Help--Program Light Stuck

[de_]

Background: Was doing encoder development testing from a laptop USB / serial connection to robot. First time ever (5 yeards) program light stuck on. Code Error light on as well. Didn't realize OI Code Error light always goes during program cycle so first thought of some master code or hardware fault. Been using this USB/Serial cable for years totally glitch free (though some are definitely not glitch free or don't work at all). The laptop connection worked 100% next day on 2004 RC.

After two days of getting nowhere including leaving RC completely disconnected and multiple hard boots on laptop and another person trying the above reset techniques...
Took RC home, connected to home PC with true serial port. Program light still on.
- Tried IFI Loader Controller Verification, verification passed. I am guessing that means that the loader was able to talk to the master code.
- Tried Terminal Window. Every time reset or program button hit, the "IFI>" prompt appeared. Tried download and it worked and program light is now off and RC is working. Cause: don't know, Solution: don't know (wonderful).

Recommendation: If you are totally stuck (sorry for the pun), connect RC to a true serial port and try IFI loader verification and then look for the IFI> prompt. Try to repeat this with any 2004+ previous RC to verify the cable is working. If it won't work on 2008 but does on previous years, call IFI!

Another glitch on our 2008 RC: We were also seeing this other glitch running Kevin Watsons 2007 merged encoder & gyro code: 90% of the time when we did a hard boot (ie main breaker turned on), code error light would be on. Every time we did a soft boot (reset button), the code error light would go out and the RC code would execute properly. Our 2004 RC is not exhibiting any of this using the same code (at least so far).