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Propeller Demo Board Problem — Parallax Forums

Propeller Demo Board Problem

CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
edited 2010-04-03 19:32 in Propeller 1
Hello everybody,

I had a big problem with my Propeller Demo Board... cry.gif

I was studing the FTDI Chip using MProg Software and I accidentally erased the FT232R EEPROM contents... Yeah, big mistake... freaked.gif

How can I restore the FTDI Chip? That's possible? Because the Windows isn't recognizing the Propeller Demo Board...

Please, give me a good news... Pleeeease... skull.gif lol

Thank you very much in advance.

Best regards

Comments

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-03-30 04:34
    If you have another FT232R-based product, maybe you can download the EEPROM contents from that and copy them to the erased chip.

    -Phil
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-30 04:48
    Hello PHIL,

    Unfortunately I don't have another FT232R-based product.

    I tried to create a new EEPROM contents based in FT232R information using MProg, but the OS (Windows) couldn't recognize the device, so I couldn't reprogram it... I'm not sure, but that's possible? Can I duplicate the EEPROM contents like your suggestion above?

    I'm also trying to get a help with the people FTDI support.

    BTW, thank you very much!!

    Suggestions are welcome... [noparse];)[/noparse]
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-30 22:16
    The FTDI people said that FT232R is not possible to erase it.

    Apparently is not true, because I used the USBVIEW application and when I connected the Propeller Demo Board was detected a USB device completly erased. So, Windows cannot recognize the device.

    I'm still waiting new info about this issue.
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2010-03-30 23:09
    Carneiro - I am no expert in the FTDI area, but being able to erase the contents sounds a bit odd to me and questionable. Being able to overwrite certain setting to the point that the FTDI product doesn't work may be possible, but again I would hope there many years of experience in designing these products would lead to having a product that doesn't allow that.

    As it is, for the Prop Protoboard and other items the FTDI chip is used off-shelf with no changes or adjustments or anything. Is it possible that the FTDI USB driver on your PC has become corrupt or misconfigured? I once changed the com port accidentally while in the port settings of the USB serial port - it took a couple hours to figure out why my device "disappeared" and I was looking at hardware when all along it was the PC software.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" 16:9 LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT, PropNET, PolkaDOT-51
    www.tdswieter.com
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-30 23:35
    Hi TIMOTHY,

    First of all, thanks for share your expiriences.

    I'm suprised too with EEPROM FTDI erase.

    I already uninstalled the driver, install again, update, reboot, etc and nothing. When FTDI people request me to run USBVIEW to check the information of the device, I could confirm that EEPROM was erased because all information, including VID and PID, was 0x00.

    In the manual of MProg, application that configure the EEPROM FTDI chips, informed to not use the "Erase All" function in FT232 model chips... Unfortunately I needed have read before click in the button... And to help, I don't speak English very well, as you can see.. lol

    If you know of any news, please let me know... Thank you very much once again.
  • mikedivmikediv Posts: 825
    edited 2010-03-31 00:48
    Carneiro are you talking about the MAX232 chip if you know of a way I can read the chip I could save the file and send it to you
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-31 01:25
    Hi MIKE,

    No, No... The chip is the FT232R chip of FTDI (USB to Serial Converter)...

    Do you have a Propeller Demo Board (http://www.parallax.com/tabid/768/ProductID/340/Default.aspx)?

    In the schematic (http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PropDemoDschem.pdf) has an USB interface. You can see the FT232RQ chip in "On-Board USB to Serial" box. I'm talking about this chip...

    If you have a Propeller Demo Board, could you send me the Configuration File of FTDI chip, please? You can get these information using the MProg application of FTDI (http://www.ftdichip.com/Resources/Utilities/MProg3.5.zip), click in TOOL > READ AND PARSE. After that, you can see all the chip configuration where I deleted... :-( So, just save the configuration file and send me... Maybe this can help me, I not sure... :-/

    But be careful, if you use the MProg application... I know what I am talking... LOL

    Thank you very much for your help MIKE.
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-31 22:42
    UNBELIEVABLE,

    The FDTI told me that is impossible to recovery the chip.

    Now tell me, how can I change the chip in the Propeller Demo Board???

    Because of a chip USD4.50, I'll have to buy a new board (USD80). Unbelievable!!!
  • pullmollpullmoll Posts: 817
    edited 2010-03-31 22:55
    Carneiro said...
    UNBELIEVABLE,

    The FDTI told me that is impossible to recovery the chip.

    Now tell me, how can I change the chip in the Propeller Demo Board???

    Because of a chip USD4.50, I'll have to buy a new board (USD80). Unbelievable!!!

    Hmm.. Looks like you are the first april fool this year?
    I'd cut the chip's pins at the body and solder a fresh one to them, or perhaps a socket to be prepared when doing further experimenting with unknown tools [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    He died at the console of hunger and thirst.
    Next day he was buried. Face down, nine edge first.
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-03-31 23:03
    Unfortunately PULLMOLL,

    You are COMPLETLY RIGHT... :-P LOL

    I would never imagine that could cause as much damage with a commercial product like the Propeller Demo Board.... :-/
  • Timothy D. SwieterTimothy D. Swieter Posts: 1,613
    edited 2010-04-01 00:04
    I was thinking that you were messing with a Prop ProtoBoard, but I just now realize it was the Prop Demo Board. The QFN FTDI chip will be difficult to change out, but can be done. If you don't have good surface mount soldering skills then perhaps there is a club or a SMT business locally that could help you with a quick chip change out.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
    www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" 16:9 LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT, PropNET, PolkaDOT-51
    www.tdswieter.com
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-04-01 00:31
    Exactly TIMOTHY,

    I'm thinking what I will do now, do not know if I try to change out the chip or if I will buy another Propeller Demo Board ... :-/

    Honestly, I'm very disapointed... :-(
  • John AbshierJohn Abshier Posts: 1,116
    edited 2010-04-01 00:35
    Talk to Parallax Tech Support. I burnt out a chip on my Propeller Professional Development Board ($170). Although your chip has a lots more pins than the chip I destroyed, it may not be economically feasible for Parallax to repair a $80 board.

    John Abshier
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-04-01 01:21
    Hello JOHN,

    If I send the board to the U.S.A. to be repaired, would be more expensive than buying a new one... :-/

    Thanks for share your experience.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2010-04-01 02:10
    Carneiro

    Try HACKING the right chip next time.

    Just because You find it on the NET, Dosen't mean its right.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Truth is out there············___$WMc%___···························· BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-04-01 02:26
    You are completly right, $WMC%... :-/

    Worst way to learn... But it was a great way to understand how far I can rely on one technology (security and robustness issue)... :-P LOL
  • JamesRonaldJamesRonald Posts: 39
    edited 2010-04-01 02:53
    If I had Propeller Demo Board I would send you the eeprom contents (settings). Someone at Parallax should be able send you a copy. Otherwise, looking at the datasheet and API you should be able to figure it out. It's possibly no different than the other Parallax products with that part.

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    James Ronald
    My Robots
  • CarneiroCarneiro Posts: 11
    edited 2010-04-01 03:25
    Hello JAMES,

    Thank you very much for your information and intention.

    In fact, I received from DAVE (Parallax Support) the file with EEPROM default contents. But unfortunately, as said the FTDI, I cannot reprogram the FT232 chip any more. It means that I have now a dead Propeller Demo Board... It's very frustrat... :-/

    Now I'm studing the way to change out the chip of my board. It will not easy, but will be more cheaper than buying other board.
  • JamesRonaldJamesRonald Posts: 39
    edited 2010-04-03 19:22
    Carneiro,

    I don't understand. Why can't you reprogram the EEPROM? Have your looked at FT_PROG (which is the replacement tool) and its users guide. You can find such at http://www.ftdichip.com/Resources/Utilities.htm

    It looks like the tool will display the USB device tree and let you select the correct USB device and program it. Just use the tool to change the vendor id and product id to ftdi defaults and see it windows recognizes it. If that works then try the info from Parallax.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    James Ronald
    My Robots
  • JamesRonaldJamesRonald Posts: 39
    edited 2010-04-03 19:32
    Carneiro,

    Never mind... I see where it says that the FT232R can not be erased. But yet you think you did erase it.

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    James Ronald
    My Robots
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