Can't update Photon

Firmware
1

One day my weather station Photon went offline. Bringing it inside and connecting it to USB power, I found that no lights were on. Pressing Reset just turns on the D7 blue LED dim. Pressing Setup does nothing. I unplugged it, held down Reset, powered up again and this time was able to get to DFU mode (quick flashing yellow).

Then following this guide: https://community.particle.io/t/photon-d7-dim-light/53575/3 I got stuck here:

C:\Program Files\dfu-util>particle update -v
Updating photon 390024001447353136383631 to latest Device OS version
The access token was not found
UnauthorizedError: The access token was not found
    at _checkToken (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\cmd\api.js:302:26)
    at processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:96:5)
    at async ApiCache.getDeviceOsVersions (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\lib\api-cache.js:12:28)
    at async Object.downloadDeviceOsVersionBinaries (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\lib\device-os-version-util.js:22:27)
    at async UpdateCommand.updateDevice (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\cmd\update.js:35:28)
    at async CLI.runCommand (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\app\cli.js:148:4)
    at async CLI.run (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\app\cli.js:177:11)

A web search for that error turned up nothing. If I do particle token list, I do get some tokens back. Not sure what other information I should provide.

2

Hi,
I have never experienced that error, but I would try:

particle login

Alternatively, you can also try:

Best

3

You need to particle login because the access token is only good for 3 months.

This error wasn't common before because older versions of the Particle CLI used to embed a specific version of the Device OS firmware in the CLI.

Now it downloads the current version (or the version you specify on the command line), which requires an access token.

4

Ah ha. We got further this time, but there's still something it's not happy about:

C:\Program Files\dfu-util>particle login
? Please enter your email address mxxxx@xxxxxx.com
? Please enter your password [hidden]
> Successfully completed login!

C:\Program Files\dfu-util>particle update -v
Updating photon 390........631 to latest Device OS version
Downloaded Device OS latest
[███████████████████░░░░░░] 76% | Flash failed.
Unable to reconnect to the device. Try again or run particle update to repair the device
Error: Unable to reconnect to the device. Try again or run particle update to repair the device
    at Object.reopenInNormalMode (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\cmd\usb-util.js:325:8)
    at runNextTicks (node:internal/process/task_queues:61:5)
    at processTimers (node:internal/timers:499:9)
    at async prepareDeviceForFlash (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\lib\flash-helper.js:97:14)
    at async flashFiles (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\lib\flash-helper.js:25:13)
    at async UpdateCommand.updateDevice (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\cmd\update.js:45:3)
    at async CLI.runCommand (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\app\cli.js:148:4)
    at async CLI.run (C:\snapshot\particle-cli\src\app\cli.js:177:11)

This is accompanied by three red flashes followed by one short D7 blue flash, repeating. As soon as it hit 76% I got the "USB disconnected" WIndows ding. I followed their "try it again" recommandation and got the same result. Doing particle update without the "-v" also fails the same way.

Then I tried:


C:\Program Files\dfu-util>particle flash --usb tinker -v
Flashing photon device 390.....631
[█████████████████████████] 100% | Flash success!

but when I power-cycled it, I got a red SOS-10.

Next I tried entering Safe Mode. I got it as far as showing quick flashing magenta but it doesn't go any further.

5

Well we're making negative progress here. Although the Photon is flashing yellow, now it won't connect to USB at all. I tried it on two different PC's. Barring any further suggestions, I'm afraid this one is done. Is there a drop-in replacement for the Photon? I really don't feel like having to rewrite my weather code for a different device.

6

It does seem likely that it's a hardware failure. There is no drop-in replacement for the Photon 1 unfortunately. Though they're no longer sold in the Particle store or large distributors, you may be able to find one in old stock or used still.

1 Like
7

Hey, sad to hear the device seems lost.
There's this migration guide to a Photon 2 in case you do not find a photon:

I have spare photons around and I was about to offer them (just for the shipping), but I do not think is economically the best option. There are few in Ebay, at double the Photon 2's price.

I case you feel ok to try a Photon 2 and hit any issues, post in the community and we will be able to help sort things out.

Best

1 Like
8

Thanks for the suggestions. The Photon 2 would be nice with all its extra capabilities but it's not going to work with my weather station without changing a bunch of sensors. It's more work than I want to get into. I managed to score two NOS Photons on Ebay for $35. Ah well, I tried.

1 Like
9

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