frequent BS2 program download errors

davejames

Hi All,

I am encountering fairly frequent "communication errors" when attempting to download a program from the editor (v2.4) into my BS2 via the Board of Education.· The BOE is using the Parallax USB/serial adapter.

Sometimes the download completes, sometimes it fails at 80+%, sometimes it fails at 13%; basically, in a random fashion.

It might be my imagination, but the problem did seem to start when I was attempting to write EEPROM memory during download with the DATA directive.

As far as I know, the BS2 has not been·abused.

I'm currently powering the BOE with a 9v battery.· A new battery was tried with no improvement.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,

DJ
·

Mike Green

Make sure your PC is not "updating Windows" in the background or running any significant amount of other background programs. This is a known cause of "communications errors".

davejames

Mr. Green,

Thanks for the input, I'll check and see what my laptop is doing at the time of the download problems.

This has only occurred on my laptop used for work and not on my personal home system.· And no, I'm not tinkering during work hours (smiles).· I'ved been sent to Singapore to dosome local training and I·loaded the BS Editor and BSLA software onto my office laptop - and I know that this thing has a lot more opportunityfor background tasks than my home system.

Regards,

DJ

Chris Savage

Hello,

Laptops are known to have communication issue with the BASIC Stamps in two areas…The most common (oldest) is problems with the FIFO Buffers on the COM Port. If you’re using an on-board Serial Port or the USB to Serial Adapter you’re using has FIFO Buffers, it is recommended to disable these on a laptop. Similarly if you’re using an FTDI-based adapter or one of our USB development boards you may need to reduce the latency timer setting for reliable communication. Troubleshooting is available at the bottom of the following page for our USB adapter, which it appears you’re using. I hope this helps. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

davejames

Mr. Savage,

Thank you for the information.

Your comment of "Troubleshooting is available at the bottom of the following page for our USB adapter, which it appears you’re using"...what page?· I can't seem to find the reference.

Regards,

DJ

davejames

Mr. Savage,

OK - found the information partially referenced.· I've made the recommended adjustment and now the programs download into the BS2 BOE with NO problem.· Thank you again for your help,

For those reading this thread, I followed the link shown at the bottom of the Parallax main webpage listed as "USB Driver Installer".· The next page will reference downloading the Parallax USB/Serial converter driver.· At the bottom of this page is a link listed as "Troubleshooting".· The toubleshooting page clearly outlines the potential problem and solution.

DJ
·

Chris Savage

DJ, whoops! Yeah, sometimes while typing a message I get a call and miss something. Glad you found it.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

davejames

Mr. Savage,

YUP - understood.· I've done (and still do when not teaching) customer support and it *is* easy to get pulled away while doing an email response.

Thanks again for the help.

DJ