Hardware not found

[wiard]

Dear all,

When clicking 'Firmware' on the following panel:




I get:



Who can help me?
I have everything attached to the AXE091 board.

 

[hippy]

That means the PICAXE is not communicating with the PC. There is a fault finding guide here -

http://www.picaxe.com/FAQs/Fault-Finding

 

[wiard]

Why is the PICAXE not communicating with the PC?
I have the power on the AXE091 starter kit.

The plug is in the proper port on the kit.

 

[BESQUEUT]

Why is the PICAXE not communicating with the PC?
I have the power on the AXE091 starter kit.

The plug is in the proper port on the kit.

Is there a problem only when firmware checking ? Or also when dowloading a program ?
Did you install driver for AXE027 ?
Do you see a new COM port when inserting AXE027 ?
Always use the same USB port.
Can you confirm you have passed the serial port loopback test ?

 

[wiard]

There is only the firmware checking problem.
It recognizes the AXE027 cable.

 

[wiard]

It recognizes the AXE027 cable.

 

[hippy]

There is only the firmware checking problem.

Can you confirm that means downloading works okay.

It is unusual that downloading works but a firmware check does not. Do you have to perform a Hard Reset to get a program downloaded ?

Can you check downloading still does work, rather than did work, as it might be something related to the program last downloaded which is causing the issue.

 

[wiard]

I never downloaded something because it doesn't find the hardware.
i have tried hard reset, yes.

So downloading doesn't work.
Thanks for looking.

 

[BESQUEUT]

It recognizes the AXE027 cable.

Who is it ?
Windows ? PE6 ? Other ?
How did you check that COM port is OK ?
Are you using power supply or batteries ?
Which version of Windows are you using ?

I never downloaded something because it doesn't find the hardware.
i have tried hard reset, yes.

So downloading doesn't work.
Thanks for looking.

No need for hard reset if you never download anything...
The problem is elsewhere, but we will found it...

 

[wiard]

I am using a Macbook and a MacAxePad.
Starterkit with batteries. 4,5V

 

[wiard]

With a power supply it doesn't work either.

't works fine with Arduino and Raspberry.
I was interested in Picaxe.
It would be great if you can help me with this.

 

[BESQUEUT]

Can you check the serial port loopback test ?
(at the end of the fault-finding guide)

 

[BESQUEUT]

Technical : please help : I am incompetent for MacAxePad.

 

[stevesmythe]

Wiard - it would help if you could post a photo of your AXE091 board showing the Picaxe and the AXE027 cable plugged in.

 

[hippy]

't works fine with Arduino and Raspberry.

Can you clarify what you mean by that; what exactly works with Arduino and Raspberry; the computer, the AXE027, something else ?

 

[tmfkam]

Hello.
The first thing to check is that the MacBook is correctly seeing the AXE027. Initially unplug the AXE027, and where possible, any other USB devices.

Click: Apple Logo > About this Mac > Overview > System report > Hardware > USB

You should now see a report similar to this:



With the AXE027 plugged in it should be correctly identified as such, like this:



If it isn't located here, try a different USB port. I have a note on my AXE027 reminding me not to use the left hand socket on my USB hub as it doesn't work. It works for everything else, but not the AXE027. If you are using a USB hub, try it directly into the MacBook. If the ports are USB3, try a USB2 port. Check that you have downloaded and installed the Mac drivers for the AXE027.

If the AXE027 is correctly identified, yet still doesn't work, open MacAxePad, Click:

View > Options > Port > Find AXE027 Cable

If the AXE027 is correctly located but won't program or correctly identify the PicAxe when the Firmware check is carried out [MacAxePad > View > Options > Mode > Firmware] I'd be tempted to point the finger of suspicion at the wiring to the PicAxe in question. That could be the connections from the 3.5mm jack to the appropriate 'legs' of the PicAxe, the power supply wiring or inadequate power supply (weak/poor quality batteries).

As you can gather, I use my AXE027 on my iMac here at home and on my iMac at work.

 

[wiard]

Thank you for answering on this thread.

Everything you are advising, I've done already.
The power supply, the cable drivers.

My question now is: with an empty breadboard and the plug in the right socket, would MacAxePad recognize the starter kit?
Or need there to be the microcontroller and a circuit on the board?
I have a Axe091 starter kit.

 

[wiard]

I will try that.
Thank you!

 

[wiard]

I think this is a good idea.
Thanks!

 

[stevesmythe]

Thank you for answering on this thread.

Or need there to be the microcontroller and a circuit on the board?
I have a Axe091 starter kit.

Yes, there needs to be a Picaxe in one of the sockets on the board. Your screenshot suggests your computer thinks you have a Picaxe 18M2. Do you have a Picaxe 18M2 on the board?

 

[wiard]

Yes, there needs to be a Picaxe in one of the sockets on the board. Your screenshot suggests your computer thinks you have a Picaxe 18M2. Do you have a Picaxe 18M2 on the board?

Indeed, there is a microcontroller 18M2 on the board.

I found a tutorial on youtube which showed me how and where to pin it.
But how do I know I put it right and how does the board 'know' its there?

Do the LED and the resistor have to be there as well, so the microcontroller is recognized?

 

[wiard]

Maybe I should not have posted this remark. It was to explain how complex the situation around the PICAXE starter kit is for a beginner.
I ment the computer, not the AXE027.

 

[stevesmythe]

But how do I know I put it right and how does the board 'know' its there?

Can you take a photo and post it here?

 

[wiard]

The microcontroller is situated like this.
I tried this to make sure something was happening on the board and the microcontroller would be recognized.
I have tried to plug in the AXE027 at the middle socket as well, but it wasn't recognized either.

Hereby the picture:

 

[stevesmythe]

The Picaxe should be inserted into the socket marked Picaxe 18 (on the left hand side of your photo). Make sure the notch on the chip is at the top. And the AXE027 should be inserted in the socket next to the chip.

 

[BESQUEUT]

But how do I know I put it right and how does the board 'know' its there?

There is a very good picture in axe091.pdf

The AXE027 try to use TTL serial port. If an answer is received, a Picaxe is here...
The programming circuit must be OK ; it is provided by the AXE091 board.
The Axe027 must be connected in the center connector.
Remove any strap on the breadboard.

 

[wiard]

There is a very good picture in axe091.pdf
View attachment 20012
The AXE027 try to use TTL serial port. If an answer is received, a Picaxe is here...
The programming circuit must be OK ; it is provided by the AXE091 board.
The Axe027 must be connected in the center connector.
Remove any strap on the breadboard.

I see what you mean!

 

[BESQUEUT]

Can you take a photo and post it here?

That was the good question !
From AXE091.pdf:
The PICAXE development board is supplied fully assembled and tested and is supplied with a PICAXE-18M2 microcontroller.
So I did never think that the 18M2 could be elsewhere...

M. Wiard : are things OK now ?

 

[wiard]

It worked immediately.
I am very grateful.
It is so simple and I do understand the tutorial much better now!

Step by step!
Thank you very much!