Code Error when I try to program it

[adamm]

Originally Posted by iPilipino

Ive been trying to download this program onto the board and it just wont do. It kept saying that "To enable download, hold the 'PROG' button down until the 'PROGRAM STATE' LED is solid orange. Make sure that power is on and the serial cable is connected."

The PROGRAM STATE LED is solid orange, and the power is on and the serial cable is connected.

I had the whole thing set up right but it just kept saying the above mentioned quote.

Oh and the code error LED just turns solid orange everytime I press and hold the program button to have the Program State LED solid orange.

So where is my problem here? On the computer? On the program? Or the USB to Serial connector?

The Code error Light on the Operator interface is supposed to turn red when you are in program mode.

Now, if the robot automaticly sets the Program State light to orange when it gets power, you still have to press it down for 4-5 seconds.

There are a few things to check, first make sure everything is wired and working properly; you could have a faulty DB9 Cable. Make sure you are plugged into the program port all the way. Now, if you are using a Serial to USB, Make sure you have the correct COM port. The Adapter will sometimes pick a different com port each time you plug it in (Ours will change COM ports randomly, I'm really not sure why).

You can check for the COM port in device manager. to get to Device manager, right click on My Computer, then click properties. I can't remember on which tab device manager is (I have vista), so click throught them to find it. in Device Manager, you should see an entry for Printer and COM ports (Or something similar to that). Open the List. You should see you adapter listed with the COM port listed after it.

[iPilipino]

Originally Posted by adamm

The Code error Light on the Operator interface is supposed to turn red when you are in program mode.

Now, if the robot automaticly sets the Program State light to orange when it gets power, you still have to press it down for 4-5 seconds.

There are a few things to check, first make sure everything is wired and working properly; you could have a faulty DB9 Cable. Make sure you are plugged into the program port all the way. Now, if you are using a Serial to USB, Make sure you have the correct COM port. The Adapter will sometimes pick a different com port each time you plug it in (Ours will change COM ports randomly, I'm really not sure why).

You can check for the COM port in device manager. to get to Device manager, right click on My Computer, then click properties. I can't remember on which tab device manager is (I have vista), so click throught them to find it. in Device Manager, you should see an entry for Printer and COM ports (Or something similar to that). Open the List. You should see you adapter listed with the COM port listed after it.

the COM port isnt a problem because I figured that i have to use a certain COM port. So I got that working.

Going to the device manager is a problem because I am using a school computer to program it and it has SO MANY restrictions.

Maybe we do have a faulty DB9 because when Mark McLeod went to my school to help us with programming, he used his own laptop that doesnt need a DB9 to connect. It had its own built-in port. So maybe the DB9 is the problem. Im not 100% sure about that though, so if you guys got other ideas to help me upload the program in the controller, then please just let me know. I tried every single thing that you guys said and it still didnt work. Maybe it is the DB9 because thats the only thing we havent tried (I mean using a different one).

[Jim E]

If you can, find another laptop with regular serial ports. It doesn't have to be powerful, we used a PII our first couple years. Make sure you use the new black cables in the KOP. Run IFI loader 1.10 *.hex files using a Flash Stick to verify correct operation.

It may be the restrictions the school district is placing on your user account. Industry and schools get a little carried away with security because some hackers love a challenge. Restricting serial ports is not unheard of.

It might also be interrupt errors within the laptop your using. Sometimes other devices use the same interrupts. This problem existed more with Win98, WinME, and some Win2K installations. XP doesn't care.

Also check the settings of the serial port. I think the settings are 115K baud, 8 data bits, 0 stop bits, no parity. Check the IFI Programming tips manual to be sure.

Download into the robot the default.hex file from FIRST. This should ALWAYS work if no changes have been made to it.

If the above does work, then you have a program error in your code. That Dreaded red light of death ( or orange in your case because it happened so fast) does appear quick if there is a While loop error in Initialization.

I hope this helps.