0801 Turns off after a minute

[johntee]

Hi

I have a "genuine" 0801 Ambarella A2S60 (1080P) with GPS tracker base which came via AliExpress last year and was supplied with a "KingMax 32Gb HC Micro SD Class 10" memory card. The DashCam has firmware version 20130913 and all the genuine features /menus/ box as per "How to spot a fake 0801" article.

The 0801 has worked pretty well but the supplied "KingMax 32Gb Micro SDHC Class 10" memory card caused the known "slow read" error and stopped so I changed it for a "Micro SD HC 8Gb Class 4" which has worked but has limited record time before over-writing. Having read quite a few posts on our forum in regards to the best SDHC card to use with 0801, so today I've bought a "Kingston SDHC 32Gb Class 4" to give me more record time for my longer journeys.

Now when using the "Kingston SDHC 32Gb Class 4" the 0801 on turning the ignition on, boots up to the "Car Icon" screen, it starts to record with the blinking Red /Blue LED and the battery charging, it finds the GPS satellite OK, but after a couple of minutes it pings and the LED goes permanent blue. The OK button or other buttons are non functional and will not return me to the main screen. If I then press the large On/Off button on the 0801 it closes down and re-boots up to the "Car Icon" screen again, goes into the blinking Red /Blue LED' Record Mode' and functions 'normally' from that point forward.

Can any member please throw any light onto what is causing this initial shut down. The 0801 is cool so it's not overheating. Everything in my 'book' points to the firmware possibly not liking certain memory cards, but I'm not sure on that one hence the need of help.

Any suggestions are obviously welcome,

Cheers for now,

John

 

[Tobi@s]

Just try a different firmware

 

[johntee]

Hi Tobi@s,

Schooling takes priority for sure, and hopefully a bit pay cheque after all the hard work.

I've gone to your 0801 firmwares link but nearly fell off my perch, there's so many and I don't want to screw up.

My 0801 has no internal memory (show none in Windows Explorer ) and just has GPS and a single SDHC slot.

I've read up on how to extract a BIN file and put it on the Boot sector of a formatted SDHC card, insert and follow the instructions.

The real problem for me is determining which firmware is suitable for my 0801 without bricking it.

If any other member can advise me on this issue, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks again Tobi@s, good luck with your studies

John

 

[Tobi@s]

Hi John,
in your case I'd try the 20140519 release. It's almost impossible to screw it up completely. Theres always a way back

Thanks btw

 

[johntee]

HI Tobi@s,

Thanks for your help it's most appreciated. Now back to your studies, no one will thank you for failure, especially family, your future is in your hands.

Many years ago I was studying but payed too much time to socialising, consequentially I failed my exams and my father, who was paying for my studies went almost berserk. Fortunately he came around with a little persuasion from my mother and refinanced me for an extra year. The good news I passed with honours that time.

I did this quick edit because I thought you might understand better my "back to your studies" comment. I bet you wouldn't like me as your father.


Kindest regards,

John

 

[johntee]

Hi John,
in your case I'd try the 20140519 release. It's almost impossible to screw it up completely. Theres always a way back

Thanks btw

Hi,

Tobi@s is most likely studying now as he's indicated in his post above, however, does any member know whether the "20140519-GPS-1CARD.bin" file name which I've downloaded from his link

http://dc.p-mc.eu/0801/firmware

should be changed as it says on the webpage yellow page header as follows.

"You need to rename the downloaded firmware .bin file to a name that suits your old version, like "firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin"

My old firmware version as displayed on my 0801 'Menu' says "20130913", nothing like the recommended rename above. Have I missed something obvious or should it be renamed. Also if it does need renaming is that name file case sensitive, Upper or Lower case?

If any member can please advise me on this it would be of great help as I've never 'flashed' any kind of device in the past.

Cheers, and thanks,

John

 

[jokiin]

File name it expects depends on what version it is using now, there are a few different possibilities

 

[johntee]

File name it expects depends on what version it is using now, there are a few different possibilities

Hi jokiin,

Thanks for your reply, it's most welcomed.

I'm unable to determine which version is being used on my 0801, the only information I have is the "20130913" firmware as displayed in the 'Menu' of the DashCam. I know the 0801 is "Genuine" and not Fake if that's of help.

Is there any way to find out the information needed so I can use the correct updated firmware which Tobi@s linked me to in his post above?

Thanks again jokiin,

John in the UK

 

[jokiin]

@Tobi@s might know, searching the current version number on the forum might bring a result if this has been asked before for your version, it's a fairly common question

 

[johntee]

Hi jokiin,

Yes, Tobi@s did suggest a version in his post above so it must be OK as he says here. I must respect Tobi@s availability at the moment as he's studying for some exams, and they must take priority. He did say though.

"Hi John,
in your case I'd try the '20140519' release. It's almost impossible to screw it up completely. Theres always a way back."


Tobi@s is definitely the man with the knowledge where firmware and Dash Cams are concerned and I'm confident in his judgement. It looks as if the "20140519" firmware would most likely be OK for my 0801. The thing that's really confusing me though is the Firmware name.

The "20140519-GPS-1CARD.bin" file name which I've downloaded from Tobi@s link to my PC is nothing like the "firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin" . The website does say the name should be changed to that as quoted here:-


"You need to rename the downloaded firmware .bin file to a name that suits your old version, like "firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin"


I don't know whether I should change the firmware name to "firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin" as the website says and then put that onto a freshly formatted SDHC micro memory card before inserting into the DashCam.

I hope this makes sense, I'm not the best person when it comes to describing things logically.

Cheers,

John in the UK

 

[jokiin]

If the name is wrong it won't load, what name it needs to be is dependent on what firmware version you have now, you will need to rename it and it may be a bit of trial and error

 

[Tobi@s]

Try firmware-NO1-SPI-TB15.bin

Edit: Yes, thats the correct filename. Just checked 0913 firmware:

USER_DEFINED_IMAGE_NAME_STRING="firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin"

 

[johntee]

Try firmware-NO1-SPI-TB15.bin

Hi Tobi@s,

Thanks once again for your response and suggestion.

I will of course try renaming my downloaded "20140519-GPS-1CARD.bin" file to "firmware-NO1-SPI-TB15.bin "and feed back the results.

You're one heck of a generous person and I really appreciate the help you've given to me.

Kindest regards,

John

 

[johntee]

Hi Tobi@s,

No it did not work with name "firmware-NO1-SPI-TB15.bin " it did not even offer update on boot up.

If I add "F" and name it "firmware-NO1-SPIF-TB15.bin" it does go into firmware update options but when I choose 'YES' it just returns to the normal record mode. No update is carried out. I'm very confused now.

The Dash Cam came from "GIVOE Sales in China." I have tried an email to 'Lia' at sales but no reply.

Cheers,

John

PS: I thought I might have been on the wrong track here with the 0801 version. I now believe I'm still on a basic Dash Cam with GPS but no extra memory. None is shown in Windows Explorer when I connect via USB, in fact the PC showa it as 'Removeable Drive: D' but I cannot access it without a memory card inserted. There is therefore no extra 8Gb on board memory, I've misinterpreted my purchase advert below. Also 'Card Absent' is shown on 0801 screen when booting without a memory card inserted which again indicates no extra 8Gb.

I have just received details of my original purchase and it shows the following.

This advert seems to say that my 0801 has 8Gb of extra memory ???? but where is it?
I would have thought that if I had extra memory it would boot up using that without the extra 32Gb card inserted. ( This paragraph is no longer applicable now )

Update: 15th OCTOBER. I don't believe there is any extra on board 8Gb memory, therefore what I've presumed in the paragraph below and based on my purchase advert is not applicable. The firmware you recommended in the first place should work.

"If that's the case the Firmware updates I've been trying are for a "GPS with 1 Card" and surely won't work. Is there any way of determining whether my 0801 does have extra memory?" ( This paragraph is no longer applicable )

Cheers again, and sorry if I've sent everyone on the wrong path.

John

 

[Tobi@s]

Thats strange.. Then SPIF is the correct name... No idea whats the deal with SPI and SPIF.
If the update fails immediatly after accepting it is usually a verification problem. Maybe the file is corrupted?

 

[johntee]

Thats strange.. Then SPIF is the correct name... No idea whats the deal with SPI and SPIF.
If the update fails immediately after accepting it is usually a verification problem. Maybe the file is corrupted?

Hi Tobi@s,

I've downloaded the Firmware from your link http://dc.p-mc.eu/0801/firmware several times now, it 's 5.22Mb in size but not a zip file. They are not working for some reason. Is there any other source I can try?

Cheers,

John

 

[Tobi@s]

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4FRwm9CGCLkQ0R1M0pWNUQwdUk&usp=sharing

 

[johntee]

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4FRwm9CGCLkQ0R1M0pWNUQwdUk&usp=sharing

Hi Tobi@s,

Many thanks, success with this one, my 0801 is now showing "i-Tracker" icon on boot up, the firmware is now "20140519"

I hope that all the problems I've experienced will be gone. I'm road testing later tonight and will feed back my results.

It goes without saying that I could not have achieved this without your help, may I therefore say a MEGA, MEGA BIG THANK YOU once more.

Cheers, speak soon,

John in the UK

UPDATE as promised

My 0801 is finally up and running OK, the first time since my purchase via AliExpress. This is all down to the help of members on our forum, especially Tobi@s.

For the record, I sent an email to my seller "Shenzhen Givoe Technology Ltd" asking for help with a suitable firmware from the manufacturer. I received nothing except a single line reply from a 'Steven Wu' saying "Send me video." I replied asking Steven Wu exactly what video he actually required, but I've heard nothing since. Does this inspire me to buy from them again; absolutely not. Once they have your cash they're up and away by all accounts. I'm not in the habit of criticizing anyone, but this lack of support leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.

Further UPDATE 23rd October 2014.

Today I have received a message from "Allen" at 'GIVOE' saying he will send me the latest firmware version for my 0801 GPS camera. The camera does work with the German / English firmware which Tobi@s kindly identified, but I'm having problems getting the satellites to lock & hold. I'm hoping this is just a firmware issue and the promised update from GIVOE will sort this out. This is good news, it rekindles my faith in GIVOE as part of Chinese electronics industry.