Boe-Bot and MSRS

llsmketr

Hello, I am new to robotics and MSRS and am having problems. Specifically with MSRS and bluetooth control.
I have been following the directions on http://www.devx.com/dotnet/Article/33216/0/page/2, but every time I try
to start the program without debugging I get an error (

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Microsoft Visual Studio

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Error while trying to run project: Unable to start program 'C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.0)\bin\DssHost.exe'.



Input or output cannot be redirected because the specified file is invalid.

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).

I was using MSRS v1.5 and removed it and downloaded v1.0 in hopes that would fix the problem. No such luck. Any help would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Andy Lindsay (Parallax)

That DevX article is pointing to a PDF for the November CTP. The PDF that supports the 1.0·release is available for download here:

MSRS Boe-Bot Page
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=28118

Boe-Bot + MSRS Instructions
http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/prod/robo/MSRS-Bluetooth-Boe-Bot-v1.4.pdf

Driver + test code
http://www.parallax.com/dl/src/prod/MSRS-Bluetooth-Boe-Bot-Code-v1.2.zip

Tips:

To make sure things work properly, I typically uninstall MSRS 1.5, and start with a fresh install of MSRS 1.0. Then, I carefully follow the instructions in MSRS-Bluetooth-Boe-Bot-v1.4.pdf.

Use new alkaline AA batteries; do not use rechargeable batteries.

The Boe-Bot won't work right if the instructions·for centering the servos get skipped. Run the navigation TestSpeakerLedsServos.bs2 in the zip file and verify that The Boe-Bot's goes forward, rotates left, rotates right, and then goes backward.

Remember to run BoeBotControlForMSRS.bs2 before attempting to controll the Boe-Bot with MSRS.

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Andy Lindsay

Education Department
Parallax, Inc.

Post Edited (Andy Lindsay (Parallax)) : 6/10/2007 4:20:33 PM GMT

llsmketr

Thanks for the info, I will go ahead and see if it works!!

llsmketr

Okay, now I am really confused! I started over completely by deleting all MSRS software and reinstalling. Followed the directions, and still nothing. I downloaded the code to the BASICStamp just fine. The little light on the eb500 is on saying there is a connection, and when I push reset on the board everything works as it is supposed to. When I open the dashboard control everything comes up okay, but when I move the "eyeball" around nothing happens with the BOE-BOT. I changed the batteries, reset, and am out of ideas. Occasionally the bot will make a jerking movement on its own, but no direct control. I am really new to this stuff, but I did turn the switch to position 2 (ha ha) so I know that it should work. Thanks for the time and help.

Andy Lindsay (Parallax)

llsmketr,

Did the Boe-Bot beep twice (along with two blinks of the P14 and P15 LEDs) indicating that the connection was made? It should do that after the green light on the eb500 turns on. The green light on the eb500 only signifies that the Bluetooth connection was established. The two speaker beeps + LED blinks signifies that MSRS and the Boe-Bot robot's BASIC Stamp have established communication.

Now, you said you completely deleted the MSRS software and reinstalled. Does that mean you uninstalled both MSRS 1.5 CTP and MSRS 1.0 and then reinstalled MSRS 1.0? Another one of the symptoms you described can be explained by trying to use MSRS 1.5 CTP. Make sure you are using MSRS 1.0.

Assuming the Boe-Bot beeped and blinked twice to signify communication with MSRS. You then opened the HTML Control Panel (http://localhost:50000/controlpanel), found the Simple Dashboard service, and clicked the Create button. At that point, the Simple Dashboard window appears. Follow these steps:

• type localhost into the machine field
• type 50001 into the port field
• Click Connect
• Double click the /differentialtwowheeldrive service entry that appears below in the service list.
• Click the drive button.
• Then, start dragging the eyeball control’s crosshairs around, and it should control the Boe-Bot

Another test you can try assuming you got the two beeps + LED blinks is to go to http://localhost:50000/ and then click the Generic Differential Drive link in the Running Services panel on the left. The Generic Differential Drive page will have a Power field in the Drive Power section, and it should say 0.6. If you click the Go button next to it, the Boe-Bot should take off going forward. Click the All Stop button to stop the motors again. If it works, play with values between -1.0 and 1.0 for each wheel in the Custom Power section at the bottom. The linear speed response is really between -0.5 and 0.5.

If the Boe-Bot beeped + blinked twice, but none of this is working, it might be MSIE’s security settings preventing communication. Try the defaults.

Earlier in the instructions, there were two files where you entered the Bluetooth COM port:

BASICStamp2.cs
_state.Configuration.SerialPort = 40;

And, in Parallax.BoeBot.Config.xml
<SerialPort>40</SerialPort>

My Bluetooth COM port is 40. Yours is whatever it is, but make sure it’s the same entry in both files

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Andy Lindsay

Education Department
Parallax, Inc.

llsmketr

HEY ANDY!!!!!!! Success!!!!!!! I finally got it working!!!!! I figured out the problem. When I reinstalled MSRS and tried to open some of the files, Visual Studio was opening the v1.5 files that I had not completely deleted. I erased and reinstalled and double checked all files and it works!! Thank you so much for your help, knowledge and most pf all patience. I look forward to expanding my knowledge in this hobby so that I may pass on the help one day.

Andy Lindsay (Parallax)

Excellent!!! Thanks for posting that bit about the 1.5 files. In doing so, you have already put your foot in the mentor shoes for the next guy/gal.

Make sure to try out the part about "http://localhost:50000/ and then click the Generic Differential Drive link in the Running Services panel on the left..." in my previous post. That's not documented anywhere in our PDF, but it's pretty cool.

For best results, go through all of Robotics with the Boe-Bot activities first.· Then, try our MSRS PDF and·MSRS Robotics tutorials 1, 2, and 4.· After that, try the visual programming langauge tutorials on msdn.com/robotics.·

You can also try out the MVPL (Microsoft Visual Programming Langauge) versions of MSRS Robotics tutorials 1, 2, and 4.·

C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.0)\samples\RoboticsTutorials\Tutorial1\mvpl

The trick is to configure any Generic Differential Drive service to "Use a Manifest", and then choose Parallax.BoeBot.Manifest.xml.· The same applies to Generic Contact Sensor services, except for use Parallax.MotorIrBumper.manifest.xml.·

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Andy Lindsay

Education Department
Parallax, Inc.

Post Edited (Andy Lindsay (Parallax)) : 6/12/2007 5:20:44 PM GMT

frito1

I'm new to MSRS with the Boe Bot,· Is there any reason V1.5 does not work with the Boe Bot code? · I was reading·a few threads in the Microsoft MSRS forum that talked about how bad V1.0 was and that it did not work well with the·Boe Bot,· including Null assignments that caused issues with the BoeBot motor control.· I also read that all these items were corrected·in V1.5.·

Help, now everything is clear as mud for me after playing with MSRS V1.5 for a week or so.

Should I get rid of V1.5 and start over with V1.0?



Post Edited (frito1) : 8/6/2007 12:33:28 PM GMT

Bruce Bates

frito -

I know nothing about MSRS, but for those who do, if you mentioned some specific problems you were having, they might be better able to assist you.

Regards,

Bruce Bates

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Andy Lindsay (Parallax)

frito,

Version 1.5 has some bugs. I have heard that some suggestions for fixing them were posted to MSDN, but I have not heard of anybody who was able to make the system work with the fixes.

My best recommendation is to use MSRS 1.0 with the Boe-Bot.

Andy

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Andy Lindsay

Education Department
Parallax, Inc.

frito1

Andy,

Thanks for the advice,· I will try Ver 1.0.

frito

Jeff Riley

Andy,

I have unistalled MSRS 1.5 and reinstalled MSRS 1.0. I can get the BASICStamp2 solution to work just fine. I do still get the left servo jerk every two minutes or so, but other than that all is well. My problem is now with tutorial 4. I am still getting the error "Unable to start program 'C:\Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.0)\bin\DssHost.exe'". Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff