Baofeng Baofeng DM32 bricked

[GarySaw]

Hi All. New member to the forums, which is really interesting BTW, and have been stupid. So this is a warning tale and a request for help. I'm a long time UK Ham and even longer SWL.

I bought a DM32 on Temu or something [strike 1] and set it up for DMR, it kinda performed but not great. I tried a firmware update but bricked it somehow (allow reset ?) [strike 2]. I asked Baofeng UK for help but as I didn't buy it from them, no help and Temu (or whoever) said no return [strike 3].

It doesn't want to talk to the laptop, tried all the keypresses and resets (and cables) but it's still the same.

So I've taken it apart and desoldered the onboard battery, hoping after a suitable time it will factory reset itself. Plan was to try and find out how to reset it, but I'm really lost. So, I thought it might be make a strip down guide (would that be helpful?) and maybe, praying to the gods of chip design, someone may be able to help.

I'll post back after I've put the battery back and rebuilt it. I know I've been silly, but its kinda in my nature 🤪

 

[GarySaw]

Put it back together and no change

If I hold the top SK1 and PTT down and switch on, I get the green LED to light but nothing else happens and no connectvas before.

 

[chief21]

Have you tried to use the FW upgrade process through the CPS? You should be able to rewrite an OEM (not hacked) version of the firmware without reading the radio or needed the "Allow Reset" box ticked.

 

[GarySaw]

Hi Chief, yes, so when I connect everything up to the laptop, select USB and try a firmware load, I get a pop-up telling me it can't connect to the radio. Ill try it again a bit later and put up a shot of the detail. I had seen you should be able to overwrite firmware but I couldn't get it going.

I might be doing something stupid (again) so will describe the process I'm following.

Thanks 👍

 

[GarySaw]

Chief, tried it again and it worked, I don't know if removing the battery on board made a difference but it worked!

Thanks for giving me the nudge to look at it again, much appreciated 👏

 

[bears223]

i have the same problem with mine dm32uv
but it wont turn on no green led ether

 

[chief21]

i have the same problem with mine dm32uv
but it wont turn on no green led ether

Remove your battery and double-check that it is fully charged. Leave it off the radio for a few hours, then reconnect and try again.

 

[bears223]

thanks ill will try that

 

[bears223]

Still not power up or led green light

 

[bears223]

I don’t know what esle to do
I hardly use it I have turned it off one night then I turn it back on after it charge up that was it no power up

 

[chief21]

I don’t know what esle to do
I hardly use it I have turned it off one night then I turn it back on after it charge up that was it no power up

Are you able to actually read the battery voltage and confirm that the battery is, in fact, serviceable?

 

[bears223]

It won’t start up no power or no led light blink

The battery 🔋 is green but nothing is happening

I asked the seller from Amazon airton to see if they could replacement

 

[chief21]

The battery 🔋 is green but nothing is happening

Have you actually CONFIRMED the battery voltage with a voltmeter? Just because the battery shows green after charging does not necessarily mean that adequate voltage and/or amperage is getting to the radio. There are three gold plates, above the label on the battery itself. They are marked for positive and negative. The battery should show a nominal voltage of 7.4 volts DC. If you don't have a voltmeter, can you borrow one?
For another possibility, do you (or a radio friend) have a different DM32 battery to try?
Another suggestion... remove the battery from the radio and check that all three of the gold, spring-loaded clips on the radio are engaging the battery connections properly.

 

[bears223]

Like I said there’s no power up or green led light 💡

 

[PrepperAES]

Same issue here got no lights nothing on a botchy fw upgrade and now i'm crappin myself that its bricked

Like I said there’s no power up or green led light 💡

 

[chief21]

Try removing the battery for a day or two, then reattach a fully-charged battery and attempt a reflash with the correct firmware.

 

[bears223]

On the software there is a icon that I forgot to checkmark ✔️ it has disabled my radio

 

[PrepperAES]

now its stuck on OpenDM32 and i cant save anything its so dumb. Any ideas on how to flash it?