Chief Delphi

Chief Delphi (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/index.php)
-   Programming (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51)
-   -   Serial Port Help? (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48152)

StargateFan 03-07-2006 11:19
Serial Port Help?
 
Hello Everyone,
I am a new Vex User this summer and I'm trying to setup my robot to communicate with my computer's serial port. I found and dowloaded the serial drivers posted by Kevin Watson. There was a HEX file already made so before I messed around with anything I downloaded that program to my robot. Now I can't download any other programs to my robot. The IFI loader gives me an error that says I should turn on the power to my robot or connect the serial cable, however both of these are true. Has anyone else had this problem? Can you tell me how to fix it so that I can program my robot again?

Thanks!

Alexa Stott 03-07-2006 11:42
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StargateFan
Hello Everyone,
I am a new Vex User this summer and I'm trying to setup my robot to communicate with my computer's serial port. I found and dowloaded the serial drivers posted by Kevin Watson. There was a HEX file already made so before I messed around with anything I downloaded that program to my robot. Now I can't download any other programs to my robot. The IFI loader gives me an error that says I should turn on the power to my robot or connect the serial cable, however both of these are true. Has anyone else had this problem? Can you tell me how to fix it so that I can program my robot again?

Thanks!
Hm...I'd suggest simply checking to make sure that in IFI loader, make sure you have the right port number assigned. I've forgotten to check this many times before, and it's usually the problem I have when I get this error. It could be something as simple as that. :rolleyes:

StargateFan 03-07-2006 12:06
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
It's not the serial port. I just checked. I also tried cycling the power on my robot. I even tried changing the battery just in case there was not enough power going to the robot. I still have the same problem.

Mark McLeod 03-07-2006 13:15
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
These might be similar problems posted on the Vex Forum
http://www.vexlabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=171
or
http://www.vexlabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3&start=15

StargateFan 03-07-2006 13:39
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
When I try to verify the controller, it says "No Controller Found...".

Same thing when I try to download the master code.

Kristian Calhoun 03-07-2006 13:49
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Hmmm...you might want to try a master reset.

Alexa Stott 03-07-2006 14:07
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by calhounian
Hmmm...you might want to try a master reset.
Yeah, I was going to say that. Also, letting it sit for a few hours with no power running through it or anything might just be what it needs. *shrugs*

StargateFan 03-07-2006 14:12
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by calhounian
Hmmm...you might want to try a master reset.
How do I do that?

Mark McLeod 03-07-2006 15:31
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StargateFan
When I try to verify the controller, it says "No Controller Found...".

Same thing when I try to download the master code.
Pushing the program button on the orange converter before you try connecting from the PC doesn't help?

StargateFan 03-07-2006 15:35
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Nope nothing happens when I press the orange button...

Qbranch 03-07-2006 22:44
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
I know its too late for this time :o , but you need to be careful which code you download to your microcontroller. Kevin Watson's serial driver hex was compiled for the PIC18F8722, while the vex controller uses the PIC18F8520.

These two processors are very different in that the 8722 has 4 flash memory banks and the 8520 has just one. This could cause the IFI bootloader to write only 25% of the code, or could possibly overwrite its own code during the programming process.

Also, I believe that the VEX controller's I2C packets that communicate between the User and Master (control) processor are constructed with different memory pointer offsets than on the FRC controller.

I'll be checking in on this thread now and then if anyone has questions.

-Q

StargateFan 05-07-2006 13:45
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qbranch
I know its too late for this time :o , but you need to be careful which code you download to your microcontroller. Kevin Watson's serial driver hex was compiled for the PIC18F8722, while the vex controller uses the PIC18F8520.

These two processors are very different in that the 8722 has 4 flash memory banks and the 8520 has just one. This could cause the IFI bootloader to write only 25% of the code, or could possibly overwrite its own code during the programming process.
So does that mean I can't fix this at all?

Mark McLeod 05-07-2006 14:06
Re: Serial Port Help?
 
I'd try the Vex forums at http://www.vexlabs.com/forum/ to see if they have experienced this problem and have a fix. You might have to return the controller to IFI for them to crack the case and re-flash the master code.

Any warning or indicator lights, if any, showing on the vex controller?
IFI_Loader Port Settings alright?

I've been busy ripping out walls and floors in my kitchen and had my laptop disk crash yesterday, so I didn't get back on this sooner.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:10.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi