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BS1 issues not found — Parallax Forums

BS1 issues not found

studiomagicstudiomagic Posts: 10
edited 2014-10-20 20:30 in BASIC Stamp
My old wXP crashed and replaced with a different WXP. Connecting with serial cable and older BS1 serial adapter (2003). Using Basic stamp editor ver 2.5.3. Not sure what going on but I can not load program. When I hit the download it flashes scanning.... Then error "No Basic Stamps Found". I don't think I'm reading the BS1 thru the serial port anymore. I have no internet connection on this PC. Internet connection only on my IPad. Please private email me if anyone has a good solid answer. Thank you, Jim .... studiomagic@cableone.net

Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,014
    edited 2014-10-20 08:52
    Believe it or not, I program BS1 micros almost every day -- in the form of the Prop-1 Controller from EFX-TEK (myself and another former Parallax employee). One of the things that we had to do with so many unit sold was to create a new programming device for the BS1. It's here:

    -- http://www.efx-tek.com/topics/prop-1_usb.html

    The circuit is based on an older USB-to-Seral device from Parallax that had the correct pin out for programming the BS1. I don't know if the new version (http://www.parallax.com/product/28024) does. By using either of these you avoid the stack-up of devices which can lead to problems.

    PS: Make sure you didn't plug your adapter in upside-down -- that's a common tech support issue at EFX-TEK.
  • studiomagicstudiomagic Posts: 10
    edited 2014-10-20 09:23
    From looking at this devise, I would also need a USB to USB cable? The USB connection on the end of the devise you suggested is the same connection at the PC. I also have an older printer port cable that connects to the PC and at the other end to the BS1. I tried that older cable and got the same error. I'm going to the local Radio Shack to see if they have anything newer, so I can just used my laptop. USB connections only on my Laptop.
  • studiomagicstudiomagic Posts: 10
    edited 2014-10-20 09:27
    Here's how it's plugged in.
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  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-10-20 09:50
    You can't use the parallel port to program a BS1 with version 2.5.3. It is looking for a serial port. I would use Jon's suggestion of his product or add a USB to Serial device to the BS1 serial programmer connector that you already have.

    The stuff off ebay only works 25% of the time.
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,014
    edited 2014-10-20 10:54
    If you have a USB port on your PC, you'll need a USB to Mini-B cable; you probably have more than one of them already (it's the most common).
  • studiomagicstudiomagic Posts: 10
    edited 2014-10-20 11:18
    Thanks JohnnyMac! I'm looking for this diagram. On the BS1 I have in the past drive 5v reed Relays off the IO pins using (High / pause / low. Never had a mod burn up. I thinkScott Edwards wrote diagram. I need to rebuild the circuit once again and use the IO pins the same way. It's been years since I've worked with any of the BS1 or BS2 on projects.
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  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,014
    edited 2014-10-20 20:30
    One should NEVER drive and inductive device from an IO pin. The ULN2803A is as easy to use as that diagram indicates.

    FWIW, the EFX-TEK Prop-1 controller is an industrialized BASIC Stamp 1: it has a beefy 5V regulator, pin headers for the TTL pins, and a ULN2803A for high-current outputs.

    BTW... it's not good form to change the topic of a thread once it's started. If you have questions about connecting the ULN2803A, you should start another thread. That way others searching for similar solutions can find that thread.
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