Grape-DRF RPi Fail

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Al - W0TBR

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Dec 16, 2024, 1:56:02 AM12/16/24
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My repurposed Grape-DRF has become unoperational due to an apparent Raspberry Pi failure.
Initial symptom was inability to upload a data set even though connected to the server. Subsequent symptoms were USB enumeration errors, failure to connect to disk drive and failure to connect to SD card.
After multiple attempts to recover using the DRF troubleshooting protocol without success, I’m pretty confident that the RPi is faulty (and likewise the SD card).
This system functioned flawlessly for the three weeks since receiving it, so I’m disappointed that it’s now out of service.
After testing all other components appear to be operational - what are my options?
Thanks,
Al -W0TBR

Graham c

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Dec 16, 2024, 9:32:47 AM12/16/24
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It may not be that the Raspberry Pi itself has developed some issues, it may be that the SD card has failed

My first step would be to get a good quality SD card i.e. brand name like Sandisk and of a type known as "Application Performance type 2" i.e A2


A bit pricer perhaps but better suited to the task of Raspberry Pi usage.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc




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WILLIAM n SUSIE ENGELKE

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Dec 16, 2024, 2:20:55 PM12/16/24
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Al - one thing I have had happen to me. I was using a R-Pi with Grape 1 DRF software (I think this is what you have) - most of these use an external drive that consists of a SCSI adapter with a drive inside (connecting to the R-Pi via USB).  I have seen that sometimes the drive is not seated well inside the SCSI adapter and does not make a good connection.

I fix this by powering everything down, then open the SCSI adapter, unseat and re-seat the drive; then re-seat the USB connector (both at the SCSI adapter, if applicable, and at the USB connection of the R-Pi).  Sometimes this fixes it.

Also, some of these devices pull a lot of power from the USB connector; I had to get a powered USB extender - then all my USB glitches went away.  Let me know if any of these ideas help or not....


-73- Bill   (AB4EJ)

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Al - W0TBR

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Dec 17, 2024, 11:55:51 AM12/17/24
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Tnx, Graham - I’ll try a new uSD card, but seems the old one is stuck or jammed in so I’ll have to investigate further…
Al -W0TBR

Graham c

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Dec 17, 2024, 12:01:55 PM12/17/24
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If you haven't already done so, try pushing the SD card IN so that the mechanism will release the card and eject it.

cheers, Graham ve3gtc

Al Aardsma

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Dec 17, 2024, 8:15:32 PM12/17/24
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Thanks - but tried that but card was stuck and wouldn’t release normally - had to use needle nose to get it out.
Ran a diagnostics on the card and it was a FAIL so have new uSD card on the way and I’ll try to download the image, burn it to the card and see what happens!
Update to come in a couple of days…
Al -W0TBR


On Dec 17, 2024, at 09:01, Graham c <colonel...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Dana Whitlow

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Dec 18, 2024, 7:03:10 AM12/18/24
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Al,

Given what you've said about the original card being "stuck" in the
connector, it might also be that the connector is screwed up to the
point that no card will ever work in it again.

You might be better off to simply replace the RPi altogether- that
could well be the path of least resistance and fairly low cost.

Dana


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