Stuck RMA

[Rick88]

I’m trying to remove the CW firmware. Have done the RMA command successfully but when I try to install the standard firmware via a USB drive it won’t install. Two drives just start up as normal with CF and another just says RMA mode indefinitely. Any ideas?

 

[Black Hole]

when I try to install the standard firmware via a USB drive it won’t install.

The usual problem is the UPD itself: if it is slow to start up after USB +5V comes online after boot, it misses the detection window for firmware update. Are you using UPDs you've used for firmware update before? I have one on reserve that is known to work. Modern large UPDs are much slower than old small ones.

Two drives just start up as normal with CF and another just says RMA mode indefinitely.

To be clear: the VFD on the HDR-FOX shows "RMA". Sounds like that UPD causes some kind of crash. Starting up as normal means the UPD was not recognised within the critical time window.

Are you sure the USB ports are still working? I have seen an HDR-FOX where the USB ports have gone U/S without any other apparent symptoms.

Any ideas?

The CF now has a firmware updater package. I don't know that anyone's used it to flash back to standard, but it might be possible that way. However, I would be reluctant: if you have no means to install firmware from USB, you would never be able to reinstate CF.

You could try making an adapter cable which provides power to a UPD independently of the HDR-FOX, so that the UPD doesn't have to boot after the HDR boots and switches USB power. You could try a microSD card in a USB adapter.

Why are you trying to remove CF anyway? It might be easier just to fix that.

 

[Rick88]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am putting it back to the original firmware so I can sell it or give it away.
I have tried again with a microSD card. The Fox now stays on "Start System" on the display - 10 minutes and no change. The card holder flashes red in both USB ports.

 

[antipodean]

Are you sure the USB ports are still working? I have seen an HDR-FOX where the USB ports have gone U/S without any other apparent symptoms.

I have one where this has happened to the front USB port. My suspicion is that there is a regulator with a faulty cap similar to the problem that stops hard disks from operating. I suspect that they have used an identical circuit block in several places (HD, front USB, rear USB) so that they can switch the power. One day I'll get around to attempting to fix it.