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Bullet M2 XM trouble. Firmware check fail

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KG4FJC
KG4FJC's picture
Bullet M2 XM trouble. Firmware check fail
Hey gang,
  I can not get the firmware to take!
Ubiquiti Bullet M2
Firmware airOS5 for XM board firmware v5.6.15

I have backdated the fw to this but unable to got farther as the GUI says the 5.5.x isn't genuine (read that is no longer required?) .
U-BOOT is a fail/pass. Updating with tfpd64. When loading the firmware it keeps giving "firmware check failed".
Can someone point me in the right direction? I have searched the forum and can't find an answer.

Jason G.
KG4FJC
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
Dumb question department. 
Dumb question department.  What is the filename of the AREDN firmware you are trying to load?
 
KG4FJC
KG4FJC's picture
aredn-3.21.4.0-ath79-ubnt
aredn-3.21.4.0-ath79-ubnt_bullet-m-factory.bin
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
uboot hasnt matter in years. 
uboot hasnt matter in years.   That is old info.   Curious where you found that?  I need to purge it.
KG4FJC
KG4FJC's picture
Any ideas on the Failed
Any ideas on the Failed firmware check??? I really need this to work.
k1ky
k1ky's picture
Bullet M2 XM Firmware load
If you can't load the factory Bullet XM version from the UBNT menu, then try using the tftp2 load method.  Otherwise, contact me direct for further assistance.
 
KG4FJC
KG4FJC's picture
To be clear, if you are
To be clear, if you are saying to load the factory AREDN image from the ubiquiti GUI, I get the following message..."
This firmware is not trusted by airOS. To maintain security, it will not be loaded. Please load trusted firmware.
"
If loading from tftp client. i get "Server stops the transfer. Error #2. Firmware check failed."
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
Try the ar71xx platform file:
NR0X
NR0X's picture
Hi Guys. Jason NR0X here, and
Hi Guys. Jason NR0X here, and I am dealing with the exact same problem on a pair of Bullet M2 (XM) devices that I'm also trying to flash. I am able to successfully flash all versions of AirOS to the device over TFTP, without fail, every time, but attempting to flash the Aredn firmware consistently fails. The file downloads, and then an error message is generated, saying the file failed a check. The documentation and checklists have been followed to the letter, using 2 different bullet m2's multiple computers with different operating systems. Computers have been restarted,firewalls disabled, unused network adapters disabled, ethernet cables have been tested, different poe adapters and switches have been tried,various tftp client programs have been used. I'm about to call an exorcist on these things! Hihi
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
Did you try the ar71xx file
Did you try the ar71xx file above?
NR0X
NR0X's picture
Not yet
I will try that next.
NR0X
NR0X's picture
No luck
I tried the AR71xx file.  No change. it uploads, and then errors out.
NR0X
NR0X's picture
GOT IT!

Special thanks to Chad Smith on the Facebook group.  He suggested I check out there hardware UART inside the bullet.  Turns out that booting the device up and running TFTP mode from the command line overrides whatever we were dealing with before.  The TFTPD64 program downloaded the firmware same as before, but this time the device accepted it!  She came right up like she's supposed to.   So here's what I did.

1.  disconnected the ethernet cable and antenna from the device
2.  removed the large round nut from the base of the antenna connector
3.  slid the entire PCB out of the enclosure.
4. located the 4-pin header on the board.
5. pulled an FTDI USB-to-UART adapter out of my desk drawer and made SURE that it was running 3.3vdc
6. used jumper wires to wire the adapter to the 4 pin header
7.  Opened up a serial terminal at 115200 to monitor the com port
8.  plugged the poe cable back into the Bullet M2
Immediately, I found text appearing in the serial terminal...

U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s956 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:54:50)

DRAM:     32 MB
Flash:         8 MB
PCIe WLAN Module found (#1).
Net:     eth0,eth1
Board:  Ubiquiti Networks XM board (rev 1.0 e202)
Hit any key to stop autoboot:

Right there (very quickly) I hit a key, and the device gave me a command prompt.
9. typed "urecover" and hit enter.
10. Set my computer's network adapter to a static IP of 192.168.1.100
11. connected the LAN side of the PoE adapter directly to the PC
12.  Sent the normal firmware bin file using tftpd64 software on Windows.

It accepted the download perfectly.  I did the same thing with the second device and it worked correctly, too.

AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Bingo, "tftp recovery" works
Bingo, "tftp recovery" works on these older uboot versions -- yours is from 2015 timeframe,  an older uboot version.   At some uboot version point, there's another check added that the firmware being loaded meets a naming convention standard, which AREDN images then conformed to. 

Oh joy of keeping up with Ubiquiti  stealthiness to meet the FCC part 15 certification requirements.   The newer AC devices require a bit more hand springs and flips to get images installed -- we have to hex patch the AirOS firmware load program, to hack around the checks that prevent our images from loading :) . 
Joe AE6XE       
KG4FJC
KG4FJC's picture
Well it appears that I let
Well it appears that I let the smoke out of mine. I had 2- ftdi boards on the desk and I picked up.....the one set to 5v. No excuse....just me doing something stupid. Now I have to find another to complete the current project. I am so glad you got it running!!!
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Let's capture some data to
Let's capture some data to determine next step.  The significant data points are:

1) the current version of AirOS installed -- screen capture from this AirOS page would be ideal.
2) the version of uboot installed in flash (and is often NOT the version packaged in the image of a given version of AirOS).

Example way to capture the uboot version:
root@AE6XE-PleasantsPk-RM2:~# cat /dev/mtd0 | grep -i u-boot
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) 

Lots of detail that may shed light on the issues, if interested:

Note 1: the OpenWrt community continues to have documentation that says AirOS needs to be rolled back -- we have proven this to not be correct, at points in time.  There's always the possibility the latest AirOS or uboot releases will break something.
Note 2:  The OpenWrt instructions talk about "tftp recovery" as the process  -- this requires a serial cable to the mother board, and to type special uboot options that forces things to happen.   The tftp process from holding the reset button does not do a "tftp recovery" . 
Note 3: When instructions say to roll back AirOS, this is a misleading instruction.   What must be rolled back is the version of the uboot loader installed in a special flash partition.  We need to install in flash a version of uboot that is compatible with the image we want to load.   When it is said to roll back to, e.g. AirOSv5.x.y.z, this really means, we need the uboot version installed in flash of the device, that is packaged in the image of this version of AirOS.  
Note 4:  the prescribed way to roll back the version of uboot is to load the AirOS image version that contains the desired uboot version AND to load this image within a booted live AirOS node from the UI prompt.   The tftp process does not update uboot on flash, and it continues to stay the same version.  (If you connected via serial cable to the mother board and gave a uboot command line option, you could put tftp in recovery mode and update the uboot version.)

Example: the version of uboot  1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 packaged with in the current Bullet XM image v6.3.6.33330.2108.2001:

joe@JoeMain:/mnt/c/Users/joe.000/Downloads$ binwalk XM.v6.3.6.33330.210818.2001.bin

DECIMAL       HEXADECIMAL     DESCRIPTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0             0x0             Ubiquiti firmware header, header size: 264 bytes, ~CRC32: 0x3E8F8937, version: "XM.ar7240.v6.3.6.33330.210818.2001"
268           0x10C           Ubiquiti partition header, header size: 56 bytes, name: "PARTu-boot", base address: 0x9F000000, data size: 230544 bytes
149396        0x24794         U-Boot version string, "U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)"
149716        0x248D4         CRC32 polynomial table, big endian
171396        0x29D84         Ubiquiti firmware header, header size: 264 bytes, ~CRC32: 0x65746831, version: " APP Magic mismatch, addr=%x, magic=%x "
223368        0x36888         CRC32 polynomial table, big endian
230876        0x385DC         Ubiquiti partition header, header size: 56 bytes, name: "PARTkernel", base address: 0x9F050000, data size: 1034800 bytes
230932        0x38614         uImage header, header size: 64 bytes, header CRC: 0xDEB033C0, created: 2021-08-18 17:02:22, image size: 1034736 bytes, Data Address: 0x80002000, Entry Point: 0x80002000, data CRC: 0xA2D819CC, OS: Linux, CPU: MIPS, image type: OS Kernel Image, compression type: lzma, image name: "MIPS Ubiquiti Linux-2.6.32.71"
230996        0x38654         LZMA compressed data, properties: 0x5D, dictionary size: 8388608 bytes, uncompressed size: 2935428 bytes
1265740       0x13504C        Ubiquiti partition header, header size: 56 bytes, name: "PARTrootfs", base address: 0x9F150000, data size: 6291456 bytes
1265796       0x135084        Squashfs filesystem, little endian, version 4.0, compression:lzma, size: 6095940 bytes, 1397 inodes, blocksize: 131072 bytes, created: 2021-08-18 17:02:24
7557316       0x7350C4        gzip compressed data, from Unix, last modified: 2021-08-18 17:01:26
7599576       0x73F5D8        gzip compressed data, from Unix, last modified: 2017-05-22 12:00:25
7599873       0x73F701        Ubiquiti end header, header size: 12 bytes, cumulative ~CRC32: 0xAA1FC336
NR0X
NR0X's picture
I can do that
I'll tear back into them tomorrow and get the information you need.
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
The output showed earlier,
The output showed earlier, was uboot version  U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s956 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:54:50) .    Thus, the critical info is known.  I'm working on other things right now, but maybe at some point a table can be made of all the U-Boot versions, which AirOS image they were released in, and then confirm all the paths that work or possibly don't work to load AREDN images.  

Joe AE6XE
nc8q
nc8q's picture
Ubiquiti AirOS: cat /dev/mtd0 | grep -i u-boot

U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s445 (Sep  6 2010 - 14:46:33) AirGrid-M5-25 Works KE8MVM
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) bullet-m2-xm Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) NanoBridge-M9 Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) Nanostation-M3-xm Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) Nanostation-M3-xm Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) Nanostation-M5-xm Works KE8MVM
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec  5 2012 - 15:23:07) Nanostation-M9 Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s956 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:54:50) ? Fails nr0x ?
U-Boot 1.1.4-s776 (Nov 27 2013 - 15:58:45) PBE-M5-400-xw Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4-s958 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:56:20) Loco-M2-xw Works nc8q
U-Boot 1.1.4-s958 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:56:20) Loco-M2-xw Works nc8q

 

KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Your followup to my question
Your followup to my question is missing, and my reply to that is also gone. Do you have any idea what happened? That took forever to type out, and it had the info you had requested from me.
WU2S
WU2S's picture
Missing followup
Are you clicking the "save" button at the bottom of the page?
 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Yes Sir. Chuck's and somebody
Yes Sir. Chuck's and somebody else's disappeared, too.
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Ubiquiti AirOS and Uboot versions
firmware_version:  uboot_version
----------------   -------------
XM.v5.5.11.28002.150723.1344.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s594 (Dec 5 2012 - 15:23:07)
 
* Ubiquiti fixed Uboot to ensure flash partition definitions of images are correct
(openwrt image definitions had an error).  This caused loading images to soft-brick
the device, requiring a serial cable to the motherboard and tftp recovery mode use.
All recent AREDN firmware images form ~2016 are fixed with correct partition definitions
and no longer soft-brick the device, regardless of which uboot version.
 
XM.v5.6.15.30572.170328.1107.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s956 (Jun 10 2015 - 10:54:50)
 
XM.v6.0.3.30600.170329.1831.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s986 (Oct 24 2016 - 11:23:32)
XM.v6.0.4.30805.170505.1525.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s986 (Oct 24 2016 - 11:23:32)
 
* Signed firmware support (Users are not able to downgrade below v6.0.6 unless using TFTP)
 
XM.v6.0.6.31296.170704.2058.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.0.7.31601.170908.1247.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.1.31776.171010.0940.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.2.31825.171017.1648.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.3.31939.171117.1238.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.4.32113.180112.0932.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.6.32290.180307.1650.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.7.32555.180523.1809.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.8.32774.180921.1533.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.9.32918.190108.1752.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.11.32949.190328.1126.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.1.12.33003.190523.1323.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
XM.v6.2.0.33033.190703.1147.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-s1044 (Jun 21 2017 - 14:41:08)
 
* TFTP recovery responds to discovery requests and takes address from DHCP
 
XM.v6.3.0.33226.200428.1849.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)
XM.v6.3.2.33267.200715.1657.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)
XM.v6.3.4.33315.210708.1334.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)
XM.v6.3.5.33321.210716.1345.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)
XM.v6.3.6.33330.210818.2001.bin U-Boot 1.1.4.2-gd9d730c7 (Feb 14 2020 - 10:52:59)
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Flashing Ubiquitis...hopeless then?
I've been locked out for over a week and unable to post questions here...wow, very frustrating. I, too have 4 of 6 Ubiquiti XMs failing to flash FW. This remedy is way past my ability, and it looks like I'll be out quite a few dollars as a result.,.. i'm already out several FULL days of attempting to flash them. Is there not a better way?
I'm doing everything I can to build up the AREDN network in my area, Knoxville, TN, but everywhere I look, there's a road block. I am not a computer scientist, and this tech is outside of my current abilities. Is there anyone who can help me out? I'll put in the effort, but it's overwhelming building this by myself.

Thomas KM4TBQ
 
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
I've been locked out for over

I've been locked out for over a week and unable to post questions here...wow, very frustrating. 

That seems odd since it does not appear that you have posted anything for quite a while that could result in your being banned.  Were you simply not logged in?  The forum will auto log you out about every week.  Note, I have NOTHING to do with the operation of this forum.

You did not say what model of Ubiquiti radios you have, or any indication of what is failing, and what you have tried.  If you want our help, you need to be out eyes and fingers.


 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
locked out
No, I wasn't banned, I had only asked one question about ip phones, that Chuck quickly answered. Andre, Randy and Chuck were all three trying to help me get back in. I tried everything. I left it alone for a week, then tried and it worked.
Yeah, my apologies. upon further review, my inquiry was extremely vague, I was at witts end when I wrote it.I know NOTHING about computers, and every step of the way is a monumental pain. I was also pulling all-nighters for 5 out of 7 days for several weeks. It's not very healthy, and I DO NOT recommend doing that. Being ignorant is rough, boy, lemme tell ya. hopefully I clarified the issue above.

Thank you,

Thomas, KM4TBQ
 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
I replied to your inquiry
I replied to your inquiry with detailed info of each step I was taking and the issue itself. For some reason it disappeared. I'm hesitant to re-post it until I figure out the cause, because if I can't communicate in here, my project is toast...There's nowhere else to turn, (my explanation of the project was in the post that disappeared also).
Thanks again
nc8q
nc8q's picture
detailed info
Hi, Thomas:
  1. Please post the model of Bullet M2. Need to know if it is a XM, or XW.
  2. Please post the version of firmware that is on the Bullet M2.
  3. Please post the filename of firmware that you are flashing onto the Bullet M2.
  4. Please post your computer's Operating System and version.
  5. Please post the version of TFTP software you are using to flash the Bullet M2.
  6. Please post the URL of the instructions you are following.
  7. Please post the exact error message.
  8. Please post the command immediately before the error.

73, Chuck

 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Hey Chuck, I wrote out a very
Hey Chuck, I wrote out a very long, detailed response to your questions, but it disappeared. Randy doesn't know why, and I'm hesitant to re-post it because I don't want to get banned for whatever reason, (there was absolutely nothing inappropriate in it, just technical info). I haven't been able to flash these 5 ubiquities as a result, but ordered the cord described below, and may try it that way. I'm extremely concerned about posts being removed, (especially ones that took a long time to type up), and I'm trying to figure out another way to gather knowledge on this subject instead of a single source like this forum. I really do appreciate you. I MIGHT just re-post the response because at this point, I'm at a stand still and greatly frustrated.
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
(dude.   We do NOT ban people
(dude.   We do NOT ban people for posting.   Not sure who you are getting that from.)
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Very glad to hear that. I
Very glad to hear that. I just saw a few people talking like that on a few other posts, so I've been scared to re-post my large post that disappeared. Chuck and others have been trying to get me unstuck for weeks, and my correspondences with the requested info just vanished right after posting, so I naturally thought it was taken down, (I can't think of another possibility).
Thanks a lot for telling me that. I was trying to play it safe because I'm very invested now and can't jeopardize losing contact with you experts here. I started an account after meeting Andre a few years back, but I just recently got into AREDN seriously, so I'm a noob.....noob at AREDN, computers and forums.

Thanks again, I'm very relieved. Unless you have a reason not to, I would like to try re-posting the post that has caused all this hassle?

Thomas
 
nc8q
nc8q's picture
May we start again?
I would like to have these details:

Hi, Thomas:

  1. Please post the model of Bullet M2. I want to know if it is a XM, or XW.
  2. Please post the version of firmware that is on the Bullet M2.
  3. Please post the filename of firmware that you are flashing onto the Bullet M2.
  4. Please post your computer's Operating System and version.
  5. Please post the version of TFTP software you are using to flash the Bullet M2.
  6. Please post the URL of the instructions you are following.
  7. Please post the exact error message.
  8. Please post the command immediately before the error.

73, Chuck
 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
1/2 Repost attempt

Hello again, Chuck, always very helpful,

1. Flashing: Bullet M2 XM, NanoStation Loco M2 XM, TWO Rocket M2s XM & NanoBeam M2 XM.
2. Firmware: I always and ONLY run the supported FW, (dark green), and always check the forums for a particular node before doing so, to triple check.
3. Instructions: I screen-shotted, formed a PDF and printed a hard copy of the instructions + checklist right off the AREDN Instructions page.
4. Failure: The failure is at the very end when the FW should be loading onto the device.
   - I've used the three recommended TFTP programs recommended here, (different settings, block sizes, etc).
   - I've successfully flashed over two dozen nodes using this same method, (an absolute miracle),
   - Error messages include: "Error on server",   "Firmware check failed", "timeout occurred", "Error #2", (others I didn't write down, but similar).
I read everything I could find here regarding this issue, but nothing seems to work. One bad radio is one thing, but five is a hard pill to swallow. I know that being older XMs with low memory has got to play a role, but numerous people have flashed them, so I know it can be done.

KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
2/2 Repost attempt
One final note. I started in AREDN back in 2017, after meeting Andre at the Xenia Hamvention, but got frustrated because the people telling us they would help us get started, never followed through, (was not Andre). After waiting two plus years for email and phone call replies, I decided to just do it myself. We had purchased equipment and didn't want to waste our money. I am NOT a computer guy whatsoever, but in 2020 I got some rockets and hAPs to flash out of sheer stubbornness. Again, we reached out to the same guys with "OK, we now have equipment ready, what next?".....Crickets. So we finally threw in the towel.

Well recently, I decided to fully commit to setting up a network, even if I have to do it single-handedly. I make more money now than back then, and REALLY want to see AREDN succeed in my area, (everywhere). I've aqcuired dozens of radios and antennas, (yes, my kitchen looks like the swapmeet at Hamvention), I'm working on/have already acquired tower and node-site MOUs, recruiting the local guys who also gave up when we all were left holding our,      , and gathering new guys to participate.( Sorry, I felt inclined to give you some context). All that to say, AREDN WILL be up and running in east Tennessee or I will die in the process.
(change gears again)

It seems like back in 2020 I vaguely remember loading older factory FW before flashing the AREDN FW, but after reading here, it appears that's no longer necessary? The two Rocket M2s have a USB port, but won't flash the USB FW, but will (act like) it flashes the plain/non-USB M2 FW. It says it's successful, but goes back into tftp mode right after the (fake) flash.

I have some other details I can touch on if you need, but I'm pretty sure this novel I wrote is enough to digest this go-around. Thanks a million for even responding. I can't tell you how crummy it is being cut off from the forums. There is no other place to get answers, and you guys are truly priceless. Which reminds me, I am prepared to hire one of you guys to pick apart my final draft of this network plan once I get there. It's all hodge-podge at the moment, because i'm still learning the fundamentals. Basically, I don't know what I don' t know, but can say I'm roughly 70% there.
Again, thank you,

Thomas, KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Just saw the questions are different

Oh wow, I just noticed that these questions are different from the previous ones that I answered but got removed...so I'm NOT losing my mind, they DID disappear. OK, this is going to take some time to get that info to you. I hate that you had to type all over again. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I'll get working on it ASAP.
Thanks a million,

73, Thomas
 

KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Questions Answerd

Here you go, Chuck:

1.    Please post the model of Bullet M2. I want to know if it is a XM, or XW.
Both XM

2.    Please post the version of firmware that is on the Bullet M2.
6 devices, 2 bullets: v6.1.9  / v6.2.0 / 5.6.11

3.    Please post the filename of firmware that you are flashing onto the Bullet M2.
aredn-3.22.8.0-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-bullet-m-squashfs-factory.bin

4.    Please post your computer's Operating System and version.
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit and Windows 10

5.    Please post the version of TFTP software you are using to flash the Bullet M2.
TFTP64, PumpKIN and native terminal

6.    Please post the URL of the instructions you are following
https://arednmesh.readthedocs.io/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installing_firmware.html

7.    Please post the exact error message.
Server stops the transfer.Error#2: Firmware check failed

8.    Please post the command immediately before the error.
I click PUT FILE in the UI for the 2 programs and for terminal:  tftp.exe –I


* I have successfully flashed numerous devices with these same exact methods.

Thanks for your time, Thomas, KM4TBQ
 

nc8q
nc8q's picture
tftp.exe -i 192.168.1.20 put C:\temp\
tftp.exe -i 192.168.1.20 put C:\temp\aredn-3.22.8.0-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-bullet-m-squashfs-factory.bin "tftp.exe –I" Hi, Thomas: That looks correct. You posted an upper case 'I', but that may have been a typo. I am baffled as to why a 'tftp' transfer is even doing a 'firmware check'. Although it seems that the error messages is from the Ubiquiti device. There was a change in the TFTP procedure in early 2022. My suggestion is to try an AREDN release prior to 2022. Perhaps: http://downloads.arednmesh.org/firmware/aredn-3.21.4.0-ath79-ubnt_bullet... If that works do a sysupgrade. :-| This does not help now, but going forward, avoid obtaining old SISO or < 64 MB devices. 73, Chuck
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
vague memory
I have a vague memory of loading an old factory FW version on a device before flashing AREDN, but don't know for sure, it's been almost three years. Yeah, I had to learn the "old ubiquiti 32MB Memory" problem the hard way, and bought them years ago before I knew better. The four other MIMO devices recently purchased is what's really baffling me though. I'm going to try that FW you posted, and if it doesn't work, I'm going to try the (serial port?) method of taking the board out and wiring it in, (I just bought the cable after reading about it here). I'm too busy with other aspects of this huge AREDN project for now, so unfortunately These, (now 9 devices that won't flash--6 Ubiquitis + 3 hAPs) will have to sit in a box until I have time. They've already wasted a ton of my time, but I can't afford to lose that much money, so I'm determined to get them running. 
I appreciate all your help, and I will update you with any progress here for some closure, (whether I get them running or turn them into rifle targets).

I sincerely appreciate your time and expertise,

Thomas, KM4TBQ
 
kk6lzb
Some Additional Comments on 'Firmware check failed' Error
I, too, had this same issue while flashing the latest firmware, 3.22.8.0 on a Bullet M5 XM just last week. After following the instructions from NR0X from Nov 2021, I also was successful in flashing the device using the USB serial cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RBKCW3S?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_de... which is a 3.3VDC TTL interface. 3.3VDC for the device interface can be confirmed on pin 4 of the the 4-pin interface on the Bullet using a voltmeter in VDC mode. See the attached image for the correct wiring for the USB to serial cable. I used Windows 11, PuTTY (in serial mode), tftp2.exe (PC used a static address of 192.168.1.10), USB to serial cable, a Netgear switch, Ubiquiti POE injector and a smattering of Ethernet cables to place the Bullet into tftp mode for flashing and then flash the device.

As NR0X described above, the serial connection menu comes up very quickly, and I had to hit return within a few seconds to prevent the Bullet M5 from continuing the boot process. Then, I typed 'urescue' at the serial prompt in the PuTTY window. All options on the Bullet serial communications menu can be seen with use of the 'help' command. From there, the Bullet was in tftp mode and the standard tftp procedure as outlined in the Ubiquiti First Install docs ( https://arednmesh.readthedocs.io/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installin... ) worked flawlessly. I, then, was able to setup the device normally.

Generally, I have been having more issues flashing older devices such as Nanostation M2 XM, Bullet M2/M5 XM, and Nanostation Loco M2 XM but was glad that this rescue procedure worked. I only keep these devices around because a number of folks I support have them but almost never deploy them in the field in any fashion. These might have a use case in local WiFi mode, perhaps. It is also better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. My longer term plan is to eventually sunset all devices which have the XM model and especially the Bullets and Locos. I hope these additional comments can help the next amateur encountering this particular issue. My thanks to NR0X for the excellent notes that got me started on the fix.
Image Attachments: 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Thank you. This is way beyond

Thank you. This is way beyond my ability, but I guess I have no choice at this point. If it was one old device I would just walk away, but FIVE? Yeah, I guess i'll have to have a go at it. I copied your instructions and just ordered that adapter. Thanks again for your time.


Update 11/30/22:
-I finally received this cord you recommended, printed off instructions/screenshots from the forum and assembled a makeshift instruction sheet and printed it. I will attempt to flash these five Ubiquiti XMs ASAP. Thanks for all the info so far, hopefully I can salvage these nodes.

kk6lzb
Thanks for the update. This
Thanks for the update. This is way easier than it seems but just appears hard at first due to unfamiliarity with the steps. I now wish I had taken a shot of my complete setup from before because that might've made a good reference for you and others. It does sound like you're well on your way with preparing the instruction sheet and printouts. If you miss interrupting the boot process by hitting return initially, just de-power and re-power the node. However, once the firmware update has started don't de-power the node until it shows the screen per the first install instructions. With a little patience and persistence you'll be successful and hopefully learn a little bit more in the process.
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Addition
Great, thanks. I'll screenshot and add these further instructions, because undoubtedly I will need them.
nc8q
nc8q's picture
3.22.8.0 on a Bullet M5 XM: Firmware check failed
Want to know the
from: firmware release version
to: firmware bin file.

Does
https://www.arednmesh.org/homepage?page=1
"The AREDN  simplified firmware filename standard has been changed to the default OpenWRT convention to leverage data files created at build time for future automation of firmware selection."
apply?

73, Chuck

 
kk6lzb
From Firmware To Firmware Bin Files

Since these are older XM devices, some but not all are experiencing flashing issues BUT not to this extent. This time some surgery was needed in order to resurrect the device when upgrading from 3.22.6.0 => 3.22.8.0. I'm not sure whether this is a firmware issue or just a peculiarity with these devices using the latest firmware. Prior versions to 3.22.x.x generally wouldn't take due to out of memory issues and in some cases took a number of retries and at other times a factory reflash. Also, I have seen the need to de-power and re-power the node after the 3.22.8.0 is installed - sometimes. It is not consistent. Maybe a timing issue specific to the device, perhaps. I hope that helps...

KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
Missing posts

Can someone explain why my follow up post is not here? I spent over an hour typing it out, and two members were trying to help me solve a problem, it contained info that would help them help me. Also, the two peoples' posts are also gone. Do posts just arbitrarily get removed? Is the website just buggy? Because there is no way any guidelines were violated in either of our three posts that are now missing. I really hope i'm just overlooking something, because that's ridiculous if you just take posts down for no reason. I'm spearheading a major project that greatly promotes AREDN, and would be greatly disappointed if this is what's happened...especially after I JUST donated money. Lastly, If it was removed, I was given no explanation of why, which deters me from ever posting again. I just dropped a few thousand dollars on equipment and have dedicated hundreds of hours already to pushing this service along into my area. PLEASE tell me that's not what has happened. Can somebody please clear this up for me? Thank you.

K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
THERE must be something going
THERE must be something going on with your PC or browser to cause this.   No other users are reporting this type of issue.   Again, the Admins DO NOT randomly decide to delete posts to irrate people.  There are no records of your posts being deleted in our system.   We are not in the business of censoring posts.   I don't know how I can say it any more clear.

Maybe, try a different browser or computer?
 
KM4TBQ
KM4TBQ's picture
I absolutely will try again..
I absolutely will try again...thanks so much for the clarity. I didn't even want to try posting again, but you have cleared that up, I'm very relieved.

Have a great evening....I sure will now.
 
K7SDW
try typing and save your text
try typing and save your text file on your computer then upload that file to the forum area for text upload, save and send. I hope this helps you to keep track of your novels which are quite entertaining. Also, the group is attempting to help you with your frustration. good luck.

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