Constant white flashing LED, never any other color

Troubleshooting
1

Hi, So I just unpacked my new Spark Core and tried plugging it in to connect to the android app and get developing… but I hit a snag. From the moment I first plugged it in (MacBook USB port) It has been quickly breathing white on the main LED (approx 2x per second).

I have never seen it turn blue or any other color (except for yellow when i entered DFU mode.) I tried looking around this post Fast flashing white then solid blue then repeats, but seems like it can’t help. Note: I did that on all on a Windows computer since it seemed easier than on a Mac. I had problems with Zadig, but either way I’m stumped at what to do.

Any suggestions?

2

I'm wondering if that's really the blinking "Blue" that you're seeing. It's very bright. This would indicate (http://docs.spark.io/#/start/leds):

Flashing blue: Listening mode, waiting for network information.

I don't have the Android or IOs app, so I had to set it up over Serial connection (using Windows). This doesn't require the dfu-util or Zadig. It does, however, require a Windows driver file. Follow the instructions from http://docs.spark.io/#/connect/connecting-your-core-connect-over-usb

If you are really flashing white, I would follow the instructions for a factory reset (http://docs.spark.io/#/connect/troubleshooting-by-color-main-led-off-small-blue-led-dim) and then see what happens from there.

Dave O

3

Hi @dglover,

Just checking, did you try a factory reset on your core? – Power the core, hold down both buttons and then release the reset button. Keep holding while the core flashes yellow, and then release when it starts flashing white. – Does that help at all or is it still only ever flashing white?

Another thing to try would be to grab a copy of the firmware binary, and try flashing that onto your core while it’s in dfu mode. Instructions for that are here: https://github.com/spark/core-firmware and the binary is here: https://github.com/spark/core-firmware/blob/spark_2/build/core-firmware.bin

4

I am pretty sure it is white, because all of the diodes inside the RBG LED are on, and the light is pretty dang white, no tint of blue. When I try to use the Android app, all I get is “No Cores found. Try Again”. They are a few inches from each other.

I have tried using the Serial connection using windows, but it doesn’t appear listed as a port, so I can’t connect (via OSX), I will re-try on windows later. But this is odd because multiple arduinos have always been listed on this computer,

@Dave I have tried several factory resets. It goes back to the same flashing white. That vid is from just after a factory reset.

I am going to try to flash the core, but to be honest, the last time I was trying that (see first post), I was having problems with Zadig/dfu-util.

Update : parkCore doesn’t appear on the list in Zadig on Windows, and doesn’t appear as a serial connection on Mac/Windows. I’m out of my comfort level doing anything else with it.

5

Hi @dglover,

If flashing new firmware doesn’t help, it sounds like there could be an issue with your core and we should do a replacement. Can you email us at hello@spark.io if it doesn’t work?

Thanks,
David

6

I will email you guys there, with reference to this post.

Thanks @Dave.