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SD3 CF issues

L lechu39Member
Hello. I have SD3 that I used for a while now without a problem. But now I got really big issue. While moving - my original CF card was lost. Not until a month ago it was not a problem. Now the software seems to be corrupted and I cannot save scenes etc... I tried updating my software (1.13 M2 is the current one) with the serial port. Unfortunately it hangs after reaching page 32. No CF cards worked. I even ordered SanDisk 64MB CF card from overseas. SD3 read it I was able to save profiles on it. Unfortunately none of my readers were able to read the file. I copied the SD3V115.txt on the card - but SD3 could not see it. So I re-format the CF card with FAT and now SD3 will not read it CF ERROR #5. What can I do? I have gigs coming up soon. All my computers see this card as removable and SanDisk does not provide software to turn it into fix disk. Please help...
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sdmansdmanMember
If the SD3 was able to read the card for profiles, it should also work with software update. Error #5 is bad format. Make sure the format is FAT16 (FAT on windows). Also, get the latest version of software from the Elation web site, version 1.15 again and try to load it. Several months ago there was a problem with this download.
L lechu39Member
I moved to a country that does not have older CF cards. Anything here is 4GB and higher. I thought that SanDisk was the recommended and proper card manufacturer. I'm a bit surprised that SD3 does not offer formatting capability. It is not a cheap DMX controller. Any help in Serial Port front? Maybe I can get the upgrade with this option? Is stopping at page 32 something in common? maybe some setting like baud rate and so on...I'm kind of desperate now. I know recommended is null modem cable, but is there a diagram for pinouts? Some null modem cables are a bit different than others.
Thanks for your help so far. I really appreciate it.
sdmansdmanMember
Your initial problem was probably not due to needing a firmware update. The best solution for those problems is to erase the scene memory and start over. It would be very rare to have the firmware flash become corrupted. Your best solution right now is to finish the update with the COM port and then erase the sram (scene memory). The null modem cable or adapter plug only needs to cross pins 2 and 3, the Tx and Rx. Use the SD backup software to do the update.
sdmansdmanMember
I don't know why your update would stop on page 32, you should get an error message if there is a problem. It sounds like the COM port is losing comunication halfway through the update.

To erase the sram, consult the manual under "erase all memory".

You probably received a working CF card with your SD3. Not all CF cards are compatible. There is also a microprocessor firmare update "M3" that adds support for more cards and larger cards up to 2G. This update requires replacing the main processor IC.
L lechu39Member
The problem is not setting it as loop or run once. I always loop my shows. In this case it is stopping abruptly before finishing the sequence. And it is random - always at a different place, no pattern. I erased all memory and rebuilt the shows but it didn't help. Do I need to remove all profiles and re-install them? Is there a profile for Chauvete Intimidator Spot (HTI 250)? I cannot find one. Thank you again for taking your time to help me out.
sdmansdmanMember
A show can stop for several reasons. In some cases just calling a new scene will replace the running show. There are also button presses that can stop a show.

There is no reason to reload profiles unless they aren't working correctly.

There is a Chauvet profile in the list "IntdS250.sdf" is this the one you are looking for?
L lechu39Member
The profile is workable, thank you.

As for show stoping issue. I just let it run without any interference. No one is pressing anything (no new scene called nor any buttons pressed). It is just running in loops and as I watch the light goes off and the show stops in arbitrary position. sometimes 2 seconds into it sometimes 5 seconds and so on...
L lechu39Member
No it doesn't lock up. I just need to press the show button again and it restarts the show but from beginning (not continuation from where it stopped).

I was able to update the software to 1.15 without any problem now. But I was wondering if there if a way to flush the software with original factory firmware and then redo the software update. Sort of like re-formating the hard drive. I tried to install version 1.13 but I cannot find it anywhere.
sdmansdmanMember
Version 1.15 is not that different from 1.13, that was a major update. Whenever you update the firmware the flash memory is first erased and then written. There is no need to do it twice.

After you erase the scene memory you should start from scratch and don't load in any old memory backup. Often the backup file will just bring back any problem you are trying to fix.
sdmansdmanMember
M3 is the revision of the firmware that's inside the micro. To do that update requires replacing the IC. It's not hard as long as you are comfortable changing ICs. It's socketed so the only problem is usually prying it out of the socket. If you don't work on your own gear you might want to have a tech do if for you. I think Gines might have some in stock at Elation service.

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