Curing A “Bricked” Taranis

Clearing a “Bricked” Taranis

Contributed by Scott Page w/Leonard MacKey (mac44mag)

Sometimes things just don’t go like they should. One of those time is when the wrong firmware has been installed on your Taranis. Say that you have an original Taranis, but accidentally install the Taranis Plus firmware. This is not a good thing. Everything from a completely blank (aka: bricked) transmitter to one seemingly possessed by the Poltergeist has been reported.   Another possible reason for the problem is that the firmware you downloaded was, somehow, corrupted in transit.

In either case, it needs to be replaced. The key is writing the desired firmware to your TX using Companion with the TX OFF! However, if you can’t talk to it from your computer, how do you do that?  Unfortunately, at this point even if your TX came with v2.0+ installed on it, you must use the TX “OFF” method of upgrading, and that requires the STM32 Bootloader.

Part 1: Confirming/Installing the STM32 Bootloader

First, you need to confirm that you have the STM32 Bootloader installed and running.

NOTE: If you’ve previously written the firmware using TX-OFF, then you already have the STM32 Bootloader installed and running.  YEA!

Here’s how we’re going to do this:

  1. First, remove the battery from your TX.  This is the critical step for this particular case.  If you elect to do a “normal” firmware write with the TX OFF, battery removal is not required.
  2. Connect TX to computer via your USB connector.
  3. Next, we’ll check to see if the STM32 Bootloader is, indeed, installed where we want it to be.  Nothing happens without it.
  4. Open the Device Manager (Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager) and scroll to the bottom.  If Universal Serial Bus Devices is present, click the triangle if it’s not already open.  If you see this, you’re good to go!

STM_Bootloader_DisclaimerW

  1. If you don’t see that, you’re going to have to run Zadig and install the STM32 Bootloader.  Note: This is the “USB Serial Bus Devices”, not “Universal Serial Bus Controllers.”
  2. Disconnect your TX from your computer.
  3. Look in Device Manager (Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager) to see if you have any reference to STM in DFU mode listed.  If you have anything else relating to Taranis, uninstall it.

device_manager1W

  1. Reconnect your transmitter
  2. Check Device Manager.  You’ll probably see something like one of these two images:

STM32_other_devicesW
STM_boot_modeW

  1. Download and run Zadig. There are specific instructions on how to do that in Scott Page’s video, “Upgrading a Taranis to v2.0.”  The relevant portion begins around the 4:00 minute mark.  While this video specifically addresses moving an older Taranis (pre v2.0 firmware) to the newer v2.0 family, the procedure for running Zadig and installing the STM Bootloader in the proper location is exactly the same fore this case.You can also find detailed instructions at Open-TXU in the Undergraduate -> Fundamentals of OpenTX (Win) -> Intro. to Zadig class.

After running Zadig you’ll know you’re successful if you see “Universal Serial Bus devices line appear below the USB controllers — at the very bottom.  Open this and you should see “STM Bootloader”. If you do you’re good to go.

STM32_LoadedW

Part 2: Downloading and Installing the Firmware

The rest is actually a repeat of what you did the first time, but we’ll review the procedure.

  1. Open Companion with the TX OFF and connected to the computer.  If you’re continuing from the previous section, you’re all set.
  2. Start OpenTX Companion 2.0+ and check Program Settings to see that you have the correct Radio chosen.
    1. With Companion open, select: Settings –> Settings from the Main Menu.
    2. In the  “Radio Type” area, select the correct firmware for your radio.  Choosing the wrong radio will lead to gnashing of teeth with a concurrent use of profanity.
  3. Check to see that “Offer to write FW to Tx after download” is checked.  This is what your screen should look like for the Taranis:

correct_firmwareW

  1. Now click “OK” to download a FRESH copy of the firmware.  Follow the instructions to save it at a location of your choice, if it’s offered.
  2. When asked if you want to write to the Tx – do that thing.
  3. Safely eject both the TARANIS drive and the additional drive representing the SD card before unplugging the USB cord.

Your first start after writing the firmware should NOT be into the bootloader, but start-up normally and if given a prompt to format the EEPROM do it.

Once Transmitter is started and working then shut down and restart and enter the FrSky Taranis Bootloader mode using the three finger boogie.

Now you can connect to the Computer and use it with Companion.

Again,every time, before removing the Taranis from the computer USB connection, be sure to disconnect the Taranis using Safe Eject.  Strange things have happened to those who ignore this warning.

Hope this helps!