I am attempting to run a system off of the old PBasic Isaac16 based EDUbot. Our model does not seem to be the exact one shown in IFI documents, such as
here. It also does not seem to have a detatchable radio/rc module from the main motherboard. Instead, the antenna appears to be internal to the base of the robot controller unit and the top has only one port with a connector (another exists with solder points but no connector has ever been attached). If you want a picture, I can post one tomorrow. If I connect the system to a battery, and use one of the old PBasic OI's (the ones with the external fuses) with an older radio, it will connect and run the IFI Multispeed motors when a joystick (connected to OI port 1) is moved, based on its currently loaded code (probably the default).
However, I want to program the controller, and cannot seem to do this. I followed all instructions in
the manual[pdf], but it will not download. When no port is selected, I recieve the "BASIC Stamp IISX detected but not responding . . . Check power supply" error. If I force COM1 (the correct port), I get the "BASIC Stamp IISX not responding . . ." error.
I have tried all versions I can find of the PBasic programmer (1.096, 1.1, 2.2.5). I have tried this on two WinXP laptops and one Win98 laptop (should I test a desktop?), with similar results. I noticed in the last two laptop tests (one 98 and one XP), the basic init error LED would light on the robot controller, indicating that it is maybe going into download mode. However, the same errors are always received. When I click the verify button, it shows that loopback is functional, but no echo is received.
Other tested scenerios (non of which worked):
- Write protect jumper on or off
- Connected to OI (through radio) or not
- Port selected manually or auto mode
- Switching out serial cable
- Powering up/down the system in different orders
- Connecting the program cable before or after power up (the lights often change when the cable is plugged in)
I am at the end of the line with my troubleshooting knowledge, and now appeal for anyone else's help. The one thing I have yet to try (and noticed today looking more closely at the Isaac32 on IFI's page) is a newer PBasic OI control (one without the fuses externally mounted). I dont know if this makes a difference. Also, I assume this is supposed to work with the old FRC OI, and does not require an Isaac32, as I don't remember having seen an Isaac32, but this system has run before. I also know that this particular EDUbot has been programmed before (although it was in 2003).
Sorry about the long post, I am an experienced FIRST programmer and just explained my entire debug procedure and situation to the best of my knowledge.
YES! I am a MENTOR. Not a chaperone. I am busy all day, I don't want to deal with the stupidity that may or may not go on at night. Besides, I might see something as a cool physics experiment, where a chaperone might see someone dropping pop cans down the stair wells. - Not2B [more] 
01-02-2006, 08:49
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