Newbie Questions
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Posts: 46,084
Hello,
I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on, and
turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When I
try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error on
the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In neither
case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
on.
I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
Any insights or help is really appreciated.
-r
<<Pica.jpg>>
Roger E. Joys
lucy.com
1634 SW Alder
Portland, OR 97205
Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
Fax: (503) 295-2510
<mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
<http://www.lucy.com>
I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on, and
turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When I
try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error on
the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In neither
case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
on.
I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
Any insights or help is really appreciated.
-r
<<Pica.jpg>>
Roger E. Joys
lucy.com
1634 SW Alder
Portland, OR 97205
Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
Fax: (503) 295-2510
<mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
<http://www.lucy.com>
Comments
You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
a neat little robot design I see.
Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the parallel
port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
DLC
Roger Joys wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
>
> I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
> board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on, and
> turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When I
> try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error on
> the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
> my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
> tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
> through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In neither
> case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
> on.
>
> I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
> resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
>
> I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
>
> Any insights or help is really appreciated.
>
> -r
>
> <<Pica.jpg>>
>
> Roger E. Joys
> lucy.com
> 1634 SW Alder
> Portland, OR 97205
>
> Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> Fax: (503) 295-2510
>
> <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> <http://www.lucy.com>
>
>
> -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
>
>
> Name: Pica.jpg
> Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> Encoding: base64
--
Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
dlc@v...
this, I still get the error
"Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
So now the detailed sequence is ...
Boot to DOS.
Start STAMP.EXE
load known good program using ^L
run program using ^R
Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It just
gives me a message "ERROR".
So here are some of my theories:
1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
2). I miswired something.
3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and IRQ to
function or if it uses LPT1.)
Thanks all again.
-r
Original Message
From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=17R9BwpjtBRIVlyP_Z_sDfua48bXm6QzCsC961ihUIEaKXD81qzI-VSzb8e29XqE_zoMJy4]dlc@v...[/url
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
To: basicstamps@egroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
Roger,
You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
a neat little robot design I see.
Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the parallel
port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
DLC
Roger Joys wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
>
> I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
> board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on,
and
> turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When
I
> try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error
on
> the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
> my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
> tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
> through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
neither
> case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
> on.
>
> I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
> resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
>
> I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
>
> Any insights or help is really appreciated.
>
> -r
>
> <<Pica.jpg>>
>
> Roger E. Joys
> lucy.com
> 1634 SW Alder
> Portland, OR 97205
>
> Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> Fax: (503) 295-2510
>
> <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> <http://www.lucy.com>
>
>
> -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
>
>
> Name: Pica.jpg
> Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> Encoding: base64
--
Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
dlc@v...
eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
Roger Joys wrote:
>
> Thank you for the response. I did not have the power on, but when I tried
> this, I still get the error
>
> "Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
>
> So now the detailed sequence is ...
>
> Boot to DOS.
> Start STAMP.EXE
> load known good program using ^L
> run program using ^R
> Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
Its a good idea to already have the power on before plugging in
the Stamp programming cable. BTW, are you sure you have the programming
cable plugged in correctly? There is usually a >> on the board and the
cable denoting the ground, you match these, cable to board.
> I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It just
> gives me a message "ERROR".
BSAVE is something else, not part of this issue. Make sure your battery
is good,
low batteries will often cause weird problems. Make sure you have +5V
at the
correct places on the board, you may have put the regulator in
backwards. Hmm,
the schematic doesn't show where +5V is created, where do you get +5V?
> So here are some of my theories:
>
> 1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
They are pretty tough, you'd have to really botched this to smoke one.
Make sure they are in correctly though. Pin one is the lower left pin
on the side of the IC with the notch on it. This is the square hole on
the PC board.
> 2). I miswired something.
Check all your solder connections - especially if you aren't using a good
quality soldering iron (Radio Shack does not qualify as good quality.) Make
sure all your connections "cone" with the wide part of the cone at the PC
board. Round blobs often signify cold solder joints, they won't work well.
> 3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
> from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and IRQ to
> function or if it uses LPT1.)
Possible, but not likely, I have used computers brand new to 6 years old
and they still worked. Only some laptops don't seem to work. Then again,
I have an old Toshiba 4400 that works fine to program Stamp I's.
good luck,
DLC
>
> Thanks all again.
>
> -r
>
>
Original Message
> From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Xc_11bNVJ_iHHvXDa40efnIpUouyxl5LRAq2Ef_ZHlFT-kTSwzII3MmVwCY-us3tPIpfAItr]dlc@v...[/url
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
> To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
>
> Roger,
>
> You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
> PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
> you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
> that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
> a neat little robot design I see.
> Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the parallel
> port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
> more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
>
> DLC
>
> Roger Joys wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> > advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
> >
> > I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
> > board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on,
> and
> > turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When
> I
> > try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error
> on
> > the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
> > my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
> > tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
> > through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
> neither
> > case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
> > on.
> >
> > I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
> > resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
> >
> > I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
> >
> > Any insights or help is really appreciated.
> >
> > -r
> >
> > <<Pica.jpg>>
> >
> > Roger E. Joys
> > lucy.com
> > 1634 SW Alder
> > Portland, OR 97205
> >
> > Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> > Fax: (503) 295-2510
> >
> > <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> > <http://www.lucy.com>
> >
> >
> > -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
> >
> >
> > Name: Pica.jpg
> > Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> > Encoding: base64
>
> --
>
> Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> dlc@v...
>
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
--
Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
dlc@v...
Power comes from 4 AA batteries. The run through the on/off switch. The LED
marked LEDP is the one I mentioned that lights up with power. I got 4 fresh
ones for this project.
I'll check my solder connections before I post anything more.
-r
PS Thanks all
Original Message
From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=p520fWiPCGOxzCnSkOXHqEnvnNz6Ih4N1I0Z4y_Os2tM9ML7i-qKaKrV929ndiir0-j3IvqpLKA]dlc@v...[/url
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 2:16 PM
To: basicstamps@egroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
Roger,
Roger Joys wrote:
>
> Thank you for the response. I did not have the power on, but when I tried
> this, I still get the error
>
> "Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
>
> So now the detailed sequence is ...
>
> Boot to DOS.
> Start STAMP.EXE
> load known good program using ^L
> run program using ^R
> Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
Its a good idea to already have the power on before plugging in
the Stamp programming cable. BTW, are you sure you have the programming
cable plugged in correctly? There is usually a >> on the board and the
cable denoting the ground, you match these, cable to board.
> I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It
just
> gives me a message "ERROR".
BSAVE is something else, not part of this issue. Make sure your battery
is good,
low batteries will often cause weird problems. Make sure you have +5V
at the
correct places on the board, you may have put the regulator in
backwards. Hmm,
the schematic doesn't show where +5V is created, where do you get +5V?
> So here are some of my theories:
>
> 1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
They are pretty tough, you'd have to really botched this to smoke one.
Make sure they are in correctly though. Pin one is the lower left pin
on the side of the IC with the notch on it. This is the square hole on
the PC board.
> 2). I miswired something.
Check all your solder connections - especially if you aren't using a good
quality soldering iron (Radio Shack does not qualify as good quality.) Make
sure all your connections "cone" with the wide part of the cone at the PC
board. Round blobs often signify cold solder joints, they won't work well.
> 3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
> from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and IRQ
to
> function or if it uses LPT1.)
Possible, but not likely, I have used computers brand new to 6 years old
and they still worked. Only some laptops don't seem to work. Then again,
I have an old Toshiba 4400 that works fine to program Stamp I's.
good luck,
DLC
>
> Thanks all again.
>
> -r
>
>
Original Message
> From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=p520fWiPCGOxzCnSkOXHqEnvnNz6Ih4N1I0Z4y_Os2tM9ML7i-qKaKrV929ndiir0-j3IvqpLKA]dlc@v...[/url
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
> To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
>
> Roger,
>
> You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
> PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
> you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
> that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
> a neat little robot design I see.
> Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the parallel
> port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
> more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
>
> DLC
>
> Roger Joys wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> > advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
> >
> > I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11).
The
> > board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on,
> and
> > turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED.
When
> I
> > try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware
error
> on
> > the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that
with
> > my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP
program
> > tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED
go
> > through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
> neither
> > case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power
is
> > on.
> >
> > I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that
the
> > resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
> >
> > I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
> >
> > Any insights or help is really appreciated.
> >
> > -r
> >
> > <<Pica.jpg>>
> >
> > Roger E. Joys
> > lucy.com
> > 1634 SW Alder
> > Portland, OR 97205
> >
> > Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> > Fax: (503) 295-2510
> >
> > <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> > <http://www.lucy.com>
> >
> >
> > -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
> >
> >
> > Name: Pica.jpg
> > Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> > Encoding: base64
>
> --
>
> Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> dlc@v...
>
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
--
Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
dlc@v...
-- Check out your group's private Chat room
-- http://www.egroups.com/ChatPage?listName=basicstamps&m=1
>The LPT is standard 378/IRq7 ..
>
>Power comes from 4 AA batteries. The run through the on/off switch.
That could be it. You may not be supplying the on board regulator with
enough voltage. A better voltage would be ~7v into the regulator.
Duncan
Stamps run off 5V supplied from a 3 terminal regulator. I don't know what a
Stamp will do running off 4 cells. Fresh cells will output up to 6.4 volts.
Also don't know what the computer port will do with that logic level.
Ray McArthur
Original Message
From: Roger Joys <Roger.Joys@l...>
To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 5:17 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
> The LPT is standard 378/IRq7 ..
>
> Power comes from 4 AA batteries. The run through the on/off switch. The
LED
> marked LEDP is the one I mentioned that lights up with power. I got 4
fresh
> ones for this project.
>
> I'll check my solder connections before I post anything more.
>
> -r
>
> PS Thanks all
>
>
>
>
Original Message
> From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=o6wwbGDbVasGUxZmUjhCw9MpHFDZ8gDveUabPz_crbeBninRBdE6OW-eFNMMJihK9x7FURU]dlc@v...[/url
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 2:16 PM
> To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
>
>
> Roger,
>
> Roger Joys wrote:
> >
> > Thank you for the response. I did not have the power on, but when I
tried
> > this, I still get the error
> >
> > "Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
> >
> > So now the detailed sequence is ...
> >
> > Boot to DOS.
> > Start STAMP.EXE
> > load known good program using ^L
> > run program using ^R
> > Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
>
> Its a good idea to already have the power on before plugging in
> the Stamp programming cable. BTW, are you sure you have the programming
> cable plugged in correctly? There is usually a >> on the board and the
> cable denoting the ground, you match these, cable to board.
>
> > I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It
> just
> > gives me a message "ERROR".
>
> BSAVE is something else, not part of this issue. Make sure your battery
> is good,
> low batteries will often cause weird problems. Make sure you have +5V
> at the
> correct places on the board, you may have put the regulator in
> backwards. Hmm,
> the schematic doesn't show where +5V is created, where do you get +5V?
>
> > So here are some of my theories:
> >
> > 1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
> They are pretty tough, you'd have to really botched this to smoke one.
> Make sure they are in correctly though. Pin one is the lower left pin
> on the side of the IC with the notch on it. This is the square hole on
> the PC board.
>
> > 2). I miswired something.
>
> Check all your solder connections - especially if you aren't using a
good
> quality soldering iron (Radio Shack does not qualify as good quality.)
Make
> sure all your connections "cone" with the wide part of the cone at the PC
> board. Round blobs often signify cold solder joints, they won't work
well.
>
> > 3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
> > from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and
IRQ
> to
> > function or if it uses LPT1.)
>
> Possible, but not likely, I have used computers brand new to 6 years old
> and they still worked. Only some laptops don't seem to work. Then again,
> I have an old Toshiba 4400 that works fine to program Stamp I's.
>
> good luck,
> DLC
>
> >
> > Thanks all again.
> >
> > -r
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=o6wwbGDbVasGUxZmUjhCw9MpHFDZ8gDveUabPz_crbeBninRBdE6OW-eFNMMJihK9x7FURU]dlc@v...[/url
> > Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
> > To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
> >
> > Roger,
> >
> > You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
> > PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
> > you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
> > that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
> > a neat little robot design I see.
> > Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the
parallel
> > port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
> > more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
> >
> > DLC
> >
> > Roger Joys wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> > > advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
> > >
> > > I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11).
> The
> > > board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc
on,
> > and
> > > turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED.
> When
> > I
> > > try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware
> error
> > on
> > > the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that
> with
> > > my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP
> program
> > > tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED
> go
> > > through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
> > neither
> > > case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power
> is
> > > on.
> > >
> > > I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that
> the
> > > resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
> > >
> > > I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
> > >
> > > Any insights or help is really appreciated.
> > >
> > > -r
> > >
> > > <<Pica.jpg>>
> > >
> > > Roger E. Joys
> > > lucy.com
> > > 1634 SW Alder
> > > Portland, OR 97205
> > >
> > > Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> > > Fax: (503) 295-2510
> > >
> > > <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> > > <http://www.lucy.com>
> > >
> >
>
> > > -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > > -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
> > >
> > >
>
> > > Name: Pica.jpg
> > > Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> > > Encoding: base64
> >
> > --
> >
> > Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> > dlc@v...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> > http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> >
> >
> >
> > eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> > http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
> --
>
> Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> dlc@v...
>
>
>
> -- Check out your group's private Chat room
> -- http://www.egroups.com/ChatPage?listName=basicstamps&m=1
>
>
>
> -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar!
> -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=basicstamps&m=1
>
>
your pc is booting. Check to make sure it is using standard address, don't know
if the stamp cares but its a shot.
Roger Joys wrote:
> Thank you for the response. I did not have the power on, but when I tried
> this, I still get the error
>
> "Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
>
> So now the detailed sequence is ...
>
> Boot to DOS.
> Start STAMP.EXE
> load known good program using ^L
> run program using ^R
> Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
>
> I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It just
> gives me a message "ERROR".
>
> So here are some of my theories:
>
> 1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
> 2). I miswired something.
> 3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
> from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and IRQ to
> function or if it uses LPT1.)
>
> Thanks all again.
>
> -r
>
>
Original Message
> From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=zPE5ozcCRaxDbQhJgjerKuzerIFfBS-nkbEG8x9ehZwS0pGBptpG9-D_s2qKPrTWdTFjPBzIsQ0hZQ]dlc@v...[/url
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
> To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
>
> Roger,
>
> You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
> PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
> you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
> that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
> a neat little robot design I see.
> Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the parallel
> port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
> more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
>
> DLC
>
> Roger Joys wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> > advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
> >
> > I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11). The
> > board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc on,
> and
> > turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED. When
> I
> > try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware error
> on
> > the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that with
> > my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP program
> > tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED go
> > through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
> neither
> > case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power is
> > on.
> >
> > I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that the
> > resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
> >
> > I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
> >
> > Any insights or help is really appreciated.
> >
> > -r
> >
> > <<Pica.jpg>>
> >
> > Roger E. Joys
> > lucy.com
> > 1634 SW Alder
> > Portland, OR 97205
> >
> > Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> > Fax: (503) 295-2510
> >
> > <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> > <http://www.lucy.com>
> >
> >
> > -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
> >
> >
> > Name: Pica.jpg
> > Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> > Encoding: base64
>
> --
>
> Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> dlc@v...
>
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
Who makes this kit? Maybe we can get some info from them. The schemo
does not show a regulator, and it shows the servos running off of the
same +5V as the PIC(Stamp). This may be unwise...
I checked out the specs for the PIC16C65 (Stamp I) and it says it will
run on 3.5 to 7.5V, so that shouldn't be the problem. I'm not sure what
it could
be at this point.
DLC
rjmca wrote:
>
> Dennis is right. The schematic doesn't show a 5V regulator. Normally
> Stamps run off 5V supplied from a 3 terminal regulator. I don't know what a
> Stamp will do running off 4 cells. Fresh cells will output up to 6.4 volts.
> Also don't know what the computer port will do with that logic level.
>
> Ray McArthur
>
>
Original Message
> From: Roger Joys <Roger.Joys@l...>
> To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 5:17 PM
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
>
> > The LPT is standard 378/IRq7 ..
> >
> > Power comes from 4 AA batteries. The run through the on/off switch. The
> LED
> > marked LEDP is the one I mentioned that lights up with power. I got 4
> fresh
> > ones for this project.
> >
> > I'll check my solder connections before I post anything more.
> >
> > -r
> >
> > PS Thanks all
> >
> >
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Yl9A37vUSSZBEZ9GPo_8FACVccwwwhraHo1OsGt-NRlk-R9POnRNj3LjhRffIAebwRNfC2E]dlc@v...[/url
> > Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 2:16 PM
> > To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
> >
> >
> > Roger,
> >
> > Roger Joys wrote:
> > >
> > > Thank you for the response. I did not have the power on, but when I
> tried
> > > this, I still get the error
> > >
> > > "Error Hardware not found" from STAMP.EXE.
> > >
> > > So now the detailed sequence is ...
> > >
> > > Boot to DOS.
> > > Start STAMP.EXE
> > > load known good program using ^L
> > > run program using ^R
> > > Get error message "Error Hardware not found"
> >
> > Its a good idea to already have the power on before plugging in
> > the Stamp programming cable. BTW, are you sure you have the programming
> > cable plugged in correctly? There is usually a >> on the board and the
> > cable denoting the ground, you match these, cable to board.
> >
> > > I also put a BSAVE in the program and tried to load it using BSLOAD. It
> > just
> > > gives me a message "ERROR".
> >
> > BSAVE is something else, not part of this issue. Make sure your battery
> > is good,
> > low batteries will often cause weird problems. Make sure you have +5V
> > at the
> > correct places on the board, you may have put the regulator in
> > backwards. Hmm,
> > the schematic doesn't show where +5V is created, where do you get +5V?
> >
> > > So here are some of my theories:
> > >
> > > 1). I trashed the STAMP chip when soldering it in.
> > They are pretty tough, you'd have to really botched this to smoke one.
> > Make sure they are in correctly though. Pin one is the lower left pin
> > on the side of the IC with the notch on it. This is the square hole on
> > the PC board.
> >
> > > 2). I miswired something.
> >
> > Check all your solder connections - especially if you aren't using a
> good
> > quality soldering iron (Radio Shack does not qualify as good quality.)
> Make
> > sure all your connections "cone" with the wide part of the cone at the PC
> > board. Round blobs often signify cold solder joints, they won't work
> well.
> >
> > > 3). There is some oddity about my parallel port that precludes STAMP.EXE
> > > from using it. I am not sure if it requires a specific IO Address and
> IRQ
> > to
> > > function or if it uses LPT1.)
> >
> > Possible, but not likely, I have used computers brand new to 6 years old
> > and they still worked. Only some laptops don't seem to work. Then again,
> > I have an old Toshiba 4400 that works fine to program Stamp I's.
> >
> > good luck,
> > DLC
> >
> > >
> > > Thanks all again.
> > >
> > > -r
> > >
> > >
Original Message
> > > From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Yl9A37vUSSZBEZ9GPo_8FACVccwwwhraHo1OsGt-NRlk-R9POnRNj3LjhRffIAebwRNfC2E]dlc@v...[/url
> > > Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 8:57 AM
> > > To: basicstamps@egroups.com
> > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Newbie Questions
> > >
> > > Roger,
> > >
> > > You do keep the power on when it is attached to the PC right? The
> > > PC won't power the board. It may look like its powering the board when
> > > you plug the parallel port cable in, but that is just parasitic power
> > > that gets leeched through I/O pins. The schematic makes it look like
> > > a neat little robot design I see.
> > > Some laptops have problems programming the Stamp I throught the
> parallel
> > > port, desktop computers don't seem to have that problem. Can you give
> > > more details of what you are doing that doesn't seem to work?
> > >
> > > DLC
> > >
> > > Roger Joys wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I just subscribed. I see that the current topics are quite a bit more
> > > > advanced than mine. This is for STAMP I.
> > > >
> > > > I just purchased a simple kit to build a small robot with my son (11).
> > The
> > > > board design has been proven etc. When I put all the components etc
> on,
> > > and
> > > > turn on the power, I know the board has power because of a Power LED.
> > When
> > > I
> > > > try to hook it up to my PC and download a program, I get a hardware
> > error
> > > on
> > > > the PC side. On my laptop and desktop. The one thing I notice is that
> > with
> > > > my laptop, the power led does not light up at all when then STAMP
> > program
> > > > tries to download or in DOS mode. On the desktop, I see the power LED
> > go
> > > > through 3 phases of lighting... very dim, dim and mildly bright. In
> > > neither
> > > > case does it emit the same levels of light that it does when the power
> > is
> > > > on.
> > > >
> > > > I did my own soldering and really cannot discount anything except that
> > the
> > > > resistors, capacitors, chips etc are in the right place.
> > > >
> > > > I attached the schematic for what it is worth.
> > > >
> > > > Any insights or help is really appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > -r
> > > >
> > > > <<Pica.jpg>>
> > > >
> > > > Roger E. Joys
> > > > lucy.com
> > > > 1634 SW Alder
> > > > Portland, OR 97205
> > > >
> > > > Tel: (503) 222-7250 x161
> > > > Fax: (503) 295-2510
> > > >
> > > > <mailto:Roger.Joys@l...>
> > > > <http://www.lucy.com>
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > > > -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault
> > > > -- http://www.egroups.com/docvault/basicstamps/?m=1
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Name: Pica.jpg
> > > > Pica.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg)
> > > > Encoding: base64
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> > > dlc@v...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> > > http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> > > http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
> >
> > --
> >
> > Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
> > dlc@v...
> >
> >
> >
> > -- Check out your group's private Chat room
> > -- http://www.egroups.com/ChatPage?listName=basicstamps&m=1
> >
> >
> >
> > -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar!
> > -- http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=basicstamps&m=1
> >
> >
>
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/basicstamps
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
--
Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
dlc@v...
BOE or the Stampworks kit, but it appears most of the experiments in
those kits assume you're using a BS2-IC. Is there any reason I
should steer clear of more powerful stamps (e.g. 2sx and 2p) with
these kits?
Which would be a better starter kit; Stampworks or the BOE with the
SIC experiments? It seems like there is some overlap between these
two approaches, but they do have differences. Currently I'm leaning
toward the Stampworks kit, then buying specific SIC experiments which
interest me and aren't already included in Stampworks.
Thanks!
I decided it was time to quit stalling and learn how to use the BS2 I
purchased awhile back but now I seem to have hit a stumbling block. In the
following code why does the LED not go out for the five second delay after
it satisfies the For-Next loop?
Granted the subroutine is overkill for something as simple as an LED but I'm
trying to learn to program so please bear with me.
Tom
P-Basic program code follows:
' =========================================================================
' File......LED_1.BS2
' Purpose...
' Author....
' E-mail....kf4yyd@a...
' Started...
' Updated...
'
'{$STAMP BS2}
' =========================================================================
'
' Program Description
'
' Program to learn how to manipulate an LED acting as an output by using a
' For-Next loop and a GOSUB subroutine
'
' I/O Definitions
'
LED CON 0 'LED connected to P0
'
' Constants
'
OUT CON 1 'Designates P0 an output
DELAY_TIME CON 500 'Pause time in mSec
'
' Variables
'
Times VAR NIB 'counter used to hold iteration number
'
' Initialization
'
DIR0 = out
'
' Program Code
'
Main:
FOR Times = 1 to 10
GOSUB Flash
NEXT
LOW LED
PAUSE 5000
DEBUG "Done!"
END 'puts stamp in low power mode
'
' Subroutines
'
FLASH: 'Turns LED on and off 1x per pass
HIGH LED
PAUSE DELAY_TIME
TOGGLE LED
PAUSE DELAY_TIME
DEBUG ?Times 'displays iteration number on debug screen
RETURN
Is the other side of your LED connected to the GND or +V rail?
If you're driving the LED with a low signal it would still flash okay
because of the TOGGLE command but the LOW LED would keep the LED on for the
5 seconds.
Kev/.
Original Message
From: "Tom" <kf4yyd@a...>
To: "Basicstamps" <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 1:30 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Questions
> Hello,
> I decided it was time to quit stalling and learn how to use the BS2 I
> purchased awhile back but now I seem to have hit a stumbling block. In the
> following code why does the LED not go out for the five second delay after
> it satisfies the For-Next loop?
>
> Granted the subroutine is overkill for something as simple as an LED but
I'm
> trying to learn to program so please bear with me.
>
> Tom
>
> P-Basic program code follows:
>
> '
=========================================================================
> ' File......LED_1.BS2
> ' Purpose...
> ' Author....
> ' E-mail....kf4yyd@a...
> ' Started...
> ' Updated...
> '
> '{$STAMP BS2}
>
> '
=========================================================================
>
>
>
'
> ' Program Description
>
'
> ' Program to learn how to manipulate an LED acting as an output by using a
> ' For-Next loop and a GOSUB subroutine
>
>
'
> ' I/O Definitions
>
'
>
> LED CON 0 'LED connected to P0
>
>
'
> ' Constants
>
'
>
> OUT CON 1 'Designates P0 an output
> DELAY_TIME CON 500 'Pause time in mSec
>
>
>
'
> ' Variables
>
'
> Times VAR NIB 'counter used to hold iteration number
>
>
'
> ' Initialization
>
'
>
> DIR0 = out
>
>
'
> ' Program Code
>
'
>
> Main:
> FOR Times = 1 to 10
> GOSUB Flash
> NEXT
>
> LOW LED
> PAUSE 5000
>
> DEBUG "Done!"
>
> END 'puts stamp in low power mode
>
>
>
'
> ' Subroutines
>
'
>
> FLASH: 'Turns LED on and off 1x per pass
>
> HIGH LED
> PAUSE DELAY_TIME
>
> TOGGLE LED
> PAUSE DELAY_TIME
>
> DEBUG ?Times 'displays iteration number on debug screen
> RETURN
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
I finally got it straight. The reason it wasn't working is because I was
using a HIGH when I should have been using a LOW and vice versa.
Tom
>
Original Message
> From: Kev Pearce (kevp.com) [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=RnN-_dSIGR4MCb429hFHCAKbmKbgCcepzA313bWVecqeI4WJD57SQE_dGchieBRadNjXcOO4biIB]email.me@k...[/url
> Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 8:45 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Questions
>
>
> Tom,
>
> Is the other side of your LED connected to the GND or +V rail?
>
> If you're driving the LED with a low signal it would still flash okay
> because of the TOGGLE command but the LOW LED would keep the LED
> on for the
> 5 seconds.
>
> Kev/.
electronics. I am familiar with VB and BASIC.
I have read the book JunkBots, BugBots, and Bots on Wheels.
Exploring the web I've come across BEAM, Mindstorms,
Microcontrollers, BASIC Stamps etc.
I'm not sure where to start. I want to have fun. I'd like to be
able to get started. I don't want to break the bank (yet). My
seven year old likes to participate. A short learning curve would be
helpful.
I know I'm in a BASIC Stamp group. I'm not sure where else to go.
How would you guys suggest I get started?
Thanks
xer0925@h... writes:
> How would you guys suggest I get started?
>
I would suggest you look at the BoeBot. Go to www.parallax.com and click on
Robotics.
Sid Weaver
W4EKQ
Port Richey, FL
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Parallax site has several useful downloads that will help you get
started. You might also enjoy a few resources that I provide:
http://www.wd5gnr.com/stampfaq.htm - Basic Stamp FAQ (unofficial)
http://www.al-williams.com/bs1emu.htm - Free BS1 emulator
http://www.al-williams.com/som.htm - Project of the month
There are also several Basic Stamp books out there you can get from Parallax
or Amazon. I'm partial to mine (Microcontroller Projects with Basic Stamps)
but I don't think there are any "bad" ones.
The list is a great resource so that's 90% of the battle. You'll find that
if you ask very specific questions, you'll get really great answers. People
are sometimes disappointed when they say something like "I want to build a
robot," and no one really responds. This is too general. On the other hand,
something like "I want to build a robotic arm that can throw a pair of dice"
will elicit a lot of discussion. Even better are questions like "I'm trying
to drive a motor, and my program keeps restarting." You'll get lots of
answers to things like that.
Good luck and have fun.
Al Williams
AWC
* New kits: http://www.al-williams.com/kits.htm
>
Original Message
> From: xer0925 [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=32pTUzc2Lq0B2_sAupi5R9gkLTnEfsBE0nfIpAdrtlzZHg8fhug2tT1XVOGBfQbFe9_kYDuZ_ho3EPCgxw]xer0925@h...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 10:11 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Questions
>
>
> I'm just getting started with Robots. I have almost no knowledge of
> electronics. I am familiar with VB and BASIC.
>
> I have read the book JunkBots, BugBots, and Bots on Wheels.
> Exploring the web I've come across BEAM, Mindstorms,
> Microcontrollers, BASIC Stamps etc.
>
> I'm not sure where to start. I want to have fun. I'd like to be
> able to get started. I don't want to break the bank (yet). My
> seven year old likes to participate. A short learning curve would be
> helpful.
>
> I know I'm in a BASIC Stamp group. I'm not sure where else to go.
>
> How would you guys suggest I get started?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
> Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
jim
Original Message
From: Newzed@a... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=qgNRG5esuL3NGKv9DJZ7dOltQzIkfL_Pt2EtEdyho7L5psK-S_O9x5xIbTjkGTVsJhjNsn6al_s]Newzed@a...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 10:31 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Questions
In a message dated 11/26/2003 10:16:29 AM Eastern Standard Time,
xer0925@h... writes:
> How would you guys suggest I get started?
>
I would suggest you look at the BoeBot. Go to www.parallax.com and click on
Robotics.
Sid Weaver
W4EKQ
Port Richey, FL
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Mosfets and that the only connection is a series resistor between the
Base (or Gate) and the Stamp pin (or driver device).
It is highly recommended to connect a resistor between the Base (or
Gate) and Ground.
The reason?
If the Stamp goes in a high resistance state and the JBT (Mosfets or
even more so Darlingtons) is in a high temp enviroment, the leakage
current Collector to base starts to increase
(approximately doubles every 10 degrees) and it is possible the
device starts to conduct and go into a thermal runaway condition.
reverse diode across the relay coil. You can read more at
http://www.wd5gnr.com/stampfaq.htm
Regards,
Al Williams
AWC
* Real world control for the PC: http://www.al-williams.com/gp3.htm
>
Original Message
> From: Albert Catano [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=qK73kbowzUAmclARhyetJNp05IvEUOtHjgfEniQIY7U81hQHL4rxpaweb1Dl1IEYgaL-92kgiMruUgiQvM8p]acatano2002@y...[/url
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 10:30 AM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Newbie Questions
>
>
> A note of caution to those who uses a JBT's, Darlingtons or even
> Mosfets and that the only connection is a series resistor between the
> Base (or Gate) and the Stamp pin (or driver device).
> It is highly recommended to connect a resistor between the Base (or
> Gate) and Ground.
> The reason?
> If the Stamp goes in a high resistance state and the JBT (Mosfets or
> even more so Darlingtons) is in a high temp enviroment, the leakage
> current Collector to base starts to increase
> (approximately doubles every 10 degrees) and it is possible the
> device starts to conduct and go into a thermal runaway condition.
>
>
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>
Mosfet not necessaryly needs an external Diode across the relay coil.
The reason to use a diode is to clamp the flyback voltage across a
relay coil is to prevent the exeeding the max ENERGY ratings of the
switching device (see load line rating of the device).
The Mosfets has an intrinsic Drain to Source diode.
I meant Switching times are very short.
board, and a prototyping area. It is controlled
with an IR remote (supplied). Prices are from
$50.00 to $90.00. This is probably the least
expensive price point to getting started.
With this platform, you can do ALL the
Parallax 'Analog and Digital Interfacing'
labs. It is programmed in Parallax PBasic,
using just a PC and a serial cable.
A more ambitious 'Bot can be built with the
Parallax BOE-Bot, but it is more expensive.
One you get above that, there are LOTS of
'Bots in the $300 to $500 dollar range.
The BS2 is a nice module to start with for
a robot brain -- they are simple, and easy
to program and debug. Once you get some
experience, you can try the PIC processors
the BS2 is based on.
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "xer0925" <xer0925@h...> wrote:
> I'm just getting started with Robots. I have almost no knowledge
of
> electronics. I am familiar with VB and BASIC.
>
> I have read the book JunkBots, BugBots, and Bots on Wheels.
> Exploring the web I've come across BEAM, Mindstorms,
> Microcontrollers, BASIC Stamps etc.
>
> I'm not sure where to start. I want to have fun. I'd like to be
> able to get started. I don't want to break the bank (yet). My
> seven year old likes to participate. A short learning curve would
be
> helpful.
>
> I know I'm in a BASIC Stamp group. I'm not sure where else to go.
>
> How would you guys suggest I get started?
>
> Thanks