IFI Loader Problem

[Master Dictator]

Okay...my team is having a problem. In IFI Loader 1.10 I can not download to the Robot Controller. It verifies that the controller is connected. When I hold down the program button on the controller and the LED turns solid orange. But... the problem is that in the IFI Loader when I hit "Download" to download the .hex file it starts to download but as soon as it hits the first bar it stops the download and says that it is not connected and the orange solid light is flashing orange. The laptop only has one com port and we tried changing it. The port is also set for the 115200 bit thing too. I also tried removing and re-downloading the ifi loader. No luck any help would rock!

[Mike Betts]

Try and download the default hex file from IFI. Please be sure that you are downloading 2006 hex to a 2006 controller. My first guess is that you may be trying to load 2005 code to a 2006 controller or vice versa...

[Mark McLeod]

You aren't continuing to hold down the program button while it's downloading are you?

[Joe Ross]

Are you using version 1.0.10 or 1.1.0? There isn't a version 1.10. The exact placement of the 0's and .'s are very important as 1.0.10 will not work with the new robot controller.

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

...There isn't a version 1.10...

No, this isn't quite true.

-Kevin

[Master Dictator]

Yea thats the one I have...

[aaeamdar]

We're using 1.0.12, and we haven't had any major problems. Apparently, it didn't like some of my earlier Cam code (I'm still not sure why) after the download bar was finished, it continued to blink the program light. I'm not asking for help and that's not the problem you've described, I know. I'm just rambling. Don't heed an old man like me.

My best next piece of advice would be to switch RCs. How can one do this? Talk to other teams in your area, see if you can bring your labtop and use their RC for a bit. Try switching cables before you do this.

The objective here is to isolate your problem. Is it the cable, the RC, the computer, the loader, what?

I sure hope you get this resolved.

Paul Dennis

[Matt Krass]

Try booting in to Master Only mode. Hold down Program and Reset for about 10 seconds, then release..Reset I think and keep holding Program until you have a green power LED, and an orange program LED, the last three unlit. If that doesn't work try releasing Program and holding Reset.

In this mode the User Processor doesn't boot and you can download code straight to its flash, it might clear up this problem, so far it's been my RC miracle fix.

[Laughing Maniac]

Hello, I am one of the programmers for 528. We still have problems using our laptop to send the .hex file to the Robot Controller. The IFI Loader (v. 1.1.0) does through all the steps until downloader the hex file. From there, it loads to the first two bars, stop, and says it's not connected to the RC. Yesterday, I try downloading with my home computer and it worked from there. Right now, I am currently trying to configure the laptop to nearly the same settings to my computer it is still not letting me finish out the download. I'm hoping if you, guys and girls, and help us out.

Thanks!!

[emersont49]

Make sure you don't have the dashboard running. They both use the serial port and won't play well together.

[Anime-niac_2.9]

sounds like me any my eight-year brother in the same room.

[Laughing Maniac]

Currently, I do not have the dashboard on the laptop. I might as well show some pictures since some pictures do have 1000 words in them.

[Greg Ross]

Originally Posted by Laughing Maniac

Hello, I am one of the programmers for 528. We still have problems using our laptop to send the .hex file to the Robot Controller. The IFI Loader (v. 1.1.0) does through all the steps until downloader the hex file. From there, it loads to the first two bars, stop, and says it's not connected to the RC. Yesterday, I try downloading with my home computer and it worked from there. Right now, I am currently trying to configure the laptop to nearly the same settings to my computer it is still not letting me finish out the download. I'm hoping if you, guys and girls, and help us out.

Thanks!!

If it works with your desktop computer, but not with a laptop, my guess is that the laptop doesn't have a serial port, and you are using a USB to serial adapter with the laptop. If that's the case, I recommend that you try a different USB/serial adapter or a different laptop with a serial port. (There have been numerous discussions on CD about the merits of various USB/serial adapters.)

[Laughing Maniac]

This laptop is a DELL Inspiron 600m. The way I use to connect laptop to RC is via serial. My next question is it worth the money to buy a USB/Serial adapter?

*bracing for the answer*

EDIT: I forgot, I had no problem last year with this laptop. I forgot to mention that after registering the LABVIEW is when problems started. I am thinking that registering this gives the laptop problems, or I could be wrong.

[aaeamdar]

Originally Posted by Master Dictator

Okay...my team is having a problem.

The best advice I can give you is to try a lot of different things.

Use the default code (you are essentially controlling for what's wrong).

Then try a couple different computers.

Make sure your serial cables don't have broken and/or missing pins and that they are properly plugged it.

Try re-installing the IFI loader.

Re-boot your computer.

Carefully examine your RC, paying special attention to the program port.

If none of this works, beat your head against the wall and scream, "I HAVE A DREAM... THAT ONE DAY, LITTLE ZEROES AND LITTLE ONES WILL FLOW FROM MY COMPUTER TO MY ROBOT CONTROLLER."


If I think of any more stuff and you're still having problems, I'll post again.

Best wishes!
Paul Dennis