ASIair Pro SD Card

User

I bought a used ASIair Pro that does not have an SD card. What do I need to do?

astronebulee

Hi
This link will have all the information you need. You will need a blank 32gb sd card to start with 👍, I think this will work.
Cheers
Lee

how-to-restore-asiair-os-3.pdf

124kB

User

Thanks Lee. I played with Raspberry's a couple of years ago with robotics so I understand how they work, just not how to get the OS. You are a real gentleman.
Pat

User

Color me stupid but I don't understand the terminology on the instructions. Could somebody that understands the restore process explain it in a way that a non-computer guy will understand? I have four new 32GB cards with adapters but I just can't seem to get the steps right. Duh.

denababy

I’m in the same boat and have just watch Dave eagles video on YouTube, making a backup of your sdcard. It will help.

denababy

I’m in the same boat and have just watch Dave eagles video on YouTube, making a backup of your sdcard. It will help.

astronebulee

Plus one for Dave eagles video
Here's the link, just follow the second part and not the backing up one.
https://youtu.be/Rjhd65_Ua6k
1.If I remember rightly insert the sd card into the adapter and then into your pc.

In the image file part make sure its the firmware that you downloaded (it should be a .img file) make sure the device tab is where your sd card is located eg drive F, G, D etc.
Click the write button, the hopefully the firmware will be installed to the sd card.
Cheers
Lee

User

I have gotten various answers to my questions. First, older instructions include a "license" file. Newer instructions say not to worry about that since now the license is included in the Boot Sector. I am starting with a new ASIair Pro unit without an SD card. If I follow Youtube instructions it kind of depends on when the firmware was issued. My understanding is that if you download the current Operating System the License is included in the Boot Sector. If that is the case, I only load the Operating System and the license is included. This makes the restoration of an SD card very easy. First I download the WIN32 Disk Imager on the SD Card. Once that is done I download the Operating System on the SD card and I am done. It SHOULD be this simple, but various instructions say different things. I am a former Tech Writer and don't have much trouble following instructions as long as the instructions are accurate. Both of the recommended Youtube videos either leave out some commands, or vary. Question 1. Is there a license code associated with the first buyer of the unit, or is the license code just a number that ensures the OS is compatible with the hardware? I think I know that answer since it is not necessary to establish a number associated with the buyer/hardware when you purchase the unit. Question 2. Are the SD cards interchangeable between different units of the same model? Again, I think I know the answer since each unit does not have a unique number associated with it. That being the case, I can simply borrow a backed-up SD card from another unit of the same model, and it will work. Then, I can make a back-up of that card for future need. Finally, if I could find someone that knows how to restore an SD card and is willing to write a "work flow" suitable for a second grader, I am in good shape. Last year I got into robotics using a Raspberry PI 4 that used the same method of putting the OS and an Image on the SD card. It sounded simple but I never could get it to work, I finally bought four SD cards already set up and ready to go (they worked fine). ZWO does not sell pre-setup cards since it is so damned easy to restore. I really am growing to hate Raspberry's!