P3P Firmware Installation Problems

[Captain Paul]

Good evening all. I finally bit the bullet, and traded my 7-year old Phantom for a factory-refurbished P3P. By now, I have spent many days trying to get copter, remote, and batteries to update, but to no avail. I'm using the DJI Go app, version 3.1.52 (downloaded beginning April 2019), and have found out that the copter has firmware version 1.5.30+ and the RC has firmware version 1.9.3.
As instructed, I put the most current bin file (1.11.20) on the root directory of my SD card, and tried to update the copter, RC, and batteries. Nothing meaningful happened (and I think I watched every tutorial on the internet by now). Interestingly enough, my app tells me that all I have to update is my battery. When I try to do just that (after turning off the RC and app), nothing happens, but the txt file informs me that the update has been aborted because it won't allow me to downgrade the firmware (see screenshot).
So this is a bizarre situation: my copter and RC have older versions of firmware, but the app has no problems with that, and I can't update them. The app wants me to update the battery, but I can't do that either.
What shall I do? copter/camera, RC, app, all seem to be communicating just fine with each other, but I'm scared to send it up in the air.
Could it be that this machine was refurbished because it had these same kinds of issues, but they really were not able to straighten them out?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get this thing in the air. Thank you so much in advance!
Captain Paul

 

[Oso]

Good evening all. I finally bit the bullet, and traded my 7-year old Phantom for a factory-refurbished P3P. By now, I have spent many days trying to get copter, remote, and batteries to update, but to no avail. I'm using the DJI Go app, version 3.1.52 (downloaded beginning April 2019), and have found out that the copter has firmware version 1.5.30+ and the RC has firmware version 1.9.3.
As instructed, I put the most current bin file (1.11.20) on the root directory of my SD card, and tried to update the copter, RC, and batteries. Nothing meaningful happened (and I think I watched every tutorial on the internet by now). Interestingly enough, my app tells me that all I have to update is my battery. When I try to do just that (after turning off the RC and app), nothing happens, but the txt file informs me that the update has been aborted because it won't allow me to downgrade the firmware (see screenshot).
So this is a bizarre situation: my copter and RC have older versions of firmware, but the app has no problems with that, and I can't update them. The app wants me to update the battery, but I can't do that either.
What shall I do? copter/camera, RC, app, all seem to be communicating just fine with each other, but I'm scared to send it up in the air.
Could it be that this machine was refurbished because it had these same kinds of issues, but they really were not able to straighten them out?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get this thing in the air. Thank you so much in advance!
Captain Paul

Welcome to the forum!

If you dont mind, would you please upload your LOG_AB file? If you dont know what that is, follow this link to see how to get the file.

Also, if you are interested click here for some tips that I often share with new P3A/P3P owners.

Cheers!

 

[Captain Paul]

Good morning Oso, thanks for the instructions, since I had no idea about these hidden files. Please, see attached file. I hope it helps.
Thanks!
Paul

 

[Oso]

Good morning Oso, thanks for the instructions, since I had no idea about these hidden files. Please, see attached file. I hope it helps.
Thanks!
Paul

I suspected you had FW v1.11.30 based on your other posted log, and that is indeed shown in the portion of LOG_AB you posted. Your log is missing a great deal of individual module information.

DJI had been officially providing a new FW version to select users who say they saw ESC issues after the update to 1.11.20.
They were providing a tweaked version (1.11.30) on a case by case basis as you can see here:
Firmware v1.11.30 for ESC error??

I don't know if they are still offering it directly to people as they were in the past and as far as I know they never made it widely available. A few people here were a bit irate about it not being posted on the DJI website for everyone. Now it seems that DJI has been using v1.11.30 when refurbishing units and not letting buyers know about it.

Some who were given the tweaked FW by DJI directly made it available via a download link on both this forum and also the DJI forum. I archived a copy of 1.11.30 in case I ever needed it in the future, though I don't expect to ever update beyond the older FW versions I use currently. These second hand 1.11.30 FW files may be legit, but since I didn't get them directly from DJI I wont be sharing them here. You can easily find links in a search of this forum (and others) to download a copy of 1.11.30. The most popular one here seems to be through MediaFire.

If it were mine, I would try getting that .bin and using it instead of v1.11.20, but you have to make that call for yourself.

Of course, it's a risk to both use it from an unofficial source and also to use it if it will mask a more serious issue with your AC.

Since you bought your as a refurb from DJI, maybe if you contact DJI they will give you an official copy of v1.11.30. Again, your call to try that or not.

 

[Captain Paul]

Good morning Oso,
Thank you for your very valuable information. I tried a brief flight yesterday, with a long tether, just in case. All seems to be working well. I think I will contact DJI and ask them for advice with respect to the FW of the batteries. In the mean time, I will do another FW update with the quad, and will take a look at the log to see if it is any different from the one I posted in my earlier reply. I agree with you that it is a bit of a leap of faith to download FW from a source that cannot be verified. Also, you may have read Mark's response to my cry for help: he uses the same FW on his Quad and RC, and has no problem. He thinks my battery will be fine, as long as it is not too cold. To be continued...
Cheers!

 

[eddiearni]

I contacted DJI and their customer service person denied that there ever was a v.1.11.30, and encouraged me to contact their repair people to have the unit sent back to them for servicing, which is ludicrious:

I have no idea what to do here.

 

[Oso]

I contacted DJI and their customer service person denied that there ever was a v.1.11.30, and encouraged me to contact their repair people to have the unit sent back to them for servicing, which is ludicrious:

View attachment 111726

I have no idea what to do here.

Over the years, we have seen that DJI customer service routinely gives incorrect info.

Maybe just tell them that you are getting ESC errors and ask that they give you a link to v1.11.30 as they have in the past with others.

I need fw 1.11.30 Fix ECS error, I’m grounded.

DJI, please send me the update for the phantom 3 Pro FW Ver. 1.11.30 to fix the esc error upon start up. I am grounded and have been since last week. I have work I’m Loosing due to me being grounded. Please help! I have a CAS number for the call in, they say HQ is only one can send this file...

forum.dji.com

Either that, or consider using a copy of 1.11.30 downloaded from one of several posts on this forum.

Hey @solentlife - remember the double secret FW v1.11.30 that DJI gave out at the same time they said it didn't exist?

 

[eddiearni]

Thanks for the tip, I'm giving them one last chance to respond to the email i sent them, since I'm making a serious effort to keep this all within DJIs system, if at all possible. Three questions, if you don't mind:

1. Where does it say in the LOG_AB file that the UAV has been configured with v1.11.30 firmware? So I can point this out to the DJI folks when they (so oddly!) claim there is no v.1.11.30...
2. What is an ECS error? Is it related to upgrading battery firmware?
3. From this discussion I'm lead to a file on the mediafire website , entitled V1.11.30外发固件.7z , does this look like the right one? (here's an image of the extracted files):

thanks.

 

[Oso]

1. Where does it say in the LOG_AB file that the UAV has been configured with v1.11.30 firmware? So I can point this out to the DJI folks when they (so oddly!) claim there is no v.1.11.30...

From the text you posted in your thread, here is where it shows the update to 1.11.30:

[00012579]========== remo-con disconnect. boot(15) ============
[00012638]Packet [C:\P3X_FW_V01.11.0030.bin] detected, card sn [0x13100588].
[00012686]Packet upgrade start...

[00012739]Packet checking...
[00012792]Packet vlink 01.11.0030 <-> 01.11.0020.
[00012842]Record vlink 01.11.0020 <-> 01.11.0020 (flow = 0).
[00012892]Done.

[00012941]Version checking[1]...
[00013040][03 06][00] v2.4.20.50 -> v2.4.20.50
[00013140][03 05][00] v34.2.0.9 -> v34.2.0.9
[00013194][04 00][00] v1.48.0.0 -> v1.48.0.0
[00013342][11 00][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v1.8.0.0
[00013475][11 01][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v2.0.0.33, firmware v1.8.0.0 not support.
[00013521][11 01][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v2.0.0.33
[00013630][12 00][00] v1.12.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0 need upgrade.
[00013729][12 01][00] v1.12.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0 need upgrade.
[00013830][12 02][00] v1.12.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0 need upgrade.
[00013928][12 03][00] v1.12.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0 need upgrade.
[00014064][15 00][00] v1.1.2.0 -> v1.1.2.0
[00014165][17 00][00] v1.1.1.7 -> v1.1.1.7
[00014319][17 01][00] v1.0.2.7 -> v1.0.2.7
[00014516][19 00][00] v1.0.8.96 -> v1.0.8.96
[00014568][01 00][00] v1.32.5432 -> v1.32.5432
[00014615][01 01][00] v1.32.5432 -> v1.32.5432
[00014688][08 00][00] v0.13.0.7 -> v0.13.0.7
[00014756][09 00][00] v4.1.0.0 -> v4.1.0.0
[00014812]Done.

[00016866]Waiting for user confirm...
[00026915]Timeout, start upgrade automatically.

[00027017]Firmware upgrading[1]...
[00027086][12 00] Firmware upgrade start...
[00081947][12 00] Firmware upgrade finished successfully.
[00082022][12 01] Firmware upgrade start...
[00138450][12 01] Firmware upgrade finished successfully.
[00138519][12 02] Firmware upgrade start...
[00196305][12 02] Firmware upgrade finished successfully.
[00196379][12 03] Firmware upgrade start...
[00254208][12 03] Firmware upgrade finished successfully.
[00254257]Done.

[00254307]Version checking[2]...
[00254399][03 06][00] v2.4.20.50 -> v2.4.20.50
[00254499][03 05][00] v34.2.0.9 -> v34.2.0.9
[00254554][04 00][00] v1.48.0.0 -> v1.48.0.0
[00254699][11 00][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v1.8.0.0
[00254833][11 01][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v2.0.0.33, firmware v1.8.0.0 not support.
[00254881][11 01][00] v1.8.0.0 -> v2.0.0.33
[00254988][12 00][05] v1.13.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0
[00255103][12 01][05] v1.13.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0
[00255202][12 02][05] v1.13.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0
[00255327][12 03][05] v1.13.0.0 -> v1.13.0.0
[00255461][15 00][00] v1.1.2.0 -> v1.1.2.0
[00255562][17 00][00] v1.1.1.7 -> v1.1.1.7
[00255702][17 01][00] v1.0.2.7 -> v1.0.2.7
[00255768][19 00][00] v1.0.8.96 -> v1.0.8.96
[00255818][01 00][00] v1.32.5432 -> v1.32.5432
[00255873][01 01][00] v1.32.5432 -> v1.32.5432
[00255929][08 00][00] v0.13.0.7 -> v0.13.0.7
[00256007][09 00][00] v4.1.0.0 -> v4.1.0.0
[00256057]Packet upgrade finish successfully.

 

[Oso]

2. What is an ECS error? Is it related to upgrading battery firmware?

Electronic speed control or ESC is what controls and regulates the speed of your motors. As noted above, when 1.11.20 came out it caused enough errors (something outside the parameters set in 1.11.20) that DJI put out a tweaked version to help (mask) the issue with what we assume are slightly relaxed parameters in the four ESC modules (12 00, 12 01, 12 02, 12 03). Those modules are shown listed in the LOG_AB file and as you can see in post 9 above the only modules updated with 1.11.30 were those ESC modules.

The issue noted in your thread is that DJI sent you a refurb with 1.11.30 already installed. It was likely installed by them as part of the refurb process but perhaps it was installed by your AC’s former owner. Now you need to update batteries per your post, but the update fails because when you use 1.11.20 (which is the latest on DJI’s web site) your AC sees an older version so it aborts the update process. You just need 1.11.30 on the card so the process proceeds long enough for the battery updates to complete. It wont change anything else on your AC since it has already been updated to 1.11.30.

3. From this discussion I'm lead to a file on the mediafire website , entitled V1.11.30外发固件.7z , does this look like the right one? (here's an image of the extracted files):
View attachment 111743

Seems like the file from the place often linked to when people ask here for 1.11.30.

 

[eddiearni]

Thanks for your Aug 14, 2016 article for first time users, super crucial information!

 

[solentlife]

Hey @solentlife - remember the double secret FW v1.11.30 that DJI gave out at the same time they said it didn't exist?

Certainly do ...

I was one of the first to ask DJI mods on DJI Forum - why don't they list 1.11.30 onsite instead of making people BEG for it. They don't advertise it ... and as matey here found out - they even say it does not exist.

I was in private chat with DJI rep and he advised NOT to install vers 30 unless you really have ESC error. I asked him why not .. his answer was vague and TBH - did not answer properly. He just hinted that it was a rough workaround.... as the Americans say ... a "Bandaid" fix.

 

[eddiearni]

Update, I emailed DJI tech support and they sent me P3X_FW_V01.11.0030.bin, finally. I think the customer service people aren't aware of this issue.

 

[John Lindstaedt]

Good evening all. I finally bit the bullet, and traded my 7-year old Phantom for a factory-refurbished P3P. By now, I have spent many days trying to get copter, remote, and batteries to update, but to no avail. I'm using the DJI Go app, version 3.1.52 (downloaded beginning April 2019), and have found out that the copter has firmware version 1.5.30+ and the RC has firmware version 1.9.3.
As instructed, I put the most current bin file (1.11.20) on the root directory of my SD card, and tried to update the copter, RC, and batteries. Nothing meaningful happened (and I think I watched every tutorial on the internet by now). Interestingly enough, my app tells me that all I have to update is my battery. When I try to do just that (after turning off the RC and app), nothing happens, but the txt file informs me that the update has been aborted because it won't allow me to downgrade the firmware (see screenshot).
So this is a bizarre situation: my copter and RC have older versions of firmware, but the app has no problems with that, and I can't update them. The app wants me to update the battery, but I can't do that either.
What shall I do? copter/camera, RC, app, all seem to be communicating just fine with each other, but I'm scared to send it up in the air.
Could it be that this machine was refurbished because it had these same kinds of issues, but they really were not able to straighten them out?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get this thing in the air. Thank you so much in advance!
Captain Paul

Paul: I have the same problem....DJI tech. service says the firmware update to RC has to be with iPhone 7 or less with iOS of 8 or so. Planned obsolescence or engineering ignorance. My Phantom P3 is for sale or space junk. We're screwed.