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programming problems

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-08-06 18:32 in General Discussion
I just got a brand new basic stamp IIsx starter kit the other day. I have
been unsuccessful at downloading a program to it to run. I am using v. 1.04
of the software on a windows 2000 platform. I also tried the same thing on
a windows NT 4.0 platform. When I try to download a program the following
error appears:

BASIC Stamp II detected but not responding on COM1! Check Power Supply.

I have tried a brand new 9v with it, and also an AC-DC adapter that ouputs
9v DC at 600mA. Any Ideas what is going on? Thanks

--
Gerrit Padgham
gpadgham@u...

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-04-10 22:54
    Gerrit,

    Check the Parallax site, they say they have a fix for some of these issues.
    Usually, programs that access Wintel hardware directly won't run on W2K or
    WNT OS's - protected memory won't allow that.

    DLC

    Gerrit Padgham wrote:
    >
    > I just got a brand new basic stamp IIsx starter kit the other day. I have
    > been unsuccessful at downloading a program to it to run. I am using v. 1.04
    > of the software on a windows 2000 platform. I also tried the same thing on
    > a windows NT 4.0 platform. When I try to download a program the following
    > error appears:
    >
    > BASIC Stamp II detected but not responding on COM1! Check Power Supply.
    >
    > I have tried a brand new 9v with it, and also an AC-DC adapter that ouputs
    > 9v DC at 600mA. Any Ideas what is going on? Thanks
    >
    > --
    > Gerrit Padgham
    > gpadgham@u...

    --
    Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
    dlc@v...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-04-10 23:29
    Thanks for your recomendation. I have looked, but honestly, I am not
    exactly sure what I'm looking for, or where to look. If you could be a
    little more detailed I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

    --
    Gerrit Padgham
    gpadgham@u...

    Original Message
    From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=txANzelfqcQMwrSH9QSSGwReZqMLMQQKCst_u5d7xpbVg3OV7Di0KRZFaXwZpizuSXcgzvd9]dlc@v...[/url
    Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 5:55 PM
    To: basicstamps@egroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] programming problems


    Gerrit,

    Check the Parallax site, they say they have a fix for some of these
    issues.
    Usually, programs that access Wintel hardware directly won't run on W2K or
    WNT OS's - protected memory won't allow that.

    DLC

    Gerrit Padgham wrote:
    >
    > I just got a brand new basic stamp IIsx starter kit the other day. I have
    > been unsuccessful at downloading a program to it to run. I am using v.
    1.04
    > of the software on a windows 2000 platform. I also tried the same thing
    on
    > a windows NT 4.0 platform. When I try to download a program the following
    > error appears:
    >
    > BASIC Stamp II detected but not responding on COM1! Check Power Supply.
    >
    > I have tried a brand new 9v with it, and also an AC-DC adapter that ouputs
    > 9v DC at 600mA. Any Ideas what is going on? Thanks
    >
    > --
    > Gerrit Padgham
    > gpadgham@u...

    --
    Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
    dlc@v...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-04-11 00:21
    Gerrit,

    I'm sorry. They used to have this note VERY prominantly displayed on
    their front page, now its gone altogether! You can try sending them
    email and see if they respond. They don't seem to monitor the list
    anymore, where Russ or someone would have responded to you by now.

    Oops.
    DLC

    Gerrit Padgham wrote:
    >
    > Thanks for your recomendation. I have looked, but honestly, I am not
    > exactly sure what I'm looking for, or where to look. If you could be a
    > little more detailed I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
    >
    > --
    > Gerrit Padgham
    > gpadgham@u...
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=IsOT0tInRDweUqPjxKNcThzCbZDnNATcdnNj_KzVF8SOCZMlobeqwkmR5UBEX9pjw7dt9b9_]dlc@v...[/url
    > Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 5:55 PM
    > To: basicstamps@egroups.com
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] programming problems
    >
    > Gerrit,
    >
    > Check the Parallax site, they say they have a fix for some of these
    > issues.
    > Usually, programs that access Wintel hardware directly won't run on W2K or
    > WNT OS's - protected memory won't allow that.
    >
    > DLC
    >
    > Gerrit Padgham wrote:
    > >
    > > I just got a brand new basic stamp IIsx starter kit the other day. I have
    > > been unsuccessful at downloading a program to it to run. I am using v.
    > 1.04
    > > of the software on a windows 2000 platform. I also tried the same thing
    > on
    > > a windows NT 4.0 platform. When I try to download a program the following
    > > error appears:
    > >
    > > BASIC Stamp II detected but not responding on COM1! Check Power Supply.
    > >
    > > I have tried a brand new 9v with it, and also an AC-DC adapter that ouputs
    > > 9v DC at 600mA. Any Ideas what is going on? Thanks
    > >
    > > --
    > > Gerrit Padgham
    > > gpadgham@u...
    >
    > --
    >
    > Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
    > dlc@v...
    >

    --
    Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
    dlc@v...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-04-11 12:32
    At 06:29 PM 4/10/00 -0400, Gerrit Padgham promulgated:
    >Thanks for your recomendation. I have looked, but honestly, I am not
    >exactly sure what I'm looking for, or where to look. If you could be a
    >little more detailed I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
    >
    Last I saw the software, I believe it was called Version 1.09, but
    sending a note to Parallax would be the best bet.

    Regards,

    Bruce

    >--
    >Gerrit Padgham
    >gpadgham@u...
    >
    >
    Original Message
    >From: Dennis Clark [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=VSG5zDuW3qP3xgN-_IOG6MAHbBFppWobdssXUVFqffQgAXWTeJEU_oekP_65zn-SVhQ7k37dNRXD]dlc@v...[/url
    >Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 5:55 PM
    >To: basicstamps@egroups.com
    >Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] programming problems
    >
    >
    >Gerrit,
    >
    > Check the Parallax site, they say they have a fix for some of these
    >issues.
    >Usually, programs that access Wintel hardware directly won't run on W2K or
    >WNT OS's - protected memory won't allow that.
    >
    >DLC
    >
    >Gerrit Padgham wrote:
    >>
    >> I just got a brand new basic stamp IIsx starter kit the other day. I have
    >> been unsuccessful at downloading a program to it to run. I am using v.
    >1.04
    >> of the software on a windows 2000 platform. I also tried the same thing
    >on
    >> a windows NT 4.0 platform. When I try to download a program the following
    >> error appears:
    >>
    >> BASIC Stamp II detected but not responding on COM1! Check Power Supply.
    >>
    >> I have tried a brand new 9v with it, and also an AC-DC adapter that ouputs
    >> 9v DC at 600mA. Any Ideas what is going on? Thanks
    >>
    >> --
    >> Gerrit Padgham
    >> gpadgham@u...
    >
    >--
    >
    >Dennis Clark http://www.verinet.com/~dlc
    >dlc@v...
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-06-24 15:36
    Hey here is a question. I Have four motors hooked to four ultrasonic
    sensors. When one sensor picks up an object it will turn on one
    motor. What I am trying to do is keep that motor locked high until a
    different sensor picks up an object. So far it will only turn on
    when the sensor is sensing an object like a wall, then it turns off
    as soon as its out of range. I tried using a loop but i couldnt get
    it to go back to the sensor code. Is there any way to do this?
    Ray

    Here is the code:

    '{$STAMP BS2}

    ADist var word
    BDist var word
    CDist var word
    DDist var word

    SonarAInit con 0
    SonarAEcho con 1
    SonarBInit con 2
    SonarBEcho con 3
    SonarCInit con 4
    SonarCEcho con 5
    SonarDInit con 6
    SonarDEcho con 7

    convfac con 74
    MinDist con 6

    CheckSonar:

    OneSonar:
    pulsout SonarAInit,5
    output SonarAInit
    rctime SonarAEcho,1,ADist
    ADist=ADist/convfac
    pause 10

    TwoSonar:
    pulsout SonarBInit,5
    output SonarBInit
    rctime SonarBEcho,1,BDist
    BDist=BDist/convfac
    pause 10

    ThreeSonar:
    pulsout SonarCInit,5
    output SonarCInit
    rctime SonarCEcho,1,CDist
    CDist=CDist/convfac
    pause 10

    FourSonar:
    pulsout SonarDInit,5
    output SonarDInit
    rctime SonarDEcho,1,DDist
    DDist=DDist/convfac
    pause 10



    IF ADist<MinDist THEN BackOne
    IF BDist<MinDist THEN BackTwo
    IF CDist<MinDist THEN BackThree
    IF DDist<MinDist THEN BackFour


    BackOne:


    High 8
    High 9
    Low 10
    Low 11

    GOTO CheckSonar


    BackTwo:
    Low 8
    High 9
    High 10
    Low 11

    GOTO CheckSonar
    BackThree:
    Low 8
    Low 9
    High 10
    High 11

    GOTO CheckSonar

    BackFour:
    Low 8
    Low 9
    Low 10
    Low 11

    GOTO CheckSonar
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-06-24 18:00
    Ray-

    This one begs a state machine solution. The following should (i.e.,
    haven't tried it but it oughta be close) detect any new
    less-than-minimum conditions and change things only when that
    occurs.

    '{$STAMP BS2}

    ADist var word
    BDist var word
    CDist var word
    DDist var word
    this_state VAR NIB
    last_state VAR NIB

    SonarAInit con 0
    SonarAEcho con 1
    SonarBInit con 2
    SonarBEcho con 3
    SonarCInit con 4
    SonarCEcho con 5
    SonarDInit con 6
    SonarDEcho con 7

    convfac con 74
    MinDist con 6

    last_state = 1 ' provide initial direction
    OUTC = 1 ' provide initial state
    DIRC = $F ' set pins to output

    CheckSonar:

    OneSonar:
    pulsout SonarAInit,5
    output SonarAInit
    rctime SonarAEcho,1,ADist
    ADist=ADist/convfac
    pause 10

    TwoSonar:
    pulsout SonarBInit,5
    output SonarBInit
    rctime SonarBEcho,1,BDist
    BDist=BDist/convfac
    pause 10

    ThreeSonar:
    pulsout SonarCInit,5
    output SonarCInit
    rctime SonarCEcho,1,CDist
    CDist=CDist/convfac
    pause 10

    FourSonar:
    pulsout SonarDInit,5
    output SonarDInit
    rctime SonarDEcho,1,DDist
    DDist=DDist/convfac
    pause 10

    this_state.BIT0 = MinDist/ADist MAX 1
    this_state.BIT1 = MinDist/BDist MAX 1
    this_state.BIT2 = MinDist/CDist MAX 1
    this_state.BIT3 = MinDist/DDist MAX 1
    IF this_state | last_state = last_state THEN checkSonar
    last_state = this_state
    OUT8 = this_state.BIT0
    OUT9 = OUT8 | this_state.BIT1
    OUT10 = OUT9 | this_state.BIT2
    OUT11 = this_state.BIT3
    GOTO checkSonar
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-06-24 20:08
    Hey thanks for giving it a shot. I tried it and it acts a little
    strange. The motors do lock on but one stays on all the time
    regardless and when another sensor picks up it doesnt turn off. I
    am not sure I understand this state machine.

    --- In basicstamps@y..., "S Parkis" <parkiss@e...> wrote:
    > Ray-
    >
    > This one begs a state machine solution. The following should
    (i.e.,
    > haven't tried it but it oughta be close) detect any new
    > less-than-minimum conditions and change things only when that
    > occurs.
    >
    > '{$STAMP BS2}
    >
    > ADist var word
    > BDist var word
    > CDist var word
    > DDist var word
    > this_state VAR NIB
    > last_state VAR NIB
    >
    > SonarAInit con 0
    > SonarAEcho con 1
    > SonarBInit con 2
    > SonarBEcho con 3
    > SonarCInit con 4
    > SonarCEcho con 5
    > SonarDInit con 6
    > SonarDEcho con 7
    >
    > convfac con 74
    > MinDist con 6
    >
    > last_state = 1 ' provide initial direction
    > OUTC = 1 ' provide initial state
    > DIRC = $F ' set pins to output
    >
    > CheckSonar:
    >
    > OneSonar:
    > pulsout SonarAInit,5
    > output SonarAInit
    > rctime SonarAEcho,1,ADist
    > ADist=ADist/convfac
    > pause 10
    >
    > TwoSonar:
    > pulsout SonarBInit,5
    > output SonarBInit
    > rctime SonarBEcho,1,BDist
    > BDist=BDist/convfac
    > pause 10
    >
    > ThreeSonar:
    > pulsout SonarCInit,5
    > output SonarCInit
    > rctime SonarCEcho,1,CDist
    > CDist=CDist/convfac
    > pause 10
    >
    > FourSonar:
    > pulsout SonarDInit,5
    > output SonarDInit
    > rctime SonarDEcho,1,DDist
    > DDist=DDist/convfac
    > pause 10
    >
    > this_state.BIT0 = MinDist/ADist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT1 = MinDist/BDist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT2 = MinDist/CDist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT3 = MinDist/DDist MAX 1
    > IF this_state | last_state = last_state THEN checkSonar
    > last_state = this_state
    > OUT8 = this_state.BIT0
    > OUT9 = OUT8 | this_state.BIT1
    > OUT10 = OUT9 | this_state.BIT2
    > OUT11 = this_state.BIT3
    > GOTO checkSonar
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-06-24 22:31
    jive_star wrote:

    > Hey thanks for giving it a shot. I tried it and it acts a little
    > strange. The motors do lock on but one stays on all the time
    > regardless and when another sensor picks up it doesnt turn off. I
    > am not sure I understand this state machine.

    Maybe the error will be evident by trying to explain how it's meant
    to work.

    > this_state.BIT0 = MinDist/ADist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT1 = MinDist/BDist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT2 = MinDist/CDist MAX 1
    > this_state.BIT3 = MinDist/DDist MAX 1

    this_state.BIT0 will be 1 if ADist <= MinDist. Similarly for the
    other three bits in this_state.

    > IF this_state | last_state = last_state THEN checkSonar

    Unless a newly detected less-than-minimum condition is found (a 0 to
    1 transition), keep the motors cranking away the same.

    If a new less-than-minimum is detected, react accordingly as
    follows:

    > last_state = this_state
    > OUT8 = this_state.BIT0
    > OUT9 = OUT8 | this_state.BIT1
    > OUT10 = OUT9 | this_state.BIT2
    > OUT11 = this_state.BIT3

    Looking at your original code, it appears that I/O 8 is driven high
    when ADist < MinDist; I/O 9 is high when ADist < MinDist or BDist <
    MinDist; I/O 10 is high when BDist < MinDist or CDist < MinDist; I/O
    11 is high when CDist < MinDist. That's what the above four lines of
    code are meant to do.

    > GOTO checkSonar

    Perhaps by sprinkling your code with some DEBUG statements you can
    find and fix the error. I still don't see it...probably looking
    right through and past it. Maybe someone else will see the problem.

    Regards,

    Steve
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2002-06-24 23:26
    Steve,
    Well after messing around with the code for awhile i finally got
    it. I got the four sensors to drive the four motors. The code I
    had before combined two motors at once. this one works. thanks a
    lot for the help.

    Ray


    '{$STAMP BS2}

    ADist var word
    BDist var word
    CDist var word
    DDist var word
    this_state VAR NIB
    last_state VAR NIB

    SonarAInit con 0
    SonarAEcho con 1
    SonarBInit con 2
    SonarBEcho con 3
    SonarCInit con 4
    SonarCEcho con 5
    SonarDInit con 6
    SonarDEcho con 7

    convfac con 74
    MinDist con 6

    last_state = 1 ' provide initial direction
    OUTC = 1 ' provide initial state
    DIRC = $F ' set pins to output

    CheckSonar:

    OneSonar:
    pulsout SonarAInit,5
    output SonarAInit
    rctime SonarAEcho,1,ADist
    ADist=ADist/convfac
    pause 10

    TwoSonar:
    pulsout SonarBInit,5
    output SonarBInit
    rctime SonarBEcho,1,BDist
    BDist=BDist/convfac
    pause 10

    ThreeSonar:
    pulsout SonarCInit,5
    output SonarCInit
    rctime SonarCEcho,1,CDist
    CDist=CDist/convfac
    pause 10

    FourSonar:
    pulsout SonarDInit,5
    output SonarDInit
    rctime SonarDEcho,1,DDist
    DDist=DDist/convfac
    pause 10

    this_state.BIT0 = MinDist/ADist MIN 0
    this_state.BIT1 = MinDist/BDist MIN 0
    this_state.BIT2 = MinDist/CDist MIN 0
    this_state.BIT3 = MinDist/DDist MIN 0
    IF this_state | last_state = last_state THEN checkSonar
    last_state = this_state
    OUT8 = this_state.BIT0
    OUT9 = this_state.BIT1
    OUT10 = this_state.BIT2
    OUT11 = this_state.BIT3
    GOTO checkSonar
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 18:32
    I am using the dlls that parallax published to write an
    interface for the Basic Stamp 2. I tried to write my own send
    function, but it always gives me a cryptic "something is wrong here"
    message. So I started looking at the EditorMaster and LoadMaster
    code, but they are written in pascal and I use c++. Normally thats
    not a problem, but it uses a CSpinEdit and I dont have the file
    (CSpin.dcu) to use it. If anyone can help with either of these
    problems I would greatly appreciate it. I am using Borland C++
    Builder and running Windows XP.

    thnx
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