Electron Flashing Yellow - Device Not Found DFU Mode

Troubleshooting
1

Setup:
MacOS: Mojave 10.14.1
CLI: 1.35.2
Electron: OS?? (last used July 2017)
An Electron device I previously used about a year ago successfully, is now flashing yellow when plugged into the USB port. I have a LIPO installed as well, and it charges with no problem. If I do the set DFU mode steps (hold Mode, press Reset), it briefly goes to magenta, then flashing yellow. Tried factory reset of firmware, but doesn’t go beyond flashing yellow.

Running “particle device doctor” produces “Connect a device to the USB port and run command again”. Running “particle flash --usb tinker” produces " …unable to detect any devices in DFU mode". Clearly not seeing the Electron in DFU mode. There is a SIM card installed though the service may not be upto date (using AT&T IOT). That shouldn’t be a problem at this level. Can’t get any other modes to appear such as blinking blue etc. Any thoughts on how to recover this Electron are appreciated? Is there a JTAG process to restore the bootloader if there is no other way?
Thx

2

If you try to list dfu devices with dfu-util -l does the electron show up?

3

If I type “dfu-util -l” with the Electron plugged in and flashing yellow I get:

Deducing device DFU version from functional descriptor length
Found Runtime: [05ac:8286] ver=0155, devnum=7, cfg=1, intf=3, path="29-3", alt=0, name="UNKNOWN", serial="UNKNOWN"

Interestingly, I get the same thing with nothing plugged into the USB port.

For comparison, I get the following with my Argon in DFU mode.

Deducing device DFU version from functional descriptor length
Found Runtime: [05ac:8286] ver=0155, devnum=7, cfg=1, intf=3, path="29-3", alt=0, name="UNKNOWN", serial="UNKNOWN"
Found DFU: [2b04:d00c] ver=0250, devnum=21, cfg=1, intf=0, path="20-2", alt=2, name="@External Flash   /0x80000000/1024*004Kg", serial="e00fce68a3d2b279de2a392c"
Found DFU: [2b04:d00c] ver=0250, devnum=21, cfg=1, intf=0, path="20-2", alt=1, name="@DCD Flash   /0x00000000/1*016Ke", serial="e00fce68a3d2b279de2a392c"
Found DFU: [2b04:d00c] ver=0250, devnum=21, cfg=1, intf=0, path="20-2", alt=0, name="@Internal Flash   /0x00000000/1*004Ka,47*004Kg,192*004Kg,4*004Kg,4*004Kg,8*004Ka", serial="e00fce68a3d2b279de2a392c"

I generally use particle-cli instead of dfu-util but I don’t see any difference in this case. They are not seeing an Electron plugged in.

1 Like
4

I think your Electron has a hardware defect and you should submit a support ticket and reference this thread.

2 Likes
5

Thx Rick and Nathan for your assistance,
It’s great to have such a strong network of highly talented and generous developers on this forum. It would be much more difficult without your support.

4 Likes