Profilux 4 WiFi Firmware Update - Locks up USB Port

[RickSanford]

@Vinny@GHLUSA,

I updated to the latest WiFi/Web firmware this morning (webinterface V3.11.3, WiFi-Firmware 7087) and now the WiFi radio doesn't work (no lights on the front of the controller) but more importantly - the USB port locks up the Profilux 4 each time its connected to my computer. Update indicated it was successful.

Profilux 4 Firmware: v7.24

My Controller is now completely out of commission. I backed up both the settings and the sensor data before doing the WiFi update but I'm unable to plug the USB cable in to load those backed up files into the P4.

I'm running on my emergency heater and have connected my pump, skimmer & ATO to spare connections on my UPS.

Please advise corrective course of action soonest. My Doser is completely offline as well.

Thanks!

 

[Ditto]

Did you reset your P4 after the update? what does it say on the panel? Does it say operational mode if it does reset the unit.

How to update or restore Wi-Fi module firmware

www.aquariumcomputer.com

You can use the emergency update tool also at:

WiFi-Module-ESP-Update

« » Download Info Views: 38759 File size: 5.57 MB Downloads: 20285 Updated: 08/25/2023 Categories: Firmware Download Description Changelog Firmware and file system (web interface) for the WiFi module ESP (used in ProfiLux 4, Mitras LX 7 and ProfiLux Mini/Light WiFi) including update instructions...

www.aquariumcomputer.com

 

[Lasse]

As Ditto say - you need to reset the P4. Just take out the power cable for a couple of seconds and let it start up again.

You may also need to rewrite the networks settings.

Sometimes you need a new reset when you have add the networks settings again

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Ditto]

@RickSanford - Did the unit come back up?

 

[RickSanford]

@Ditto and @Lasse ,
Thanks for your replies. Yes - I reset the P4 after the update (momentary push of the reset button) and I unplugged the unit to re-install the cover per the emergency instructions (followed them to the letter). It came back up in factory default mode.

The sensors are working and reading correctly. The WiFi lights are dark. If I plug in my USB cable connected to my PC laptop, the P4 completely freezes. The only way to unfreeze it is to power cycle the unit.

Fortunately I have a back up of settings - but I need to be able to communicate with the unit over USB in order to load them correctly (since WiFi is completely out).

I regressed the firmware back to 7.21 with the same exact result. The emergency instructions for the WiFi firmware assume you can connect to the unit either via WiFi or the USB interface as well.

Thanks again - any other suggestions?

Apologies for the delayed response - was outside clearing 2‘ of snow here in Woodland Park, CO.

 

[Tristren]

@Ditto and @Lasse ,
Thanks for your replies. Yes - I reset the P4 after the update (momentary push of the reset button) and I unplugged the unit to re-install the cover per the emergency instructions (followed them to the letter). It came back up in factory default mode.

The sensors are working and reading correctly. The WiFi lights are dark. If I plug in my USB cable connected to my PC laptop, the P4 completely freezes. The only way to unfreeze it is to power cycle the unit.

Fortunately I have a back up of settings - but I need to be able to communicate with the unit over USB in order to load them correctly (since WiFi is completely out).

I regressed the firmware back to 7.21 with the same exact result. The emergency instructions for the WiFi firmware assume you can connect to the unit either via WiFi or the USB interface as well.

Thanks again - any other suggestions?

Apologies for the delayed response - was outside clearing 2‘ of snow here in Woodland Park, CO.

Have you opened a ticket with support?

It freezes as soon as you plug in the USB? Or when you try to connect with GCC?

Tony

 

[Ditto]

The wifi firmware is independent to the P4 base firmware. You can even have it corrupt and the unit will remain functioning. Just would only be able To communicate with it via the USB port.

I assume since you said you took the cover off you did these instructions:

ProfiLux 4 Emergency Update instructions

« » Download Info Views: 6046 File size: 1.18 MB Downloads: 1273 Updated: 03/07/2017 Categories: Manuals Download Description Instructions for an emergency update of the P4. Only needed if a firmware update failed. Download

www.aquariumcomputer.com

If you did this then follow these instructions again and get your firmware back to 7.24. You will not be able to restore your settings of your backups are 7.24 to 7.21.

After you do that reboot the unit. Make sure you shutdown the emergency P4 tool on your PC as both the emergency P4 tool and emergency wifi tool use the com port to the P4.

Connect to your P4 again but use the GHL desktop software it going to say it needs to factory default it. Go ahead and save the settings. Then close the desktop software.

Then open and run the emergency wifi tool and reboot the unit again.

After you do that you should be back in business to restore your settings and configuration.

And agree with @Tristren open up a suppprt ticket also.

 

[RickSanford]

Have you opened a ticket with support?

It freezes as soon as you plug in the USB? Or when you try to connect with GCC?

Tony

It freezes as soon as I plug the USB cable in.

I’ve opened a ticket with support.

Thanks Tony.

 

[RickSanford]

The wifi firmware is independent to the P4 base firmware. You can even have it corrupt and the unit will remain functioning. Just would only be able To communicate with it via the USB port.

I assume since you said you took the cover off you did these instructions:

ProfiLux 4 Emergency Update instructions

« » Download Info Views: 6046 File size: 1.18 MB Downloads: 1273 Updated: 03/07/2017 Categories: Manuals Download Description Instructions for an emergency update of the P4. Only needed if a firmware update failed. Download

www.aquariumcomputer.com

If you did this then follow these instructions again and get your firmware back to 7.24. You will not be able to restore your settings of your backups are 7.24 to 7.21.

After you do that reboot the unit. Make sure you shutdown the emergency P4 tool on your PC as both the emergency P4 tool and emergency wifi tool use the com port to the P4.

Connect to your P4 again but use the GHL desktop software it going to say it needs to factory default it. Go ahead and save the settings. Then close the desktop software.

Then open and run the emergency wifi tool and reboot the unit again.

After you do that you should be back in business to restore your settings and configuration.

And agree with @Tristren open up a suppprt ticket also.

I moved the firmware back to 7.24 and shut down the Flasher program when the update was completed (I tried everything multiple times before posting here).

I even tried rebooting the PC before trying to connect with the GHL desktop software in order to ensure there wasn’t an open COM port call in Windows 10.

Will wait to see what support says and advise.

Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[RickSanford]

@Ditto @Lasse @Tristren

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) - I have completed the Wi-Fi firmware update and I'm back up and running normally.

The rest of the story..........

I opened a ticket with GHL and actually ended up talking with Vinny live. He indicated GHL had never seen this issue before and said I'd need to ship my P4 back to the factory to have it diagnosed.

I'd gathered my packing materials (original bubble wrap & popcorn from the factory box plus the FEDEX box I was going to use to ship the P4 and USB cable in) and had printed the shipping label this morning. Just before heading to the drop-off location this afternoon, I decided to do one final Hail Mary and use my wife's Dell PC laptop to see if I got the same issue with the P4 lockup when the USB cable was inserted as I did with my more recent/much less expensive HP.

I've attached screen shots of the Windows 10 system on each machine.

The HP I was originally using to attempt the update is running Windows 10 Home v20H2 OS build 19042.867 [updated 11/08/20].

The Dell I used today (SUCCESSFULLY) to do the update is running Windows 10 Home v2004 build 19041.746 [updated 10/19/20].

The Dell - despite running the GHL USB driver installer included with GCC 1.1.3.2 - defaulted to USBSerial Driver on COM5 (as viewed in Device Manager) - absent the 'GHL Virtual Communications Port' moniker seen on the HP (COM3) after running the same driver installer (I realize which COM port is selected is irrelevant as they're machine dependent).

My guess is I've stumbled across an issue/bug in the GCC 1.1.3.2 beta code in terms of compatibility in the GHL USB Driver with the latest version of Windows 10 Home.

I apologize for the fire drill. I should have tried a second computer just like I tried a second cable - AND/OR - I should have reverted to the GCC 1.1.3.1 released code before sounding the alarm.

As I mentioned on the call with Vinny, I've been incredibly pleased with the reliability of the P4 system to-date. Discovering this issue in beta code is MUCH different than finding something wrong with the actual unit or the released code version. Lesson-learned. Revert to released version before crying wolf.

Thank you all for your willingness to offer insights and recommendations.

My Bad for sounding the alarm without reverting to the released version of code. I hope this thread helps someone else who may be having the same issue in the future.

Thanks again!
Rick

 

[Tristren]

That's great!
And definitely a valid issue. a lot of people don't have a spare computer to test with either.
Having the unit reset like that is a serious issue so they'd want to know about it too.

 

[Highvaknin]

I have the same issue as you described, p4 version is 7.24
Every time i connect the p4 to the pc via usb the p4 freeze and all power outlets.

i only work and configure the p4 trow wifi/myghl

 

[Gaël]

I have the same issue as you described, p4 version is 7.24
Every time i connect the p4 to the pc via usb the p4 freeze and all power outlets.

i only work and configure the p4 trow wifi/myghl

Use a USB hub.

 

[Highvaknin]

Really? Well try today and update

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

I have the same issue as you described, p4 version is 7.24
Every time i connect the p4 to the pc via usb the p4 freeze and all power outlets.

i only work and configure the p4 trow wifi/myghl

The Knowledge Base USB article has information on this. Take a look.

How to connect via USB

www.aquariumcomputer.com

 

[Kngfisher]

I got it to work with my SA doser USB but not consistently. I have had no success connecting to the Profilux 4. The profilux just shuts down when connecting using USB. I have an AMD laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 5600H) running windows 11. I used a hub to connect to the SA Doser but took many tries (power cycles/laptop reboot/unplug USB cable). I see the "GHL Virtual..." and sometimes GCC connects and sometimes not. More consistent with a hub but sure wish this would work consistently. I have no issues when I use this same laptop with other USB devices like programing my drones or a pinewood derby timer. The issue I am having is really just the GHL devices and GCC where I have USB issues. The are no firmware updates from HP as I am running the most up to date firmware.