AI thinker Cam CameraWebServer upload error, esp32s is a dual core?

[bracokey]

Hello all, I've spent a month on and off trying to resolve/make sense of an AI Thinker Cam with esp32cam mb attached.
It came pre-programmed/flashed with WebCamServer.ino and was working fine. I tried uploading tensorflow lite which took ages and in the end didn't seem to work or be responsive.
I tried to roll back and flash the WebCameraServer.ino and have had issues ever since.

rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:1
load:0x3fff0030,len:1344
load:0x40078000,len:13924
ho 0 tail 12 room 4
load:0x40080400,len:3600
entry 0x400805f0
E (675) sdmmc_common: sdmmc_init_ocr: send_op_cond (1) returned 0x107
E (676) vfs_fat_sdmmc: sdmmc_card_init failed (0x107).
SD Card Mount Failed
E (525) esp_core_dump_f<f͡� No core dump partition found!
E (525) esp_core_dump_flash: No core dump partition found!

I have tried the different partition schemes available in arduino IDE over 3mb, with no positive result or change.
I should point out that some example sketches do work on this controller and don't return any errors.
I ran the example sketch to get some info on the esp32 chip and interestingly, its boxed as an esp32-s , yet the chip id claims to be dual core!
ESP32 Chip model = ESP32-D0WDQ5 Rev 3
This chip has 2 cores
Chip ID: 11316504

This leads me to wonder if the gpio's could be slightly different in layout. Could this mean there is a design flaw in the board or MB?
If anyone can confirm, it would be appreciated.
If anyone could direct me to the updated version of CameraWebServer that was originally flashed and working on this controller, that would be even more appreciated, I could at least look at the code and compare any differences.
Thank you!

P.S I have posted the same question on the espressif forum.

[mrburnette]

ESP32 Modules and Boards - ESP32 - — ESP-IDF Programming Guide v4.3 documentation (espressif.com)

Espressif has lots of similar but different chips. Once these go to 3rd parties, you are at the mercy of the product builder to be honest about the chips utilized.

@bracokey

This leads me to wonder if the gpio's could be slightly different in layout. Could this mean there is a design flaw in the board or MB?

My guess is some boss-person decided to sub uC because of chip shortages.

Series overview:
Chipsets | Espressif Systems

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[johnwasser]

@bracokey

I tried to roll back and flash the WebCameraServer.ino and have had issues ever since.

Did you select "AI Thinker ESP32-CAM" as your board type and switch from the default:

#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE // Has PSRAM
//#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER // Has PSRAM

to

//#define CAMERA_MODEL_ESP_EYE // Has PSRAM
#define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER // Has PSRAM

Also change these two lines because names have been changed:

  config.pin_sscb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_sscb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;

change to:

  config.pin_sccb_sda = SIOD_GPIO_NUM;
  config.pin_sccb_scl = SIOC_GPIO_NUM;

Did you put in your WiFi SSID and password correctly?

Have you tried removing the SD Card? It looks like it is trying to find a partition to core dump onto and failing. On mine, without a card, it displays some garbage for the dump and then goes on to connect to WiFi.

[bracokey]

Yes I've definitely tried various combinations of the above along with trying partition schemes over 3mb.
You do raise a point that this unit for whatever reason is unable to mount mount the SD cards I have, however I don't believe this is an issue because when I first used the unit, the program flashed to it was operating without issue.

[eugene855]

Firstly, you may need to factory reset your module online on the Espressif ESP Tool site.
ESP32F~1.ZIP (1,8 МБ)
I have done that after some self-induced mess inside the memory of my AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM . As soon as I performed that procedure, I was able to continue using the module as though a brand-new one. I hope that after this your module will be repaired as well. I am enclosing a zip file containing all necessary links and instructions.

And secondly, keep in mind that AI-ESP32-CAM prefers SDHC cards of class 10 and higher that have very low response time for mounting and supports up to 32 GB (from my experience) capacity. Hope this will be of practical help to you, provided your module is physically healthy.