Hi all. So I had a bit of clear skies tonight after few weeks off. I most of the time leave my imaging gear outside covered up with a large waterproof sheet. Tonight after polar alignment was done I started taking a sequence of images to properly focused. Some images were taken with no problem and then it could no longer take any images with a message popping up saying it's failed. So I switched the asiair pro off,back on,again same problem with no WiFi. I left it for about an hour,went back outside still couldn't take any image. So I brought it inside and realised the WiFi doesn't come up or flash on the side. The asiair pro no longer beeps either after powering on. So I'm not sure whether it's broken and I need to buy another one or is it fixable? Thanks in advance
Help with Asiair Pro
Hi,
First I would advise you to unplug ALL (ALL!) the devices and ALL the usb cables from the ASIAIR.
Then check the power supply. Is your power supply working fine with other devices ?
It could possibly be an SD card failure. The system is stored on that SD card and it’s not the most reliable storing device to say the least.
first try to unplug the SD card and put it back. Maybe just a faulty contact.
If it’s really the SD card that is acting up, I suggest you to get a new one (a new-genuine-original one from a reputable company, NOT a Chinese low-cost copy! ) and try to restore the system on it.
Here how to proceed:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
If the SD card is damaged, you’ll have to contact ZWO to get a new licence.
Hope this will help!
First I would advise you to unplug ALL (ALL!) the devices and ALL the usb cables from the ASIAIR.
Then check the power supply. Is your power supply working fine with other devices ?
It could possibly be an SD card failure. The system is stored on that SD card and it’s not the most reliable storing device to say the least.
first try to unplug the SD card and put it back. Maybe just a faulty contact.
If it’s really the SD card that is acting up, I suggest you to get a new one (a new-genuine-original one from a reputable company, NOT a Chinese low-cost copy! ) and try to restore the system on it.
Here how to proceed:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
If the SD card is damaged, you’ll have to contact ZWO to get a new licence.
Hope this will help!
Helpful Supportive
Was there any moisture that could be causing the issue? Condensation? Obvious water?
Well Written
Check the SD Card Status Indicator, I had to replace my SD card with an new one. This has the software the unit uses to operate, and I had no beep or indicator light. if System working normally the indicator will show irregular blinking, or if the SD card or start up failed the indicator will regular blinking and you may have to replace the SD card or try reseating the SD card. This is the reason for making a backup SD card when you first get the ASIAIR Pro. From the ZWO ASIAIR Pro User’s manual has, if there's anything wrong with the WiFi indicator, press the RESET button and release it after the light flashes. The WiFi hotspot, password, and the date of thestation mode will be reset after 5 seconds.
ZWO has a user forum for their Products, and you may ask them about what you are seeing and somebody or the ZWO Rep will get back with you.
I've had failure to image notices from a malfunctioning cable. Moisture could certainly have impacted a cable or connection. Do you have another cable to try?
Well Written Concise
I’ve had an ASAIR PRO fail after getting rained on and I’ve had a card go bad on the replacement. After trying the reset button I would try restoring an image on a new card:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
One additional thing to try is to try a Ethernet cable connection inside for testing purposes. See if you get any lights at the cable connection or if the ASIAIR registers the connection. With WiFi, try switching between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz and see if that changes your results…I’m not optimistic given that your symptoms sound familiar and you aren’t getting the status lights.
Also check that your power supply hasn’t gone bad. That can cause issues.
For the future, I would consider bringing the ASIAIR in when you cover up your equipment. It is a raspberry PI card in a vented aluminum case and it is not particularly immune to the elements. The heat it generates while it is on will likely prevent dew from forming on it but condensation could easily build up inside it during day/night cycles while no power is applied and that won’t mix well when you turn it back on.
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
One additional thing to try is to try a Ethernet cable connection inside for testing purposes. See if you get any lights at the cable connection or if the ASIAIR registers the connection. With WiFi, try switching between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz and see if that changes your results…I’m not optimistic given that your symptoms sound familiar and you aren’t getting the status lights.
Also check that your power supply hasn’t gone bad. That can cause issues.
For the future, I would consider bringing the ASIAIR in when you cover up your equipment. It is a raspberry PI card in a vented aluminum case and it is not particularly immune to the elements. The heat it generates while it is on will likely prevent dew from forming on it but condensation could easily build up inside it during day/night cycles while no power is applied and that won’t mix well when you turn it back on.
Helpful Engaging
I haven't had this problem, but if I did here are the steps I would trouble shoot:
1. Check power - is your battery putting out 12.8 volts and more than 5 amps
2. Check cables - swap them out if you spares
3. Reset the ASIAIR - hold in the reset button on the ASIAIR for at least 5 seconds
4. Check the micro SD card - pull it out and put it back in and restart. The operating system for the ASIAIR resides on the micro SD card.
5. Buy a new micro SD card and load the ASIAIR operating system on it. There are good instructions on the ZWO website for doing this.
After this it might be a hardware problem. Good hunting.
1. Check power - is your battery putting out 12.8 volts and more than 5 amps
2. Check cables - swap them out if you spares
3. Reset the ASIAIR - hold in the reset button on the ASIAIR for at least 5 seconds
4. Check the micro SD card - pull it out and put it back in and restart. The operating system for the ASIAIR resides on the micro SD card.
5. Buy a new micro SD card and load the ASIAIR operating system on it. There are good instructions on the ZWO website for doing this.
After this it might be a hardware problem. Good hunting.
Helpful
Check the SD Card Status Indicator, I had to replace my SD card with an new one. This has the software the unit uses to operate, and I had no beep or indicator light. if System working normally the indicator will show irregular blinking, or if the SD card or start up failed the indicator will regular blinking and you may have to replace the SD card or try reseating the SD card. This is the reason for making a backup SD card when you first get the ASIAIR Pro. From the ZWO ASIAIR Pro User’s manual has, if there's anything wrong with the WiFi indicator, press the RESET button and release it after the light flashes. The WiFi hotspot, password, and the date of thestation mode will be reset after 5 seconds.
*** The sd card indicator just blinks for few seconds then goes off. Where is the reset button on the asiair, can't seem to find it?***
Luth Moser:
Hi,
First I would advise you to unplug ALL (ALL!) the devices and ALL the usb cables from the ASIAIR.
Then check the power supply. Is your power supply working fine with other devices ?
It could possibly be an SD card failure. The system is stored on that SD card and it’s not the most reliable storing device to say the least.
first try to unplug the SD card and put it back. Maybe just a faulty contact.
If it’s really the SD card that is acting up, I suggest you to get a new one (a new-genuine-original one from a reputable company, NOT a Chinese low-cost copy! ) and try to restore the system on it.
Here how to proceed:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
If the SD card is damaged, you’ll have to contact ZWO to get a new licence.
Hope this will help!
*** So if I do get a new sd card do I still need to contact zwo for a new license? And which sd card do you recommend?***
Marc Whitsett:
Was there any moisture that could be causing the issue? Condensation? Obvious water?
*** It could have been, not 100% sure***
Abdul Thomas Jnr:Luth Moser:
Hi,
First I would advise you to unplug ALL (ALL!) the devices and ALL the usb cables from the ASIAIR.
Then check the power supply. Is your power supply working fine with other devices ?
It could possibly be an SD card failure. The system is stored on that SD card and it’s not the most reliable storing device to say the least.
first try to unplug the SD card and put it back. Maybe just a faulty contact.
If it’s really the SD card that is acting up, I suggest you to get a new one (a new-genuine-original one from a reputable company, NOT a Chinese low-cost copy! ) and try to restore the system on it.
Here how to proceed:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_restore_ASIAIR_SD_card.pdf
If the SD card is damaged, you’ll have to contact ZWO to get a new licence.
Hope this will help!
*** So if I do get a new sd card do I still need to contact zwo for a new license? And which sd card do you recommend?***
If you tried everything else and can’t make the ASIAIR work again, you can try to restore it on a new SD card.
I would take the exact same card : 32GB from SanDisk. Just be sure you buy a genuine product. SD card are not the most reliables storage solution especially when you use to store an OS.
Note : use a new 32GB, (not a 64GB or 128GB ! ). The restore is not very complicated process but better read the ZWO tutorial and watch some videos on YouTube before the restoration.
Helpful
I need to send the ssid of the asiair to zwo for a new licence but if the asiair system is not coming on how do I know the ssid name?
Abdul Thomas Jnr:
I need to send the ssid of the asiair to zwo for a new licence but if the asiair system is not coming on how do I know the ssid name?
Did you reset the wifi ?
Press on the reset button and maintain it 7 seconds.
Wait 1 minute for the reset to finish. Then try to see if you can see the ASIAIR SSID from your phone’s wifi settings.
Concise
Luth Moser:Abdul Thomas Jnr:
I need to send the ssid of the asiair to zwo for a new licence but if the asiair system is not coming on how do I know the ssid name?
Did you reset the wifi ?
Press on the reset button and maintain it 7 seconds.
Wait 1 minute for the reset to finish. Then try to see if you can see the ASIAIR SSID from your phone’s wifi settings.
*** Where is the reset button on the asiair pro?***
Sorry, I don't have the Pro. But, on the Plus the reset button is just above the where the antenna inserts into the body of the Air…
I don't think the asiair pro has got a reset button 🤔
Reset “button” is recessed just to the left of the power switch.
power the ASIAIR PRO on, give it about 30 seconds, then take a toothpick or straightened paper clip and push the recessed reset button until the lights flash then release.
then see if you can connect to the WiFi via the built in hotspot.
reminder (once you get it working again), you probably are already doing this, but make sure you are shutting the ASIAIR PRO down using the settings tab in the app then waiting for the lights to turn off before you shut off the physical switch
power the ASIAIR PRO on, give it about 30 seconds, then take a toothpick or straightened paper clip and push the recessed reset button until the lights flash then release.
then see if you can connect to the WiFi via the built in hotspot.
reminder (once you get it working again), you probably are already doing this, but make sure you are shutting the ASIAIR PRO down using the settings tab in the app then waiting for the lights to turn off before you shut off the physical switch
Helpful Supportive
Reset “button” is recessed just to the left of the power switch.
power the ASIAIR PRO on, give it about 30 seconds, then take a toothpick or straightened paper clip and push the recessed reset button until the lights flash then release.
then see if you can connect to the WiFi via the built in hotspot.
reminder (once you get it working again), you probably are already doing this, but make sure you are shutting the ASIAIR PRO down using the settings tab in the app then waiting for the lights to turn off before you shut off the physical switch
*** Oh dear i have never shut it that way,always the switch. But i will give this a go and i will get back to you. Thank you***
If you made a backup of the SD card when you first received the ASIAIR Pro, then the backup will already have the software license on the backup SD card already. If not yes, you will need to get a new license for ZWO.
This happened to me exactly, with the very same problems you describe. I thought I'd bricked it. No beep, weird lights, no wifi.
In my case something about the readability of the SD card was corrupted.
What fixed it for me was to take the SD card out, put it into a card reader, plug the card reader into a computer, view the files on the card (which seemed to 're-jig' the file system for want of a better term) then plug the card back into the AIR - and voila, t worked again.
YMMV but try this first!
TL;DR - put SD card in a computer and look at some files, then put the SD card back in the AIR and reboot.
In my case something about the readability of the SD card was corrupted.
What fixed it for me was to take the SD card out, put it into a card reader, plug the card reader into a computer, view the files on the card (which seemed to 're-jig' the file system for want of a better term) then plug the card back into the AIR - and voila, t worked again.
YMMV but try this first!
TL;DR - put SD card in a computer and look at some files, then put the SD card back in the AIR and reboot.
Helpful Supportive
Barrington Russell:
This happened to me exactly, with the very same problems you describe. I thought I'd bricked it. No beep, weird lights, no wifi.
In my case something about the readability of the SD card was corrupted.
What fixed it for me was to take the SD card out, put it into a card reader, plug the card reader into a computer, view the files on the card (which seemed to 're-jig' the file system for want of a better term) then plug the card back into the AIR - and voila, t worked again.
YMMV but try this first!
TL;DR - put SD card in a computer and look at some files, then put the SD card back in the AIR and reboot.
*** Will try this,thanks ***
Barrington Russell:
This happened to me exactly, with the very same problems you describe. I thought I'd bricked it. No beep, weird lights, no wifi.
In my case something about the readability of the SD card was corrupted.
What fixed it for me was to take the SD card out, put it into a card reader, plug the card reader into a computer, view the files on the card (which seemed to 're-jig' the file system for want of a better term) then plug the card back into the AIR - and voila, t worked again.
YMMV but try this first!
TL;DR - put SD card in a computer and look at some files, then put the SD card back in the AIR and reboot.
Reset “button” is recessed just to the left of the power switch.
power the ASIAIR PRO on, give it about 30 seconds, then take a toothpick or straightened paper clip and push the recessed reset button until the lights flash then release.
then see if you can connect to the WiFi via the built in hotspot.
reminder (once you get it working again), you probably are already doing this, but make sure you are shutting the ASIAIR PRO down using the settings tab in the app then waiting for the lights to turn off before you shut off the physical switch
*** I have tried this,held the reset button for different seconds and no lights came on apart from the power light. I dont know where to go from here.***
Barrington Russell:
This happened to me exactly, with the very same problems you describe. I thought I'd bricked it. No beep, weird lights, no wifi.
In my case something about the readability of the SD card was corrupted.
What fixed it for me was to take the SD card out, put it into a card reader, plug the card reader into a computer, view the files on the card (which seemed to 're-jig' the file system for want of a better term) then plug the card back into the AIR - and voila, t worked again.
YMMV but try this first!
TL;DR - put SD card in a computer and look at some files, then put the SD card back in the AIR and reboot.
*** I've tried this,no luck for me***
Next step is to try and restore the firmware with the following instructions: https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/How_to_Restore_ASIAIR_OS.pdf