Download Problem

TShap · 2008-12-08 20:53

Have javelin on my own PCB with jumper cable going to 4 pins (Sout, Sin, ATN, Vss) on BOE Rev C. Has been working fine... downloading and running programs. Suddenly during downloads started to get occasional "discarding packet" error. Initially was intermittant (sometimes download worked and sometimes didn't) but now it will not download. Ran "Identify" and "Test Connection" from IDE with results of each show in attached JPEG. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thx.

Peter Verkaik · 2008-12-08 21:04

Have you tried resetting (power off/ power on) the pc?
Are you powering the javelin using batteries?·If so, have you
tried fresh batteries?
Have you recently installed new pc software that runs
at high priority in the background (like HotSync etc.)?

regards peter

TShap · 2008-12-08 21:30

Thx Peter...
1) I have reset the PC
2) Have tried powering javelin both with your Sceptre adapter (9V/300mA) and my own bench power supply.
3) To my knowledge haven't installed any new pc software such as that you mention. I do have Microsoft Activesync in the system tray (have had for a long time though don't use it anymore). Other than that I have skype, google desktop and norton av running in the tray.

BTW... the javelin continues to run the last program I downloaded successfully.

TShap · 2008-12-09 06:40

Hi Peter... any further thoughts on my issue? Perhaps my answer was ambiguous, but I'm still having the problem.
Thanks, Ted

Peter Verkaik · 2008-12-09 08:09

Do you have external circuitry that might control
the javelins reset pin (like a watchdog ic)? If so, disconnect.
Do you power external circuitry from the same power supply
as the javelin? If so, try downloading to the javelin while nothing
is connected to its I/O pins and nothing but the javelin
is powered from the power supply. The javelin is sensitive
to transients on the power line. Also check the 4·wires
you use for programming. Make sure these connections
are tight.

regards peter

TShap · 2008-12-09 17:26

I've moved the javelin to my BOE (rev C)... so there are no connections to anything external... just the chip in the socket... no pins connected. Checked continuity of 4 programming pins on javelin (while in socket) with respective solder points on bottom of BOE PCB and all checks out OK. Have tried powering the BOE with both wall adapter and power supply. Still same problem of "discarding packet."
Thanks, Ted

EDIT: By the way... just to check out my BOE I put a basic stamp in it and ran the stamp IDE to do an Identify. This worked fine.

Post Edited (TShap) : 12/9/2008 8:12:13 PM GMT

TShap · 2008-12-10 14:45

Peter... do you have any other thoughts on what the problem might be? If not, is there anyone else at Parallax that might help? If the chip is at fault, do you think Parallax will replace it?
Thanks, Ted

Peter Verkaik · 2008-12-10 16:22

TShap,

It seems odd to me that you do get the $50 (which is valid) (and echo but that is just a hardwired
connection between com port pins 6 and 7) but no status.
I still think it is related to the comport (or the pc) rather than the javelin.
Have you tried connecting the javelin to another comport (or a USB to serial cable
if you happen to have one)? Have you tried connecting the javelin to
another pc, just to find out wether it is the javelin that is causing the error?

Another option is to try the Javelin IDE beta to see if that allows downloading
a new program (eg. get status, else it won't accept downloads), but note
that the download code of the IDE beta has not changed compaired to IDE v2.0.3,
so I don't expect it to make a difference.

Parallax does offer a return service to check the module and replace it
(possibly at some discount but really you should contact Parallax about that).

regards peter

TShap · 2008-12-11 19:23

Hi Peter,
I tried testing on another PC and get the exact same problem (discarding packet) using the v2.0.3 IDE, so I believe the problem must be in the javelin. As I mentioned in one post, I put a BS2 stamp into my Board of Education and used the BS IDE to run an 'identify'. This worked fine, indicating to me that my Board of Education (and the cables I'm using) are OK. So... everything seems to point to the javelin at this point. I will contact support at Parallax and reference our thread in the forum here. Hopefully I can send in this chip and get a new one. Thx for your help.

Download Problem

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