waste of money

Official Hardware Classic Yún
1

Before venting let me explain that I am an electrical engineer with nearly twenty years experience using various flavors of Linux/UNIX and even longer programming microcontrollers. That being said this Yun is easily the biggest turd I have ever had to deal with. Windows ME was more reliable than this.

The network connections are sporadic at best and right now I have no idea what the wireless is using for an IP address. The documentation is useless as it apparently does not apply with this device. For example the directions for resetting the WLAN says:

"The reset button for WiFi is located next to the USB-A connector. When you press the button, the WLAN LED will flash."

I have performed this operation over a dozen times and this LED has never lit while pressing this button. It has lit up a couple of times without the button so it does function just not when it is supposed to. I have to repeat this procedure several times to even have a chance of it resetting to defaults. This is only one of several problems I have been having and have just about reached the end of my patience.

After going around in circles the last couple of days even after updating the Linux image I can only assume that this device is possessed by demons and my $75 was an expensive lesson in how to waste money.

2

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I find the Yun to be an interesting diversion from my professional career with more sophisticated development tools. While there is a lot of information out there, I agree that the documentation is not as thorough and organized as is the case for many products targeted at the professional developer. On the other hand, I find that I can get simple tasks implemented faster on the Yun than I can with many of the more sophisticated professional platforms (nothing I would use in a final product for customers, but very useful for my own tinkering.)

RedRyder71:
"The reset button for WiFi is located next to the USB-A connector. When you press the button, the WLAN LED will flash."

An unfortunate omission from those instructions is that the button is ONLY recognized when the Linux system is FULLY booted up, which can take a minute or two after power on or reset. Before trying to use that button, give the Linux system time to fully boot up. If you press it too soon (before Linux is looking the input) it will have no effect.

I'm not saying that's your problem here, but it is a potential issue. (Especially since on many products, we're used to having to press the reset button during or immediately after power-on.)

3

RedRyder71:
Before venting let me explain that I am an electrical engineer with nearly twenty years experience using ::::SNIP::::
After going around in circles the last couple of days even after updating the Linux image I can only assume that this device is possessed by demons and my $75 was an expensive lesson in how to waste money.

@RedRyder71,
well, I can say most of us feel your pain. We have experience as much, each of us in turn; with, of course, some getting a fair bit of pain.

The issues you are experiencing with connectivity are NOT new. As a matter of fact, I've got many of the answers you are looking for, and those I don't have someone else does.

First, here is the first, AND it is so common, I have it as FAQ #0.

= [Q:] I cannot connect to My Arduino Yún. What do I do? =

First it's good to know, when Arduino Yun cannot find the AP you have set it for (like your home wifi), it has a script that puts it back into default SSID and AP mode.

Next, you may have already watched this video, but it's worth watching again. Pay extra attention to the part with the sketches.
Getting started with Arduino Yún - tutorial (6:53)

Then, read these short instructions. We (the volunteer support group) already know these steps by heart, so be familiar with the different reboot methods, and especially the 30+ second wifi reset. Also, not mentioned on that page, if you reset the Wifi/Linux part of the Yun, it will take from 2-8 minutes for the reboot.
Resetting the processors (AR9331, WiFi, and 32U4)
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoYun#toc6

'''Then start over''', plug your Yun into the USB port, run this sketch, and hit the ''Wifi Reset button'' (for 5-10 seconds).
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/YunSerialTerminal

The ''YunSerialTerminal'' provides a simplified console access to the Linux part of the Yun. It works via the USB port (the one that powers the Yun - the microUSB). From there you'll be able to run a few commands to give us a better idea of problems.

Also, be ready with this sketch YunWiFiStatus. This sketch will help us see the status of your home AP. The sketch prints the wifi status to the console every 5 seconds or so. This sketch might seem familiar as it was in that first video link (above).

Let us know how it goes. Post results from the YunSerialTerminal, if you are still having problems. Please use markup when posting results.

LASTLY, (I'm adding this part). Quite often there is more Wifi noise in the neighborhood than people realize. So if you have a smart phone (android, iphone, blackberry, windozephone), look for a Wifi Anaylzer. I prefere this one from Far Proc.

Jesse

http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LinuxCLI

YunResetIllustrations.jpg
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arduino_markup.png

4

Thank you for your responses. For now I have given up on the wireless and have plugged into my router for network communication. I have used the WiFi status sketch which was useful a couple of times but mostly it hangs at "Starting bridge..." and no light at L13 which leads me to believe the bridge is hanging even after trying several minutes later. I honestly wish OpenWRT had been left off and stayed with just a simple embedded Linux image.

I am struggling through it but when the documentation says "Do A and B will happen"; I do 'A' but 'B' does not happen then I have to suspect the documentation is worthless.

Thanks again, if I have a specific question I will be sure to post it here.

5

RedRyder71:
I honestly wish OpenWRT had been left off and stayed with just a simple embedded Linux image.

No disrespect intended, but I thought OpwnWRT WAS a simple embedded Linux image...

6

RedRyder71:
::::SNIP::::

I am struggling through it but when the documentation says "Do A and B will happen"; I do 'A' but 'B' does not happen then I have to suspect the documentation is worthless.

Thanks again, if I have a specific question I will be sure to post it here.

@RedRyder71,
And I suspect you have some fault RAM, which is on the same chip, which would make your board next to useless. Then again, it could just be a WiFi issue. We'll wait until you feel like getting to it again.

Jesse

7

jessemonroy650:
And I suspect you have some fault RAM,

On a board that costs twice as much as an RPi - surely not ?

...R