboard. Seems that RGB settings are not stored in EEPROM. I've tried some altered versions of 'mdloader', but they only work for my CTRL keyboard (RGB settings could be saved), not working for my SHIFT keyboard. Is there any way to fix it?
biernico
5
Jun 22, 2022
jxliuAfter updating to modern firmware version, when I reboot the pc. the keyboard does not turn on, I have to unplug/plug every time. trying now with the original to see if it fixes the problem. (it did)
(Edited)
Pegasenok
4
Jun 27, 2022
jxliuModern version breaks my Ctrl keyboard too. It did help with keychatter to some extent. I have Zilent v2 switches and some of them failed gradually (highly dissatisfied with these switches, first failes after a year or so and sound terribly). Those switches that do not register click properly - no help, but those that started to register multiple clicks - firmware helped a bit (key becomes usable, but when you test it through specialized interface, you can actually see how it chatters, but it kinda helps with first miliseconds of a click when it matters most I guess). But keyboard started to freeze (led transition stops, and one time it happened when pc was offline, so it actually lighted up into a frozen state or something like that). After plugging/unplugging/resetting and some time - it unfrozes, but not immediately, you just sit for a couple of minutes, and it starts to work. Please, fix this.
taavisalo
3
Jul 6, 2022
jxliuUsing modern version on CTRL. Keychatter still happens to some extent, the biggest gripe is that KB does not turn on when restarting the computer. Please fix this!
(Edited)
aalotia
0
Jul 13, 2022
jxliuThanks for this update any further progress the merge of the RIOT-OS branch into QMK mainline? The above referenced branch is now quite behind the mainline QMK repo.
(Edited)
Alcam
2
Jul 16, 2022
jxliuHi there, not sure if this is the best place to post this but it appears that the modern version of the firmware compile has an issue with my Windows 11 PC where layer 1 keys will not work (after pc boot) until I power cycle the keyboard. I recently updated my firmware to the modern version and it had been behaving like this since then. I have just applied the original firmware version and tested, the issue has gone away.
igasagu
4
Jul 22, 2022
jxliuI can confirm that the Modern Firmware is essentially unusable in its current state. Rebooting the computer renders the keyboard inoperable until you unplug it. Other intermittent missed keystroke issues and LED issues happen as well. Reflashing the original firmware solved all issues. Edit: Using Windows 11 Pro, untested on Windows 10.
(Edited)
Swivel
2
Jul 26, 2022
igasaguThis has been driving me up a wall to the point that I decided to demonstrate the issue with a video. I used the same exact config with each "Firmware Version". On fresh new PC boot, the keyboard becomes completely unusable unless you unplug and plug it back in. Until you unplug the keyboard, it's in an unusable state:
  • All mappings revert to stock
  • First keystroke is captured
  • Subsequent keystrokes are ignored
  • Keyboard remains in an unrecoverable state
This state that the keyboard is in is easily and repeatedly reproducible if you use a USB 3.0 switch like the Sabrent USB-SW30. Clicking the switch puts the keyboard in the unusable state. The first key that is pressed is captured, but it is done so with the standard out of the box keyboard layout. For instance, my Caps Lock key is set to MO(2). But, when my keyboard gets into this state, the key reverts back to a standard Caps Lock key. Pressing it as the first key turns Caps Lock on, and subsequent keypresses with another keyboard will output uppercase characters. Turning Caps Lock on/off with the other keyboard will revert it back to lowercase. The current recommendation would probably be to use the Original QMK Firmware until Drop's fork of the firmware is fixed. Reproduction of the issue: https://youtu.be/tienz1HhNjQ

Note: The video is a little fast-paced.

Note: I have personally reproduced this issue with:
  • macOS
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11
  • Arch Linux (Kernel 5.18.12)
SwivelWe pushed an update yesterday that should resolve the issues. See update here: https://drop.com/talk/9382/how-to-configure-your-ctrl-keyboard/2898139
IterativeCycles
6
Aug 22, 2022
jxliuWith the latest modern firmware (downloaded mid August) on awakening a Windows PC from hibernation, I run into the following issues: - animation state is frozen (e.g. if mode was scrolling rainbow, rainbow colors may show up but without the colors changing) - key inputs do not register Disconnecting and reconnecting the board solves this, but needing to do this on every boot is hardly ideal.
(Edited)
mmhorda
1
Aug 26, 2022
jxliunothing happens when i click compile and download modern firmware, original works.
Synomenon
99
Sep 5, 2022
jxliuIs it still buggy for the SHIFT?
WCD_Thor
0
Dec 16, 2022
jxliuCan anyone help me figure out how to unbrick my Ctrl High Profile so I can re-flash it?
jxliu
1261
Engineer
Dec 17, 2022
WCD_ThorWhat steps did you take? Bricking the keyboard is very rare.
xanderyzwich
0
Jan 5, 2023
jxliuI just realized today that my last firmware flash (on ALT) had messed up the LED configuration. Alternating colors had resulted in upper portion being one color and lower portion being another. I believe that this was generated with "Modern" option. The new one that I compiled today had the same issue. I retried previous firmware that I had saved locally and it did not have the issue. I compiled with "Original" option and the issue was resolved. I am using Windows 10 Good luck on resolving these issues. I thoroughly enjoy my ALT as my first programmable keyboard and your configurator has made it quite easy to customize.
Rebelord
72
Mar 13, 2023
Fusion_ReactorNot sure if you ever got a response for this post but I'm able to download and flash my firmware using the modern version of the software for the Drop Shift after downloading it from the online configurator. It seems to be working fine with the desktop application, and I don't have any USB-C hub issues.
Rebelord
72
Mar 13, 2023
Fusion_ReactorThe current version of modern software seems to be working correctly for me when it comes to saving my last preference for LED profile.
diswonahtrini
4
Mar 26, 2023
bumbibittithanks for the warning.
jlllll
3
Aug 23, 2023
jxliuI have the ALT keyboard. After updating to the "modern" firmware, the "Drop Keyboard Configurator" app can no longer recognize my keyboard. So I cannot even revert back to the "original" firmware. I tried using both Fn+B and using the reset pin under the keyboard case. (and also my left USB port doesn't work anymore as others have mentioned) I am using M1 Mac. Please fix this.
EdenBelmontes
0
Dec 21, 2023
jxliuIve had my drop alt V1 for years decided to update things around, what a headache. Modern did not sit well, errors with keybinds and no leds. No matter what bin file I used and imported leds were no present, switched to original compile and download and worked like a charm, unfortante that its not compatible with modern but I guess ill survive.
jxliuThere is Any(code) in QMK and I found one instruction which says to use DROP configurator and assign Custom(code) with desired code to selected key. But I cannot find it online nor macOS application. Could you guide to assign any code?
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