Help with flashing X8R firmware update

[48thFleet]

After purchasing a X12S, used but barely used, receiving it and finding that it would not bind to any of my new, out of the box X8R receivers, I sent the x-mitter to Aloft. They updated the firmware, confirming that the correct version was installed and returned it. They recommended updating my X8R's to match the firmware.
So I have downloaded the "latest" firmware for the X8R from FrSky. It is a file that I can not open, but I transferred it to my SD card and transferred it to the X-mitter. I made up and hooked the lead from the x-mitter to the Sport of the X8R. First off, when I try to install it onto a X8R, there is no menu option to flash the file to an external device. So I tried Flash. It appeared to try to install onto the receiver, the LED alternated red and green, but half way thru the install, I receive a TIP, the install failed. Tried it twice, same result.
Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong, please. I am already stretching my computer skills, but each video I watch seems different and none seem to address issues.
Thanks
Jonathan

 

[48thFleet]

An update: After numerous back and forths with Chris @ Aloft (hats off and many thanks to his patience and perseverance) I was able to determine that the receiver I was using was faulty, in that it would not update and hence would not bind. CAVEAT This same receiver works fine with my other radios, Taranis X9E's. The world wonders.....

 

[48thFleet]

I neglected to add that my Taranis is running OTX while my Horus is running FrOS.

 

[Konrad]

Chris and the crew at Aloft are the reasons to patronize Aloft Hobbies.

Good luck getting that kind of service from say Horus USA/FrSky or whatever their USA retail outlet is. In the states nobody comes close the having the resources and abilities dealing with the retail customer issues using FrSky equipment! Folks need to think of this when they calculate what they are getting for their dollar. This is critical to the customer experience particularly when it comes to technical hardware.

On the X8R does the "receiver works fine" include takes firmware updates from the X9E?

 

[48thFleet]

Konrad,
I'm in full agreement. As for the receiver, I can not answer your question because I have not updated my x(E's. The reason being that I am a scale boater and any of the reported issues are not critical to me. Sometimes leaving well enough alone is a good thing..

 

[Konrad]

I fully understand not wanting to mess with Firmware! I'm still running OpenTX 2.2.4 on my X9Ds and X9E, solid as a rock and it does all I need or want! But I do upgrade RF protocols as this is a safety issue.