GE Healthcare MAC 5

Asset Type

Electrocardiograph (EKG) Machine

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare

Model

MAC 5

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot a GE Healthcare MAC 5 USB software upgrade failure when the device displays Error: Image Is Not Found in the USB Path. This condition means the required software image is not present on the inserted USB flash drive, is not in the expected location, or cannot be read by the device during the USB upgrade process.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Confirm the MAC 5 is not being used for an active patient ECG.
• If the device is needed clinically, have staff use another ECG machine before continuing with software upgrade troubleshooting.
• Do not perform software upgrade work while patient testing depends on the device.

Verify the Reported Error and Behavior

• Confirm the device displays: Error: Image Is Not Found in the USB Path.
• Ask or observe when the message appears.
• Check whether it occurs immediately after selecting USB software upgrade or after the device scans the inserted USB flash drive.
• This confirms the device is detecting the upgrade attempt but cannot locate the expected software image file.

Confirm the USB Drive Is Inserted and Detected

• Remove and reinsert the USB flash drive securely.
• If the MAC 5 has more than one USB port, try the approved service-accessible USB port if applicable.
• Confirm the device recognizes the USB drive and continues to the software image search step.
• A loose connection or unreadable USB drive can appear similar to a missing file condition.

Check the USB Drive Contents on a Computer

• Insert the USB flash drive into a known-working computer.
• Verify the software image is actually present on the USB drive.
• Confirm the file was not left in a downloads folder, compressed archive, subfolder, or copied incompletely.
• The correct MAC 5 software image should be visible on the USB drive before retrying the upgrade.

Verify the Software Image Is in the Correct USB Location

• Confirm the software image is placed in the required USB path, typically the root directory unless the upgrade instructions specify otherwise.
• Do not place the image inside extra folders unless directed by the upgrade package instructions.
• Do not rename files unless the official upgrade instructions require it.
• The MAC 5 must be able to locate the image when the USB upgrade is attempted again.

Confirm the Correct Software Version and Package

• Verify the USB contains the correct version of the digitally signed software image for the GE Healthcare MAC 5.
• Make sure the file is not for a different GE ECG model, different platform, or incompatible software release.
• The device may fail to locate or reject files that do not match the expected upgrade package structure.

Confirm the Digital Signature File Is Present if Required

• Check that the digitally signed software image and any required associated signature files are both present.
• Keep the software image and required signature components intact.
• Software upgrade packages may depend on exact filenames, file locations, and signature validation.

Check for File Copy or Download Problems

• Recopy the software image to the USB drive from the approved source.
• If the file was downloaded, confirm the download completed successfully and was not interrupted.
• Use a fresh copy of the upgrade package if there is any doubt.
• The USB should contain a complete, readable software image before another upgrade attempt.

Try a Known-Good USB Flash Drive

• Copy the correct digitally signed software image to another known-good USB flash drive.
• Use a standard USB flash drive that is clean, functional, and compatible with medical device software transfer workflows.
• A USB drive may be readable on a computer but still unreliable or incompatible with the device.

Check USB Formatting and Access

• If the MAC 5 does not reliably read the USB drive, check the drive format and recreate the USB using the required file system format from the approved upgrade instructions.
• Avoid password-protected, encrypted, partitioned, or security-managed USB drives.
• The device must be able to read the USB path and locate the image file.

Repeat the USB Software Upgrade Attempt

• Safely eject the USB drive from the computer.
• Insert it into the MAC 5.
• Retry the software upgrade process.
• Expected result: the error no longer appears, and the device proceeds to the next upgrade step.

Stop When Resolved

• If the MAC 5 locates the image and proceeds with the software upgrade, continue only according to approved facility and manufacturer software update procedures.
• After upgrade completion, verify normal startup, ECG acquisition readiness, printing if applicable, and network configuration if affected.
• Return the device to service only after the MAC 5 passes functional checks.

If the Problem Persists

If the correct digitally signed MAC 5 software image is confirmed to be present in the correct USB path, the USB drive is known good, the file location is correct, and the error still returns, external and common causes have been ruled out.

At that point, the issue may involve USB port failure, storage access problems, software upgrade process failure, or another device-side fault.

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

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot software upgrade errors on an active patient or while the device is needed for patient ECG acquisition. Move the patient or testing workflow to a backup ECG machine first, maintain therapy and diagnostic continuity, and only return the MAC 5 to service after the update issue is resolved and functional verification is complete.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"GE Healthcare MAC 5 displayed Error: Image Is Not Found in the USB Path during USB software upgrade. Device could not locate the required software image on the inserted USB flash drive."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Software image was not present in the required USB path, incorrect package was loaded, USB media was unreadable, or device-side USB/software access issue remained after external checks."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Verified USB detection, checked USB contents, confirmed correct digitally signed MAC 5 software image and file location, recopied upgrade files to known-good USB drive, and retried upgrade. If unresolved, device was removed from service and sent for bench evaluation."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Exact alarm behavior or displayed message, including whether Error: Image Is Not Found in the USB Path appeared immediately or after USB scanning.
• Accessories swapped, including USB flash drive, USB port used, and whether another known-good USB drive was tried.
• Power behavior during the upgrade attempt, including AC power status, restart behavior, or any interruption during software loading.
• Environmental factors, including whether the USB drive was password-protected, encrypted, partitioned, security-managed, or created from a shared workstation.
• Indicator lights, USB detection behavior, computer detection results, and whether the image was in the root directory or another path.
• Final device status, including final upgrade result, whether the MAC 5 passed functional checks, or whether it was removed from service.

Final Thought

Software upgrade errors should be handled carefully because the device depends on a valid, complete, and correctly placed signed image. Start with the USB drive, file location, and software package before assuming device failure. If the correct image is confirmed and the error persists, escalation is appropriate. Clear CCR documentation protects the device history and supports safe return to service.

That is successful troubleshooting.