Reformat flash

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I lost power during chart updates and now my IFD 550 won't take any updates.  It immediately says "Error copying files".  I'm told I need to go to a dealer to format the flash memory and reload everything.  I've made an appointment for that but it's going to be a giant PITA as I have to fly there and wait at least 3 hours and pay for labor to watch him reload stuff.  Is there any tips and tricks that might resolve the issue before I do all that?  Any chance I can do this with my local A&P to avoid the trip to the dealer?  We've updated the software versions in the past and had no issues whatsoever.  

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
doog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 2017 Location: KCCR Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote doog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Reformat flash Posted: 07 Sep 2023 at 1:58pm
	I lost power during chart updates and now my IFD 550 won't take any updates. It immediately says "Error copying files". I'm told I need to go to a dealer to format the flash memory and reload everything. I've made an appointment for that but it's going to be a giant PITA as I have to fly there and wait at least 3 hours and pay for labor to watch him reload stuff. Is there any tips and tricks that might resolve the issue before I do all that? Any chance I can do this with my local A&P to avoid the trip to the dealer? We've updated the software versions in the past and had no issues whatsoever.

MikeS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29 Jan 2021 Location: Melbourne Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote MikeS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2023 at 3:27pm
	The CF Reformat is not quite the same as a software load and has very specific steps. For this reason, we strongly advise against having anyone other than the Avidyne Dealer perform the procedure. This offers you protection because if anything goes wrong, an IFD under warranty will still be covered. We cannot offer the same warranty protection at non-Avidyne Dealer shops. As with any GPS navigators undergoing an update of any kind, it is highly recommended to use an external power source during these updates and to pull circuit breakers for any unused electronics that would drain power. https://pilotsupport.avidyne.com/kb/article/562-ifd-database-upload/ This is standard SOP in any Part 135 operator I've worked with using the same systems (Avidyne, Garmin, etc.). Think about the Low Power Operations section from your Pilot Guide. It doesn't take much for the USB port to shut down, so anything regarding uploads on internal battery power is a bad idea.
	Mike Salmon Technical Marketing Manager Avidyne Corporation

doog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 2017 Location: KCCR Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote doog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2023 at 6:15pm
	The batteries were always more than adequate to update the DBs but it had just come out of annual and they had run them down during the static check. lesson learned. I've also had to order new batteries. I guess I'm flying to the dealer.

doog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 Nov 2017 Location: KCCR Status: Offline Points: 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote doog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Sep 2023 at 7:28pm
	everything reloaded just fine. all good now.