ESP32

[JohnsonUTPB]

I have recently bought (2)ESP32s and after playing with them for a few minutes; I've come to the conclusion that these BDS are not only underdeveloped, but also have h/w flaws.
My troubles first begun with, let's call it bd1, as I realized I could not upload a simple sketch to it. First thought was libraries or tool chain.... I'm not the most experienced; but, not the least either...
After tinkering for quite some time without any success, I went to Google with my errors: "Timed out waiting for a packet header." This related many topics pertaining to others having faulty bds. I did not consider a faulty bd because: though I couldn't flash it, it did already have a sketch flashed; and I could read output via serial console.
At this point; I decided to try bd2...
It took a flash on the first attempt without the need of pressing the reset in any crazy timing scheme. I detached the battery, purchased on same invoice, from bd1.... Attached it to bd2.... And proceeded with a little development.
The following morning, I realized; after disconnection from my PC, with battery still connected, the board failed to sustain pwr. At first, I figured bad batt... But noticed with this bd plugged into my PC, the onboard LEDs became brighter when the battery was reattached. The battery is def providing pwr; but only when it already sourced pwr via USB.
I reattached the battery to bd1, and noticed the same. I believe it to be a fault in the battery control circuit,,, and likely the charge resistor; but have not confirmed.
The battery problems do not concern me nearly as much as not being able to flash the MCU; but I do believe this is a shortcoming in HW engineering...

[adafruit_support_mike]

Could you post a link to the specific board you got please? There are several variants, all of which program differently.

The ESP32 is a new device though, and not completely documented by Espressif. The support code is also under active development, so yes, you're going to find it rough around the edges.

[JohnsonUTPB]

Thanks for your response... The specific bds I am having trouble with are the https://www.adafruit.com/product/3405

I expect many software bugs that need to be worked out... But I believe these bds have hardware faults as well; though I admit, I could be wrong.

Out of the box, I can only get one to take a flash... And neither of these hv fully functional battery circuits.

As to the one that won't flash; I get a packet header error while waiting for a connection.

[JohnsonUTPB]

Is this post closed; or did I slip through the cracks?

I still have a dead ESP32; won't take a flash.
Can it be flashed from my working module via spi?
I believe the error is in the boot/DL code or a hardware fault(floating pin).
Please advise a solution or send a replacement?

Also, are others having trouble with the battery circuit? This defect is not a deal breaker for me; but, I would like to know why the battery circuit has failed on two of these bds.