Canon 5D Mark III bricked - stuck on firmware update.

[jzedurqn]

Hey folks,

Can you help me out here? :| My 5D3 is dead, stuck on firmware update.



Here's the story behind it:
I purchased it 6 months ago, almost new (7k shutter count). Was working fine with Magic Lantern for 4 months or so. Very minimalist usage. Didn’t shoot much.

So for two months I was using it only in video mode (with ML, without ML) and it was fine if we don’t count occasional ERR 80 showing up.

Few days ago I decided to remove Magic Lantern and install latest Canon firmware (1.3.4), I did the standard ML uninstall procedure (I’ve installed/removed ML on many cameras in the past years, so I know how it’s done). After uninstalling ML, camera still "worked" as described above.

But, after starting firmware update it stuck at 9% and I’m not able to resolve that issue with 5 different batteries I have and 4 different cards (both CF and SD) since then.

My question is, is there any way I can bypass this issue and install firmware on my camera again? I’m OK with malfunctioning/only video mode working and regretting the moment I started this fucking firmware update.

P.S. The added problem is there’s no official canon service center in my country.

[a1ex]

I assume it doesn't boot without a card, so you can't reach Canon menu. Is this correct?

I assume the boot flag is disabled (since you ran ML uninstaller). Does it load firmware updates?

Side note: once you leave it on, the LiveView will turn off after 30 minutes (even if auto power off is disabled). Unless you used the sticky half-shutter feature.

[jzedurqn]

Damn! After almost a week of trying everything, just now I managed to to finish the update. I attached some crappy autofocus Canon lens on it, while update was loading I clicked the shutter actuation button and top LCD panel blinked for a second showing standard stuff (aperture, shutter speed, shooting mode and etc.) and after that update started and it wen all the way through.

Of course It still malfunctioning as I described above, but at least I can shoot video now!

Thank you a1ex for replay. Yes it wasn't booting without a card and was running firmware update every time I inserted card and battery. I don't know what caused the malfunctioning, but it happened after I left the camera turned on overnight (I have no idea what sticky shutter is, so I guess It isn't turned on by default). It still malfunctions now, but I'm very happy I managed to get it back to "before firmware update state" and can shoot video now.

[a1ex]

The autofocus issue might indicate something on the MPU side (secondary processor). We don't know much about it, unfortunately.

What I can do is to get a debug log with all Canon messages. Here's a debug binary you can use - it logs everything in the first 30 seconds after startup, then saves a log on the card. Hope you can catch an error during this time.

BTW, make sure you have a backup of your ROM (under ML/LOGS on your card), just in case.

[jzedurqn]

I should install ML for that right? Or is there any other way to set bootflag on the camera? As I know it won't load autoexec.bin if bootflag isn't set.
I want to install ML actually, but now I'm afraid if I start firmware downgrade (from 1.3.4 to 1.1.3) it will stuck in the process again...
The card itself is bootable and I also have ROM logs from the previous ML install.

My feeling is that overall malfunctioning is related to power somehow... because going in and out in LiveView/Video mode is slow as well, mirror takes noticeable 1-3 seconds to flip.

P.S. Just to clarify, I don't think my issue is related to or caused by ML at all, so thanks a lot a1ex for taking time and helping me out.