LCD Commands not working - ERROR: LCD is not initialized!

Jwolf

Hello, I decided to try out Blockly for the first time and am using the same Parallax 4x20 LCD (Back Light + sound) I've used on many other SPIN projects.
Using 'Communicate-> Serial LCD', I have put in 'serial lcd initialize' with the proper pin#, and It will display proper text and variables via 'serial lcd print'...
But I cannot get any 'Serial LCD Command' to work.
I have tried every Command available on the list, but when I compile and look at the code, it says " // ERROR: LCD is not initialized! "

http://blockly.parallax.com/blockly/projectlink?id=63490&key=965d7f4a-07a5-406f-bc4f-f3940c4f0f2d
Please help, I cannot clear screen or even do a carriage return!

laurent974

When i look at the translated code in C and i compared to the one available @ the learn site here
learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/propeller-c/propeller-c-simple-protocols/half-duplex-serial:

there are several differences:
- The baud is not the same (but i suppose you configured correctly the switches.)
- an this is not present in your code.

 writeChar(lcd, ON);
  writeChar(lcd, CLR);

Try the code at the learn site and search what is not working.

[Edit]

in blocky try to add the block :
send serial LCD command : display on, cursor on. (untested for me)

Jwolf

Yes the Baud is correct. text and variables print correctly on the LCD, its just the commands that do not work.
Instead of Blockly putting in code, it puts in "// ERROR: LCD is not initialized!"

MattMatz

Thanks for finding this - I'll see if I can get it fixed ASAP.

MattMatz

I found the problem, and it is for sure a bug. I think I can squeeze a fix in before the next release which is coming very soon. For now, one option is to send ASCII characters to the screen.

Here's what that command block is sending:
["clear screen", "12"],
["move cursor right", "9"],
["move cursor left", "8"],
["move cursor down", "10"],
["carriage return", "13"],
["backlight on", "17"],
["backlight off", "18"],
["display off", "21"],
["display on, cursor off", "22"],
["display on, cursor off, blink", "23"],
["display on, cursor on", "24"],
["display on, cursor on, blink", "25"]

If you use the serial LCD print multiple block and configure it to just send characters, that will work until this gets fixed.

Jwolf

Thank you!