Problem with CIrcuitpython on CPB Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[Insert_Name_Here]

So, I was playing around with the circuitpy REPL and I tried running

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import storage
storage.enable_usb_drive()

in case somehow it got disabled.
When I ran it, it said:

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Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
RuntimeError: Cannot change USB devices now

What does that mean?

[danhalbert]

`enable_usb_drive()` is not going to help here. The drive is already enabled. You can only change that value in the `boot.py` file, but we don't need to get into that here.

I would still suggest that you try to find another computer, using appropriate cables, to try this on. We sometimes see CIRCUITPY failing to show up on Windows computers, and it is often due to some utility or antivirus software. If you can get the right cable to try the Macbook, that would be very helpful. Or do you have a friend with an appropriate computer?

[Insert_Name_Here]

I tried it on my dad's laptop, still the same outcome.

[danhalbert]

What is the exact name of the UF2 file you are copying to CPLAYBOOT? Also, it sounds like you can get to the REPL. Can you type this into the REPL?

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import storage
storage. erase_filesystem()

The board should then reboot, and CIRCUITPY -should- appear. Let us know either way.

[Insert_Name_Here]

adafruit-circuitpython-circuitplayground_bluefruit-en_US-7.0.0

[Insert_Name_Here]

Ok. I opened up mu, it didn't detect a circuit python device, I pressed the reset button and then mu found it. I pressed serial and all the neopixels turned white. I ran those two commands. As soon as they finished running, mu detected it again, suggesting it didn't work? Because if the filesystem was erased, circuitpython should have been erased with it. I'm back where I started. circuitpy is not appearing.

[danhalbert]

erase_filesystem() erases CIRCUITPY, but not the firmware.

Let's replace this. Since you've tried it on two computers and it's not working, it could be the hardware. Send an email to support@adafruit.com with a pointer to this thread and your order number, and say that you've been authorized for a replacement Circuit Playground Bluefruit.

[danhalbert]

Someone who bought dozens of CPB's gave me a few that were not working right. One displays the same behavior that you are seeing: no CIRCUITPY.

This is confirmed by this in the REPL:

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>>> import storage
>>> storage.erase_filesystem()

--------- board reboots, as expected

>>> import os
>>> os.listdir()
[]

The fact the `os.listdir()` shows no files, means the board is not seeing CIRCUITPY. I have a suspicion yours will be the same.

[Insert_Name_Here]

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[]

Empty list :|

[Insert_Name_Here]

So im gona ask my mom (which is the one who bought my CPB) to email support@adafruit.com and get a replacement.

[Insert_Name_Here]

Eh. I don't know. it was working for the first two days. Do you think this is still an adafruit problem or did I break it(I don't think I could have broke it THAT fast)?

[danhalbert]

I doubt you broke it. Something about the flash memory chip on the board is not working: it could be the chip itself, or it could be the microcontroller that broke, or it could be a manufacturing issue. I have another one of these with the same symptoms.

[Insert_Name_Here]

Ok. My mom sent an email.

[Insert_Name_Here]

Screenshot at 2022-01-22 16-11-14.jpg (58.09 KiB) Viewed 10 times

UPDATE: Now the CPB is showing up this when I plug it in(The old one)