I have successfully downloaded the wrong firmware onto the controller.

After connecting the controller to the joystick, I had proceeded to go on to download the firmware.
I had downloaded the first firmware (the second firmware on the list I believe), but then accidentally downloaded the second firmware onto the controller as well (the joystick/third firmware on the list). After that, the lights on the controller went out, and would not respond to the joystick or the computer. BTW: this is on an 8.2 from the battery reading.

Any way to fix this problem or hard wiping the controller without sending it back? We would like to restore the controller and joystick to default/factory settings, however do not know how.

If for some reason when you're downloading the Master CPU Firmware to the Cortex, the download fails and you're unable to re-start the process in ROBOTC, you can try the following steps:

- Start with the Cortex turned OFF (but with a battery connected).
- Push and hold Config button in on the Cortex.
- Attach the USB cable between the PC and Cortex.
- Wait for the Robot, VEXnet and Game lights to blink green.
- Release Config button.
- Turn the Cortex ON.
- Then in ROBOTC, click "Robot", "Download Firmware", "Master CPU Firmware", "Standard File".

If you want to make sure you're following the "approved" method of downloading firmware, you can find guides on this page: http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/fire/competitions/vex-robotics-competition/#gettingstarted

If you still have no luck, you can also try the Firmware download utility from IFI: http://content.vexrobotics.com/docs/VEXnetUpgradeV1.1.7User.zip

Thank you so much! I was able to reconfigure the brain and reinstall the firmware only by using the reconfigure button.