Firmware Version How do you discover which firmware version is installed on the machine? Is it the vxx.xx number that shows up when the service menu/version tab is selected?

Unfortunately, the Bernina Artista 180 has no firmware. The available support is here: https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Support-US/Machines/BERNINA-artista/BERNINA-artista-180 . Other Bernina sewing machines have firmware available on their respective support sites.

On other brands of embroidery sewing machines, the embroidery modules from different machines are not compatible with other generation embroidery machines. This may be true with the Bernina machines, as well, since the brand names are often made by the same company.

I wish that I had better news for you.

Cindy Wells
(I helped a neighbor who had two Viking embroidery machines fix the non-working embroidery unit by realizing she'd switched the modules. Then I labeled them modules to ensure that they stayed with their respective machines.)

Unfortunately, you are missing some software. You need the original PE-Design software CD. Then you can install the Upgrade software from https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_inov4000deus for your OS version. Until this software is installed, the computer will not find the driver for the sewing machine. The driver is not available from Windows Update.

The USB drive may have new firmware that wasn't properly installed. To load firmware, insert the USB drive when the sewing machine is off. Then press and hold the Automatic Threading button while you turn on the sewing machine. Follow the directions on the screen (see the manual on page 224: https://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000013/nv4000ug04en.pdf ) . Turn off the sewing machine and then remove the USB drive before sewing.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

The machine and module version number must match or the machine will not detect that a module is attached. So the question is how can you find out what firmware version number your machine and module is.
Since it is easier to show people how to do this, I have a video posted on YouTube.com that instructs you on how to see what version your machine and module is. To do this you must have the module attached and plugged into your 180.
Go to www.youtube.com and type this in the search box at the top of the page "Bernina check hours 165, 170, 180, 185"
I know the title says check hours, but the video shows you how to put your machine on the service mode so you can see how many hours are on the machine. I also then show how to check the firmware version number. It's the first part of the version number before the "." that must be the same. Like if your machine is v4.01 and the module is 4.04, they are both version 4 so they will be able to communicate with each other. If your machine is v4.04 and the module is v3.01 then you have a version 4 machine and a version 3 module and the machine will not detect that a module is attached.
The problem can be corrected at a Bernina dealer that will be willing to help you out. It only takes a simple connection to a computer, the correct dealer software and a dealer can match the firmware versions for you. Hopefully you can find one that is willing to help.

A 200e that locks up usually need a memory and a firmware upgrade. The original 200's only have 32mb of internal memory. The upgraded mini print board that is used in the 730 has 64mb of memory. This 64mb board was used in the 200 as a upgrade and this stopped the lock up problem. Also over the years Bernina has improved the firmware and this also cures the lock up problem. The latest and probably last firmware version for the 200e is version 5, also called the cutwork version. The easiest thing for you to do would be to take your 200 to a dealer and have them install a 64mb mini print board and also upgrade your machines firmware to the latest version 5. Also if you have loaded embroidery designs in your machine, remove them as they use up the machines memory. When you get too many designs loaded even if you have a 64 MB board in your machine you can still have lockup problems.

Did it ever work ? Have you had the firmware updated in the machine - if-so, the V4.04 firmware will not communicate with a V3 embroidery unit and you'll have to get them updated to the same version. Failing that, I'm afraid one of them has a fault on the serial interface. Note also that a 165 sewing machine will not work with a 180/185 embroidery unit because the earlier unit has a 2MB memory internally, whereas the later unit has a plug-in 4MB memory.

Is the firmware at the same version in the sewing machine and in the embroidery module ... if not, it wont work. Have the two worked together before, or have you just obtained the EMB separately from the machine ?

If this is when trying to link an embroidery unit through your sewing machine, it's probably because the firmware in the machine is a different version to the one in the EMB - you will need to get one of them upgraded/downgraded to ensure they are at the same version number.

You will need to update the software in the machine, to a min of version 3.08 this can be done at BERNINA dealer (usually free of charge) once this is complete you designer will fully be compatible. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR MACHINE IN TO BE UPDATE DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE THE EMBROIDERY UNIT IN AS WELL AS IT CONTAINS ITS OWN SOFTWARE

If you have sent troubleshooting report to futura-support and their reply didn't help, ask for remote session with support center. Otherwise launch troubleshooting utility and send its report to support. It is difficult to determine a root of the problem without info about machine model, software version, firmware version, pc configuration etc.

Hi , I try to help you.
On the machine (see your instruction manual too) Looking for your button named set-up (push it) , push the option service and will see the version of your firmaware.I hope be good.