Greetings!

It sounds like the communication port is not communicating, and that it is erroring early in the process (need to erase first)... A few things to test...

Do you have the correct cable?
Are you using the correct version of the download program for your computer's serial port?
Do you have the speed set correctly?
You might want to test your serial communication with Hyperterm first, then download after disconnecting / exiting Hyperterm.
Are you loading the correct Mk1 kernel to the Mk1?

Paul G.
SN# 090000587 (40GB Green)