Boss VF-1 Effect Processor

I'm trying up update the firmware of my VF-1 - my intent is to be able to use the editor from the files section here.

My VF-1 is on version 1.00 - I tried up flash it to 1.13 (and 1.12) but during the process at various points, on the VF-1 panel it says MIDI Format Err! and Flash Chksum Err.

I've tried the smf player from the files section here and I've tried to do it from Reaper with the same results.

The MIDI ports I'm using are on my Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 (Firewire).

Once the attempted update completes, when I fire up the VF-1 it lights up green but is otherwise blank.

If I power on holding down the left parameter and write buttons, it goes into flashing mode, but none that I've tried will "take".

Any ideas? Is there some way to reset to factory? At this point I'd be happy to get it back to its original state given that I can't even use it now.