GC-Z4Gb brick after firmware update. Green light flashing

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Bruce Krajewski

Tried to update four GC-Z4Gb over the air, 3 went fine but one camera is now not functioning. Green light still flashes. New batteries, tried multiple SD cards but nothing.  Followed instructions to try manual firmware update but it calls for a "Bin" file but the only file posted is "OTA" ????

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  • John Lockburner

    That OTA file should work. You'll have to follow the instructions for cameras without the firmware update option in the menu since the camera won't turn on. It's definitely the correct thing to try.

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    John

    Suport sent "Bin" file....doesn't work.  Now what?

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  • Elizabeth Swoope
    • Edited

    Email support back and let them know. They may have to issue you an RMA so you can send the camera back for repair or replacement.

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  • John Lockburner

    Try taking the batteries out and leaving the camera turned on over night.

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    I had read that so I left batteries out last night and replaced this morning. Did not work.

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  • John Lockburner

    Is anything at all showing on the screen when it's in setup? If you have any pending commands make sure that you cancel them. I would also try the camera with no SD card at all.

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    No screen is blank and no "beep" on start up. All commands were erased yesterday and still same results. I have also tried with no SD card and no sim card, same result.  

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  • John Lockburner

    Sounds like you are going to need an RMA to send it back

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    Lesson learned.....NEVER DO OTA FIRMWARE UPDATE! I sent info yesterday for RMA process, waiting for RMA number

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    Tens of thousands of cameras have been updated over the air without any problems. Occasionally something does go wrong. However, there's nothing wrong with doing the update manually if that's your preference.

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    After doing some research, too many stories of OTA updates going wrong for my comfort.  Wish I would have researched more before I did the update.  For those who have to drive several hours to retrieve and RMA a unit this can serve as another data point. If its not broke, think twice before doing a firmware update. If you must do it, know the risk of OTA updates before selecting. 

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    I have five cameras that were deployed in mid October 2018 that have not been touched since (solar/external power setups). They've been through at least a couple, maybe more, OTA FW updates. I typically run about 30 of these cameras at any time and all but one (plus several others that aren't currently deployed) have probably been through multiple OTA FW updates. over the years. Quite a few of my cameras are accessibly only by using a tall step ladder and they're in locked security boxes so manual updates are a PITA.

    The percent of updates that go wrong is very small, but it is a risk, just like there are risks with just about anything you do. There are several tens of thousands of these cameras out there. Things do go wrong but very few cameras have to be sent back because of a problem OTA update. You had three cameras that it worked fine for.

    If it's convenient for you to do manual FW updates, then that's certainly a good choice for you. A lot of people struggle with the mechanics of doing a manual FW update because they're not comfortable with downloading files. Thank goodness there are options :).

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. My OTA update batting average is a 25% failure rate, so kinda ugly. My goal is to educate others that may be in my same position. The cameras were working perfectly well and in retrospect I should not have attempted to do an OTA update.  As you point out, there are risks involved which might include hours of drive time, and critical lost time for a unit in the field.   Additionally, it should be clear sometimes a unit can't then be repaired with a manual update and must be sent in for service. I'm sure thats also rare...guess I just got real unlucky.

    Please understand I do like the product and will probably buy more but will NEVER trust an OTA firmware update again even if there are millions deployed in the field doing OTA updates successfully.   

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    HEY SPARTAN.....how long does it take to repair a camera with a failed firmware update?  You have had my camera for almost a month and I have received ZERO communication. 

     

     

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  • John Lockburner
    • Edited

    Bruce, have you sent an email asking about the repair? Also a lot of the time you will get an email when they receive the camera and you can follow the updates from the RMA system

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  • Bruce Krajewski

    I received an email that the camera was checked in to Spartan almost a month ago and then nothing! Nothing in the email pointed to an RMA system for status updates? Here is my RMA Z91629‍. Its bad enough to have a product failure but then to have poor customer service experience speaks volumes about the quality of a company.  

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