How (if possible) to turn wifi back on (wireless camera)

[larrybl]

Hello all, I am coming here as I really messed up, I posted on the technical form but might be better here. I purchased a "Sky Viper Video Streaming drone" (around $100 US) so not a real loss. We had fun with it, but the problem I have is it requires a smart phone or tablet to download the app and capture videos. Only my Wife and Daughter have these devices, I only have a laptop. So every time I wanted to "play" I had to enlist one of them, and they don't want to come out in the cold. I got to looking on the internet about connecting a go-pro camera to a laptop and capturing video to VLC player. Great! I found I could connect to the camera with the laptop via (192.168.1.1) and get in with a login of "admin". I was able to see the video but had a 1 second refresh rate, not streaming. Now for the oops, It was complaining about ActiveX and I thought I was adjusting those settings, but I received a message that the camera was re-booting and not to power-down, so I didn't. I then lost the wifi connection and now nothing. I tried removing power for 30 minuets and powering up, nothing. So my question here, am I screwed? I have already committed to purchasing another one of these as they are fun, even without the camera, but I would like to try and get this one back.
I opened it up hoping for a re-set button, lo luck. I tried powering it off and on 5 times in a row to see if it would reset, nope.
Yea I'm a nube.

[SL4P]

You sound like you're in a bit over your head...!

At first best guess, Both the GoPro and the Laptop require a DHCP server for their WiFi connectivity.

If you are nowhere near your home WiFi router - neither will connect to anything - and there's a chance that both will be on some different IP address if it's been a while, or associated on some other WiFi network.

Get a friend that knows how to check the router for DHCP address allocations - and check if/what the addresses are assigned to both devices.  Then you can start digging a bit deeper once you know they're on the same WLAN.

If the SmartPhone interface allows you to access the drone / camera settings - you can check half of this (for the camera) at least.

There are several ways to address the original problem, but you need to get back to basics first.

[larrybl]

Well Crap, they don't sell replacement cameras so I will need to purchase a new quad copter. The little Wi-Fi camera no longer shows up on my laptop Wi-Fi menu and none of the smart phones or tablets can connect to it. I am sure the Wi-Fi is off, and without it no connection. The only connections is B+, Gnd, and an antenna.

[poot36]

I spy a unused USB test connector in the 3rd picture.  Try connecting a USB lead to it and see what happens.  Also try to find the datasheet to the big chip labeled Nuvoton.  There is also a serial port labeled UART on the 4th picture so give that a try as well.

[mikerj]

I spy a unused USB test connector in the 3rd picture.  Try connecting a USB lead to it and see what happens.

Where?  I see a place for a UART connector, it'll almost certainly be LVTTL so will need an RS232 line driver or LVTTL/USB adapter.

[PA0PBZ]

I spy a unused USB test connector in the 3rd picture.  Try connecting a USB lead to it and see what happens.

Where?  I see a place for a UART connector, it'll almost certainly be LVTTL so will need an RS232 line driver or LVTTL/USB adapter.

Here:

[Brumby]

And if its a N3290x chip - here's the relevant bit from the data sheet:


... which is where the middle two traces go.

[larrybl]

Thanks for the replies, looks like I have a couple options. Email I received from the company....

"Hello,
I apologize for the problems that you have had with your drone. The best way to resolve this issue is to return the item back to the retail store for a new one.
Best regards,
Skyrocket Support"

Return it for an exchange, may be iffy as the return policy is rather specific.
Option 2 (Purchase a second one) gives me spare parts and an extra battery and controller.

I will try and get the chip number, and some better pictures. Not sure I want to risk blowing out the USB or serial port on my PC, and even if I do get into it, I don't know if I could get the Wi-Fi back on.

Thanks for the help.

[larrybl]

I looked closer at this, and I do see a USB connection. It came with a cable to allow power direct from the 3.2V battery, but I don't think I can solder that small.

[poot36]

If you have a modern motherboard your USB ports should have over current protection with a limit of 2.5 amps or so (look at the poly fuzes near the USB ports for exact current rating).  I have yet to damage a USB port from a short to any of the pins but maybe I have just been lucky.  The serial port would require the level converter chip (from the computers 12V or if it is a laptop 5V output) to 3.3V and that would protect your computer from any damage that way.  If you have a old cellphone or PDA data cable it may have the required chip in it if there is a non standard end that connects to the phone (think wide plug).  I think a serial cable would be your best bet because there is no drivers or special software to install.  You will need a serial terminal program though, I recommend using putty.

[larrybl]

I purchased another Sky Viper, this one is the HD Video Drone which uses a micro SD card. http://www.skyrockettoys.com/products/sky-viper/sky-viper-v950HD-video-drone  I didn't like the video drop outs that I got with the Wi-Fi one, plus I won't need to borrow the Wife's phone or tablet with this one. Video from the Wi-Fi camera, before I broke it.
If someone wants to try and resurrect the Wi-Fi camera let me know and I will send it to you. If successful I am willing to pay a reasonable fee.

[Tim F]

At first best guess, Both the GoPro and the Laptop require a DHCP server for their WiFi connectivity.

If you are nowhere near your home WiFi router - neither will connect to anything - and there's a chance that both will be on some different IP address if it's been a while, or associated on some other WiFi network.

Looks like it runs it's own Wifi access point and DHCP server. Makes sense really, since you have no way of delivering your network settings to the drone...
Somehow, the OP has managed to either mess up the IP settings, disable the drone's Wifi or both.

FWIW you can buy a new android tablet for less than $50US. Won't be anything special, but good enough to run some basic apps. However if you can't see the drones Wifi SSID anymore from your computer, I don't like your chances of it working on a smart device. If it can be fixed, then the way to do it would be to get a terminal connection like described above, then reconfigure the wifi on the drone.

[pickle9000]

Not the same form factor but very good price. If not the same almost identical functionality.

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=WIFI+P2P+Mini+Remote+Surveillance+Camera&_sacat=0