Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Ok, try this, take one of the black serial cables from the KOP and hook it upto your computer and the RC. Open the terminal window and select COM1 then turn on your robot controller you should get a message "IFI>Master Code V13" if you do not get any message turn of your controller and select COM2. When you select COM2 you should not get any error like "failure to open com port"

You may want to check in the BIOS of the machine to make sure your COM ports aren't disabled. You can also try deleting the com port in "Device Manager" and when you reboot, XP will reinstall the driver. If you have a laptop with a internal modem make sure you are not selecting the modem's COM port instead of the onboard serial port.

What is the brand, make, and model of the computer. If you would like send me an e-mail amartin "at" intelitek.com and we can maybe arrange to speak or a remote VNC session.

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

no..... i still have the same problem... the Led on the program state on the RC are always orange even if i do the restart or switchs the power off and on again.... and i still cant upload the program... i tried to upload the program with the RC from the 2006 where there uploaded the program that we used on the competition and in the terminal window i saw the outputs from the RC but i cant upload the program there too i even tried the loader from 2004 and still the same problem and at 3 computer and with 2 RCs... any one knows whats the problem???? im using the tether because the radio have no link :( :( :( :confused: :confused:

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

I am having the exact same problem, although I am using the IFILoader.

Information about problem:

Without the OI connected to RC, the RC has green lights (except for radio modem (red), and RC mode (no light))...in this state I can hold the programming button down and get the RC into programming state. I do a controller verification, which is successful. Now I try to load the code and IFILoader tells me that the Controller is not connected to my computer or the RC isn’t in programming state.

With the OI connected to the RC, the programming state is orange (without me making it orange), the RC mode is orange, and the rest are green. In this state controller verification is also successful, but when attempting to load the code, we get an error message saying that the RC is not connected to the computer or the RC isn’t in programming state.

I'm using a DELL laptop which has a serial port (device manager tells me its @ COM1). I've tried multiple serial cables to ensure that the cable is not faulty. I also tried loading the firmware again, but IFILoader tells me that the RC is not connected to the computer.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If I open the Terminal Window and turn the RC on I get scrambled text (general 2 or 3 letters). Sometimes I comes as "IFI>" which I what I thought it as supposed to say, but most often it just has 2 or 3 random letters. (If I press reset or programming buttons, the Terminal window shows another 2 or 3 random letters.

This laptop and RC were working just fine yesterday…I was loading code without any problems.

My guess is that something is wrong with the RC.

If anyone has any suggestions, please post them...you have no idea how frustrating this is getting. Many thanks!! - Jay (Team 610 Programmer)

-----------UPDATE----------

Using the same laptop, same serial cable and same software I was able to load code onto an EDU controller with no problem. I noticed that it displayed PIC18F8520 as the version. However, when I connect to the 2007 RC it shows "FRC" as the version. Shouldn't it be showing PIC18F8722?

I have also tried everything using the EasyC loader, and I got the same results....

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

This implies that the problem is related to the code rather than the hardware. I get similar symptoms when the Put_Data() call is left out. Have you tried uploading the unmodified default code?

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Yup, I have tried downloading the default code (I tried both, one directly from IFI's website, and the one that came with the IFILoader) - thanks for the suggestion though =), any other possibilities?

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Try doing a master reset.

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Matt, I tried the master reset and the problem remains unresolved, same outcome as before. Thanks for the suggestion though:) !, any other possible reason for this weird behaviour?

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Did you turn verify write off?

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

I've just tried that, and it didnt help either. Thanks for the suggestion though =)!

My hunch, just from stuggling to get this working for so long is that IFILoader and EasyCPro Loader are both having problems figuring out what device I'm connected too.

Attached is an image of what the controller verification shows. It says "FRC", can someone confirm if this is what is supposed to show when connected to a 2007 RC. (I thought it would show the PIC ID number)

Of course, this is just a hunch, any suggestions @ all would be much appreciated. :]

---------------NOTE: ----------------

I just noticed that the first time I run controller verification is says "FRC", then I run it again and it says "VEX", if I run it again if says "FRC"...and so on. This doesnt seem right at all. :confused:

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Can you get it to take the master code?

Do you have a VEX usb-to-serial cable? If you do I'd try that for the fun of it.

If you get it program then try to download the online window code in easyC.
Then see if you can move some motors or spikes. This should test if you have good communications.

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

We were having this problem on Friday. Program state light was lit as soon as the controller was turned on but the controller would not take an upload. We did have success after: installing version 1.1.0 of IFI loader, shortening our programming cable to just one length (we had 3 or 4 lengths of cable connected together), and then uploading a master code.

Good luck

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

Kingofl337: Thanks for the continued suggestions =), I was using a Prolific USB to Serial converter, however I stopped using it to try and isolate what the problem was. (Switched to using standard serial port). I did try to load the Master code, but it says the RC is not connected, or it is not in programming state.

Stagshan: I have hope now =), my cable is the one that came in the electronics kit, I am only using one. And I was using version 1.1.0 for the IFILoader.

Over night I came up with a new hunch. This laptop/RC was working fine before I installed the Prolific USB to Serial driver. My guess is that somehow messed up the computers ability to recognize the 2007 RC, (even though it can mysteriously recognize the EDU controller...), I'm going to test my theory out with a new computer today, I'll let everyone know.

Thanks for all the help everyone!! Cross your fingers for me please :)

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

i tought im the only one that have that problem... but no... i have the same problem and i've tried everything... i tried to do this with the mplab and the easyc too and with both of 2 loaders... terminal window shows 3 or 4 words like IFI> somthing like that but after that just nothing.... yesturday i connected to try another time to upload the program and the loader soccessed to erasing the the program but after that it stoped and gave me the same error that says that i need to check the program state LED and after that the RC are allways on prog state (2 RCs).
eny one can find the program??? i realy dont know what to do...:( :(
-------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for helping

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

:ahh: ........ turns out something is just wacky about that computer...and several others. But it works on the computers of my colleagues....:eek:

No diagnosis....but at least I know how to solve the unknown problem....get a new computer...:p

Thanks to all for your help!

Re: Problem with program uploading
 

can some one hekp me with my problem?