Hi
I recently got an APM2 and am suffering from the verify failed after succesful upload error after all attempts to load a firmware.
Configuration:
- APM2 V2.4.1 purchased through lipoly.de
- Purchased unassembled because I wanted the flat headers
- RC Input CPPM through input 5 (yes I cut the connection between the pads and it is working correctly)
- RC system Graupner|SJ HOTT, receiver GR-16, PPM with 8 channels output @ 50 Hz
- Host OS: Win XP Pro SP3 as VM on Virtual Box 4.1.18 under OS X 10.7.4
- Mission planner Versions tried: 1.1.94, 1.1.95, 1.1.96 (all 32 bit)
- Firmwares tried: Arduplane 2.4, Arducopter Quad 2.6, Hexa 2.6 (this is the target version)
The board boots OK and I can completely configure it. I have never tried to get a GPS Fix because I was trying this indoors... Radio input works, I haven't tried the PWM outputs because the frame isn't built yet. And I don't want to fly like this either...
After erasing the dataflash through the CLI it shows no logs but after subsequent arming and disarming it always lists 153 or 156 logs, but only 3 filenames. If I try to dump with dump 0, mission planner crashes after the output gets stuck. This behaviour (erase, unrealistic loglist appears after next arming, crash upon dump) is reproducible.
The APM2 shows the same flashing behaviour without the card, though.
What is also strange is that if I let the terminal window open (configured on the help screen) I see plenty of MAV link errors. CRC errors and lost packets in flightdata mode. Link stats show quality 25%-95% - this is through the USB cable!
Something in the serial connection seems to be weird, but on the Windows side I am using an UART (albeit virtual) and other USB handovers into the same VM work flawlessly (webcam, flashing my radio with an FTDI for example).
I do not have a native windows PC at my fingertips - only Macs. I could only try another VM with Win7 64 bit under VMWare.
I have already spent two complete evenings on this and am wondering whether my boad is OK, considering the DataFlash behaviour.
Any hints / tips / test procedures? I have seen reports of other people having the same issues (also with native Windows machines) but haven't found a reliable solution in the answers.
Greetings from Germany, Otto
Replies
The dataflash erase issue is a known issue affecting a few % of boards. This issue is addressed has already been patched and tested and is awaiting upcoming release.
I've had intermittent verification and flashing problems, the timing is a bit finicky, especially if you're going through a VM on a Mac (I've seen similar behavior occasionally). Mission Planner flashing on a PC is 99% reliable, on a VM about 75%. I just workaround by repeating the process if necessary.
You're seeing similar issues I suspect with the MAVLink errors, however MAVLink is designed for "lossy" conditions so it doesn't matter in practice too much.
I would recommend looking at qgroundcontrol, a native Mac GCS. It is not as tightly integrated w APM as Mission Planner, but works very nicely on Mac and has some great features. I find it easier for actual missions than running a VM.
I believe your board is fine. By next release the dataflash issue will be gone...