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Can't connect PBASIC to Scribbler USB — Parallax Forums

Can't connect PBASIC to Scribbler USB

JoeAJoeA Posts: 33
edited 2007-06-22 01:43 in Robotics
I just got a Scribbler USB and am trying to run PBasic.
It's saying it can't find a STAMP on the COM port.
My computer doesn't have a com port; I'm connected USB.
There don't seem to be any instructions for setting up to talk USB.

Comments

  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-06-20 21:43
    Actually, you do have a COM port. COM is just a way of saying communication port. A USB is a type of COM port. Assuming you've loaded you software (Basic Stamp Editor - Version 2.2.6 or the GUI Bot - Version 1.3 are the latest versions - I believe) on your computer. Open the Stamp Editor with your Scribbler connected to the computer (USB cable to Adaptor to Scribbler sitting on something in case the whells start to move - turn on the Scribbler). Now in the stamp editor under the Run tab select Identify. An Identification window should pop up and show your BASIC Stamp 2 and the COM port. If so, you are connected.

    If not, write back with more info. Some of the folks here will get you going.

    Good Luck. Have fun!

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-06-20 21:46
    Joe,

    Did you install the drivers from the following web page? If so, did you follow the troubleshooting link at the bottom of the page? Have you restarted the computer since the drivers were installed? As a note once the driver is installed it will assign a COM Port to the USB interface.

    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/software/ftdi_drivers.asp

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • JoeAJoeA Posts: 33
    edited 2007-06-21 00:34
    Thanks, that·did the trick. ·I had let the USB "auto-install" instead of using the FTDI drivers.

    But considering Scribbler is supposed to be a "ready to play" product, it would·hope in the future Parallax would include the USB setup instructions in the box or at least in the PBasic Programming Guide.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-06-21 00:54
    JoeA,

    Glad you got it!

    Thanks Chris - forgot that some folks had the USB driver issue...

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-06-21 00:55
    Chris Savage (Parallax) said...
    ·As a note once the driver is installed it will assign a COM Port to the USB interface.

    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/software/ftdi_drivers.asp

    Chris,

    Is it technically not correct then that the USB is a COM port?

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-06-21 01:49
    Joe,

    I can check, but I’m pretty sure there is an insert that covers the driver installation. I’m glad you got it working.

    Whit,

    The USB is literally a Universal Serial Bus, however it is not directly compatible with a UART/COM Port without a special chipset…This chipset of course requires a driver so the PC knows how to ‘register’ the new hardware. You can even get a USB Printer Port, which is Parallel. Take care everyone.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-06-21 02:43
    Chris,

    Thanks for clearing that up. I hope I didn't provide more misinformation than good information.

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-06-21 04:29
    Whit,

    These forums are for support…Anyone who’s willing to share is more than welcome to offer up suggestions. Sometimes forum members offer things we don’t think of...which reminds me…I like your quote. Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • JoeAJoeA Posts: 33
    edited 2007-06-21 22:35
    Chris/Whit:

    For what it's worth, after I installed the FTDI USB, I can see it as follows on my laptop running MS XP:

    Control Panel> System> Hardware> DeviceManager> Ports (COM & LPT)

    two ports are listed:

    PrinterPort (LPT1)
    USB Serial Port (COM4)

    The COM4 is the FTDI, "Location: on USB Serial Converter"

    BTW, it seems to be·working fine.
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-06-22 01:43
    JoeA said...

    BTW, it seems to be·working fine.

    Great!

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
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