Hasselblad ImageBank-II acting weirdly

Anaxagore · Nov 22, 2021

Hi all, I have been infrequently using a CF-39MS back for a while (backup camera), either directly on battery and compact flash card or with the ImageBank-II. There was usually no problem with the ImageBank, and suddenly, after a few months without use, it does not work anymore with the back. The light keeps blinking, switching between blue and light red, blue being supposed to be “The ImageBank-II is on, but the FireWire is not connected.” (when, in fact, it is) and light red “The ImageBank-II is being programmed.” according to the manual. “Being programmed” is not very explicit.. how long is it supposed to last? What’s happening during that step? The back does not propose the ImageBank among the storage sources anymore.
Nevertheless, if the ImageBank is connected to the computer, the computer has no problem reading the files on it.
Has someone had this problem on the past? What could be the cause, and is there an easy way to fix it (other than by sending back and ImageBank to B23 at a cost too high for me at the moment…)?

shutterfinger · Nov 22, 2021

Try a different firewire cable then the card in the computer if it has one.

Anaxagore · Nov 24, 2021

Thanks for the tip.. I tried 2 different cables; both failed to connect back and ImageBank together although providing power to the back. I fear the problem is in the connector of the back itself: when connecting to my computer, the computer failed to recognize the back was connected. What is strange is that this problem appeared suddenly, I had no problem connecting the back to the computer before. That is quite scary though, these parts are known to be difficult (if not impossible) to repair, and without the connection it is not possible anymore to use the multi-shot function..

shutterfinger · Nov 24, 2021

What Operating System are you using?
Have you applied any updates to the OS since you last used the back?

Sirius Glass · Nov 24, 2021

Is the OS up to date?

Anaxagore · Nov 25, 2021

I tested on Windows 10, all updates installed, latest version of Phocus..

shutterfinger · Nov 25, 2021

Windows sometimes gets corrupt files after updates and normal usage. Use the built in system tools to check/repair Windows.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-windows-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca
The link is for reference.
Right click the Start Button then left click Windows Power Shell Administrator (formerly Command Prompt Administrator)
Type sfc /scannow at the prompt then press enter.
Wait for the process to complete. It will report no errors found, errors found and repaired, or errors found and could not repair.
The sfc (system file checker) may have to be run up to 3 times to repair all errors.
If the problem precises run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Then rerun the system file checker.

Windows allows one to reinstall the operating system without loosing personal files and apps.
Download the latest installation media from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
If creating a bootable USB drive save the Media Creation Tool exe to the USB drive to be used. Navigate to the creation file and run it.
When the operation reports the media was created successfully navigate to the SETUP.exe file and run it.
Ensure that the check box for Keep Personal Files and Keep Apps are selected.
Run Windows Update when the reinstallation is complete.

Next will be to check/replace the FireWire card .

Sirius Glass · Nov 25, 2021

shutterfinger said:
Windows sometimes gets corrupt files after updates and normal usage. Use the built in system tools to check/repair Windows.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-windows-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca
The link is for reference.
Right click the Start Button then left click Windows Power Shell Administrator (formerly Command Prompt Administrator)
Type sfc /scannow at the prompt then press enter.
Wait for the process to complete. It will report no errors found, errors found and repaired, or errors found and could not repair.
The sfc (system file checker) may have to be run up to 3 times to repair all errors.
If the problem precises run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Then rerun the system file checker.

Windows allows one to reinstall the operating system without loosing personal files and apps.
Download the latest installation media from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
If creating a bootable USB drive save the Media Creation Tool exe to the USB drive to be used. Navigate to the creation file and run it.
When the operation reports the media was created successfully navigate to the SETUP.exe file and run it.
Ensure that the check box for Keep Personal Files and Keep Apps are selected.
Run Windows Update when the reinstallation is complete.

Next will be to check/replace the FireWire card .

Yes sometimes Windows 10 needs to be removed and reloaded with the latest version.

Anaxagore · Nov 26, 2021

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately I do not think the problem is OS- or computer-related, otherwise:
- why would the ImageBank be recognized by the computer without problem, meaning no FireWire (computer hardware / driver) problem?
- why would the back have stopped recognizing (except for power supply) that the ImageBank is connected directly to it (no PC intermediary)
- why would my Mac (OS X 10.13.x) also fail recognizing the digital back that it also had no problem recognizing a few months ago?

I thought there may be something stuck in the FireWire port of the digital back that prevents the cables from connecting properly, but these things are so tight that it is almost impossible to see inside them..

shutterfinger · Nov 26, 2021

Pins can be bent if a cable is not inserted correctly. A bent pin would cause a failure on all features not just one. Most computer connections are spring type fingers, one not making good contact will act like a bent pin.
I've had some features of Win 10 not work while others did. Running sfc showed corrupt files.
Windows system files get written to by installations and running of programs with code lines no longer needed being flagged to be skipped. After several months to a few years of use normal running and updates create a lot of unnecessary clutter in system files causing failures or intermittent problems.
Dust inside desktops can get carbonized and short pins on card slots.
If you recently updated the driver for the back on both Windows and Mac then roll back to the previous driver and see if the functionally returns.
Leave no stone unturned. Proceed in a logical order.

Hasselblad ImageBank-II acting weirdly

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