Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

This isn't a solution, but a similar thing happened to me.

I am a Mac user. I purchased a new MicroSD and it arrived formatted Fat32. Knowing that Disk Utility will only format Fat32, I knew that I can format Fat16 from the command line as that is possible in the underlying unix OS.

I formatted Fat16 at the command line. Every check I did verified Fat16 both at the CLI and get info so I thought I was good. I copied the files properly but had the same results as you. The fan modulated but the display never blinked and nothing else happened.

Finally, I resurrected an old NetBook that I never use and formatted (low level) Fat16 with that and copied the files and it worked as inspected. Using a variety of tools out of curiosity I tried to see a difference from before, but everything looked the same.

It seems the E640 is very picky about the card format.

I know you used Win and this doesn't solve the problem, but I did create the exact same behavior it seems but the strobe was fine. I had two units that needed upgrades and both behaved identically.

FYI, new firmware v31 installs perfectly on my first two strobes (as did v30).
Yet the one problematic strobe still will not allow the new firmware to be installed.

Well, Tech Suport sent me a MicroSD preloaded with the firmware.
Still no luck.

So I have contacted support about getting the unit repaired/replaced. :(

Luckily I just bought another unit so at least I won't feel too bad about being without this one for a little while.

Thanks guys for the help. 8-)

Well, I can never have enough good things to say about the Tech Support team.
Someone saw my latest post (of what, an hour ago?), called me, and resolved the problem in about two minutes!!

I cannot even begin to express the terror I've felt with needing to call tech support for the major name brand company that was my **prior** lighting choice.

Again, you guys are absolute rock stars.

Thank you!