I am attaching a zip file containing the Windows XP/2000/Me/98/95 USB update tools. I have included a translated copy of the readme. It's fairly straightforward.

Close all other Windows.
Do not let the Computer go to sleep.
Connect the USB cable directly to the motherboard, not through a hub of any kind.
Run Part 1, then Part 2.

Thanks for your help! It seems straight forward. I will have to install the USB driver. I have the serial to host cable but I am not sure it is working OK. No matter what baud rate I use I cannot communicate with an MU100R I have. I tried to transfer patches but wound up sending them through midi port.

Is there anything beside loss of power I need to watch out for? Should I disable the network and virus software before I start the upgrade?

It wouldn't hurt. As a caveat, I haven't performed this procedure personally. Any firmware flashing carries risk, and this one is no different, but it was something that they released for users to do if they didn't want to spend the Y7000 to have a Yamaha Service Centre do it. Just read the README and you should be prepared.

I was fortunate in that my MU2000 had already been updated when I received it.

I have the MU2000 now and upgrade. Now...how do I use this to emulate a VL1?! I have a PLG100-VL and PLG150-VL card installed, but have no idea either how to emulate the VL1 cross fade setup or even if I have both cards playing simultaneously. I am kinda lost. Any help is appreciated. TIA!

Hi bozomask,

Perhaps this thread can help you : MU2000 EX and 2 PLG VL cards = VL1? : https://yamahamusicians.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10664]

BTW, I plan to update a MU2000 to EX too.
Can you share your experience of updating yours in detail please ?

To answer the last question asked in the linked thread, using PLG-100 and PLG-150 boards of the same type together can cause error messages to show up when using PLG-150-exclusive features.

(or so the manuals to several PLG-board-capable synths claim)

wrong thread.

@bozomark. You say you managed to firmware upgrade the MU2000 to MU2000EX. Which driver did you use, and what kind of setup did you use?

I know I may have to build a XP computer, but I'm just wondering how you went about it?

Or does anyone else have to helpful info? I'm currently running a Windows 11 machine.

I did it on my XP machine ages ago, you can also run a virtual machine within Windows 7 (for free) or Win 11 (for paid, no idea about Win 11 though).

You can do it over MIDI or serial connections (MIDI way easier in modern Windows). The files are on the Yamaha JP website or on some fan pages. If you can do it just with USB/MIDI, might be able to do it on Win 11.
https://jp.yamaha.com/support/updates/mu2r1_uw.html

From translation:
"Upgrade the MU2000/MU2000 Extended Edition to MU2000 Extended Editon R1.

THIS IS A PROGRAM FOR UPGRADING BY CONNECTING THE USB TERMINAL OF THE PC AND THE USB TERMINAL OF THE MU2000.

Works in Windows XP/2000/Me/98 environments."

"[Version upgrade by user (free of charge)]
- Please download the version upgrade program.
Connect the MU2000 to the PC with a USB cable.
・ Start the version upgrade program and follow the instructions.
・ The upgrade time is about 15 minutes."

Spikey wrote on 2021-11-13, 09:12:

I did it on my XP machine ages ago, you can also run a virtual machine within Windows 7 (for free) or Win 11 (for paid, no idea about Win 11 though).
...

Thank you for your help.

I've managed to flash it using Windows 11 with no virtual machines. The main problem, is being pointed towards drivers as well.

https://youtu.be/1OT_RO6AbyI

I'm not trying to self promote, just pass on helpful info.