How to debug a possibly dead sx key rev f
TransistorToaster
Posts: 149
Hi,
I've been using the SX key rev F for over a year and yesterday, it just suddenly stopped working. I ran a program, it worked, then I tried to run another one and the IDE just said that the SX was not found on COM2. I checked pins 2 and 3 on the SX key and there is some activity on both lines before the IDE gives the error messages. I was wondering if anybody else had this problem and what they did. Or is there a way to just get the SX key all by itself, for real cheap? Ideas, please?
Frank
I've been using the SX key rev F for over a year and yesterday, it just suddenly stopped working. I ran a program, it worked, then I tried to run another one and the IDE just said that the SX was not found on COM2. I checked pins 2 and 3 on the SX key and there is some activity on both lines before the IDE gives the error messages. I was wondering if anybody else had this problem and what they did. Or is there a way to just get the SX key all by itself, for real cheap? Ideas, please?
Frank
Comments
please try the following:
Connect the SX-Key to the PC's COM port, as usual
Connect the SX-Key to your prototype, and power it up
On the PC launch a terminal program, like HyperTerminal
Configure the terminal program to connect to the COM port with the SX-Key at 57600-8-N-1, no handshake, and turn off echoing outgoing characters in case the terminal program has that feature
With the SX-Key powered, type in the following string (upper/lower case matters) without the quotes: "SX-Key"
While you type in each character, it should be echoed back from the SX-Key
As soon as you have typed in the last character (y), the SX-Key should answer with "SX-Key???", where the "???" stands for three arbitrary characters
If this works, you at least know that the SX20 on the SX-Key is alive, and that the communication with the PC is working.
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Greetings from Germany,
G
Generally you might find that you can save a few $$$.
On the other hand, if you want a spare. Just buy another SX-KEY while waiting for the repair/exchange.
I think you can buy one alone.
IF you look carefully, I think you will see that Parallax sells replacement parts for just about everything it is currently stocking.
For instance, I am pretty sure I can buy a leg or two for my Toddler if I were to break one.
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"If you want more fiber, eat the package.· Not enough?· Eat the manual."········
I tried this solution to test my first SX-Key connection with my Com1 Port. Although my SX-Key v.3.0 is giving me "SX Key not found on Com1" I do get Com1 connected on the Hyperterminal test on this thread. I am thinking that I have my SX Key connected to the wrong Com Port but I am mentioning my experience because I think I am getting a false positive for this test.
JBuma
When you typed in the SX-Key phrase, did you get a return?
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John R.
8 + 8 = 10
I've damaged some SX-Keys myself and it's often a mysterious occurence. We shouldn't be charging you for a replacement; you've got bigger things to think about. If you wouldn't mind, send me your complete name and shipping info by e-mail to kgracey@parallax.com. If we've already shipped it then I'll get you a credit for the purchase; if not then I'll ship one out for free.
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
When connected to a serial port, the SX-Key always echoes back whatever character it receives. This is because on the SX-Key, the TxD and RxD lines are connected together via a resistor, so this only tells you that the serial cable, the connectors, and the COM port are ok. When you don't receive the "SK-Key" answer string after you have entered it, you (I'd better say the SX-Key) are in bad shape.
Thanks to Ken you'll have a new SX-Key soon. Here are some rules I follow when handling it:
Always turn off power before plugging or un-plugging the SX-Key to/from the device under test
Double-check that the SX-Key is correctly sitting on the four header pins before applying power. Normally, it will not get damaged when you plug it on in reverse but you most likely will fry it when you plug it in with an offset, e.g. only three header pins connected to the SX-Key, and one pin left open.
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Greetings from Germany,
G
Frank
If I open a Hyperterminal connection with Com2, I type and no text is output on screen.
If I open Com1, I type, "SX-Key", I get SX-Key but only once.
I am not getting any extra characters. What does that mean?
Thanks,
JBumatai
In order to check if the SX20 on the SX-Key is handling communications correctly, you must make sure that the SX-Key has power, and you must select 57600-8-N-1 in HyperTerminal. Then EXACTLY (i.e. in right upper/lower case sequence) type in "SX-Key" (without the quotes). While you type in that text, you will see each character as it is echoed back from the SX-Key. But after you have typed in the final "y", and after this has been echoed back, the SX-Key should send another "SX-Keyxxx" answer which is not simply an echo, but an answer generated by the SX20 on the SX-Key. This will only work, when you exactly type in the "SX-Key" (right case, no backspaces, or other editing in between), when the SX-Key is powered, and the SX20 on the SX-Key is alive.
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Greetings from Germany,
G