Help for the new guy?
- Thread starter dronehopes
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OK, this isn't good. It's possible the SD card containing the firmware failed. I've never seen a controller do this. Let me think some more on this - how comfortable are you with taking electronics apart? Unfortunately, the SD card in question is really buried. The shell halves have to be split and a couple wires disconnected. Then the computer board inside is removed - 4 very tiny screws. The SD card is at the "top" of that unit, secured with hot glue which must be carefully scraped off to pop the card. Reflashing a card requires a PC utility like Balena Etcher. This is a precise job requiring previous skills and small hand tools. Right now I'm leaning toward your controller just died...let me ask some guys and sit on this until tomorrow. ALWAYS SOMETHING...
I'm pretty comfortable tearing into electronics, especially when it's a "what have you got to lose" situation. I can get a replacement on Ebay easy enough if it comes to that. Let me know what you find out and thanks again for all your time!
OK, then. To me, it's bizarre it failed right when you just unplugged the battery. Never seen or heard about that happening, but its clear the embedded code isn't running now. Yeah, there are always controllers on Ebay - but some of the prices are just crazy...I have seen some reasonable ones however...I check the Ebay Solo scene daily. I'm out till tomorrow - the old social schedule.
But, as you said, nothing to lose by disassembling the controller. The case splits after removing the corner screws...be careful as there are two, connectorized cables to unplug to really open it up. The computer and wifi card are an assembly in the middle, secured with four screws...that assembly can be slid down and the SD card is at the top. The hot glue blob must be really carefully scraped away with an X-Acto knife, especially where the card and its holder touch along the sides. It's very easy to crack the card...should you do this, I'll hit you with the reflash instructions. But since you won't be flying tomorrow, maybe get a new controller and make this one a science project.
Catch you tomorrow.
Thanks again. I just watched a video on how to remove the card. I'll keep you posted. Have nice evening.
3DR Solo Quadcopter Drone Transmitter Remote Controller No Charger | eBay
3DR Solo Quadcopter Drone.
www.ebay.com
Dropbox
www.dropbox.com
OK, the link to the file is in my dropbox. This will upgrade your controller to Open Solo 4. At that point, even though the Solo is running old firmware, it will still pair to the updated controller, at which time IF SOLEX can see SOLO, the bird can be directly updated to Open Solo 4.
Nothing to lose here...
Flash a NEW SD card, or you can try the old one. I use Balena Etcher on a PC. If the controller lights back up, let it cook for about 5 minutes, at one point all lights will go out, but it will come back.
The file extension is ".img". If dropbox says it can't find the extension, download it anyway and add the extension.
If your controller lights back up, should be good. The firmware update takes several minutes, screen will go dark for a period, then it comes back and completes.. Power cycle the controller after it completes.Dropbox
OK, the link to the file is in my dropbox. This will upgrade your controller to Open Solo 4. At that point, even though the Solo is running old firmware, it will still pair to the updated controller, at which time IF SOLEX can see SOLO, the bird can be directly updated to Open Solo 4.
Nothing to lose here...
Flash a NEW SD card, or you can try the old one. I use Balena Etcher on a PC. If the controller lights back up, let it cook for about 5 minutes, at one point all lights will go out, but it will come back.
The file extension is ".img". If dropbox says it can't find the extension, download it anyway and add the extension.
Thanks again. I'll give this a try tomorrow when my brain is more functional. If I replace the card, will another 8GB do it?
Let me know what happens
I'm right behind you! Helping a farmer trim 3000 garlic bulbs tomorrow a.m., will be back by noon EDT. I use 16 GB cards as I have them, but 8 is OK. After going thru the disassembly, I'd opt for a new card, but if the old one flashes cleanly, it should work. Everything with Solo/controller is essentially LINUX...it takes time as the entire file system has to be rebuilt with the new firmware.
Catch you tomorrow afternoon and GL! If this fails, Ebay time.
I picked a new card, formatted it then used the program you suggested to flash it. I just put everything back together and I get the same white screen and buttons. Looks like time for Ebay... Blah. This thing is wearing me out.
I would have bet on that result, but as you said, take the shot. Not many would have jumped into the controller guts - credit! That controller is probably the root cause of all this. What I can tell you is if a new controller lets everyone talk, updating everything via SOLEX is painless and takes no more than 1/2 hour. Keep me posted for sure.
I'll let you know how it all works out, and I sure appreciate all your time. One more question. Is running a controller with no antennas always fatal? A couple I've seen for sale say they turn on, but don't have antennas installed.
I'm a radio guy - it depends. If it was turned on for a few seconds to snap a PIX, probably no damage, but any longer I'd be very suspect. Lot's of variables there with RF. I kind of wonder about the one on Ebay being sold with one antenna...did the guy just lose it or has it been run with one antenna. I was actually going to check on the design of the WiFi module...however, they are a semi-standard item...one of the go-fasters for Solo was swapping that module for a higher power one (they plug into the computer with the SD card, standard pinout). The upside is if you go the new controller route you'll have a known good module in your old one... keep me posted
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