New PM 5 doesn't recognise flash drive

[EricP]

I just received my new PM5. I used the Concept2 utility which recognised my flash drive (FAT32). I gave it my name. I downloaded new firmware to it, confirmed it was on the drive and plugged it into the PM5 which didn't recognise it. I tried reformatting the drive and repeating the process. No luck. I reset the PM5, no luck. I upgraded the firmware using the concept2 usb cable so that's done. For logbook purposes I tried plugging the flash drive into the PM5 again with no luck. Yes I was in the home screen of the PM5.

Anyone with a similar experience or a suggestion on how to get my PM5 to recognise the flash drive?

Thanks in advance
Eric

[FRiC]

Try a different flash drive? You didn't say how big but don't use very large (storage, not physical size) ones. I read here on the forums that Sandisk Cruzer Blade is good, I've tried both 8 GB and 16 GB ones and they work fine for me. They come in different colors so everyone can have their own colors.

[Citroen]

You really need a USB stick that's USB 2.0 and won't draw more than 500mA from the PM5. They are rare as the price of flash memory comes down. Don't buy cheap junk sticks on eBay, you'll get fake sticks from China that won't hold data and will fail early.

I've got a Kingston one that doesn't work, it's one that gets very hot (lots of current draw) when I use it in my laptop. So that's not suitable for a PM5.

The old LogCards were 32K (that's 250,000 times less than 8GB) and would hold a year's worth of workouts for an average user. You don't need more than 8GB, as that has enough space to hold hundreds of years of workouts.

[FRiC]

I think the Concept2 utility was never updated for more modern flash drives, since every few weeks it keeps warning me that my flash drive may be full and it's best to delete and optimize the data. Also since using the USB only saves basic data, probably best to use ErgData...

[Ripples]

I think the Concept2 utility was never updated for more modern flash drives, since every few weeks it keeps warning me that my flash drive may be full and it's best to delete and optimize the data. Also since using the USB only saves basic data, probably best to use ErgData...

My newer model USB didn't work with my PM5, then I rummaged around my desk, found an old 128MB stick, and it's worked perfectly for the past year. I use it only to transfer results to a spreadsheet, then instruct the C2 utility to delete the previous record. Also backup the spreadsheet on DropBox.

[Citroen]

I think the Concept2 utility was never updated for more modern flash drives, since every few weeks it keeps warning me that my flash drive may be full and it's best to delete and optimize the data. Also since using the USB only saves basic data, probably best to use ErgData...

It's not that. The hardware was built for USB 2.0 flash drives that can take a max of 500mA from the host power source. The USB 3.0 drives can run at 900mA and that's not available.

You're right that Ergdata is a better option.

Using a 128MB old stick is good for four year's worth of rowing data until the flash memory goes dead because of the P/E write cycle limit (which is the same reason that LogCards used to fail).

[tvcrider]

You're right that Ergdata is a better option.

Yes, indeed. I purchased a new Model D with PM5 in January 2016. I had nothing, but problems with the the PM5, C2 provided thumb drive, and firmware until I switched to using to Ergdata almost a year ago.
Although using my erg hasn't been totally error free it has reduced my problems by over 90%. That I can live with.

[EricP]

Try a different flash drive? You didn't say how big but don't use very large (storage, not physical size) ones. I read here on the forums that Sandisk Cruzer Blade is good, I've tried both 8 GB and 16 GB ones and they work fine for me. They come in different colors so everyone can have their own colors.

I did use a Sandisk Cruzer but unfortunately it was a 128gb one so...

Tried 2 more usb disks, found one which works. It shouldn’t be this hard Concept2!!

I did finally use ergdata which is equally dot matrix 20thC tech. Such a great rower, such poor tech.

Thanks all for taking the time to help me.

Eric

[FRiC]

I did finally use ergdata which is equally dot matrix 20thC tech. Such a great rower, such poor tech.

Yeah, what I hate most about ErgData (Android) is that it doesn't continue to run as a background process, so if I get interrupted by a call or if I have an urgent message I need to reply and I forget to end the workout first, it could timeout and get killed by the OS without saving. Luckily I got a new phone last year so my old phone is used exclusively for ErgData.

Strangely enough, I just noticed ErgData is not supposed to be used with a flash drive at the same time, but that's what I always do because if (rarely nowadays) ErgData crashes I always get the workout saved on the flash drive.

[Citroen]

Strangely enough, I just noticed ErgData is not supposed to be used with a flash drive at the same time, but that's what I always do because if (rarely nowadays) ErgData crashes I always get the workout saved on the flash drive.

It being not supported means you can't complain to Concept2 if you lose workouts. But, you'll find a workout does get recorded on a USB stick in just the same way that it gets recorded in memory even if you're running Ergdata. Put the stick in before making the connection to your phone.

The annoyance I've got about Ergdata is the "Are you finished rowing" pop-up when I'm rowing intervals and the rest timer is running. They should only pop-up that message when the rest time is complete if you don't start the next interval.

The thing that really doesn't work with Ergdata is trying to run an ad-hoc race with one or more other ergos. I got the PM5 so locked up trying that, that it needed a ballpoint pen to hard reset it.

[FRiC]

The thing that really doesn't work with Ergdata is trying to run an ad-hoc race with one or more other ergos. I got the PM5 so locked up trying that, that it needed a ballpoint pen to hard reset it.

I just had a lockup last week too, had to pull the batteries, didn't realize there's a recessed button for reset. I noticed a new firmware was released a few days ago. Any idea what's new?

[jackarabit]

Strangely enough, I just noticed ErgData is not supposed to be used with a flash drive at the same time, but that's what I always do because if (rarely nowadays) ErgData crashes I always get the workout saved on the flash drive.

Are the workouts lost to ED retained in PM memory? If so, insert the stick AFTER the workout is complete and use button sequence <main menu> <USB logbook> <logbook utilities> <move workout> <select workout> <move to USB logbook>. If the transfer to USB is successful, then do the usual upload to C2 Utility by stick. Find a USB2 stick of 1gig or less storage. I still use the faux “carbon weave” stick formerly supplied with new Ds and Es with PM5. I also have two swagbag giveaways that also continue in service on gym day rows.

Don’t hesitate to contact C2 about your difficulties. They are interested in the “larger”operational environment that contributes to apparent failure of their product and will honor their warranty without resort to the Gotcha Game of attributing any and all problems to customer error.

[bojam]

The thing that really doesn't work with Ergdata is trying to run an ad-hoc race with one or more other ergos. I got the PM5 so locked up trying that, that it needed a ballpoint pen to hard reset it.

The answer to both those problems is use Boatcoach. ps I'm not connected to BC except use it.

[bojam]

If ergData could update firmware ... I would ditch the USB sticks...

[mulan]

Hey, new user here and I've just faced the same issue. Since none of the advice in this thread appears to be helpful (different brands of flash drives—you do realise that USB is a standardised serial bus, right?), I thought I would add how I managed to solve it: when formatting the USB, use the prehistoric Master Boot Record partition scheme instead of the standard GUID Partition Table.

The fact that this isn't mentioned anywhere in the documentation and the PM5 explicitly blames the file system even though I used one of the supported ones is very unfortunate, to put it mildly. Such a great machine mechanically, but looking at the software and the terrible UI/UX, it's like working with 1990s tech again (this is just one of multiple software issues I've encountered in the first three days with the machine and not something I'd expect in 2019 for the price ).