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Canon G12 Missing Modules error message

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Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« on: 26 / September / 2018, 10:46:43 »
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Howdy, I have run into a problem setting up CHDK for a Canon G12, Firmware is 100E. I have tried using two different SD cards, one is a SanDisk Ultra 8GB Class 10 card the other is an older HP 16GB Class 4 card. In prepping the cards, they were first low level formatted in the camera then moved to a Dell Laptop that has an integral SD reader. I used STICK (run as Administrator) to identify and download the proper CHDK image (ver 1.4.1). The SD cards and log reported a successful completion.
However, when I booted the CHDK card in the camera, I got a "missing modules" error (both cards). As part of my research, I read and re-read the thread "https://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=13199.0 SX10is - "error: missing modules" - SOLVED - General Help and Assistance on using CHDK stable releases - CHDK Forum 14 July 2017". Tried the work around mentioned therein (by creating an empty CFG folder in the MODULES directory) and re-tired the card. No joy.
I would also note that the file browser is not accessible even though the CHDK/MODULES/FSELECT.FLT is present. (At least I looked at the contents of that folder with a text editor, but cannot affirm whether it works or not.)

I could copy the existing CFG folder from a working CHDK card that I use in a Canon G9. But I am dubious as to whether that would be of any use.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Offline reyalp

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Re: Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #1 on: 26 / September / 2018, 13:11:23 »
I would also note that the file browser is not accessible even though the CHDK/MODULES/FSELECT.FLT is present. (At least I looked at the contents of that folder with a text editor, but cannot affirm whether it works or not.)
The missing modules error means that CHDK was unable to access this file. It really shouldn't have anything to do with CFG files.

The most likely cause is a problem with partitioning. G12 is a 2010 cameras, which means it only supports booting from FAT16 and cards larger than 4GB need to be set up with two partitions. Stick should handle this automatically, but it's possible something went wrong.

What OS are you using in your laptop?
When you have the card in the card reader, how much free space does it show? Does it show the card as FAT16 or FAT32?
If you start the camera with CHDK, how many shots remaining does it show?
Don't forget what the H stands for.

Re: Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #2 on: 26 / September / 2018, 14:11:00 »
Thanks for the quick response.
I would also note that the file browser is not accessible even though the CHDK/MODULES/FSELECT.FLT is present. (At least I looked at the contents of that folder with a text editor, but cannot affirm whether it works or not.)
The missing modules error means that CHDK was unable to access this file. It really shouldn't have anything to do with CFG files.

The most likely cause is a problem with partitioning. G12 is a 2010 cameras, which means it only supports booting from FAT16 and cards larger than 4GB need to be set up with two partitions. Stick should handle this automatically, but it's possible something went wrong.

What OS are you using in your laptop?
When you have the card in the card reader, how much free space does it show? Does it show the card as FAT16 or FAT32?
If you start the camera with CHDK, how many shots remaining does it show?

In answer to your questions:
1. The lappy runs Windows 10 Pro.
2. The 16 GB SD cards shows a 16MB FAT16 frormatted boot partition and the remaining 13.7 GB in second partition shows as unformatted according to the Disk Managment app. Ah Hah! there lies the problem!
I just took a look at the working CHDK SD card from the G9 which shows the 16MB FAT16 boot partition and a 7.4GB FAT32 partition.
Apparently, STICK did not format the second partition(s) for the SD cards that were being set up for the G12.
So, back to the drawing board and will re-format the two G12 SD cards again after I download a fresh copy of STICK just in case I have somehow corrupted it by transferring it between my Desktop box and the laptop.

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Offline reyalp

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Re: Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #3 on: 26 / September / 2018, 16:14:53 »
In answer to your questions:
1. The lappy runs Windows 10 Pro.
2. The 16 GB SD cards shows a 16MB FAT16 frormatted boot partition and the remaining 13.7 GB in second partition shows as unformatted according to the Disk Managment app. Ah Hah! there lies the problem!
I just took a look at the working CHDK SD card from the G9 which shows the 16MB FAT16 boot partition and a 7.4GB FAT32 partition.
Apparently, STICK did not format the second partition(s) for the SD cards that were being set up for the G12.
So, back to the drawing board and will re-format the two G12 SD cards again after I download a fresh copy of STICK just in case I have somehow corrupted it by transferring it between my Desktop box and the laptop.
Since you are on win 10 and can access both partitions, you might find that just formatting the second partition FAT32 and extract the files from the CHDK zip will get CHDK working.

The FAT16 partition needs special setup, but that appears to already be done since CHDK loads.

If that doesn't work or your prefer to use stick, you might try using an external card reader instead of the built in one. From reports on the forum, the built in ones seem to have more quirks that affect stick.
Don't forget what the H stands for.

Re: Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #4 on: 26 / September / 2018, 18:15:48 »
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Since you are on win 10 and can access both partitions, you might find that just formatting the second partition FAT32 and extract the files from the CHDK zip will get CHDK working.

Just tried that with the 16 GB card after formatting the second partition to FAT32 using an external Sony multicard reader. Doing it this way at least fixed the Error: Missing Modules message. Logo appears, but CHDK is not launched when using the ALT key. Grrr. One step at at time, yes?

Quote
The FAT16 partition needs special setup, but that appears to already be done since CHDK loads.

I'm looking into trying the EOScard utility or WICKS to make the partition bootable. 

Quote
If that doesn't work or your prefer to use stick, you might try using an external card reader instead of the built in one. From reports on the forum, the built in ones seem to have more quirks that affect stick.

As I recall I had problems using a single USB reader when I set up the G9 card. Eventually used the Sony Multi-card reader which is now being used.

The camera shows a date of manufacture of 12/1/2011. Am re-reading the 'Prepare Your SD Card" yet again. Appreciate the suggestions, but this is getting more than a wee bit frustrating. Educational, but frustrating.

Re: SOLVED Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #5 on: 26 / September / 2018, 21:30:47 »
Persistence pays off. After several re-formats and attempts at installing CHDK for my Canon G12, I bludgeoned the thing into submission.
At this time, I think that the external Sony Multi-reader somehow managed to prevent the STICK program from formatting the second FAT32 partition. Even though STICK reported "card prepared", the second partition was NOT formatted. I eventually changed to an older single card USB reader and was successful in installing CHDK on an 8GB SanDisk Ultra SD Card. The camera booted to CHDK successfully.
The take home here is NOT to use a multi-card reader and always double check any resulting 'card prepared' SD card.

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Offline reyalp

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Re: Canon G12 Missing Modules error message
« Reply #6 on: 26 / September / 2018, 22:48:37 »
The camera shows a date of manufacture of 12/1/2011. Am re-reading the 'Prepare Your SD Card" yet again. Appreciate the suggestions, but this is getting more than a wee bit frustrating. Educational, but frustrating.
Just for clarification: The "2011 and later" for cameras the can boot from FAT32 refers to the model release date (as listed on https://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/P-ID_(Table) for example), not the manufacture date of an individual specimen.

Glad to hear you got it working in the end.
Don't forget what the H stands for.

 

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