jhluxton Posted October 6, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 6, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Something has gone wrong whilst attempting an X-Vario firmware update this evening. Camera was working fine. Followed the instructions meticulously being very aware of the warnings about do not turn the camera off, do not remove the SD card. I turned the camera on pressing the info button, the install update option was selected and I left the camera. After a couple of minutes the camera shut down. I switched it back on but noticed that the Firmware was still v1.0. I tried to repeat the process the option to update the firmware did not reappear on switch on whilst pressing info, but it appeared that there was some faint illumination to the screen. I left the camera for a while and it appeared dead no sign of anything happening. After about 5 minutes passed to ensure the 90 seconds had passed the camera was then switched the off and then back on and I found it was dead. I guess I have screwed up the update and killed it! Presume its a return for repair? Fortunately still under passport. I am miffed that this has happened and can't see what I have done wrong I updated the firmware on my X1 ages ago with no problems. Just wish I could turn back the clock an hour and not bothered with the update. Don't suppose there is any magic sequence of buttons one can press to bring it back to life? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Hi jhluxton, Take a look here Help! - X-Vario Firmware Update Gone Wrong. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
waloszek Posted October 7, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 7, 2014 I am sorry to read about your mishap regarding the X Vario update. The update procedure seems indeed a bit tricky (I needed three attempts, another user four...). I did not leave the camera alone when I updated it so that it did not shut down automatically. Instead, it showed a message that I should "restart" the camera. Since I do not know what that means, I turned it off and on again... Turned on, the camera listed firmware version 1.1 in the menu. Perhaps, the automatic shut down of your camera prevented the update from being activated -- as the firmware message in the menu might indicate. On the other hand, the fact that the update message did not longer show up suggests that the camera somehow "knows" that it was updated. Looks like a "deadlock" that you are in now... Regrettably, I do not know of any "magic finger presses" that would reset your camera to the "before" state. I fear that you need to contact Leica or your Leica dealer. Best regards, Gerd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 7, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 7, 2014 A worrying report, John. Have you tried removing the battery and replacing it? Or have you tried a different backup battery? I presume you checked that it was fully charged before attempting the update? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 7, 2014 I am sorry to read about your mishap regarding the X Vario update. The update procedure seems indeed a bit tricky (I needed three attempts, another user four...). I did not leave the camera alone when I updated it so that it did not shut down automatically. Instead, it showed a message that I should "restart" the camera. Since I do not know what that means, I turned it off and on again... Turned on, the camera listed firmware version 1.1 in the menu. Thanks Gerd, I didn't leave my XC alone either, it was in my hand. Just went to sleep on me. Put it back on and it was still working. It was when I switched it off, removed the battery and SD card and started the whole process again that things went wrong. It is really rather annoying that the camera is only coming up four months old. Strangely when I bought my X1 that was around four months old when it had to go back to Solms for sensor cleaning as some dust had found its way onto the sensor! That took about 4 weeks. Had been thinking of selling the X1 after I bought the XVario but now glad I didn't. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted October 7, 2014 A worrying report, John. Have you tried removing the battery and replacing it? Or have you tried a different backup battery? I presume you checked that it was fully charged before attempting the update? Yes I had two fully charged batteries - have tried both - green lights on charger before inserting. Have phoned Leica UK Client care they are going to call back as they don't open until 10:00. One would think that performing an update would be less difficult. I didn't put the update in when first released as I was a bit put off by the warnings of causing serious damage on the instruction document if one switched the camera off. However, the camera took itself into sleep mode as I was holding it - I didn't switch it off! One almost wonders if Leica knew of potential problems by putting that warning on the bottom. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 7, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 7, 2014 I will be interested in reading Leica UK's response. I agree updating firmware is quite stressful; not the sort of action to rush or do when fatigued. Not that this applies in your case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waloszek Posted October 7, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 7, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) John, thanks for your reply. I didn't leave my XC alone either, it was in my hand. Just went to sleep on me. Put it back on and it was still working. It was when I switched it off, removed the battery and SD card and started the whole process again that things went wrong. It sounds rather mysteriously to me that your camera restarted itself automatically instead of asking for a restart, like mine did. Regrettably, I have no idea why this happened. I am interested as well to read what Leica UK told you. Best regards, Gerd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 7, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 7, 2014 ... Had been thinking of selling the X1 after I bought the XVario but now glad I didn't. John John, my advice would be do not rush into selling your X1. I find mine a very useful companion with the XV on day trips etc; while it is an excellent solo camera when out shopping with photography well down the priority list. It is also advantageous when its compact size becomes a virtue in some close encounter situations. And its slightly faster lens is useful in museums etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted October 7, 2014 Phoned Leica UK The person I spoke to at UK Client Care said they had not really had a problem with firmware updates as I reported but he said had seen comments on about firmware updates on other manufacturers cameras giving problems. Well I suppose he has to tow the company line! :-)) However, to be fair I must admit there isn't much on this forum to suggest people have had problems, as I am sure if there had been there would have been other comments by now. The client care chap could not suggest a solution to the problem apart from trying a different battery which I had already done. Thus he emailed me a UPS label and fault report form. It was picked up a short while back and is now on its way to Wetzlar for repairs. David, it was partly the better low light performance that had led to me deciding to keep the X1 for a while at least until I could ascertain how the XV coped on short, dark winter days. I'll keep the forum updated on the outcome of all this. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted October 15, 2014 I received an e-mail early on Monday confirming my XV's safe arrival at the factory. No information from Leica yet as to what went wrong or how long repairs will take. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted October 20, 2014 I have received information from Leica that the repair has been completed. They note in their receipt of condition that the display was scratched. Strange they should note that as the camera since new has had a hard screen protector fitted - I hope the scratch they refer to is on that protector and someone hasn't removed it! Anyway this is what they have done following the firmware update failure: repair/replace electronics adjust electronic contactor adjust zoom mechanism adjustment of all parts repair free of charge Neccessary parts printed circuit 1,000 ST It all appears a lot of work for an update that has gone wrong fortunately it is free of charge I would hate to think what it would have cost if it had been out of passport. I hope that Leica really do something to make firmware updates less fraught with danger. I don't think I will try one again despite having worked with computers and digital products from various manufacturers since the early 1980s without any significant problems. If you have not done an X-Vario firmware update yet please think carefully about the necessity of it! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted October 20, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 20, 2014 Dang. I received my new X Vario yesterday, looked at it lovingly, and then thought, "firmware, I wonder what version". I checked, 1.0. Then I recalled your nightmare. But the geek in me says, heck, I did this all the time when I had my Fuji's, and have done it once with the Leica X1, how hard can it be? I downloaded the latest 1.1 firmware and fitted the new and freshly charged battery. I must admit to trepidation as your post certainly was close in my mind. However all went well, it updated in what I suspect was about 60 - 90 seconds, even though the notification on the camera said "about 3 minutes". Firmware 1.1 is installed and all is good. Hopefully you will have yours back soon this will all be just a distant memory. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 20, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 20, 2014 I have received information from Leica that the repair has been scompleted. They note in their receipt of condition that the display was scratched. Strange they should note that as the camera since new has had a hard screen protector fitted - I hope the scratch they refer to is on that protector and someone hasn't removed it! Anyway this is what they have done following the firmware update failure: repair/replace electronics adjust electronic contactor adjust zoom mechanism? adjustment of all parts repair free of charge Neccessary parts printed circuit 1,000 ST It all appears a lot of work for an update that has gone wrong fortunately it is free of charge I would hate to think what it would have cost if it had been out of passport. I hope that Leica really do something to make firmware updates less fraught with danger. I don't think I will try one again despite having worked with computers and digital products from various manufacturers since the early 1980s without any significant problems. If you have not done an X-Vario firmware update yet please think carefully about the necessity of it! John It appears to me that the update went wrong because of a hardware failure, not the other way around. Enjoy your resurrected camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted October 21, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 21, 2014 That is good news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted October 21, 2014 It appears to me that the update went wrong because of a hardware failure, not the other way around. Enjoy your resurrected camera! Yes I suppose that may be the case - it was very disconcerting to see the camera shut itself down when the instructions told one not to! But I there was no indication that the camera was in anyway faulty having used it to take many photos the previous day at a bus and tram rally. I think I will still be wary of firmware updates in the future. If one makes a mess of updating a computer's o/s the worse one has to do is reinstall the operating system and programs which whilst it may be very time consuming and frustrating does not usually cause any physical damage to the computer hardware. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 23, 2014 If the malfunction had been due to operator error you would have been entitled to a free repair under your UK Leica Passport's accidental damage cover. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted November 9, 2014 My XV returned home on Monday, though I was only able to test it yesterday due to a busy week. There was evidence of the screws having been undone so someone had been inside to repair effect the repair. However, one wondered just home much of the electronics had been repaired / replaced as the file numbers continued from where I had taken my last picture in early October before trying to install the new update. Leica Customer Care had noted on their inspection that the display was scratched and I was wondering if they had pulled off the hard screen protector I had fitted since new. They hadn't, so I don't know where the report of the scratched screen came from. Oh, yet is came back with the new firmware installed. Anyway, I will chalk this one up to experience, but I am certainly going to think carefully before doing a Leica XV update should another one appear. Anyway, back to taking photos, though a bit frustrated the XV wasn't available for my week's holiday earlier in October! Incidentally last weekend my Sony Experia android phone started nagging me that there was an update d operating system available. This required plugging the phone into the PC via USB everything was done on the computer via the USB cable with on screen prompts. I just thought that perhaps that might be a better way for Leica to implement future firmware up dates. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 9, 2014 Share #18 Posted November 9, 2014 My XV returned home on Monday … Oh, yet is came back with the new firmware installed Anyway, I will chalk this one up to experience, but I am certainly going to think carefully before doing a Leica XV update should another one appear ... John You were unlucky with the firmware update not being possible … chance of it happening again is probably zilch … so should be fine next time. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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