No parameters loaded

[Patnet]

I'm getting an error in Ground Control when I try to connect to the M4V2. I'm connecting to the serial port and the settings show I'm connected. "Link serial port COM23 connected." However, GCC says "No parameters loaded, please connect to an Autoquad, and I'm not connected. I get beeps when I pull the USB cable and have added a 1S battery.

The board is configured with fw but I don't have any motors connected. The fw is for external motors. I want to change it to internal. Any ideas? Do I need to connect the motors before proceeding? Thanks.

[kinderkram]

No, you don´t need to connect anything except the USB and a lipo.
Does the COM port appear and disappear from your device manager when you plug/unplug the USB?
Do you use the correct baud rate?

Would be good to know which OS you use (Win, Mac...) and which versions of the fw and QGC.

[Patnet]

Hi Kinderkram, thanks. I'm using Windows with fw bin 7.0...8.6 . It used to connect okay to the AQ, not just the com port as it does now.

The Com port disconnects when I unplug the USB and connects again when I plug it in. It's fine in Windows Device Manager I'm thinking the board is damaged. I was running external motors and broke one of the two the female headers on the M4V2. I was just going to build a nano with the Crazy Flie mounts I have while I waited for Jussi to send me a new M4V2 board for my external-motor quad. But I think this M4V2 is bad now, not just broken headers.

Thanks for your help though.

[kinderkram]

Did you try to flash a new firmware or the same again?
If it connects but doesn´t transmit data this could be corrupted firmware to some degree.

If you have shorted something while breaking the pads the board could be bricked.
But I´d give it a last try by flashing it.

[aBUGSworstnightmare]

Try to Change a Parameter and write this to Flash. reboot and see if the Flash Contents was changes accordingly.
If this works you will be able to Flash a new Firmware (since the Bootloader is in ROM --> even if your FW is corrupted you can Flash a new one).

Make sure the board is in bootmode --> when you connect it to Win it should mention this (only red LED is on; all mothers off).

[Patnet]

Hmm, I would have thought it would brick too--with no lights. When I connect a 1S and press the on-switch I just get a solid red. No start-up occurs. If I connect to the PC via USB I get the second red LED. Same when I press the boot button and connect via USB.

If I try to write a change to the AQ I get error: "No Autoquad Connected", yet the "link serial port is connected" in the Communication Console.

[aBUGSworstnightmare]

When powered via LiPo (1S) you need to push the switch to boot the board (http://autoquad.org/wiki/wiki/m4-microc ... onitoring/)

Second red LED is indicating charging (http://autoquad.org/wiki/wiki/m4-microc ... functions/)

Check the serial ports in your device manager; is the device there (http://autoquad.org/wiki/wiki/m4-microc ... ion-setup/)

--> if it does not show up --> MCU on the M4 damaged; no need to bother with that anymore!

[Patnet]

[Max]

Firwmare is not fully booting for some reason. Reflashing probably won't help. Check the board carefully for shorts or other damages (lifted pins/traces, etc).

-Max

[Patnet]

Thanks. Would you mind taking a quick look for anything obvious that I'm missing? The only thing I see is the broken J2 with failed pads. The residue is cleaning alcohol and glue.