Check status in BOOT.TXT

If you navigate to the VTAP reader in the computer's file system. It will appear as an attached mass storage device and list the files contained, including the BOOT.TXT file.

Inspecting BOOT.TXT will give you essential information about your VTAP reader set up, at time of last reboot, which might be helpful when troubleshooting.

Boot.txt file status information

You are most likely to need:

  • 'Serial number' (or 'ATCA' on VTAP100 v4a or earlier) - the hardware serial number for your VTAP reader.

  • 'VTAP label' (if set) - the assigned serial number for your VTAP reader, which matches that on its label. This will not show if not set.

  • 'Firmware' - the VTAP reader firmware version in use. You will find the latest firmware versions at https://www.vtapnfc.com/download/

  • 'Hardware' - the VTAP reader hardware version in use.

  • 'API level' - indicates which serial or OSDP API commands are supported.

  • 'KeySlots used:' - Indicates the ECC private keys loaded on the VTAP to access VAS or Smart Tap passes. Helps you check whether you have uploaded the necessary ECC private keys, which can be unclear as the files are deleted when they are uploaded. These two examples show how to read this information:

    • 'KeySlots used:------' shows that no keys have been uploaded.

    • 'KeySlots used: 12--56' shows that key files 1 and 2 have been successfully uploaded, in addition to the defaults 5 and 6.

  • 'AppKeys used:' Indicates the application keys (if any) uploaded to the VTAP for any other applications, such as keys loaded to use with DESFire applications.

  • 'VCP enabled', if included - indicates that the virtual COM port has been enabled.

  • 'Status' - should be 0 if operating normally, anything else indicates an error state.

  • 'Expansion:' shows the name of the expansion board (if any) connected to the VTAP, for example: 'VTAP100W' for a Wiegand expansion board.

  • 'Boot time' - The time at boot, which defaults to 1970/00/00 00:00:00 if power is removed to reboot.

If the configuration has been locked the BOOT.TXT file will end with the words LOCKED S/W or LOCKED H/W.