[apalrd]

The Robot Code light will only come on when code is running. A slightly annoying fact (for rookies at least) is that the current control system has no "default code", meaning that when you image the cRio there is just nothing. In LabVIEW, you would go to Builds, then right-click "FRC Boot-Up Deployment" and set "Run As Startup". Then, code will exist on the cRio. If you want to test your code, you can go to Robot Main.vi and press the "play" button, and it will download your code temporarily (you loose it when you power down), but it is faster and you can see the front panels, which is useful when debugging.

Also - I have honestly never used the DB9 serial connection. Most things (in LabVIEW at least) can be solved with the indicator lights on the cRio itself (and its surrounding boards such as the DSC), the Driver Station, and LabVIEW.

You don't have to use the Classmate to download code. Any laptop which LabVIEW will run on (anything running Windows, no macs) will work. You would use it exactly the same, just set a static IP address on the same subnet (but not one of the reserved IP addresses).

If you have any questions about LabVIEW, feel free to PM me.

Oh yeah - the robot code light isn't the fastest light either. It shouldn't take more than a minute, though.