Launchpad MSP430 Device Initialization Error
 

Hello,

Our team is trying to use a Texas Instruments MSP430 LaunchPad to be recognized as a joystick by the Driver Station.

After successfully installing the FRC Update Suite and LabView Run-Time Engine, we launched the GamePad Tool for FRC as instructed and upon clicking "Program Device", we are returned an error: "LaunchPad error 5000 Gamepad tool.vi<ERR>".

I've run all three options and clicked "Program Device", yet I am still returned with the same error.
Has anyone ever run into this and solved it?

Attempting to program manually (cmd commands) had yielded us these errors
tilib: MSP430_OpenDevice: Unknown Device (error = 5) tilib: device initalization failed

Attempting to run the command mspdebug tilib --allow-fw-update gives us the same error.

Thank you

Re: Launchpad MSP430 Device Initialization Error
 

It seems like whenever this error is encountered it has to do with the initial step in programming the device which is updating the firmware of the 'ez_FET' programmer (the chip on the top right of the board). It may be related to the device revision and the version of the programming tool.

Can you tell me the marking on that chip as well as under the 'MSP430F5529' marking on the chip in the center.

For example, mine is:

and

I'll be sending you a PM with a couple of options that may fix the issue. If it works I will post an update here.

Re: Launchpad MSP430 Device Initialization Error
 

I know that we hit a similar issue last summer, which resolved itself when we ran the process from a "normal" windows machine instead of my dual-boot macbook. It could have been a coincidence...or not. Who knows?

I've also seen the suggestion to be sure you run the tool as an administrator. Again, I can't vouch for that suggestion, but it can't hurt.