P3A Firmware fail, might have the fix, need guidance!

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glosol

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Feb 2, 2017
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I just purchased a used P3A and have been trying to get up to speed on the correct steps to get this bird in the air, but am having problems with a few things.

1. The RC is not connecting to the bird
2. Using the DJI GO app to connect the RC, but at the step to press the link button on the bird nothing happens, no lights or any changes at all.
3. Firmware update fail. Correct format of the card (exfat) performed in the P3A camera sdcard slot, tried current upgrade first (multiple times), then the two previous firmware versions (again, multiple times) with no luck. The Rc has not been upgraded unless the DJI Go app did it automatically.
4. In the sdcard .txt file, the date and time stamp are showing:

2014.01.01 00:00:22

A computer that has a bad internal bios/cmos battery will not retain date or time unless constantly powered on. If the firmware is current, but the date stamp on the bird is default to january of 2014, it would likely cause a failure. Is there any sort of replaceable button battery in the bird required to remember the firmware settings, and would it go bad? If that battery goes bad in a computer you lose not just date and time, but all of the custom bios settings return to default state.

Here is mt .txt file, any help is appreciated!


========== 2014.01.01 00:00:12 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Success.

========== 2016.07.09 20:41:39 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:29:48 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:37:30 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:43:07 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:47:42 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.10 08:43:22 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:11 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.20 20:30:29 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.20 20:49:35 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.08.0080.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.08.0080.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:37:14 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:12 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

Thanks for helping on this!
 
Sounds like the drone has the latest firmware, but the controller has previous. The controller must be updated as the previous firmware cannot be downgraded in the drone. Upgrade controller through the app connected to controller.
 
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Reactions: glosol
I am pretty new at the upgrading steps, is the RC upgraded thru the DJI Go app exclusively, or can it be loaded using an sdcard/usb adapter to the back of the RC?
 
Open dji go with controller on/connected and connected to WIFI in your house. It should say firmware upgrade needed. Tap top center banner in DJI go.
 
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Reactions: glosol
I'm not seeing anything about firmware upgrade, does it make a difference at this point that it does not connect to AC?
 
I am having the worst luck with the DJI go app. I have come to the conclusion the app is crapp. are there no alternatives? Seems completely useless on 3 different devices I have tried to connect with. Pure junk.
 
 
glosol said:
I just purchased a used P3A and have been trying to get up to speed on the correct steps to get this bird in the air, but am having problems with a few things.

1. The RC is not connecting to the bird
2. Using the DJI GO app to connect the RC, but at the step to press the link button on the bird nothing happens, no lights or any changes at all.
3. Firmware update fail. Correct format of the card (exfat) performed in the P3A camera sdcard slot, tried current upgrade first (multiple times), then the two previous firmware versions (again, multiple times) with no luck. The Rc has not been upgraded unless the DJI Go app did it automatically.
4. In the sdcard .txt file, the date and time stamp are showing:

2014.01.01 00:00:22

A computer that has a bad internal bios/cmos battery will not retain date or time unless constantly powered on. If the firmware is current, but the date stamp on the bird is default to january of 2014, it would likely cause a failure. Is there any sort of replaceable button battery in the bird required to remember the firmware settings, and would it go bad? If that battery goes bad in a computer you lose not just date and time, but all of the custom bios settings return to default state.

Here is mt .txt file, any help is appreciated!


========== 2014.01.01 00:00:12 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Success.

========== 2016.07.09 20:41:39 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:29:48 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:37:30 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:43:07 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.09 21:47:42 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.10 08:43:22 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:11 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.20 20:30:29 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2016.07.20 20:49:35 =====================
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Abort.
The firmware on the SD card is identical to or older than the current firmware on the aircraft.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.08.0080.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.08.0080.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Upgrading ...
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:37:14 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.10.0090.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:21 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:12 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

========== 2014.01.01 00:00:22 remo-con disconnect======
Packet: P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin
Result: Failed.
Reboot the aircraft and try to upgrade the firmware again.

Thanks for helping on this!
Click to expand...
Was it flying well when you bought it or was something wrong that prompted you to want to change the FW?

Do you know which FW versions were on the AC and the RC before you started to make changes? This is important because you could accidentally create an encryption mismatch if you just start changing things without being aware of old versus new encryptions and which FW versions match each other in that regard.

Do you know which versions are on the RC now? This is important because the FW is updated differently with newer versions (now app exclusively) than with older versions which used the SD card method.
 
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Reactions: glosol
OK, just got home from work...
First off, thanks GrammatonxXXxCleric for being the very first to help me out on this. It's appreciated.

The history of this drone is pretty much unknown, other than what shows up in the .txt file after failed upgrade attempts. I've had it for less than a week and have yet to successfully connect the RC to the P3A. I have tried to connect the RC to the P3A using the DJI GO app, but when im prompted to press the link button on the bird nothing has happened.

In the .txt file it looks like the only successful firmware upgrade was P3S_FW_V01.09.0060.bin, but I can't imagine that version would still be functional with all of the repeated upgrade (FAILED) attempts.

The majority of the update attempts were the previous owner.

There has to be some sort of fix for this. I cant even imagine having so many people with such major firmware upgrade problems not being resolved.
 
Oso, Honestly I'm still so new to this tech i dont have a clue how to even check the AC and RC versions.

But I will learn fast.
 
Using the SD Card method to upgrade the RC has not worked on these firmware versions:

P3S_FW_V01.10.0090
P3S_FW_V01.09.0060
P3S_FW_V01.08.0080

If I am understanding this correctly, the latest RC updates are thru the DJI GO app and not the SD Card install method.

Does that mean none of the firmware files I have been trying to use to upgrade the RC (via SD Card method) will work?
 
Are you able to connect the app to the RC even without the AC connected? With some Samsung androids, you have to powercycle the phone/tablet after the RC is powered on and connected by USB.
In the hidden MISC folder is a file with more details on the AC's update. You don't need it connected to the RC to get it to update.

Sent from my HTC 10 using PhantomPilots mobile app
 
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PS if the app 'camera' mode says 'disconnected', the app is not communicating with the RC. When it is connected to the RC but the AC not connected to the RC, app will say 'weak signal'

Sent from my HTC 10 using PhantomPilots mobile app
 
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Reactions: glosol
I cant get the device to connect to the RC at all. I have tried both the DJI Pilot app and then the current DJI Go on these devices:
Samsung Tab 2, LG v410 tablet, HTC 626s, Galaxy s3 and none have connected. The only thing I have been seeing is "disconnected", nothing more. The RC has the red slow flashing light on it and does not connect to the AC at all.
 
And when I am in the DJI GO app I dont get the option to go to camera for the phantom 3 advanced, just the how to connect BS.
 
Unplug usb /replug.... choose different usb options.
 
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Reactions: glosol

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