Go to Post The thrills of a heroic repair, a well deserved award, a compliment on our efforts, the growth of our team members, making new friends.... These can make a memorable and exciting FIRST regional as much as a close match. - Mark Pierce [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > Other > FIRST Lego League > Lego Mindstorm Discussion
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-07-2008, 13:05
sad6_lego_robot sad6_lego_robot is offline
Registered User
no team
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Buxton
Posts: 2
sad6_lego_robot is an unknown quantity at this point
RCX Firmware trouble

I am currently working at a lego robotics camp, and one of our RCXs has been malfunctioning. Everytime you want to download a prograqm to it, it asks you to download the firmware again, and never actually downloads the program. Does anyone know whats wrong with it???
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-07-2008, 13:43
Schnabel's Avatar
Schnabel Schnabel is offline
Seriously I'm almost never serious!
AKA: Eric Schnabel
FRC #0469
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 1,174
Schnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond repute
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

I would try a different computer. If that doesn't work, take the batteries out, let the 5 second memory storage go dead, put the batteries back in, and then try the firmware. That's about all I can come up with.
__________________
I win! XD
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-07-2008, 13:58
EHaskins EHaskins is offline
Needs to change his user title.
AKA: Eric Haskins
no team (CARD #6 (SCOE))
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Elkhorn, WI USA
Posts: 998
EHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond reputeEHaskins has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via MSN to EHaskins
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

I've had this issue many times. After spending some time on the phone with Lego tech support, I was told to remove the batteries, then press the power button at least 50 times. I've never had that fail.
__________________
Eric Haskins KC9JVH
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-07-2008, 16:44
tseres's Avatar
tseres tseres is offline
obsessed with FIRST...
FRC #1565 (Think Tank Tech)
Team Role: Leadership
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Cambridge, ON
Posts: 305
tseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of light
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

what version of programming are you using? for me, the fastest way (using the lego mindstorms software) is to turn the RCX on in front of the IR tower, go into RCX settings on your computer (or something like that) and theres a button to download the firmware to the RCX
__________________


Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-07-2008, 21:13
Schnabel's Avatar
Schnabel Schnabel is offline
Seriously I'm almost never serious!
AKA: Eric Schnabel
FRC #0469
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 1,174
Schnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond repute
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

Quote:
Originally Posted by EHaskins View Post
I've had this issue many times. After spending some time on the phone with Lego tech support, I was told to remove the batteries, then press the power button at least 50 times. I've never had that fail.
I do believe that when i asked one time, they said 50 million times. (jk)
__________________
I win! XD
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-07-2008, 07:49
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,766
Al Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond repute
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

It has been my experience that this problem occurs in one of two ways. The battery compartment has a series of contacts that become pushed back into the case. With the batteries in place and the cover off, if you turn the RCX over and shake it and a few batteries fall out, then you know which contacts need to be aligned. The second problem has been that the firmware has been corrupted during the load process. This is usually caused by interference with the IR tower during the load. Placing a box or an open notebook over the RCX and IR tower during firmware load will usually cure this problem. Remember that firmware takes at least four minutes to complete. Also check that the battery in the IR tower (non-USB versions) is fully charged.
__________________
Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
________________________
Storming the Tower since 1996.
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-07-2008, 13:09
tseres's Avatar
tseres tseres is offline
obsessed with FIRST...
FRC #1565 (Think Tank Tech)
Team Role: Leadership
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Cambridge, ON
Posts: 305
tseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of lighttseres is a glorious beacon of light
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

on a side note, i grew up in elementary school using the RCX, i have an RIS 2.0 in my room, and now i feel extremely old seeing kids in gr5, gr6 playing with the NXT....i feel so old, and i'm only going into gr 12....lol
__________________


Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 16-07-2008, 13:50
Schnabel's Avatar
Schnabel Schnabel is offline
Seriously I'm almost never serious!
AKA: Eric Schnabel
FRC #0469
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 1,174
Schnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond reputeSchnabel has a reputation beyond repute
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

Quote:
Originally Posted by tseres View Post
on a side note, i grew up in elementary school using the RCX, i have an RIS 2.0 in my room, and now i feel extremely old seeing kids in gr5, gr6 playing with the NXT....i feel so old, and i'm only going into gr 12....lol
Hey now, don't feel so bad. I still swear to my self that my RCX can do anything that an NXT can do, only better! But setiously though, the NXT marks a transition for lego as the left the brick shape of the RCX and moved into the Technic bricks.
__________________
I win! XD
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 17-07-2008, 13:55
sad6_lego_robot sad6_lego_robot is offline
Registered User
no team
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Buxton
Posts: 2
sad6_lego_robot is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz View Post
It has been my experience that this problem occurs in one of two ways. The battery compartment has a series of contacts that become pushed back into the case. With the batteries in place and the cover off, if you turn the RCX over and shake it and a few batteries fall out, then you know which contacts need to be aligned. d.
thanks, that seems to be our problem, is there any easy way to re align them?
Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 17-07-2008, 15:36
Unsung FIRST Hero
Al Skierkiewicz Al Skierkiewicz is offline
Broadcast Eng/Chief Robot Inspector
AKA: Big Al WFFA 2005
FRC #0111 (WildStang)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 1996
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 10,766
Al Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond reputeAl Skierkiewicz has a reputation beyond repute
Re: RCX Firmware trouble

Very carefully, using a small flat blade screwdriver, you can gently pry the contacts out until they firmly contact the battery posts. You might also want to clean them with a little denatured alcohol and a q-tip.
What is taking place is the small current required to keep the processor happy is not enough to overcome the high resistance of the bent contacts. So although everything appears to be fine, the processor thinks it has a dead battery. The higher current for the motors, reduces the voltage drop across the bad contact(s).
If you can remove the battery case, you will get a better look at the contacts and where to bend them and on occassion I have found a cracked solder joint. Loose contacts are a sure sign of a dropped RCX.
__________________
Good Luck All. Learn something new, everyday!
Al
WB9UVJ
www.wildstang.org
________________________
Storming the Tower since 1996.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Firmware 14 bear24rw Programming 2 03-02-2007 10:53
Inventor software trouble/ FIRST Base trouble nasa-senpai General Forum 2 24-01-2007 09:15
promblem with RCX firmware and BricxCommandCenter (NQC) remy FIRST Lego League 7 25-01-2006 07:39
RC Firmware JoeFryman Programming 1 12-02-2005 12:54
RC Firmware JoeFryman Control System 1 12-02-2005 12:54


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:12.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi