Weapon Won't Boot... :(

[Jarek Zabczynski]

So I've had my Weapon S35 since the fall and it's been pretty bulletproof. Used it quite often, never sat off for more than a week. Out of nowhere it just froze and now refuses to boot up.
I setup the camera as always. Base Expander, Pro Vmount Module, Canon Mount, Red Touch 7in, WC Easy Top Plate. When I hit record the image froze and camera did nothing. I held power to do a hard reboot and when I tried to power it back on it didn't do anything. Fans just spin lightly, no lights on the side around the power button, no image on LCD or SDI.

Tried all different combinations of modules, cables, power and nothing would make it boot up. Also tried a firmware install but it doesn't do anything. Red told me to try holding the power button for 30 sec or more to force a reboot, but that did nothing as well.

Any thoughts? I guess my baby is going back to Irvine...This was completely out of the blue, no idea why this happened.

Sad panda...

 

[Tom Gleeson]

I don’t know if there is any more you can do but to start the process of getting the camera back to Red ASAP.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

I don’t know if there is any more you can do but to start the process of getting the camera back to Red ASAP.

I've already been talking to Red. Was hoping we could figure this out here before I have to send it lol!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Hmmm...did you upgrade your WC top plate, or was it the old one? The old ones have earned a reputation for knocking out/killing cameras.

Just a thought.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Hmmm...did you upgrade your WC top plate, or was it the old one? The old ones have earned a reputation for knocking out/killing cameras.

Just a thought.

Yep, they flat out sent me a new one. It's the current version.

 

[Steve DiMaggio]

I had an unfortunate issue with a 2 week old camera recently, first question was top plate, I suspect we should all stay with red peripherals, seems there might be some issues right now with all the new bodies ect ect, hope you get worked out

steve

 

[Audy Erel]

Have you tried removing all modules (including the lens mount) and boot from AC power? It hopefully does the trick. Also try to triple click the power button.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Have you tried removing all modules (including the lens mount) and boot from AC power? It hopefully does the trick. Also try to triple click the power button.

Even took out the OLPF. Triple click does nothing.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

Can't say I've had this problem but I did have a weird one a while back with odd boots and no screen so I loaded a mag with firmware to reflash it and it took that, then acted normally. It was after a period of normal use with no bugs so it was a surprise (but happily on a prep day so I could troubleshoot). Maybe give that a go if possible? I reloaded the same FW, not anything newer or older.

 

[Anthony Berenato Jr]

Hey Jarek, had something similar to this with my Weapon MG 6K a long, long time ago. Literally turned the camera off, walked away to grab lunch, and came back to a brief fan spin up / not much else. Although, on mine - I had two flashing green lights that would stay on for maybe 5 seconds (above the power button).

I tried everything from factory reset, to flashing the firmware, to removing every single piece of hardware (sidekick, v-mount, etc.) - nothing did the trick. RED had to replace one of the boards, and I was back up. I can't really give you more hope other than the fact that they'll fix it at HQ.

Shoot me a message on Facebook if you're really in need for a camera for something you booked in the interim - and I'll see if it fits my schedule (although it's kind of all over the place currently). I wouldn't mind driving up to eventually see all those hiking views you keep posting.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Can't say I've had this problem but I did have a weird one a while back with odd boots and no screen so I loaded a mag with firmware to reflash it and it took that, then acted normally. It was after a period of normal use with no bugs so it was a surprise (but happily on a prep day so I could troubleshoot). Maybe give that a go if possible? I reloaded the same FW, not anything newer or older.

Yeah I tried booting with a firmware flash but it never did anything...

Just dropped my baby off at fedex...

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

Shoot me a message on Facebook if you're really in need for a camera for something you booked in the interim - and I'll see if it fits my schedule (although it's kind of all over the place currently). I wouldn't mind driving up to eventually see all those hiking views you keep posting.

Thanks man! Luckily I'm in post all next week so hopefully I'll get sorted by then. In any case most of my shoots have been in south jersey so if anything I'll reach out! Appreciate it!

 

[Evan Falbaum]

I had an unfortunate issue with a 2 week old camera recently, first question was top plate, I suspect we should all stay with red peripherals, seems there might be some issues right now with all the new bodies ect ect, hope you get worked out

steve

I got a brand new 8K Weapon Helium in January and 2 weeks later had to send it in to replace a board. They asked about top plate, I was using WC pass through which supposedly wasn't the one with the issues. And I had used it for a year on my Weapon MG no problem. Support couldn't say what caused the problem. Was enough to scare me away from WC electronic accessories though. Now in the last month I've had a brand new OMOD XLR2 need a new board after an input died after a few weeks. And my V-Mount I/O suddenly stopped powering up via battery during a shoot and had to go in for repair - just a week after the OMOD.

I've had a Scarlet-X, Epic-X, Epic Dragon, and Weapon MG. All rock solid. Never had to go in for repairs. In the last 4 months I've had to repair my weapon and two modules. I don't know if QC is going down or if I've just had terrible luck.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Let’s not start a witch hunt on the WC too plate. Every Red Camera I have owned has some sort of issue but it gets resolved and balance gets restored in the universe.

 

[Anthony Berenato Jr]

Let’s not start a witch hunt on the WC too plate. Every Red Camera I have owned has some sort of issue but it gets resolved and balance gets restored in the universe.

Have to agree with this. I’ve had my fair share of camera body problems, with at least 2-3 boot issues and a dead MiniMag (no one should have to be scared like that after a long day in a one-time-only, unique location). It just happens, complex electronics can have faults too. I’m sure there are 500+ happy cameras to every one that comes up with an issue.

More thankful for RED’s warranty coverage as time goes on. Even more thankful for the awesome stuff and experiences I’ve had over the years with my camera at my side, despite a hiccup here and there.