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Distinguish camera flash failure from printer-side LAN streaming crash #24

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77 changes: 60 additions & 17 deletions README.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,8 +1,39 @@
# Prevent or recover the Elegoo CC2 stock camera failure

Some stock Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 cameras can stop working after repeated
printer power cycles. This repository provides ways to protect or recover
an affected camera:
## First: two different problems can stop the camera feed

- **The camera module stops booting after repeated printer power cycles.**
On affected cameras, old configuration data fills the camera's own flash
storage because cleanup is broken. **This repository prevents or repairs
that camera-module failure** on the supported hardware described below.
- **The feed works, then disappears after hours of operation, especially in
LAN mode.** A separate bug in the printer's `ai_camera` streaming program
retains resources from disconnected viewers until the program crashes.
The camera module itself may still work. **The camera-flash fix in this
repository does not fix that printer-side streaming bug.**

These problems can coexist. A blank preview, unavailable stream, or failed
`identify-camera` connection alone does not tell them apart. Do not open or
flash the camera just because the feed is unavailable; see the
[printer-side failure research and diagnostic notes](docs/PRINTER-LAN-STREAM-FAILURE.md).

### An option for the printer-side streaming problem

For owners who already have root access to their CC2, or are considering
rooting it, [viridivn/ai_camera](https://github.com/viridivn/ai_camera) is a
possible replacement for the printer's stock streaming program. The owner who
supplied the crash reported about a week of successful use of this replacement;
that is one user's experience, not a guarantee. Upstream warns that it is only
tested in LAN-only mode, removes all AI functionality, needs more stress testing,
and is not tested on all firmware versions. Read its current instructions and
limitations, keep a backup of the stock binary, and make changes only when no
print is running. This is a printer-software replacement, not a camera-flash
repair, and it is not installed by `cc2camera`.

## Camera-module prevention and recovery

For a supported camera with the flash/configuration problem, this repository
provides three routes:

- a working camera can receive a small startup fix through USB without
flashing a firmware image;
Expand All @@ -21,11 +52,12 @@ dump to your device.

## First identify your camera

The known failure affects one 8 MiB flash-layout variant of the
`EF-S7-V1.0.30B` camera family. An earlier 16 MiB 30B variant uses materially
The known camera-module flash failure affects one 8 MiB flash-layout variant
of the `EF-S7-V1.0.30B` camera family. An earlier 16 MiB 30B variant uses materially
different hardware and firmware. A newer `EF-S7-V1.0.30D` revision also uses
different hardware and software and is not affected by this particular
problem.
flash problem. Camera revision does not rule out the separate printer-side
streaming bug.

Do this identification before building a USB cable, buying a programmer, or
running a repair operation.
Expand All @@ -44,17 +76,20 @@ For example:
cc2camera identify-camera 192.168.1.50
```

If the stream is unavailable, the signature is unknown, or you want authoritative
visual confirmation, inspect the hardware:
If the stream is unavailable, first consider the
[printer-side streaming problem](#first-two-different-problems-can-stop-the-camera-feed).
An unavailable stream is not a camera identification. For an unknown signature
or authoritative visual confirmation, inspect the hardware:

1. Power the printer off and unplug it from mains power.
2. Remove the camera module from the printer by undoing its single mounting
screw, then unplug its four-wire cable.
3. Look at the large processor on the camera mainboard that's now in front of you.

If it is marked `TX5110`, the camera is likely the newer, unaffected family.
This recovery does not apply. If it is marked `Ingenic T23`, or the marking is
unclear, remove the two housing screws and check the complete PCB revision.
If it is marked `TX5110`, the camera is likely the newer family, unaffected by
the known camera-flash defect. This camera recovery does not apply. If it is
marked `Ingenic T23`, or the marking is unclear, remove the two housing screws
and check the complete PCB revision.

![TX5110 processor on a newer CC2 camera](docs/images/ef-s7-v1.0.30d-tx5110.jpg)

Expand All @@ -66,7 +101,7 @@ or firmware changes may not align exactly with calendar weeks.
|---|---|---|
| `EF-S7-V1.0.30B` / Ingenic T23 / 8 MiB `ZB25VQ64` family | `0226`, `0526` (two units), `1526` | This is the supported layout on which the failure has been observed. Continue below. |
| `EF-S7-V1.0.30B` / Ingenic T23 / 16 MiB `P25Q128H` family | `4025` | This early layout is materially different. The known erase defect has not been established on it, and the current fix does not apply. |
| `EF-S7-V1.0.30D` / likely TX5110 | Not established | This revision is not affected by the known failure. This guide does not apply. |
| `EF-S7-V1.0.30D` / likely TX5110 | Not established | This revision is not affected by the known camera-flash failure. The camera repair below does not apply. |
| Any other revision, processor or flash layout | Not established | It has not been investigated. We do not know whether it is affected, and this guide does not apply. |

![EF-S7-V1.0.30D PCB marking](docs/images/ef-s7-v1.0.30d-revision.png)
Expand All @@ -87,16 +122,23 @@ simple camera-to-USB cable but no SPI programmer.

### The affected camera no longer works

First check whether the fault is isolated to the camera:
First consider the printer-side streaming failure described above. Perform
hardware comparisons only when no print is running. Rebooting also restarts
the printer's streaming program, so a replacement webcam working after a
reboot is not, on its own, proof that the stock camera failed.

1. Leave the stock camera disconnected.
To compare with an ordinary webcam:

1. With the printer off and unplugged, disconnect the stock camera.
2. While the printer is off, connect a known-working ordinary USB webcam to
the printer's front USB port.
3. Power the printer on.

If the replacement webcam produces a feed, the stock camera is likely the
problem. Continue with the
[hardware recovery route](#failed-camera-hardware-recovery).
If the replacement webcam produces a feed but the stock camera still fails
from a fresh boot, that supports a camera-side fault. For a supported camera,
continue with the [hardware recovery route](#failed-camera-hardware-recovery).
If the stock camera works again and only loses its feed later, investigate
the printer-side streaming service instead of assuming the flash needs repair.

If the replacement webcam also fails, this test has not isolated the problem
to the stock camera. Stop this camera-recovery procedure.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -389,6 +431,7 @@ No full camera dump or vendor firmware image is included in this repository.

## Advanced and audit documentation

- [Printer-side LAN streaming failure: research, diagnosis, and replacement option](docs/PRINTER-LAN-STREAM-FAILURE.md)
- [Installation and release downloads](docs/INSTALLATION.md)
- [Complete cc2camera command reference](docs/CLI.md)
- [Startup-fix installation and verification](docs/STARTUP-HOOKS.md)
Expand Down
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