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USB connect what am I doing wrong? — Parallax Forums

USB connect what am I doing wrong?

Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
edited 2014-02-20 07:59 in General Discussion
I have 2 proto boards that I don't seem to be able to connect to. I bought a usb/serial adapter from parallax and even went as far as using an ohm meter to see which pin to which pin on the parallax chip on the board but I only can find a wiring diagram for the DIP and not the Q chip. I assumed the same pin numbers, guess not, as I cannot program either board. Keep getting message no chip on that com port. Tried with 9v power also.

So not sure what to do now, will research more and check back soon.
Thanks

I have wired this according to the pdf after checking....now what?
Yes I chose the right port.

Comments

  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 14:44
    I have rebooted, used jumpers, used a different usb/serial that has worked on a different setup, powered it via the 9 volt side.....

    By the way, no lights come on with the usbser adaptor or any other method I have tried so far unless I use the 9v or supply 5vin.

    I have tried different cables, tho the activity board does not use the usb/serial adaptor, the cable does program and recognize the activity board.

    Currently, the Simple IDE can find the right port but not the chip, if I use the parallax propeller tool, it says no prop even hooked up.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-02-18 15:24
    It's not completely clear exactly which board you're having problems with. However, many of the Propeller boards use the USB only for communication. Without a separate power source they will not work.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2014-02-18 15:46
    Yes, I am a bit confused as well. Do you have a link to or part number for the board you're using? Also, how exactly are you trying to connect to it? Which pins on one device go to which pins on another?
  • mklrobomklrobo Posts: 420
    edited 2014-02-18 15:51
    :) The people to help you are Loopy Byteloose, Prof Braino, and mindrobot for this problem.I have not bought a propeller system
    yet. I have heard, setting one up can be tedious, but very rewarding. There is more information on the propeller threads, which may
    help you. Some people in the forum have started their own web pages that may help. Don't give up, I am sure someone will drop in for a chat.
    :)
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 16:06
    Sorry, I really have a problem making sense.

    I have no problem programming a Prop Activity board, but that is just the micro usb.
    I have no problem programming a DIP prop on a breadboard with a generic USB FTDI adaptor....but that has been taken apart.

    I am having a problem with using the 4 pins next to the prop plug pins for the USB2SER on the Propeller Proto Board. (32212)

    I am using the Parallax USB2SER adaptor.(part number 28024) The VSS is connected to ground, the RX to pin30 and the TX to pin31, and RES, I am not sure where it goes, figured if the first 3 checked out with ohmmeter, it was unavoidable.

    I have 2 of these boards. The computer sees and sets up a port when I plug the usb micro into the USB2SER adaptor. BUT as above the two different environments won't pick it up the board/chip itself.

    I have powered the board with the 6-9v power adaptor without it changing anything. When I try to upload I get one quick red flash on the adaptor, and it should be doing the red blue thing from what I remember while it transmits and receives data. I have tried with the switch on, off, position 1, position 2.
  • mklrobomklrobo Posts: 420
    edited 2014-02-18 16:09
    Jack3 wrote: »
    Sorry, I really have a problem making sense.

    I have no problem programming a Prop Activity board, but that is just the micro usb.
    I have no problem programming a DIP prop on a breadboard with a generic USB FTDI adaptor....but that has been taken apart.

    I am having a problem with using the 4 pins next to the prop plug pins for the USB2SER on the Propeller Proto Board. (32212)

    I am using the Parallax USB2SER adaptor. The VSS is connected to ground, the RX to pin30 and the TX to pin31, and RES, I am not sure where it goes, figured if the first 3 checked out with ohmmeter, it was unavoidable.

    I have 2 of these. The computer sets up a port when I plug the usb micro into the USB2SER adaptor. BUT as above the two different environments won't pick it up.
    I have powered the board with the 6-9v power adaptor without it changing anything. When I try to upload I get one quick red flash on the adaptor, and it should be doing the red blue thing from what I remember while it transmits and receives data. I have tried with the switch on, off, position 1, position 2.

    Wow! an analogy to this is a computer confused on the com ports. I wonder if you can "force" information tthe USB address? and is it client or sever? - :(
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 16:11
    mklrobo wrote: »
    Wow! an analogy to this is a computer confused on the com ports. I wonder if you can "force" information tthe USB address? and is it client or sever? - :(
    HUH? I am working off my laptop...I am a hobbist,
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2014-02-18 16:22
    #32212 - The Propeller Proto Board Serial has three sets of serial inputs on it. One is for the Prop Clip, one is for the Prop Plug and the inner most one is for the USB2SER. It is a direct connection, however if you're using the Prop Plug pins (which are soldered in by default) it won't work as they're in the wrong order. You should be able to solder a 4-pin header directly into the USB2SER pads and connect and program as long as you have the USB2SER oriented correctly on the 4 pins.
  • garyggaryg Posts: 420
    edited 2014-02-18 16:23
    Are you using a Prop Plug?


    32212: Propeller Proto Board


    Propeller Proto Board

    Title: Propeller Proto Board

    Product ID: 32212


    List price: $24.99
    Price: $19.99
    You save: $5.00

    Parallax’s Propeller Proto Board is a low cost, high quality solution for permanent projects using the Propeller chip. To save the user some expense, the USB programming interface is not included on the Propeller Proto Board; we suggest you purchase a Prop Plug for programming your Propeller Proto...

    The info on Parallax.com says USB programming interface is not included, suggested solution is to purchase a Prop Plug.

    Not sure if this info will help you
    But I've seen this type of thing before.

    gg
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 16:32
    Chris Savage wrote: »
    #32212 - The Propeller Proto Board Serial has three sets of serial inputs on it. One is for the Prop Clip, one is for the Prop Plug and the inner most one is for the USB2SER. It is a direct connection, however if you're using the Prop Plug pins (which are soldered in by default) it won't work as they're in the wrong order. You should be able to solder a 4-pin header directly into the USB2SER pads and connect and program as long as you have the USB2SER oriented correctly on the 4 pins.
    Yes Chris I soldered on that 4-pin connector on both boards. I understand that they are wired differently and tried using jump wires from a different adaptor to the correct pins and no luck that way either.(as in the prop plug and prop clip pins)
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-02-18 16:45
    Jack3:
    Can you post a photo of your setup? This is the most basic of things to get running, so something silly is happening here.

    I see you are using SimpleIDE. Could you try downloading PropTool (Windows only) and use F7 (or find prop from the menu)? Unfortunately I am not familiar with SimpleIDE as I was using PropTool before SimpleIDE was developed.

    For this, apart from power and ground (to all prop power and ground) - which you will have on a Parallax pcb, you only require the 4 pins to be connected from the USBSER (GND, RESET, TX, RX).
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 17:18
    I'll get a photo soon, I tried using the propeller spin tool with the same results. I know this is just stupid why this is happening, no flipping idea.
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 17:43
    photos
    prop 002.jpg
    prop 003.jpg
    prop 002.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 115K
    prop 003.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 101K
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2014-02-18 18:39
    A picture is worth 1000 words. It's true.

    USB2SER is not the same as prop-plug. Put it on the bent connector.
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-18 19:14
    I need to verify that as according to the silkscreen on the board that is for the prop plug and the USB2SER is the vertical ones on the left in this upside down photo.

    002.jpg
    002.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 123K
    002.jpg 123.4K
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-19 07:07
    Head banger. Not wired wrong. Works fine when the battery is more than 5 volts......... *sheepish grin*.......

    How embarrassing.........:blush:
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-02-19 07:16
    Jack3 wrote: »
    Head banger. Not wired wrong. Works fine when the battery is more than 5 volts......... *sheepish grin*.......

    How embarrassing.........:blush:

    Not to worry. We've all been there! :)
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2014-02-19 08:47
    Thanks for the follow-up. I have marked this thread as solved.
  • Jack3Jack3 Posts: 55
    edited 2014-02-19 09:43
    I tried to figure out how to mark it solved....couldn't figure it out.

    Appreciate all the help on this folks. Thanks
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-02-19 09:44
    Jack3 wrote: »
    I tried to figure out how to mark it solved....couldn't figure it out.

    If you go to your first post, then Go Advance, You can change it from the drop down menu, Prefix.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-02-19 18:08
    Jack3: Pleased you have it running. If you have any more problems, don't hesitate to ask. We have all been there, done that ;)
    BTW when posting code, use <quote> and </quote> tags with the angle brackets replaced with square brackets. This will preserve indentation.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2014-02-20 07:59
    Also, using CODE instead of QUOTE will put the code into a code window instead of a quote bubble. :thumb:
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