diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index 5075f8d..b42578f 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 #ifndef CONFIG
 #define CONFIG
 
-#define VERSION 117
+#define VERSION             118
+
+//try to keep this in sync.
+//SavvyCAN will complain if you connect a GVRET board with a revision
+//less than this number.
+#define CURRENT_GVRET_VER   318
 
 #endif // CONFIG
 
diff --git a/mainwindow.cpp b/mainwindow.cpp
index 8cbc255..b78d929 100644
--- a/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -720,6 +720,10 @@ void MainWindow::connectionSucceeded(int baud0, int baud1)
 void MainWindow::connectionFailed()
 {
     lbStatusConnected.setText(tr("Failed to connect!"));
+
+    QMessageBox msgBox;
+    msgBox.setText("Connection to the GVRET firmware failed.\nYou might have an old version of GVRET\nor may have chosen the wrong serial port.");
+    msgBox.exec();
 }
 
 void MainWindow::updateFileStatus()
@@ -753,6 +757,15 @@ void MainWindow::gotDeviceInfo(int build, int swCAN)
     QString str = tr("Connected to GVRET ") + QString::number(build);
     if (swCAN == 1) str += "(SW)";
     lbStatusConnected.setText(str);
+
+    if (build < CURRENT_GVRET_VER)
+    {
+        QMessageBox msgBox;
+        msgBox.setText("It appears that you are not running\nan up-to-date version of GVRET\n\nYour version: "
+                       + QString::number(build) +"\nCurrent Version: " + QString::number(CURRENT_GVRET_VER)
+                       + "\n\nPlease upgrade your firmware version.\nOtherwise, you may experience difficulties.");
+        msgBox.exec();
+    }
 }
 
 void MainWindow::showSettingsDialog()