(FIXED) Firmware update 4.0.925 (1.2.16) bricked both my HD-16 2nd gens!
Fixed
After update and reboot, I get a blinking wrench and WiFi won't enable. Network tools shows:
Wifi Enabled: False
Wifi Connected: False
I've tried the following to resolve the problems, with no effect:
* Reboot rainmachine via reset switch: Blinking wrench after reboot.
* Hold reset switch for 20 seconds: Blinking wrench after reboot.
* Hold reset switch and reset on TPlink wifi: Blinking wrench after reboot.
* Reboot WiFi AP and router and rainmachine: Blinking wrench after reboot.
* Settings -> System -> Wifi: Says "turning on" at first, then "error." "Enable" checkbox is unchecked after reboot, attempting to check it puts a check in the box, but has no effect.
* Updates -> Factory Reset: Says "preparing initial setup" and reboots, but on reboot old programs etc still exist. Immediate blinking wrench. Same results whether backup is kept or deleted.
I called rainmachine tech support, but got a mailbox full message. Same thing for customer service.
Any ideas? I hear there is an SD card inside of these--anybody have a working image that I can write to the card?
If the devices are truly bricked by the update, then an idea for product enhancement is a backup firmware ROM or something like that. There needs to be a way to unbrick these devices.
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UPDATE:
I submitted a support ticket and the representative suggested that I move the WiFi dongle to the other USB port.
Here's the procedure I did, which ended up fixing both devices:
- Unplugged the rainmachines
- Pulled the WiFi dongles
- Power on the rainmachines, waited for blinking wrench
- Factory reset & reboot
- Powered off again
- Reseated the dongles in the same USB port
- Powered on --> WORKING
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When these steps don't work, you can still try and move the TP Link dongle from the right side USB slow to the left side USB slot.
If you still getting "Error" and unable to enable WiFi, its possible you have a bad antenna.Here is a link to purchase a new antenna Here.
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Brandon,
Even though I was dubious about the dongle being the problem, I figured I'd give it a try to help out. I ordered the dongle that you linked to above and it made no difference. All symptoms are the same.
The error seems to come up at the same pace whether the dongle is in place or not. Goes from "Turning on" to "Error" very quickly. I suspect that there in one of the updates you pushed, there is a permissions error when the command is run to bring the wifi interface "up". Could be a few other things, but all would relate to the command to bring the interface online error-ing out. (Permissions prevent the command from executing / need to be admin to bring the interface up, interface not found for some other reason, etc. I don't think it is a hardware issue as really nothing else has changed from when it was working recently.
Best,
Brian
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After exhausting the above steps, you can always contact support by Phone or Email we can always help replace/repair the hardware.
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