PM3 memory zapped?

[Nick D]

On the very last stroke of a 10k row, I saw my PM3 screen flash to blank and then come up with the main menu. My row was not recorded in memory. In fact, all my previous rows are gone, too. The memory screen just as a null sign in the center. I did a couple of quick "just rows" and the PM3 is not remembering those, either. What can be done?

[Carl Watts]

Reset the monitor and make sure it has the latest firmware.

If this doesn't work then reload the firmware anyway as this clears all sorts of problems.

If the monitor then doesn't work properly I would be surprised.

[c2scott]

Feel free to contact me further by email (and copy rowing@concept2.com).
When you email, it is useful for me to know how old the monitor is (or better yet the serial #) and firmware version?
Where are you in the world?

[Nick D]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for the responses. This is my first post on the forum, and the first problem I've had with the C2, and it's great to have this kind of support.

Please excuse my technical ignorance...I'm an historian and something of a Luddite. I've not even heard of "firmware," though I guess it's the software loaded by C2. I'd have to check the manual (assuming I could find it) before I could "reset the monitor" or "reload the firmware," which I confess are mysterious terms to me!

But it looks as though I might not have to. At the end of my row today, the PM3 behaved itself and recorded the row properly. If it doesn't continue to behave, I'll break out the manual.

Oh, the PM3 serial number is 300081877. The firmware version is 97, hardware version 461. It seems to have a build date of 7/16/2006; I bought the rower in June 2007. And I live in Virginia, USA.

Many thanks.

[Carl Watts]

Thats an old firmware version and you can take it straight to the latest version by going here..

http://www.concept2.com/us/service/firmware/pm3/

Just run the utility and connect your PM3 to your computer via a USB cable and follow the instructions.

[c2scott]

Yes, firmware is the software that is loaded into an 'embedded device' such as the PM3. Firmware is just software that is on a single-purpose device. On a Windows or Mac computer, it's called software; if it's in your camera, non-smartphone, watch, stereo, iPod, or PM3 it's called 'firmware'.

The firmware on your monitor should be updated to version 105 (or higher if released by the time you do the upgrade). This update will solve some known problems and possibly add a feature. Although version 97 is very good, you will benefit from a more reliable product once the product is updated.

To learn more about how to update, please go to http://www.concept2.com/firmware.

The other thing that may have happened is the PM3 may have gotten a large static shock. This may have happened at some time before the workout occurred. Occasionally a large static zap will cause the PM3's and PM4's made prior to 2008 do some strange things. I see that the humidity in Virginia had a low of 30% and the temperature was low. I suspect the low outside humidity coupled with indoor heating may have caused very dry conditions and this is a recipe for static shocks. To prevent static, raise the humidity in your rowing area (it's good for you as well as electronics) and/or consider use of anti-static products. If this static issues cannot be avoided, I would reset the monitor before you row: just insert a thick paperclip in the back of the monitor in the little hole until the screen blanks then remove it. The monitor will reset, but the memory SHOULD be intact (no guarantee though).

I hope this was of help,

All the best, and happy rowing!



-- Scott

[tjf0]

This just happened to me today...sounds like the same symptoms. I had just finished rowing a 1k while using Rowpro and the memory screen went blank and will not return...I at first thought it may have been my batteries so I replaced them and unfortunately lost all my settings on the PM3... my only alternative was to use the logcard I got with the machine which does work but the memory still shows a blank screen when I take the log card out...I have the Model D for about 4 years with a little over 8.5 million meters on it...

[tjf0]

This just happened to me today...sounds like the same symptoms. I had just finished rowing a 1k while using Rowpro and the memory screen went blank and will not return...I at first thought it may have been my batteries so I replaced them and unfortunately lost all my settings on the PM3... my only alternative was to use the logcard I got with the machine which does work but the memory still shows a blank screen when I take the log card out...I have the Model D for about 4 years with a little over 8.5 million meters on it...

I will try to update the firmware tomorrow to see if that fixes the problem.....

[Nick D]

Thanks again to Carl and c2scott. Today I managed to install the utility and update the firmware. Unfortunately, doing so seems to have wiped the memory of the rows I've done since the PM3 was zapped, but I trust all will be well from here on out.
Nick

[Citroen]

Thanks again to Carl and c2scott. Today I managed to install the utility and update the firmware. Unfortunately, doing so seems to have wiped the memory of the rows I've done since the PM3 was zapped, but I trust all will be well from here on out.
Nick

You can avoid that by a) using a logcard and b) always pulling it out when you update firmware. The logcard has 32K of non-volatile memory which is enough to store a year's worth of workouts (for me).

[Bob S.]

You can avoid that by a) using a logcard and b) always pulling it out when you update firmware. The logcard has 32K of non-volatile memory which is enough to store a year's worth of workouts (for me).

Mine fills up with generally less than a million meters, but that is because I use a lot of splits, so I am saving a lot more data per piece than average. However it is possible to delete all the data except the "lifetime meters" (a season's worth for me since I start out each season with a fully erased logcard) so I still have the total but can add the data from new workouts.

Bob S.

[tjf0]

Thanks again to Carl and c2scott. Today I managed to install the utility and update the firmware. Unfortunately, doing so seems to have wiped the memory of the rows I've done since the PM3 was zapped, but I trust all will be well from here on out.
Nick

The firmware upgrade also fixed my problem. Glad I ran across this posting.
thanks to all