New - Version 3.2.3 of the SX-Key IDE is available for download

PJMonty

Parallax has a new version of the SX-Key IDE available for download. This release is just to fix a few issues that have cropped up. It is version 3.2.3 and it can be found here:

www.parallax.com/sx/downloads.asp

Some folks might think they already have this since they downloaded 3.2r3. However, the "r3" in that case dealt with the installer itself, not the IDE. If you do a "Help->About" and it doesn't say the IDE is version 3.2.3, then you haven't installed this new upgrade yet.

This version is a minor point release that addresses a few issues. Here are the changes from the README.txt file:

Updates SX/B compiler to v1.51.03.

Fixed bug that made calibration fail during chip programming.

Fixed printing bug that caused "List index out of bounds (0)" error.

Added checkbox to configuration dialog to allow users to enable or
disable "smooth scrolling" in editor.

Thanks,
PeterM

Post Edited (PJMonty) : 10/9/2006 7:32:42 PM GMT

pjv

Hi Peter;

Thanks for that.

And in your post above where you reference the "Help->About" number, I believe you meant to write "version 3.2.3" instead of "version 3.2.2"

Cheers,

Peter (pjv)

PJMonty

Peter,

Doh! I'm trying to make things clear, and I confuse the issue even more. I have edited my previous post to be correct.

Thanks, PeterM

Mike Cook

Peter,

Just noticed this:

I'll start the SX-Key v3.2.3 using Start>Programs>Parallax Inc>SX-Key v3.2.3>SX-Key v3.2.3

IDE loads fine and compiles & Programs SX/B programs using the SX-KEY rev. F on COM 4. However If I go to:

Run>Configure

The Configuration box only shows the following Communications Ports:



Then when I then go to Run>Program, then I get this:



As long as I don't open the Run>Configure box then I have no problems programming on COM 4 even though it's not displayed.

My configuration is a Dell GX-280 running XP Pro SP2 with all updates. I have 8 com ports installed in this pc, COM 1 is the only 'Real' RS-232 port others are an EdgePort·4 port USB to serial box, which works with all my Parallax serial items, and various FDTI biased USB to Serial adapters. The SX-Key is installed on Com 4 of·the EdgePort 4·device. (Parallax USB Scope, Com 2 is not connected at this time)

<EDIT> The EdgePort is assigned COM 3 to Com 6, Com 7 &·8 are the FDTI USB to Serial Adapters.·</EDIT>

This is not a big deal, but wanted to know if it could be my configuration or something·with the IDE, not detecting the EdgePort's serial ports, even though I can program Com 4.

I believe that when I originally installed the SX-Key software a year or two ago it was 3.1 and the SX-Key was installed on Com 4.

<EDIT #2> Below is a screen shot of·Run>Configure·in SX-Key v3.10 </EDIT #2>



Thanks,

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Mike

Post Edited (Mike Cook) : 10/10/2006 3:15:00 AM GMT

PJMonty

Mike,

Good question, but I don't have a quick answer. The 3.10 version of the IDE simply let you choose from COM1 to COM8. If the port didn't exist and you tried to use, it wouldn't complain until you actually starting talking to the SX-Key.

Basically, it seems that the IDE is not seeing the EdgePort serial ports. As the IDE enumerates the ports using a built in Windows API, it's possible that the EdgePort it not registering itself properly with Windows. The 3.2.x version of the IDE uses a rather thorough approach to finding all available COM ports. The code for this came from Parallax and is used in their products as well.

I have posted a small piece of software that enumerates the ports on a computer. There is a checkbox labeled "Force Use of Registry". If this is not checked (the default when you run it), then the software will search for COM ports the same way the IDE does. If this is checked, then it will use an alternate approach. Try downloading and running this software and let me know what it finds. I had to put this is a ZIP file so the forum software would accept it.

Thanks, PeterM

Mike Cook

Peter,

Below are screen grabs running the COM Port Enumerator.

Kind of explains why I have to use the FTDI USB to serial adapter with the Propeller Tool (Com 8) and why I can use the EdgePort with SX-Key v3.1, Stamp Editor, and Javelin IDE. Sure would be nice to have some way of using the Edge Port with the newer IDE tools. I'm guessing that the SX-Key v3.2.3 is working on com 4 is due to some registry settings that v3.1 did.

I'll go digging for updated drivers, but I think I already have them.

Thanks,


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Mike

Post Edited (Mike Cook) : 10/10/2006 8:08:05 AM GMT

T&amp;E Engineer

FYI

The new SX/B help for 1.51.03 says:

version 1.50.01 -- 05 JUL 2006

Bean

The HELP file has not been updated, the changes were mostly bug fixes which wouldn't affect the help file anyway.
The only addition I can think of is the "LOOP NEVER" option. This helps when creating a "IF..OR" type structure.

We are working on some MAJOR changes to the compiler, so I would assume the help file will be updated for those changes.

Bean.

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Cheap used 4-digit LED display with driver IC·www.hc4led.com

Low power SD Data Logger www.sddatalogger.com
SX-Video Display Modules www.sxvm.com

Don't mistake experience for intelligence. And vis-vera.
·

PJMonty

Mike,

First, I really appreciate the detailed information in both posts, along with screenshots. You too understand the power of "ALT-Printscreen". So, you're just a guy who really likes serial ports, huh?

The one thing that is confusing is where is COM12 coming from? So, it seems as though the EdgePort is handling it's registration with Windows in some way that is incompatible with the

SetupDiClassGuidsFromName()

Windows API call.

I guess I'll have to add an option in the next release to allow people to use the alternate form of COM port enumeration, since I doubt you'll be the only person who runs into this. My concern in general is that there are a lot of serial SX-Keys out there, and more and more machines being built without "real" serial ports.

For the time being, if you need to change anything in the configuration dialog, you'll have to go to the registry to restore the value back to COM4. I know that's kind of a pain, but most people get the IDE setup and don't need to go to the configuration dialog on a regular basis.

Thanks, PeterM

steve_b

Thanks

It would still be nice if Parallax dated their files on their download pages!

[noparse];)[/noparse]

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·

Steve

"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."

Mike Cook

Peter,

Com 12 is a·GSM/GPRS/EDGE (USB) modem that·is installed under Device Manager>Modems (forced to be a standard 33600 modem - ProComm will only use 1 to 9; have to install it that way so ProComm can communicate with it via TAPI), not connected when I took the screen shot.

Yes I do like my serial ports. I hate swapping cables, and it's not unusual to have 3+ serial cables connected to my Parallax Professional Development board. I'm a 'hardware guy' that likes to dabble in programming micros so I still rely on a serial port for debugging.

No real pain to modify the registry as long as that's an option, wish the Propeller Tool had that 'Registry Key'. Actually found this by accident, was going to the 'Device' window to 'count up' how may bytes my code had consumed.

I do agree that there are probably a lot of people out there still programming with their serial 'Keys', some people will need the ability to use a 'off the shelf' USB adapter when a FTDI biased one is not available. One thing about the EdgePort/4, it's been well behaved, for a USB to serial adapter, and can be found on ebay for around $25.

Thanks for looking in to this,

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Mike

Post Edited (Mike Cook) : 10/10/2006 11:15:35 PM GMT