Pm5 acting up after firmware upgrade

[Aimon]

Hey all, updated my pm5 to 171 and now it wont register my strokes. Occasionally it gives me some really screwy random numbers as well. Anyone else had the same problems with the update?


I took out the sensor to see if this could be an issue. It was complaining of not being able to find the sensor before it stopped working. Any thoughts?

https://imgur.com/a/BRhFcdI

[Citroen]

Is that on a Model C? Because there's been a bug with Model C with PM3/PM4/PM5 for a long time where it skips a beat and gives you wonky results.

Cleaning the magnets (and checking they're all there) may help. Cleaning the coil may help. Ensuring the coil lines up with the flywheel magnets may help.

Worst case strip the magnets off the flywheel and replace them with similar sized Neodymium (NdFeB) magnets.

[Tsnor]

reset the PM5. Insert a pen into the recess on back of pm5. Second from bottom. https://www.concept2.com/service/monito ... how-to-use

force reinstall of the new firmware. This is an option on the Concept2 Utility.

If you don't care about lifetime miles, force a factory hard reset. Look 1/2 way down this page. https://www.concept2.com/service/monito ... %20buttons.

If it still won't register strokes follow these steps (especially reseating the sensor cable were it attaches to the PM5) then call/email C2 support. https://www.concept2.com/service/monito ... stuck-zero

The type of flash memory used to hold firmware is rarely well checked. RAM is no longer even parity checked. Random errors happen. This is true on laptops, phones, pm5, watches etc. By forcing reinstall of the firmware you pretty much get rid the the random error possibility. The resets will clear out garbage values potentially caused by bad firmware and clear all RAM. The hard reset clears more data so works better, but it loses your lifetime data and everything else. The "stuck on zero" debugging is just in case the "wont register my strokes" was because something moved while you were putting the USB cable in to do the firmware update, or just a timing coincidence. Personally, if the erg was good before the update I'd make sure I had a good PM5 by doing the reset/forced update before I touched any hardware, especially the magnets.

[Carl Watts]

Maybe you were just unlucky and the cable gave out when you disconnected it.

Make sure the plug is clean. The rust on the sensor makes no difference.

Make sure the PM5 is configured for a model D/E rower

The PM5 is a bit smarter now than the old monitors, if you turn it on without the sensor connected it should tell you.

I have stayed off the latest version of firmware and remain on V168. Its possible to go back to the older version if you have the file and you just drag and drop it onto the update utility.

For some reason C2 does not put the legacy software on their website so you can "Roll Back" to an earlier version if you have issues.

Factory default reset the PM5 buy holding the bottom 2 left buttons and pin the back with a paper clip.

[Aimon]

Is that on a Model C? Because there's been a bug with Model C with PM3/PM4/PM5 for a long time where it skips a beat and gives you wonky results.

Cleaning the magnets (and checking they're all there) may help. Cleaning the coil may help. Ensuring the coil lines up with the flywheel magnets may help.

Worst case strip the magnets off the flywheel and replace them with similar sized Neodymium (NdFeB) magnets.

Nope its a model d

[Citroen]

Same advice applies. Clean everything. Replace magnets if needed.

[Aimon]

Maybe you were just unlucky and the cable gave out when you disconnected it.

Make sure the plug is clean. The rust on the sensor makes no difference.
- Its clean
Make sure the PM5 is configured for a model D/E rower
- can't check as it won't turn on.
The PM5 is a bit smarter now than the old monitors, if you turn it on without the sensor connected it should tell you.

I have stayed off the latest version of firmware and remain on V168. Its possible to go back to the older version if you have the file and you just drag and drop it onto the update utility.

For some reason C2 does not put the legacy software on their website so you can "Roll Back" to an earlier version if you have issues.

Factory default reset the PM5 buy holding the bottom 2 left buttons and pin the back with a paper clip.
- Does nothing.

Its feeling like the thing is bricked as nothing i do gets any response. New batteries, reset buttons etc.

Pretty upset that something is this fragile and wouldn't buy another one if a simple firmware upgrade bricks it. I hope there is another reason. Going to get on the phone with support today.

Does anyone know anything about the flashing red light on the back? Is that just saying there is power or is that an alarm?

[Aimon]

Same advice applies. Clean everything. Replace magnets if needed.

Sorry if i am a bit daft but what is "everything". I should at least be able to get the thing to turn on when detached from the rower right?

[Aimon]

Called Concept2. They are saying the flashing red light means the PM5 has failed. Pretty suspicious considering this happened straight after I upgrade the firmware. Probably should have left everything as it was.

[Ombrax]

Called Concept2. They are saying the flashing red light means the PM5 has failed. Pretty suspicious considering this happened straight after I upgrade the firmware. Probably should have left everything as it was.

If there's a fix available Carl will most certainly know what it is.

If there isn't then that's too bad. However, I agree that updating the PM firmware shouldn't result in a total, non-recoverable failure. I suppose one consolation is that a new PM5 isn't super-expensive. $160 and you're good to go.

[Aimon]

If anyone has a link to a previous firmware. It would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Aimon]

Also how long does a monitor usually last? I see this one was manufactured in 2017. I am a second owner.

[Carl Watts]

If anyone has a link to a previous firmware. It would be appreciated.

Thanks

There is no link.

PM me with your e-mail address and I can e-mail you the V168 file.

Is your PC still recognizing it as being connected when your in the C2 update utility ?

I thought it was pretty hard to brick the PM5, you can most certainly brick the older PM3 if your not careful.

It pays to stay on the most current firmware most of the time, if the monitor is stuck on the earliest firmware it had and you try and up date it years later then its higher risk. Not just the firmware gets updated sometimes the "Loader" gets updated as well. I thought it was pretty much impossible to brick the latest firmware because if it hangs or fails a CRC check it just reverts to the old version.

[Aimon]

Yes. Computer can still see the pm5 when i plug it in via usb so should work. Its just acting really weird

Will send my email.

[Carl Watts]

Thanks Simon, sent you an e-mail. Anyone else having troubles can PM me with their e-mail address and I can send you the V168 file.

Defiantly nothing wrong with V168 have been using it for over a year so if you still have issues the problem is hardware related.