Anycubic Photon on the ritz

[PiperguyUMD]

Good afternoon all!

I'm hoping I can find some help here - I'm using my 2 photons to print parts for my side hustle. These are both the original photons, not the S or SE or any of that stuff, just the good ole vanilla Photon. The newer of the two recently started spazzing out. The screen would flicker when first displaying a slice during prints, but inconsistently. Even thought the first split second was distorted, it would always focus in to something that resembled the appropriate slice. A print might be fine until the very last minute and then it would be ruined. Others were unrecognizable. Trouble shooting, I updated the firmware, but now the slices displayed on the screen aren't even remotely related to the model. So...

1) Was/is my screen on the way out and I've made it worse by tinkering with the firmware?
2) Did I have a firmware issue that has now been made worse by a botched firmware update?
2) Assuming the screen is not on the way out, is it possible to backdate to older versions of the firmware?

Thanks all!

[Chris333]

I can remember one time when changing firmware that parts of the screen started flickering and making strange shapes. So it may be the firmware. I just checked mine and it has V4.2.5_LCD.0/1440x2560/F2.6 in it.

[PiperguyUMD]

I can remember one time when changing firmware that parts of the screen started flickering and making strange shapes. So it may be the firmware. I just checked mine and it has V4.2.5_LCD.0/1440x2560/F2.6 in it.

I should have checked to see what this one was running. It currently has V4.2.19.3_LCD/1440x2560/F2.9. I’ve done the update before and this one seemed to be missing a file (isn’t it a 2 part job?) from the photon site.

[Chris333]

Not sure, but I can do it anyone can 

Here is my story: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50140.0

[Chris333]

One time I had to re-install the G-code, but I don't think that is your problem.

[reinhardtjh]

I should have checked to see what this one was running. It currently has V4.2.19.3_LCD/1440x2560/F2.9. I’ve done the update before and this one seemed to be missing a file (isn’t it a 2 part job?) from the photon site.

"Everyone" says in the various Anycubic groups that you don't want the V4.2.19.xxx firmware.  Find a copy of the 4.2.18 and reflash it.  I think you can downgrade just by doing that version.

4.2.18 firmware: https://github.com/Photonsters/anycubic-photon-docs/blob/master/firmware/AC_4.2.18.zip

[PiperguyUMD]

Thanks for the help guys! Interesting twist - I couldn't get it to backdate to 4.2.18. I did however get it to go to 4.2.17. A quick visual test revealed that this seemed to solve my issues. I have a test running that I will check in a few minutes. If this is successful, I will see if I can update from 4.2.17 to 4.2.18.

[John]

My rule has always been -- it's working, don't fix it

[PiperguyUMD]

Ok, so my trial print was a bit of a mixed bag. Much improved from the results yesterday, but still some issues. I printed two parts, one was fine, the other had signs of the flickering screen. So I’m not sure that firmware is my issue. Could me screen be on the way out?

[PiperguyUMD]

Still having issues with this machine. I think my screen is on the way out. This is what it looks like when I run the exposure test.

[narrowminded]

Still having issues with this machine. I think my screen is on the way out. This is what it looks like when I run the exposure test.

That doesn't seem right.  I'm no expert on this but I'd have to agree that the screen is on the way out.

[Chris333]

Good news is they're only $30 bucks on Amazon.

[haasmarc]

You could try unplugging the screen from the circuit board and then plug it back in.  I had a flickering issue with my Photon screen and this resolved it.  Or your screen is going out 

[PiperguyUMD]

I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the screen this afternoon with no luck. Look out Amazon! Here I come!

[PiperguyUMD]

Will this do the trick?

https://www.amazon.com/2560x1440-Curing-Display-EPAX-Printer/dp/B07N7SZHBX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=anycubic+photon+replacement+lcd+screen&qid=1615679910&sprefix=anycubic+photon+replacement+&sr=8-3