Maestro will not boot!!

Bill, N9OE

After purchasing SmartSDR 2.0, I updated my Flex 6500 using my PC as I usually do. The PC version of SmartSDR and the Flex 6500 updated perfectly. Then, I was looking forward to updating my Maestro and trying it next. I took it off the shelf (where it was stored since Field Day and without a battery for the last week) and plugged it into the supplied power adapter and Ethernet connection. When I tried to power it up, I didn't get the normal Maestro boot screen, in fact I wasn't sure it was coming on at all until I looked closer at the screen to see the LCD backlight was on. I did not get any backlighting around the buttons either, although I can't remember if they came on after bootup. I tried several more times to boot the Maestro and got nowhere except an occasional blue recovery screen. This reminded me of the days when my PC hard drive failed or something went wrong with the boot sector. This is very dissaponting. This device has only been used for Field day since I purchased it and as a toy around the house. I doubt it has 40 hours on it! Furthermore, after purchasing SSDR2.0, I was looking forward to trying smartlink on the Maestro and bring it on vacations ☹. Frustrated by my expensive new paperweight, I put in a helpdesk ticket (#19001) on July 26th and got a quick response from Dudley in less than 2 hours! He sent me a long instruction of things to try and unfortunately none of them helped with the problem. That day, I replied back asking for more ideas and haven't got any response from Flex Radio as of yet. What should I do? Is there a way to recover my Maestro? Could it be the internal battery? Could it be that the SSD has failed already? Please help.

Clay N9IO

Bill,
I would give Dudley a call tomorrow if you can.  Does sound like it could be an issue with the internal battery. Dunno just guessing.  But I would think a phone call is in order.

Mike va3mw

Please open a support ticket and we will fix it for your

Norm - W7CK

I believe you need to keep the Maestro plugged in so that the internal battery stays charged.  If you let the maestro sit on the shelf without any power to it, the battery will go dead and the Maestro will no longer boot up.

Try leaving it plugged in over night and see if it will boot in the morning.  If not, you'll have to send it in to Flex for a battery change, or maybe they are having folks do this procedure in the field now.  I'm not sure.  I can't imaging it being too hard.  I'm not sure if it is but the battery should be one that can be changed without soldering.  They should have installed a battery holder and all one should have to do is open the case, locate the batter, pop the old one out and put the new one in.   I'm not sure if this is the case though.  Anyone on here know for sure?

Norm - W7CK

David Decoons, wo2x

Try doing a full shutdown of the Maestro. When the backlighting is on hold the power button. Continue to hold it for at least 60 seconds. All lighting (buttons and backlighting should go off. Then try to power up normally.

If that does not work, open a Help Desk ticket.

Dave wo2x

Bill, N9OE

Micheal, I opened a helpdesk ticket (#19001) on July 26th that has not been resolved. Should I open a new one?

Mike va3mw

no, not at all.  I will ask them to get back to you today.

Bill, N9OE

I've done a full shutdown and allowed the internal battery to charge for several days on the supplied power adapter. Still nothing.

Tim - W4TME

Dudley should be contacting you shortly.

Bill, N9OE

I've had to do that to my son's Google Nexus when he deep discharged it too.

Bill, N9OE

Thanks Tim!

Les Michaelson

I have the same problem, boots up to waterfall black sreen. when I push the menu button a window pops up Maestro is not responding! Forums are great but poster never posted his fix or result!!!

Mike va3mw

Please open a support ticket.  thanks