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Anyone want a bad protoboard? — Parallax Forums

Anyone want a bad protoboard?

4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
edited 2011-11-03 18:38 in Propeller 1
About a month ago I bought a proto board but didn't need it until tonight. Alas, when I tried to use it tonight I discovered that it doesn't work. :depressed:
I know there's a problem because when I connect it to my computer via a prop-plug the propeller tool can't find a propeller. I checked the prop plug on another the pe lab I have and it worked fine there.

Anyone interested in a prot board that doesn't work? From now on I'm going to test everything the day I get it for proper operation. Oh well.

Comments

  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-10-28 22:29
    4x5n wrote: »
    About a month ago I bought a proto board but didn't need it until tonight. Alas, when I tried to use it tonight I discovered that it doesn't work. :depressed:
    I know there's a problem because when I connect it to my computer via a prop-plug the propeller tool can't find a propeller. I checked the prop plug on another the pe lab I have and it worked fine there.

    Anyone interested in a prot board that doesn't work? From now on I'm going to test everything the day I get it for proper operation. Oh well.

    If I were you, I'd contact Parallax and tell them about it. I'm sure they would like to know what's wrong with it in case they have a production problem they are not aware of. And I'm just guessing you just might get it replaced in the process.
  • 4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
    edited 2011-10-29 09:57
    ElectricAye wrote: »
    If I were you, I'd contact Parallax and tell them about it. I'm sure they would like to know what's wrong with it in case they have a production problem they are not aware of. And I'm just guessing you just might get it replaced in the process.

    I may give them a call on monday. It's been a bad week for me and I finally had something go my way when I managed to get "HAM" to read the 64KB eeprom in my quickstart board. I then went to try it on my proto board (the first time I applied power to it!) and the prop tool didn't detect a propeller when I tried to upload the cog part of the code for "HAM".

    With the way my week has been going this is just par for the course. sigh
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-10-29 10:09
    Parallax is likely to want to exchange it out. But you could just check the power to see if that is a problem. It might simply be a solder bridge. Does the green LED go on? If it is a solder bridge, it may work if it is repaired. Most of the regulators have safety shut down of a short circuit.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,245
    edited 2011-10-29 10:10
    Any chance you've tried a different USB cable? Could be a bad cable if you have 2 boards not finding the prop.

    Paul
  • 4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
    edited 2011-10-29 12:37
    I've checked voltages and they're within tolerances and the "power led" comes on. My usb cable works fine with my quickstart board, gadget gangster usb board and my hyda. It also works with an external harddrive, cdrom burner and memory card reader! :smile: The software and OS detects the prop plug and works fine with my propeller edu kit so I don't think that's the prob. I have OCD and have a BSEE (although I've been out of the field for close to 15 years) and am nothing if not thorough! :smile:

    I want to make it clear that I don't have any hard feeling towards Parallax and intend to buy more proto boards and other products from them on the 31st. I'm afraid that any reasonable warranty may have expired since having gotten the board. Assuming that I didn't damage it during handling and it was in fact DOA. I should have checked it out when I got it. After all if I got it and put it in a drawer for a year or two I don't think Parallax should be on the hook to replace it. I have noticed that they offer a 90 day warranty and will call customer support on monday as I'm putting in my new order for parts from them.
  • 4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
    edited 2011-10-29 16:42
    Mixed news this evening!!

    I managed to find a cracked solder joint between the prop plug header and the pc board. Heating up the soldering iron took longer then the resolder. :-)

    The good news is that the board is now working and the bad news is that my offer to give it away has been canceled. :smile:
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,245
    edited 2011-10-30 10:11
    Yay!!!! That is pretty awesome! I once fixed a BS2 by soldering a resister between the brownout detector and VDD. It was a wonderful feeling, even though I did not fully understand until Beau explained what I had done.

    Paul
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-11-03 18:38
    Regarding that 'reasonable warranty' period, I suspect Parallax would have happily swapped the board regardless of you being technically out of warranty. They tend to value customer loyalty more that what the lawyers tell them to include.

    Cold solder joints are always a hazard in this industry - no matter how sophisticated your production line.
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