Newbie needs help - camera and gimbal not working

[absolutscharf]

Hi Everybody,

Inspire (but not drone) noob here. I have not found a previous post that discusses my issue, but I apologize if this scenario has already been discussed elsewhere!

I recently got an Inspire 1 v2.0, with X3 and X3 Zoom cameras (2 cameras). The app is on version 3.1.80, the remote FW on 1.7.80, and I have no idea how to check the AC firmware (the app only tells me "Overall status: Normal (latest firmware)"). The remote connects, I can fly, and everything seems to be working - EXCEPT the cameras. BOTH (!) cameras seem to be completely inoperable, the gimbals don't initialize, and the app says "Status: Gimbal disconnected" and "No image transmission signal" (and a black screen, of course). I checked both ribbon cables, cleaned the gimbal contacts, no change. When I connect the cameras to my PC through the micro-USB port on the camera itself, they don't show up (not even in device manager as a non-functional or unknown device), but I don't even know what I should expect to see (access to the camera, to the files on the SD card, or what?).

I'm stumped. My first step in troubleshooting would be to determine the location of the error, but right now it seems to point to either TWO defective cameras, which isn't quite likely, or something wrong with the AC (I hope not). But if it's the AC, why can't I see the cameras on the PC?

Any bright ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Ron

 

[absolutscharf]

Ah - found the AC firmware version. I saw a post about a similar fault on the DJI forum (also both "gimbal disconnected" and poor radio channel quality" even though the controller is only 3 ft away), but the only advice given was to send it in. I checked the ribbon cables and they look good to me, but somebody said they can develop cracks internally, so I ordered replacement ones for good measure. Every other advice was related to firmware, but since I believe I upgrade AC FW with the SD card in the camera (which shows disconnected), I'm not sure what to do here...