For those struggling with USB sticks for PM5 firmware updates

[tboone]

Of all the topics I've read on this discussion, I only found one referenced at the bottom of a locked thread, and thought it deserved its own post. I would recommend it be included in the support page for flash drive based firmware upgrades.

After trying five flash drives ranging from USB 2 to USB 3, 1 GB to 32 GB, replacing the rower batteries, plugging into wall power, resetting the rower to firmware loader mode, formatting as FAT32, I was having no luck.

Until -

I formatted the flash drive with MBR instead of GPT. After doing this on each drive, I could successfully connect each one to my PM5.

A couple notes:
1. Windows 10's format utility by default only allows GPT formatting. I would suggest a free utility named Rufus to allow you to format as MBR easily.
2. For reference, MBR is an older partitioning scheme that has been mostly replaced by GPT

I wasn't sure which page to post this on, and of course - your mileage may vary, but I hope this helps some readers out there.

[Ombrax]

Interesting.

If I were you I'd sending C2 an e-mail telling them what you've found and ask them if that's what they would expect, and if not why not? If it's a common issue it should be something they address with a permanent fix on their side (beyond just telling people to use an older, potentially soon to be obsolete format).

[Carl Watts]

At the end of the day I wouldn't recommend firmware updating your PM5 via a USB memory stick.

The reason is because if your battery goes flat part way through its bad news. The USB sticks also use a load of current, further increasing the risk of your batteries suddenly failing.

Use a USB printer cable to a PC and the Concept 2 utility. The best option is a laptop with a fully charged battery on mains power should the highly unlikely event the power fails during a firmware update. The PC or laptop is supplying power to the PM5 while your doing the update so you have redundancy.

[Citroen]

If the USB stick is 32GB or less the default is a MBR format. So this isn't a big issue.

I'm with Carl I'd always use a laptop & printer (USB-A to USB-B) cable where possible and only revert to using a USB stick when that is impossible.

[goldcd]

I formatted the flash drive with MBR instead of GPT. After doing this on each drive, I could successfully connect each one to my PM5.

As I couldn't reply to the locked post, I'll thank you.
Thank You.
That's been annoying me for ages, and now one less minor annoyance in my life.

[Tsnor]

Glad your MBR approach worked for you. I wonder what file system your format put on the drive. There are several file systems that support master boot record. Only the FAT or FAT32 file systems are stated as supported for C2 firmware updates, and fat32 doesn't get a MBR.

Concept2 says "Concept2 recommends using a USB 2.0 or USB 3.1 flash drive that is 16GB or smaller, and it must be formatted to FAT or FAT32 (not exFAT or NTFS). The flash drive must be dedicated for use only with Concept2 equipment and not contain any other folders. " https://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm5/firmware