IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM

Reformat flash

Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2576
Printed Date: 10 May 2025 at 3:21am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Reformat flash

Posted By: doog
Subject: Reformat flash
Date 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.

Replies:

Posted By: MikeS
Date 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

Posted By: doog
Date 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.

Posted By: doog
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2023 at 7:28pm

everything reloaded just fine. all good now.