Broken Robot Controller
 

I have a dillema here. This dillema is a half broken robot controller -- it won't accept user code. What do I do to get this fixed? Can it be exchanged for another at J&J? I don't know why in the heck I was just told this, but our programming ninnies apparently recieved it broken. It does function in the pre-loaded code, so what do I do?

Are you sure it's broken? Many computers have trouble with their COM ports, are you sure it doesn't work on any computer? Are you sure you are using the right port? Did you set the jumper correctly? Did you have the Operator Interface hooked up (and receiving a signal) when you tried to download code? There are so many pitfalls in programming the controller, so make sure that it really is broken before you have to put down a $1000 deposit at the regional.

yeah, we had a huge problem with a com port on our laptop, so if you see a kid walking around with a laptop and the docking tray, that's me. :D

Yeah, sounds like maybe the jumper isn't set to the USER position.

Re: Broken Robot Controller
 

More than likely, if it will run the default code, it's not broken.

What exactly do you mean when you say "it won't accept user code"?

Does it say "BASIC Stamp not found"? If so, the most likely problem is that the com port is being used by another program (or the system) on your computer, or there's no power to RC, or you have a bad programming cable, etc.

Does it download the program, and then just sit there with the BASIC Run Error light lit? If so, you could simply need to reset the RC after downloading the program. Or you may have a program error. Be sure your program is reading the same number of data bytes in the SERIN command as you initialized the master microprocessor to send you. (Read the comments in the default program beginning at "DEFINE CONSTANTS FOR INITIALIZATION" if you don't understand what I'm talking about.) The BASIC Run Error will also happen if your program manages to not come back to read more data at the SERIN command. (Or if it's not doing it often enough.)

Could you post your program, and maybe someone here can help with debugging your code?

If I am not mistaken, you can actually download your program into both the user and default slots. In fact, Innovation FIRST recommends this (or at least they did last year) because they has a 1 in 10,000 chance of forgetting the USER program. This way when they happened you could just switch the jumper and rock and roll. I do not know if they have fixed this issue.

I would suggest checking all the user jumper, as well as making sure the connector has not been damaged. Before getting a new rc, try using a different computer, or if possible ue last years rc with the same computer + code. Be sure you try all possiblities before sending your rc back to innovation first.