GE Healthcare MAC 5

Asset Type

Electrocardiograph (EKG) Machine

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare

Model

MAC 5

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot Digital Signature Validation Failed on a GE Healthcare MAC 5 when a software upgrade image on a USB flash drive or shared network folder is not digitally signed, corrupted, incomplete, incorrect, or not trusted by the device.

This condition can prevent the software upgrade from continuing and may keep the ECG machine unavailable for clinical use until the upgrade source and software package are verified.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Remove the MAC 5 from patient use before attempting software upgrade troubleshooting.
• Do not attempt software upgrades while the device is needed for active ECG acquisition.
• Use another verified ECG machine if patient testing is needed.
• Expected outcome: Patient testing is moved to another ECG machine if needed.
• Why it matters: A failed or interrupted upgrade can make the ECG unavailable for clinical use.

Verify the Reported Error and Behavior

• Confirm the exact message shown is: Digital Signature Validation Failed.
• Identify whether the error appears during USB software upgrade, shared network folder software upgrade, after selecting the software image, or during validation before installation.
• Confirm whether the upgrade stops before installation begins.
• Expected outcome: The error is reproducible when the same software image is selected.
• Why it matters: This confirms a software image validation issue rather than a general power, USB, or network problem.

Confirm the Upgrade Source

• Determine whether the upgrade is being attempted from a USB flash drive or a network shared folder.
• Verify that the user did not move, rename, unzip, modify, or copy only part of the upgrade package.
• Confirm the full upgrade package is present in the intended location.
• Expected outcome: The full upgrade package is present and has not been altered.
• Why it matters: Digital signature validation can fail if the package is incomplete or modified.

Check the USB Flash Drive if Using USB Upgrade

• Remove the USB flash drive and inspect it for obvious damage.
• Confirm the software image is stored in the correct location, preferably the root directory if required by the upgrade process.
• Verify the file name and file size appear normal compared with the approved software package source.
• Try a different approved USB flash drive if available.
• Expected outcome: The MAC 5 can access the USB flash drive and locate the software image.
• Why it matters: USB media problems or incomplete file transfers can corrupt the software image.

Check the Shared Folder if Using Network Upgrade

• Confirm the MAC 5 is connected to the network.
• Verify the shared folder path is configured correctly.
• Confirm the software image is present in the shared folder and accessible.
• Check that the device has permission to read the software image file.
• Expected outcome: The MAC 5 can access the shared folder and locate the software image.
• Why it matters: A network path issue can interrupt access to the file and make the image appear invalid or incomplete.

Confirm the Software Image Is Digitally Signed

• Verify the software image came from an approved GE Healthcare source or approved internal software repository.
• Do not use software files copied from unknown locations, email attachments, old USB flash drives, or unofficial archives.
• If the file was downloaded, confirm the download completed successfully.
• Expected outcome: The software image is a valid digitally signed package intended for the MAC 5.
• Why it matters: The MAC 5 rejects unsigned or corrupted software images to protect system integrity.

Replace the Software Image

• Delete the questionable software image from the USB flash drive or shared folder.
• Copy a fresh known-good digitally signed software image from the approved source.
• Use a clean transfer process and avoid renaming or modifying the file.
• Retry the upgrade.
• Expected outcome: The MAC 5 validates the software image and proceeds with the upgrade workflow.
• Stop if resolved: If the validation error clears and the upgrade proceeds normally, continue the upgrade per facility process and return the device to service after successful functional checks.

Try the Alternate Upgrade Method

• If the error occurred using USB, attempt the upgrade using the approved shared network folder if available.
• If the error occurred using the shared folder, copy the valid software image to a known-good USB flash drive and retry.
• Expected outcome: A valid image works from at least one approved upgrade source.
• Why it matters: This helps separate source media or network access issues from the actual software image.

Perform Post-Upgrade Functional Checks if Successful

• After a successful upgrade, confirm the MAC 5 boots normally.
• Verify basic ECG operation, touchscreen response, printer function if applicable, date and time, network status, and software version.
• Expected outcome: The MAC 5 operates normally with the expected software version installed.

If the Problem Persists

If the Digital Signature Validation Failed error continues after using a fresh, approved, digitally signed software image and known-good USB or network source, external and common causes have been ruled out.

Remove the MAC 5 from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for bench evaluation or vendor-supported repair.

Persistent validation failure may indicate an issue with the upgrade package source, storage access, operating system state, or internal software handling.

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot software upgrade errors on a device being used for an active patient. Move the patient to a backup ECG machine first, keep another ECG machine available, and maintain therapy or diagnostic continuity until the MAC 5 has completed the upgrade and passed functional checks.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"GE Healthcare MAC 5 displayed Digital Signature Validation Failed during software upgrade attempt from USB flash drive or shared folder. Upgrade would not proceed."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Software image on upgrade source was not accepted by the MAC 5 digital signature validation process. Possible unsigned, corrupted, incomplete, or incorrect software image."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed device from patient use. Verified upgrade source, checked USB/shared folder access, replaced software image with approved digitally signed package, and retried upgrade. If error persisted, device was labeled Out of Service and sent for bench evaluation."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Exact error displayed
• Alarm behavior or whether the message appears immediately after selecting the software image
• Accessories swapped, including USB flash drive tested or replaced
• Power behavior during the upgrade attempt
• Environmental factors, including network shared folder availability
• Indicator lights or USB detection behavior
• Upgrade source used: USB flash drive or shared folder
• Whether the error occurred before or during installation
• Shared folder path verified
• Network connection status
• Whether a fresh approved software image was used
• Software image file name and version if known
• Whether the file was renamed, moved, or downloaded
• Final upgrade result
• Final device status

Final Thought

Software signature errors should be treated as system protection events, not bypassed. Start with the upgrade source, confirm the package is valid, rule out USB or network access issues, and escalate when a known-good signed image still fails.

That is successful troubleshooting.