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problems with new PC communicating with Stamp2 — Parallax Forums

problems with new PC communicating with Stamp2

hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
edited 2012-02-01 13:29 in General Discussion
I have just got a new PC (mini-itx running DOS)
When I go to PBasic, the stamp responds correctly
UNTIL I edit the program and then I get a 'communications' error.
I'm sure the stamp and carrier are good (I've used them on & off)
for years.
I've swapped serial cables.
I have a similar problem with a woofer tester (serial also)
The problem seems in the new PC, and I'm wondering
if I'm missing some setting ? or ???

Comments

  • average joeaverage joe Posts: 795
    edited 2012-01-13 17:28
    I would suggest you triple check your BIOS settings. Try adjusting "plug-n-play os" setting, or similar settings. Possibly see if there is a more current version of the bios? I don't have experience with the dos side of the bs2, but if you're having problems with another device that would be my best guess. Maybe try a linux live cd or ???windows??? There is always a chance of DOA? so check reviews of new mobo? Good luck!
  • hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
    edited 2012-01-13 19:43
    average joe wrote: »
    I would suggest you triple check your BIOS settings. Try adjusting "plug-n-play os" setting, or similar settings. Possibly see if there is a more current version of the bios? I don't have experience with the dos side of the bs2, but if you're having problems with another device that would be my best guess. Maybe try a linux live cd or ???windows??? There is always a chance of DOA? so check reviews of new mobo? Good luck!

    Possibly see if there is a more current version of the bios?

    :) ....... I've never done "update bios"
    I'm used to having it hardwired ....
    Good Idea !
    ( Hoping that you are an Intel software engineer
    trying to solve my problem ) ............
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-01-13 19:52
    You're using the old DOS editor on the BS2? I thought I was the last guy using that occasionally on an old 286 laptop. Works great, but oficially unsupported by Parallax, so you are in dark territory. But I bet someone can talk you through it.
  • hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
    edited 2012-01-13 20:17
    I'm asking the guy I got the PC from to boot a clone
    of my system with a clone of my USDBOS
    And see if the serial COM1 works ..........
    It's possible I fried my motherboard ......
    I heard a big buzz through my tuner whenst
    I pluged in the wallwart to the WooferTester ..
    (like some thing was arching nearby) .....
  • hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
    edited 2012-01-18 14:56
    I called Intel and they say it should work.
    So I replaced the motherboard, but it still
    acts the same.
    Possible hint :
    When I first start PBasic, if I do " alt i "
    I get back " hardware found " .......
    but if I do " alt i " a second time I get
    " hardware not found "
    Any thoughts ???????
  • average joeaverage joe Posts: 795
    edited 2012-01-31 00:02
    Triple Check your cables and carrier board. I suspect? you might have a bad cap on the ATTN line. Check em both. I recently had an issue because my home-made stamp carrier board finally had enough, and the trace for the Attn pin that resets the chip shorted to ground. Just because it's worked 8 years doesn't mean it always will, lol. I would still go though the process of elimination and try a different operating system. So, that would be

    1.Cables
    2.Carrier board?
    3.Operating System
    4. BIOS settings?
    Does identify only work the first time the program starts? Try resetting the chip just before hitting identify, a few times. Leave the stamp on and close and open the editor, then try identify a few times? The devil is in the details, and I need more details to figure it out. Also. Need to know the motherboard model.
    And in case you were wondering, I don't work for intel yet, unfortunately. I'm an Information Systems Administration student @ITT Tech.
  • hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
    edited 2012-01-31 12:36
    Hey Joe .......

    > cables
    I've switched ........ no help
    >carrier board
    that's a thought,but an ugly one
    (edit) I have the same type problem with another device
    >operating system
    If it's that (DOS), it's in conjuction with the new board
    since it's worked before
    >BIOS
    There seems no settings for the COM function
    motherboard is Intel D425KT Mini-ITX Motherboard
    It's somewhat better
    If I do a infinite loop it with debug it will go for perhaps
    100 iterations then give "communications error"
  • average joeaverage joe Posts: 795
    edited 2012-01-31 18:17
    hitsware wrote: »
    Hey Joe .......

    >operating system
    If it's that (DOS), it's in conjuction with the new board
    since it's worked before

    That is what I would bet on. My thought is... The motherboard is expecting a Plug N Play operating system, which dos is not. Most boards have some setting that allow you to select for non plug n play os. Sometimes it's OS2 or OTHER. It's usually somewhere in ADVANCED. I did some research and can't get the list of settings actually in bios. Some board documentation has a list of settings and available choices, but I can't find this data for your board. The dos editor and dos should work, so this is puzzling. Glad to hear it's better, what did you change? Without knowing what settings the bios has, I can't be sure that IS it. The only other thing I can think of is to install another operating system to see if it works. Windows xp is the best choice IMO because it's on the list of supported operating systems.
  • hitswarehitsware Posts: 156
    edited 2012-02-01 13:29
    >Glad to hear it's better, what did you change?

    Nothing. It seems to sort of warm into working somewhat.
    The other unit (Woofer Tester) is still a no-go since it depends
    more on the host PC than the Stamp.

    >Without knowing what settings the bios has, I can't be sure that IS it.

    I'll look at the BIOS again.

    >The only other thing I can think of is to install another operating
    >system to see if it works. Windows xp is the best choice IMO
    >because it's on the list of supported operating systems.

    I'll try another MB before I do that. I had installed XP, but ran
    into the 'activation' BS which is messy since I have no internet
    on the PC in question. Thanks for the help :)
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