This is a 32-bit port of mfg_load, a program used to upgrade (flash) the firmware on a DECtalk Express external speech synthesizer. The original program was 16-bit, and meant to be run in DOS or Windows 3.1/95, however this port makes the program compatible with newer 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows.
The goal of this port was to keep the functionality of the program as close to the original as possible, however a few small changes was made, such as making it support 255 COM ports, in stead of only COM1, 2, 3 and 4.

How to use:
1) Make sure that the DECtalk Express is turned on and connected to the computer, and that no application is currently using it's COM port.
2) Place the files mon.hex, fastload.hxo and out.flr containing your desired firmware version in a folder together with load.bat and mfg_load.exe from this package.
3) Run load.bat. You will now be prompted to specify which COM port the DECtalk Express is connected to; default is 1. Type the number of the port and press enter.
4) You will now be prompted to select if you would like a slow (9600 baud) or fast (57600 baud) transfer of the firmware; default is fast. Virtually all modern systems support a 57600 baud transfer, this is only kept in to preserve the functionality from the original program. Type f for fast and s for slow, followed by enter.
5) The upgrading process will now start, and should take about 5-8 minutes at 57600 baud, and 10-15 minutes at 9600 baud. You can watch the progress in the opened console window.
6) When the process is complete, you'll hear a short beep. Then recycle power to the DECtalk Express by turning it off, waiting a few seconds, and then turning it back on.
7) You're all set, press any key to close the window. If you would like to check the firmware version on the DECtalk Express, send the following line:
[:version speak].

Enjoy!