diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/9mhvserial_bf.c b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/9mhvserial_bf.c
index ee7b51e05..4e4ee0ac6 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/9mhvserial_bf.c
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/9mhvserial_bf.c
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 #define PORTNAME 				"/dev/ttyBF1"
 #define GOODBYE 				200
-#define BUFFERSIZE 				255
+#define BUFFERSIZE 				16
 #define I2C_DEVICE_FILE			"/dev/i2c-0"
 #define I2C_DEVICE_ADDRESS		0x4C
 //#define I2C_DEVICE_ADDRESS	0x48
@@ -119,13 +119,12 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 	int ret = 0;
 	int n = 0;
 	int ival= 0;
-	char buffer[BUFFERSIZE]="";
+	char buffer[BUFFERSIZE];
+	buffer[BUFFERSIZE-2] = '\0';
+	buffer[BUFFERSIZE-1] = '\n';
 	cprintf(GREEN,"Ready...\n");
 
 	while(ret != GOODBYE){
-		memset(buffer, 0, BUFFERSIZE);
-		buffer[BUFFERSIZE-1]='\n';
-
 		n = read(fd,buffer,BUFFERSIZE);
 #ifdef VERBOSE
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Received %d Bytes\n", n);
@@ -140,9 +139,9 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 			}
 
 			if(i2c_write(ival)<0)
-				strcpy(buffer,"failed");
+				strcpy(buffer,"fail ");
 			else
-				strcpy(buffer,"successful");
+				strcpy(buffer,"success ");
 			cprintf(GREEN,"%s\n",buffer);
 			n = write(fd, buffer, BUFFERSIZE);
 #ifdef VERBOSE
@@ -154,9 +153,9 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 			ival = i2c_read();
 			//ok/ fail
 			if(ival < 0)
-				strcpy(buffer,"failed");
+				strcpy(buffer,"fail ");
 			else
-				strcpy(buffer,"successful");
+				strcpy(buffer,"success ");
 			n = write(fd, buffer, BUFFERSIZE);
 #ifdef VERBOSE
 			cprintf(BLUE,"Sent %d Bytes\n", n);
@@ -164,7 +163,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 			//value
 			if(ival >= 0){
 				cprintf(GREEN,"%d\n",ival);
-				sprintf(buffer,"%d\n",ival);
+				sprintf(buffer,"%d ",ival);
 				n = write(fd, buffer, BUFFERSIZE);
 #ifdef VERBOSE
 				cprintf(BLUE,"Sent %d Bytes\n", n);
@@ -177,7 +176,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 			ret = GOODBYE;
 			break;
 		default:
-			printf("Unknown Command\n");
+			printf("Unknown Command. buffer:%s\n",buffer);
 			break;
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.c b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.c
index 1cc31b39b..ead19d2b7 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.c
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.c
@@ -219,18 +219,14 @@ int Feb_Control_Init(int master, int top, int normal, int module_num){
 	if(Feb_Control_activated)
 		Feb_Interface_SetByteOrder();
 
-	//master of 9M, set up high voltage serial communication to blackfin
-	if(Feb_control_master && !Feb_control_normal){
-		if(!Feb_Control_SetupSerialCommunication())
-			return 0;
-	}
-
 	return 1;
 }
 
 
-int Feb_Control_SetupSerialCommunication(){
-
+int Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication(){
+	cprintf(BG_BLUE,"opening serial communication of hv\n");
+	if(Feb_Control_hv_fd != -1)
+		close(Feb_Control_hv_fd);
 	Feb_Control_hv_fd = open(SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_PORT, O_RDWR | O_NOCTTY);
 	if(Feb_Control_hv_fd < 0){
 		cprintf(RED,"Warning: Unable to open port %s to set up high voltage serial communciation to the blackfin\n", SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_PORT);
@@ -258,6 +254,11 @@ int Feb_Control_SetupSerialCommunication(){
 	return 1;
 }
 
+void Feb_Control_CloseSerialCommunication(){
+	if(Feb_Control_hv_fd != -1)
+		close(Feb_Control_hv_fd);
+}
+
 
 void Feb_Control_PrintModuleList(){
 	unsigned int i;
@@ -376,7 +377,8 @@ int Feb_Control_CheckSetup(int master){
 			ok=0;
 		}
 	}
-	if((Feb_control_master) &&(Module_GetHighVoltage(&modules[i])<0)){
+	int value = 0;
+	if((Feb_control_master) && (!Feb_Control_GetHighVoltage(&value))){
 		cprintf(RED,"Warning: module %d's high voltage not set.\n",Module_GetModuleNumber(&modules[i]));
 		ok=0;
 	}
@@ -525,7 +527,7 @@ float Feb_Control_DACToVoltage(unsigned int digital,unsigned int nsteps,float vm
 
 //only master gets to call this function
 int Feb_Control_SetHighVoltage(int value){
-	printf(" Setting High Voltage: %dV\t",value);
+	printf(" Setting High Voltage:\t");
 	/*
 	 * maximum voltage of the hv dc/dc converter:
 	 * 300 for single module power distribution board
@@ -544,9 +546,9 @@ int Feb_Control_SetHighVoltage(int value){
 	//calculate dac value
 	if(!Feb_Control_VoltageToDAC(value,&dacval,nsteps,vmin,vlimit)){
 		cprintf(RED,"\nWarning: SetHighVoltage bad value, %d.  The range is 0 to %d V.\n",value, (int)vlimit);
-		return 0;
+		return -1;
 	}
-	printf("(%d dac): ",dacval);
+	printf("(%d dac):\t%dV\n", dacval, value);
 
 	return Feb_Control_SendHighVoltage(dacval);
 }
@@ -596,30 +598,34 @@ int Feb_Control_SendHighVoltage(int dacvalue){
 
 	//9m
 	else{
+		/*Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication();*/
 		if (Feb_Control_hv_fd == -1){
 			cprintf(RED,"\nWarning: High voltage serial communication not set up for 9m\n");
 			return 0;
 		}
 
-		char buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE]="";
+		char buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE];
+		buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE-2]='\0';
 		buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE-1]='\n';
 		int n = 0;
-		sprintf(buffer,"p%d",dacvalue);
+		sprintf(buffer,"p%d ",dacvalue);
 		n = write(Feb_Control_hv_fd, buffer, SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE);
-#ifdef VERBOSE
+#ifdef VERBOSEI
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Sent %d Bytes\n", n);
 #endif
-
 		//ok/fail
 		n = read(Feb_Control_hv_fd, buffer, SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE);
-	#ifdef VERBOSE
+#ifdef VERBOSEI
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Received %d Bytes\n", n);
-	#endif
-		if(buffer[0] == 'f'){
+#endif
+		fflush(stdout);
+		/*Feb_Control_CloseSerialCommunication();*/
+		if(buffer[0] != 's'){
 			cprintf(RED,"\nError: Failed to set high voltage\n");
 			return 0;
 		}
 		cprintf(GREEN,"%s\n",buffer);
+
 	}
 
 	return 1;
@@ -667,34 +673,38 @@ int Feb_Control_ReceiveHighVoltage(unsigned int* value){
 
 	//9m
 	else{
+		/*Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication();*/
+
 		if (Feb_Control_hv_fd == -1){
 			cprintf(RED,"\nWarning: High voltage serial communication not set up for 9m\n");
 			return 0;
 		}
-		char buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE]="";
+		char buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE];
+		buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE-2]='\0';
 		buffer[SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE-1]='\n';
 		int n = 0;
 		//request
-		strcpy(buffer,"g");
+		strcpy(buffer,"g ");
 		n = write(Feb_Control_hv_fd, buffer, SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE);
-#ifdef VERBOSE
+#ifdef VERBOSEI
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Sent %d Bytes\n", n);
 #endif
 
 		//ok/fail
 		n = read(Feb_Control_hv_fd, buffer, SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE);
-#ifdef VERBOSE
+#ifdef VERBOSEI
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Received %d Bytes\n", n);
 #endif
-		if(buffer[0] == 'f'){
+		if(buffer[0] != 's'){
 			cprintf(RED,"\nWarning: failed to read high voltage\n");
 			return 0;
 		}
 
 		n = read(Feb_Control_hv_fd, buffer, SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE);
-#ifdef VERBOSE
+#ifdef VERBOSEI
 		cprintf(BLUE,"Received %d Bytes\n", n);
 #endif
+		/*Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication();*/
 		if (!sscanf(buffer,"%d",value)){
 			cprintf(RED,"\nWarning: failed to scan high voltage read\n");
 			return 0;
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.h b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.h
index 2d7abf369..fb75c8a67 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.h
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/FebControl.h
@@ -112,7 +112,8 @@ int Feb_Control_GetModuleNumber();
 
   void Feb_Control_FebControl();
   int Feb_Control_Init(int master, int top, int normal, int module_num);
-  int Feb_Control_SetupSerialCommunication();
+  int Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication();
+  void Feb_Control_CloseSerialCommunication();
   int Feb_Control_CheckSetup();
 
   unsigned int Feb_Control_GetNModules();
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
index c615356b9..3a9cc6c59 100755
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 CC			=	powerpc-4xx-softfloat-gcc
 CCX			=	powerpc-4xx-softfloat-g++
 BLACKFIN_CC = 	bfin-uclinux-gcc
-CFLAGS		+=  -Wall -DDACS_INT  -DEIGERD  -DSLS_DETECTOR_FUNCTION_LIST  -DDACS_INT -DSTOP_SERVER  #-DVERBOSE #-DVIRTUAL -DPCCOMPILE -DMARTIN
+CFLAGS		+=  -Wall -DDACS_INT  -DEIGERD  -DSLS_DETECTOR_FUNCTION_LIST  -DDACS_INT -DSTOP_SERVER #-DVERBOSEI #-DVERBOSE #-DVIRTUAL -DPCCOMPILE -DMARTIN
 LDLIBS		+= 	-lm  -lstdc++ 
 
 PROGS		= 	eigerDetectorServer 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ beb_debug:$(SRC_CLNT3)
 	mv beb_debug $(DESTDIR)	
 	
 hv9m_blackfin_server:9mhvserial_bf.c
-	$(BLACKFIN_CC) -o hv9m_blackfin_server 9mhvserial_bf.c -Wall
+	$(BLACKFIN_CC) -o hv9m_blackfin_server 9mhvserial_bf.c -Wall #-DVERBOSE
 	mv hv9m_blackfin_server $(DESTDIR)	
 	rm hv9m_blackfin_server.gdb
 
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/eigerDetectorServerv2.2.0.16.5 b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/eigerDetectorServerv2.2.0.16.5
index fa4b08d21..9fdf4f404 100755
Binary files a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/eigerDetectorServerv2.2.0.16.5 and b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/eigerDetectorServerv2.2.0.16.5 differ
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/hv9m_blackfin_server b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/hv9m_blackfin_server
index 96d5acb7b..a23826d2f 100755
Binary files a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/hv9m_blackfin_server and b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/bin/hv9m_blackfin_server differ
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorFunctionList.c b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorFunctionList.c
index cb541697b..b675703c6 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorFunctionList.c
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorFunctionList.c
@@ -144,6 +144,11 @@ int initDetector(){
 	Feb_Interface_FebInterface();
 	Feb_Control_FebControl();
 	Feb_Control_Init(master,top,normal, getDetectorNumber());
+	//master of 9M, check high voltage serial communication to blackfin
+	if(master && !normal){
+		if(Feb_Control_OpenSerialCommunication())
+		;//	Feb_Control_CloseSerialCommunication();
+	}
 	printf("FEB Initialization done\n");
 	Beb_Beb();
 	printf("BEB Initialization done\n");
@@ -162,7 +167,6 @@ int initDetector(){
 	eiger_photonenergy = -1;
 	setReadOutFlags(NONPARALLEL);
 	setSpeed(0,1);//clk_devider,half speed
-	setHighVoltage(0,0);
 	setIODelay(650,0);
 	setTiming(AUTO_TIMING);
 	//SetPhotonEnergyCalibrationParameters(-5.8381e-5,1.838515,5.09948e-7,-4.32390e-11,1.32527e-15);
@@ -170,6 +174,7 @@ int initDetector(){
 	int enable[2] = {0,1};
 	setExternalGating(enable);//disable external gating
 	Feb_Control_SetInTestModeVariable(0);
+	setHighVoltage(0,0);
 	Feb_Control_CheckSetup();
 
 	//print detector mac and ip
@@ -436,13 +441,18 @@ void setDAC(enum detDacIndex ind, int val, int imod, int mV, int retval[]){
 int setHighVoltage(int val, int imod){
 	if(val!=-1){
 		eiger_highvoltage = val;
-		if(master)
-			Feb_Control_SetHighVoltage(val);
+		if(master){
+			int ret = Feb_Control_SetHighVoltage(val);
+			if(!ret)			//could not set
+				return -2;
+			else if (ret == -1) //outside range
+				return -1;
+		}
 	}
 
 	if(master && !Feb_Control_GetHighVoltage(&eiger_highvoltage)){
 		cprintf(RED,"Warning: Could not read high voltage\n");
-		return 0;
+		return -3;
 	}
 	return eiger_highvoltage;
 }
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_defs.h b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_defs.h
index 650ad9890..9ddfea71b 100644
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_defs.h
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/eigerDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_defs.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ enum detNetworkParameter{TXN_LEFT, TXN_RIGHT, TXN_FRAME,FLOWCTRL_10G};
 #define NORMAL_HIGHVOLTAGE_INPUTPORT "/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon5/device/in0_input"
 #define NORMAL_HIGHVOLTAGE_OUTPUTPORT "/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon5/device/out0_output"
 #define SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_PORT "/dev/ttyS1"
-#define SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE 8
+#define SPECIAL9M_HIGHVOLTAGE_BUFFERSIZE 16
 
 
 
diff --git a/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_funcs.c b/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_funcs.c
index ea9b12256..b41c65a73 100755
--- a/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_funcs.c
+++ b/slsDetectorSoftware/slsDetectorServer/slsDetectorServer_funcs.c
@@ -1259,16 +1259,30 @@ int set_dac(int file_des) {
 #endif
 
 	//takes time to set high voltage, so no check for it
-	if(ret == OK && ind != HV_POT && ind != HV_NEW){
-		if(mV)
-			temp = retval[1];
-		else
-			temp = retval[0];
-		if ((abs(temp-val)<=5) || val==-1) {
-			ret=OK;
-		} else {
-			ret=FAIL;
-			printf("Setting dac %d of module %d: wrote %d but read %d\n", idac, imod, val, temp);
+	if(ret == OK){
+		if(ind != HV_POT && ind != HV_NEW){
+
+			if(mV)
+				temp = retval[1];
+			else
+				temp = retval[0];
+			if ((abs(temp-val)<=5) || val==-1) {
+				ret=OK;
+			} else {
+				ret=FAIL;
+				printf("Setting dac %d of module %d: wrote %d but read %d\n", idac, imod, val, temp);
+			}
+		}else {
+			if(retval[0] < 0){
+				if(retval[0] == -1)
+					sprintf(mess, "Setting high voltage failed.Bad value %d. The range is from 0 to 200 V.\n",val);
+				else if(retval[0] == -2)
+					strcpy(mess, "Setting high voltage failed. Serial/i2c communication failed.\n");
+				else if(retval[0] == -3)
+					strcpy(mess, "Getting high voltage failed. Serial/i2c communication failed.\n");
+				ret = FAIL;
+			}
+
 		}
 	}