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Stamp2 Novice Help Needed — Parallax Forums

Stamp2 Novice Help Needed

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2000-08-04 08:50 in General Discussion
Hi!
I just fired up my Basic Stamp II on a Super Carrier board and
connected it to my PC. I am running example programs on Windows98,
using the Stamp2 program for Windows and get the following error:
Could not open com port - reason unknown.

Please provide me with suggestions who to resolve this error.

Thanks a lot!!

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 06:16
    First step check bios to make sure that your com 1 or 2 is enabled. Then
    check status under Control Panel - System - Device Manager - LPT and Com
    ports. Make sure there are no IRQ conflicts if there are there will be a
    yellow question mark.

    Next ensure you are using the right plug on your computer. Mine has no
    labels on com1 or 2 so I had to test to find the right one.

    Good luck

    Original Message
    From: <marlonss@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2000 9:16 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi!
    > I just fired up my Basic Stamp II on a Super Carrier board and
    > connected it to my PC. I am running example programs on Windows98,
    > using the Stamp2 program for Windows and get the following error:
    > Could not open com port - reason unknown.
    >
    > Please provide me with suggestions who to resolve this error.
    >
    > Thanks a lot!!
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 08:27
    On Sun, 30 Jul 2000, James E. Merritt wrote:

    > Hi everyone,
    >
    > I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port for
    other
    > things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems so I
    > know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp
    program
    > I get the error message:

    Disable Hot Sync for the palm.


    Dale Harwood [noparse][[/noparse] N4VFF ]

    internet> dale@h...

    ax.25> n4vff@n4vff.#cha.tn.usa.noam

    #include <std_disclaimer.h>
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 15:33
    What version of windows are you running? Are you sure your com port works.
    Do you get the same can not open message if you try to run Hyperterminal
    from the accessories folder. Do you have the StampW program optioned for the
    correct com port or auto detect. I had similar problems and it was that the
    com port was not working. My stamp and its' board was just fine.

    Good luck,
    Gary

    G. Shearer
    Free Electron Laser Research Center
    Vanderbilt University
    Nashville, Tennessee
    Original Message
    From: <marlonss@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2000 11:16 PM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi!
    > I just fired up my Basic Stamp II on a Super Carrier board and
    > connected it to my PC. I am running example programs on Windows98,
    > using the Stamp2 program for Windows and get the following error:
    > Could not open com port - reason unknown.
    >
    > Please provide me with suggestions who to resolve this error.
    >
    > Thanks a lot!!
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 16:05
    Hi everyone,

    I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port for other
    things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems so I
    know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp program
    I get the error message:

    BASIC Stamp II not responding
    1. Check serial cable connection.
    2. Check power supply.

    Which does not make sense because when I use the same cable on my laptop then I
    get communications with the StampII. I have checked the settings on both the
    laptop and PC and the COM ports are set up exactly the same. And there are no
    other programs using the COM port on my PC. I am really frustrated with this.

    Maybe someone else has had this problem.

    Thanks,


    > What version of windows are you running? Are you sure your com port works.
    > Do you get the same can not open message if you try to run Hyperterminal
    > from the accessories folder. Do you have the StampW program optioned for the
    > correct com port or auto detect. I had similar problems and it was that the
    > com port was not working. My stamp and its' board was just fine.
    >
    > Good luck,
    > Gary
    >
    > G. Shearer


    James E. Merritt N0SRB
    Electrical Engineer
    (H)515-733-4463
    (W)515-956-7077
    FAX: 515-956-2401

    ______________________________________________________
    Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 17:33
    What is your baud rate? Stamps need 9600. Also, what kind of handshaking are
    you using? The problem could be there.

    Gary


    Original Message
    From: "James E. Merritt" <jamesem@x...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 10:05 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi everyone,
    >
    > I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port for
    other
    > things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems so
    I
    > know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp
    program
    > I get the error message:
    >
    > BASIC Stamp II not responding
    > 1. Check serial cable connection.
    > 2. Check power supply.
    >
    > Which does not make sense because when I use the same cable on my laptop
    then I
    > get communications with the StampII. I have checked the settings on both
    the
    > laptop and PC and the COM ports are set up exactly the same. And there
    are no
    > other programs using the COM port on my PC. I am really frustrated with
    this.
    >
    > Maybe someone else has had this problem.
    >
    > Thanks,
    >
    >
    > > What version of windows are you running? Are you sure your com port
    works.
    > > Do you get the same can not open message if you try to run
    Hyperterminal
    > > from the accessories folder. Do you have the StampW program optioned
    for the
    > > correct com port or auto detect. I had similar problems and it was that
    the
    > > com port was not working. My stamp and its' board was just fine.
    > >
    > > Good luck,
    > > Gary
    > >
    > > G. Shearer
    >
    >
    > James E. Merritt N0SRB
    > Electrical Engineer
    > (H)515-733-4463
    > (W)515-956-7077
    > FAX: 515-956-2401
    >
    > ______________________________________________________
    > Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    > Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    > cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 19:06
    Hi Dale,

    Disable Hot Sync for the palm.


    There is your trouble. It looks like palm pilot has your serial port tied
    up. What happens when you use the other serial port? Are you running
    windows98? If so, there ae documented serial port problems with some mother
    boards. I know. been there, done that... Would really like to know what OS
    you are using.

    Gary

    g.shearer@v...
    Free Electron Laser Research Center
    Vanderbilt University
    Nashville, TN
    Original Message
    From: "Dale Harwood" <dale@h...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 2:27 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > On Sun, 30 Jul 2000, James E. Merritt wrote:
    >
    > > Hi everyone,
    > >
    > > I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port
    for other
    > > things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems
    so I
    > > know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp
    program
    > > I get the error message:
    >
    > Disable Hot Sync for the palm.
    >
    >
    > Dale Harwood [noparse][[/noparse] N4VFF ]
    >
    > internet> dale@h...
    >
    > ax.25> n4vff@n4vff.#cha.tn.usa.noam
    >
    > #include <std_disclaimer.h>
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 20:12
    James,

    If memory serves me correctly this might be an indication that your BS2 IC
    might be installed upside down in chip carrier.

    Easy to do if you're reading step 1) on p199 of manual 1.9.

    It says that the largest chip on the BS2 IC should be furthest from the
    reset button.

    On mine the largest chip actually had to be _closest_ to the reset button.

    The carrier board layout as pictured on p199 of manual 1.9 is quite a bit
    different from the one I got.

    Hope this helps, careful taking out the BS2 IC, I had a heck of a time
    getting mine out.

    Mark

    Original Message
    From: James E. Merritt <jamesem@x...>
    To: basicstamps@egroups.com <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Date: Sunday, July 30, 2000 8:05 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    >Hi everyone,
    >
    >I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port for
    other
    >things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems so
    I
    >know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp
    program
    >I get the error message:
    >
    > BASIC Stamp II not responding
    > 1. Check serial cable connection.
    > 2. Check power supply.
    >
    >Which does not make sense because when I use the same cable on my laptop
    then I
    >get communications with the StampII. I have checked the settings on both
    the
    >laptop and PC and the COM ports are set up exactly the same. And there are
    no
    >other programs using the COM port on my PC. I am really frustrated with
    this.
    >
    >Maybe someone else has had this problem.
    >
    >Thanks,
    >
    >
    > > What version of windows are you running? Are you sure your com port
    works.
    > > Do you get the same can not open message if you try to run Hyperterminal
    > > from the accessories folder. Do you have the StampW program optioned for
    the
    > > correct com port or auto detect. I had similar problems and it was that
    the
    > > com port was not working. My stamp and its' board was just fine.
    > >
    > > Good luck,
    > > Gary
    > >
    > > G. Shearer
    >
    >
    >James E. Merritt N0SRB
    >Electrical Engineer
    >(H)515-733-4463
    >(W)515-956-7077
    >FAX: 515-956-2401
    >
    >______________________________________________________
    >Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    >Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    >cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 21:40
    Hi Gary,

    My COM port is setup as:
    9600 Baud
    8 Data bits
    1 Sop Bits
    Xon/Xoff Flow Control
    I have tried Hardware and none for Flow Control but hey don't work either.
    I am sure it is something so simple that when I figure it out I will kick
    myself for not spotting it earlier.

    "G. Shearer" wrote:
    > What is your baud rate? Stamps need 9600. Also, what kind of handshaking are
    > you using? The problem could be there.
    >
    > Gary
    >
    >


    James E. Merritt N0SRB
    Electrical Engineer
    (H)515-733-4463
    (W)515-956-7077
    FAX: 515-956-2401

    ______________________________________________________
    Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 21:43
    Hi Dale,

    Thanks for the suggestion, but I have Hot Sync set up so it only runs when the
    Palm
    Desktop is running. At least I think it is because I don't see the Hot Sync
    icon at
    the bottom of the screen. I have had that problem before.

    Thanks,

    Dale Harwood wrote:
    > On Sun, 30 Jul 2000, James E. Merritt wrote:
    >
    > Disable Hot Sync for the palm.
    > >



    James E. Merritt N0SRB
    Electrical Engineer
    (H)515-733-4463
    (W)515-956-7077
    FAX: 515-956-2401

    ______________________________________________________
    Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 21:59
    Hi Mark,

    I agree about the carrier board, I almost ruined the Stamp when inserting and
    removing it from the carrier board but I am not using the carrier board,
    instead I am using my own board and I know I have everythng hooked up properly
    because if I take the programming cable from my desktop and put it on my laptop
    then everything works. So the problem is with my desktop machine. I am using
    Windows 95 if that makes a difference but the Stamp is the only thing I have
    had problems with on the Com port.

    Thanks.

    "techno_masai" wrote:
    > James,
    >
    > If memory serves me correctly this might be an indication that your BS2 IC
    > might be installed upside down in chip carrier.
    >
    > Easy to do if you're reading step 1) on p199 of manual 1.9.
    >
    > It says that the largest chip on the BS2 IC should be furthest from the
    > reset button.
    >
    > On mine the largest chip actually had to be _closest_ to the reset button.
    >
    > The carrier board layout as pictured on p199 of manual 1.9 is quite a bit
    > different from the one I got.
    >
    > Hope this helps, careful taking out the BS2 IC, I had a heck of a time
    > getting mine out.
    >
    > Mark


    James E. Merritt N0SRB
    Electrical Engineer
    (H)515-733-4463
    (W)515-956-7077
    FAX: 515-956-2401

    ______________________________________________________
    Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-30 23:09
    I had a similar problem when taking my BS2 project to work. It turned out that
    my
    palm application was tying up the port. Try turning off your palm application
    in
    the Windows SYSTEM TRAY.

    Ben

    "James E. Merritt" wrote:

    > Hi Gary,
    >
    > My COM port is setup as:
    > 9600 Baud
    > 8 Data bits
    > 1 Sop Bits
    > Xon/Xoff Flow Control
    > I have tried Hardware and none for Flow Control but hey don't work either.
    > I am sure it is something so simple that when I figure it out I will kick
    > myself for not spotting it earlier.
    >
    > "G. Shearer" wrote:
    > > What is your baud rate? Stamps need 9600. Also, what kind of handshaking
    are
    > > you using? The problem could be there.
    > >
    > > Gary
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    > James E. Merritt N0SRB
    > Electrical Engineer
    > (H)515-733-4463
    > (W)515-956-7077
    > FAX: 515-956-2401
    >
    > ______________________________________________________
    > Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    > Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    > cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-31 02:36
    Sounds like good advice.


    Original Message
    From: "Benjamin Hall" <benhall@i...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2000 5:09 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > I had a similar problem when taking my BS2 project to work. It turned out
    that my
    > palm application was tying up the port. Try turning off your palm
    application in
    > the Windows SYSTEM TRAY.
    >
    > Ben
    >
    > "James E. Merritt" wrote:
    >
    > > Hi Gary,
    > >
    > > My COM port is setup as:
    > > 9600 Baud
    > > 8 Data bits
    > > 1 Sop Bits
    > > Xon/Xoff Flow Control
    > > I have tried Hardware and none for Flow Control but hey don't work
    either.
    > > I am sure it is something so simple that when I figure it out I will
    kick
    > > myself for not spotting it earlier.
    > >
    > > "G. Shearer" wrote:
    > > > What is your baud rate? Stamps need 9600. Also, what kind of
    handshaking are
    > > > you using? The problem could be there.
    > > >
    > > > Gary
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > > James E. Merritt N0SRB
    > > Electrical Engineer
    > > (H)515-733-4463
    > > (W)515-956-7077
    > > FAX: 515-956-2401
    > >
    > > ______________________________________________________
    > > Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    > > Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    > > cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-31 14:21
    close your hotsync for the palm pilot. That was my problem , it apparently holds
    the com port looking for the palm.


    >>> "James E. Merritt" <jamesem@x...> 07/30/00 10:05AM >>>
    Hi everyone,

    I am having problems with my PC also. I have been using the com port for other
    things, like my Palm Pilot and another microcontroller with no problems so I
    know the COM port works. When I try to run stampw.exe or the DOS stamp program
    I get the error message:

    BASIC Stamp II not responding
    1. Check serial cable connection.
    2. Check power supply.

    Which does not make sense because when I use the same cable on my laptop then I
    get communications with the StampII. I have checked the settings on both the
    laptop and PC and the COM ports are set up exactly the same. And there are no
    other programs using the COM port on my PC. I am really frustrated with this.

    Maybe someone else has had this problem.

    Thanks,


    > What version of windows are you running? Are you sure your com port works.
    > Do you get the same can not open message if you try to run Hyperterminal
    > from the accessories folder. Do you have the StampW program optioned for the
    > correct com port or auto detect. I had similar problems and it was that the
    > com port was not working. My stamp and its' board was just fine.
    >
    > Good luck,
    > Gary
    >
    > G. Shearer


    James E. Merritt N0SRB
    Electrical Engineer
    (H)515-733-4463
    (W)515-956-7077
    FAX: 515-956-2401

    ______________________________________________________
    Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
    Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
    cards for any occasion at http://greetings.xoom.com
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-03 07:50
    Hi..
    I have a simple question how can i make a ouput on a bs-2 pin go
    high for about 3 minutes....

    wendell
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-03 08:25
    good question. will three lines of pause 60000 work??
    Original Message
    From: <ARTICALEX@a...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 11:50 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi..
    > I have a simple question how can i make a ouput on a bs-2 pin go
    > high for about 3 minutes....
    >
    > wendell
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-03 09:15
    Hi Wendell;

    I'm kind of new to this myself but you could use

    high (pin) the pin you want high
    pause 3000 3 minute pause
    low (pin)

    however if you want the stamp to be doing other
    things while the pin is low, this wont work so you'll
    have to come up with maybe a 555 timer.

    Let me know how ya make out.

    KC7ZMZ
    Frank



    Original Message
    From: <ARTICALEX@a...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 11:50 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi..
    > I have a simple question how can i make a ouput on a bs-2 pin go
    > high for about 3 minutes....
    >
    > wendell
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-03 10:11
    Hello again;

    My last message was incorrect the pause statement is only good
    for 65535 ms. I think the 555 timer would be the way to go,
    that way your hardware can be busy during the 3 minutes.

    Frank
    Original Message
    From: "fw1946" <fw1946@m...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 1:15 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi Wendell;
    >
    > I'm kind of new to this myself but you could use
    >
    > high (pin) the pin you want high
    > pause 3000 3 minute pause
    > low (pin)
    >
    > however if you want the stamp to be doing other
    > things while the pin is low, this wont work so you'll
    > have to come up with maybe a 555 timer.
    >
    > Let me know how ya make out.
    >
    > KC7ZMZ
    > Frank
    >
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: <ARTICALEX@a...>
    > To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    > Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 11:50 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed
    >
    >
    > > Hi..
    > > I have a simple question how can i make a ouput on a bs-2 pin
    go
    > > high for about 3 minutes....
    > >
    > > wendell
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-03 22:34
    Hi Wendell,

    Here is a simple way to do it :

    high 1
    for M=1 to 3 ' 3 times...
    pause 60000 ' ... 60 seconds
    next
    low 1

    But maybe you want to hold that pin high while the rest of the program is
    running... then it's a little bit more complicated.
    I would use an external timer connected to an input of the BS2, so you can
    control the state of the timer in your program, and switch the output
    according the timer's state. You'll also need to trigger the timer with
    another BS2 output.

    Another way to do that is the Pocket Watch B from Solution Cubed. This
    module is a real-time clock, with programable alarms. You can read the time,
    and set an alarm 3 minutes later to switch your BS2 output. You can also
    program a 3 minutes one shot alarm.
    I used this module in a central heating system control, it's very useful for
    time-related applications.

    I'm a new stamp user too, but I hope this can help you.

    Best regards,

    Philippe Derenne
    mailto:derennep@s...

    Original Message
    From: <ARTICALEX@a...>
    To: <basicstamps@egroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 8:50 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stamp2 Novice Help Needed


    > Hi..
    > I have a simple question how can i make a ouput on a bs-2 pin go
    > high for about 3 minutes....
    >
    > wendell
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-08-04 08:50
    thank u philippe, I think i'll use the pocket watch for my application it
    seems to be the best solution. thank u again.

    Wendell
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