Can't download to 08M [Archive]

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avner

29-01-2006, 09:24

I've Just got the 08Ms I ordered.
wired all as the PDF says, connected to COM port, but the program always says "hardware not found"
I tried to download a simple circuit, or erase memory, but it says the same

the COM port is OK, it works with other devices when I checked.

PS: the +V leg shouldnt be connected for download, right ?

What can I do ?

avner

29-01-2006, 09:34

I have also tried on a few computers

Stan. SWAN

29-01-2006, 09:43

Hi Avner in Israel! Your last statement a bit hazy - what do you mean ? As Forum readers know only too well I'm a fan of solderless breadboards for initial Picaxe insights , since they seem to ALWAYS WORK ! Check my suggested layout => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/bread08.jpg <A href='http://www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/bread08.jpg ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>

There are all sorts of "DUH" things you may have overlooked, so perhaps outline your setup more fully. PC OS ? Full serial D9 or USB adaptor? Breadboard? Soldered PCB ? Correct serial port & 08M option selected at Editor etc Stan. in NZ

avner

29-01-2006, 10:03

THanks for quick reply

actually i've also tried with the 18A, but same results....
All PCs are running Win XP SP2, the solders are on an experiment PCB, checked 100 times to be correct.
I've tried to download both when +V is connected and when it is not....

nothing works... :(

is there a way to check that the signals arrive to the DB9 with a multimeter ?

Gussy

29-01-2006, 10:16

i had a fair bit of trouble when i first started too,

the best way i have found, and it works every time now without fail, is:

Disconnect the power
Click the "run" button
When the download box thing appears, connect the power

It does work someimes without me having to disconnect the power, but i have ust gont into the habit of disconnecting it.

Hope you get it working ;)

Stan. SWAN

29-01-2006, 10:22

It's late (bedtime!) here in NZ, & I'm confused about your setup & "+V" technique, so suggest you detail your EXACT setup & layout - upload a digital pix maybe? Power supply batteries OK ? The solderless protoboard layout I mentioned ALWAYS WORKS -& I've been involved with zillions !

I recall there have been some XP serial issues, but these have never hit me.Other woes are often technique & power supply => <A href='http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/forum/Topic.asp?topic_id=2851&forum_id=17&Topic_Title=ca nnot%2Bprogram%2B08M%2Bchips&forum_title=No+new+po sts+please%21+11' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>. Hence suggest also a forum search & maybe even grab an old W98 PC for trials to eliminate serial woes.

EXTRA: Re data arrival - again check my layout at => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/bread08.jpg <A href='http:// www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/bread08.jpg ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> which shows a red LED at "Pin" 0. If things going OK this will flicker as the data is being transferred.

Edited by - Stan. Swan on 1/29/2006 9:33:36 AM

avner

29-01-2006, 10:35

gussy,
i've tried your technique - no success.....

stan, Vsource is +5V from the computer PSU...
will upload schem. soon

avner

29-01-2006, 10:50

here:

http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1copy8gl.jpg

Edited by - avner on 1/29/2006 9:51:07 AM

Stan. SWAN

29-01-2006, 10:51

Forget your PC PSU initially- USE 3 x AA ( 4.5V) BATTERIES as shown at (yet again) => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/bread08.jpg This layout is (yeah- yet again) one tried & tested as being perfect for barebones " does the ******* thing work" setups. In my opinion initial layouts should be done this way & ONLY go for soldered versions when you've established that the design is viable ...

Thanks for schematic, although yours doesn't have a supply ground (!), but it's the physical layout that's crucial. Excuse me if I say this, but I've lost count of even old hands misreading R colours etc. " Whoops- that's just 10 Ohms not 10k etc".

Check our standard 08M schematic =>http://www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/breadsc.gif<A href='http://www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/breadsc.gif ' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>, which closely matches (YES- yet again!) the esteemed breadboard layout first mentioned quite some lines back now.

After midnight - your problem will probably be solved by (NZ) sun up- us colonials are not (yet!) the font of all Picaxe knowledge ...

Edited by - Stan. Swan on 1/29/2006 10:04:39 AM

Technical

29-01-2006, 11:07

Your first post says V+ disconnected for download - this is wrong it must be connected.
Also make sure your software is up to date - get the latest version from the software page of this website.

avner

29-01-2006, 11:12

yes, later i said i've also tried with +V connected.
i have tha latest version.

ylp88

29-01-2006, 13:17

Definietly try with normal batteries first!

If you insist on using a computer PSU, make sure that you have an adequate load on the output for the supply to operate (many computer PSUs must have a certain load on them before they will work properly). I find that the "Power Good" pin has to be tied low for an ATX supply. Check the voltage between the +V and 0V pins of the PICAXE. It should be a steady 5V.

It is also probably a good idea to include some filter capacitors to your power supply: 0.1uF capacitor near the chip itself to filter out and high frequency ripple from the switching power supply at the very least.

<b><i>ylp88 </b> </i>

Edited by - ylp88 on 1/29/2006 12:26:47 PM

Rickharris

29-01-2006, 13:54

Your diagram should show the 0 v line connected to 0 volts of your power supply as well as the +5v line connected to the positive side of the Power supply.

Otherwise you set up should work.

I would strongly suggest using batteries to power your picaxe until you are sure it all works - 3 AA cells won't break the bank!

Grogster

31-01-2006, 01:17

If I may repeat and rephrase another member here...

I find that the best solution to programming, is indeed, to start the program download to the PICAXE, then connect the power - this works every time for me. Powering up the device, then trying to download the program never works for me, and I have tried the prototype boards, and also professional PCB layouts, and the PICAXE does not want to listen to the programmer. Not that I am being critial here, the PICAXE is a wonderful device, I just find that cycling the power is the best way to get the progam in. I too use Win XP Pro, but I have the same issues on a 98SE box too. In both cases, the program aways downloads to the device, if I cycle the power to the device.

G.

Grogster

31-01-2006, 01:21

ADDITIONAL: I find that this is generally only a problem with PICAXE's that have ALREADY been programmed. The factory-fresh ones seem to program just fine, if they are powered up first...

Perhaps it is something to do with the way that the PICAXE code in the chip goes about checking for programmer commands, when alreadying running a downloaded program?

G.

avner

31-01-2006, 13:29

well thanks to all !

actually I've found an old P1 200Mhz, installed win XP, and it runs great, and I could get it to download successfully !!!
I've tried all the thechnique i've planned - chip communicatiob for example, IR, DS18B20 etc....

Thanks to all ! i'll continue to update with my project... !

Rickharris

31-01-2006, 18:30

When the Picaxe is restarted the firmware first looks to see if there is a download waiting.

If the chip is busy with internal affaire it may be some time (relativly) before it checks for a new down load.

Best to cycle them - i do it without thinking.