DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx EtherDongle => Topic started by: dandyman on March 29, 2012,
-
FIXED - WORKING NOW !!
Well, I've spent a few hours troubleshooting, doing solder touch-up on the board itself and on the SMT chips with no luck in getting the Etd programmed.
I'm on Win XP, sp3, i7 processor w/4gigs of ram, pickit 3 (that I used last year to program 32 SSC's and a couple of Active Hubs - no problems there).
I downloaded and installed the pickit 3 software again (just in case... and tried to program the PIC on two different computers... same result) and it gave me the 'update' message for the PIC.
I spent some time inspecting the SMT chips for solder bridges and cold solder joints w/ a 10X eye loupe. I found what looked like a few cold solder joints, so I used some liquid rosin flux and a dry soldering iron to touch all of them up... tried programming again w/the same result.
Pickit 3 seems to be operating fine... I did notice that when I tell it to 'write', the 3.3V power checkmark on the 'Target Power' box appears for a couple of seconds, then unchecks itself and gives the 'operation failed' error.
I've attached some pics... but I'm at a loss as to what to try next... anyone have any suggestions?
(also, can someone check the attached pk3.jpg pic against what their 'about' says for their pickit 3... device file version of 00.00.00 seems suspect to me...)
thanks !
Dan
-
can you read any other pics? like an express? or even the ssc?
-
Did you plug in the power supply? I had this until I did that. I didn't have to on my usb lynx dongle or smartstring stuff so I didn't think to do it on this but it worked after I did. Also I didn't see any kind of a checksum.
-
Haven't tried to read any of the already programmed PICs... but I will... good idea to see if the pickit 3 is working...
I didn't plug in the power supply... didn't think you needed it just to program the PIC... but I'll try that, too !!
thanks !
-
Looking at your screen shot, it says the source file is Etherdongle+1_32.hex
Looking in the Wiki you should be flashing either:
Etherdongle2.hex (if it's for Pixelnet only)
Etherdongle_DMX.hex (if it's for DMX only)
Are you trying to flash incorrect firmware?
-
Etherdongle+1_32.hex is a test firmware Rj is having some people try. I would not reccomend it when you're trying to get it working in the first place.
-
Yeah.. I tried all of the EtD hex files... same w/all of them...
I used the pickit 3 to read in the hex file from one of the SSC's... worked fine...
I also tried programming with the EtD power supply connected... same result - 'operation failed'...
thanks anyway for the suggestions...
-
try following this...
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=7392.0
-
Thanks, Chris...
Already tried all of what was mentiond in that thread...
-
Have you upgraded the firmware for the PICKit3 itself?
Steve
-
I re-installed the software... how do I check on the firmware version?
-
Step one, close out of the pickit 3 programmer software, open MPLAB, and choose your programmer in the programmer menu
Step two, if an update is available, it should ask you to update, click yes
Step three, once done, click ok, let it refind your programmer.
Step four, exit MPLAB, and continue using the Pickit3 tool to program your pics.
-
note: in the last picture, i got an error simply b/c i didn't have anything connected to the pickit 3.
-
Some other things you can check out in this thread: http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=7735.0 Make sure you check the Xtals and double check the connections on the PIC, I had problem with mine and it was the Ethernet SMD chip which took me a couple times of touch up to get it working.
-
I checked the firmware and it was already the latest...
Jeff... I don't understand why the crystal would cause trouble programming the PIC... is it needed just to program the chip? (I know its needed to run the EtD... )
thanks for the suggestions... no luck yet... still getting an 'operation failed' error from the pickit 3...
-
I had the same problem when I tried programming my EtherDongle. The first time I connected my pickit3 to the EtherDongle and then ran the programmer it did a firmware update, and continuously gave the "operation failed" message. I then tried programming my express again to see if the pickit3 still worked on that. It did another firmware update and gave the same "operation failed" message. Then, for some reason I pressed the button on the pickit3. It then worked on the express. I connected the EtherDongle again, it did another firmware update and still gave the "operation failed". I then pressed the button again, and it worked.
-
The pushing the button trick seems to have worked for me. Thank you!
-
What happens when you press the button on the pickit 3? On mine, when I press the button, the red LED just flashes slowly and nothing else... still get the 'operation failed' message and have to unplug the pickit to get it to reset...
thanks for alll the suggestions...
Dan
-
Hi Dan,
Are you using the standalone programmer or the MPLab? to install the PICkit3 software. There was an updated software from the Microchip website that had to be installed before it would load the hex file into the Etherdongle.
-
Just the stand-alone... WIKI says not to use the MLAB...
-
Are you using the auto import feature?
-
Yes, I tried that also... can't think of anything else to try... possibly send the EtD to someone who has successfully programmed theirs to see if they can do something... disappointing, to say the least...
-
Maybe a silly question, but you are using a PICkit3 or are you using a clone version. As I am not sure if this would make a differance.
-
When you tried that auto import, did you have the hex file on your computer or was it direct from the Wiki?
-
Just the stand-alone... WIKI says not to use the MLAB...
You have to use the MPLAB to load the firmware into the pickit3 and update the software to look for the PIC32...... that the ED uses. After you get all that straightened out then you can use the standalone.
-
The pickit is the real one (not the clone)...
The hex file was on my computer...
I went thru the MPLAB firmware load for the pic32, but I can try that again... can't hurt :-)
thanks, all !!
Dan
-
Well... I'm ready to toss this EtD...
Re-did the firmware in the pickit (attached)... made no difference... still get the 'operation failed' error...
-
Are you using a laptop? I had an issue like this and found out for some reason when I was using the PICkit3 it was sending the data to my USB mouse. Once I unplugged all USB devices except for the item to be programmed it worked. Maybe this is the same for you as it looks like it can not communicate with the chip either because it is not powered up or is sending the data to the wrong USB port.
Steve
-
Well... I'm ready to toss this EtD...
Re-did the firmware in the pickit (attached)... made no difference... still get the 'operation failed' error...
Before you do that.
PM RJ to see about setting up a teamspeak chat
Rick R.
-
I looked up the error code that it's reporting (e.g. PK3Err0045 )
Here's some degugging info here:
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/microcontrollers/121280-pickit-3-error-message-pk3err0045.html
-
Ok, just my input might not be but, looking at you pics the 6 pin ICSP header solder joints do not look to good can you retuch them every other one then wait a few seconds then touch up the others.
Did you download the latest software from MPLABS. When I first tried to install the software from the CD that I got with my order from jsys it would not install correctly, I have to download the latest version and then it installed correctly.
-
Your PICKIT3 is not seeing the PIC for some reason. I would suggest a Stingray said to touch up your ICSP header pins and hold your PC board up to a bright light and make sure there is no solder bridges on the PIC chip. Also i make sure when using the PICKIT 3 software the it is set to power the PIC from the PICKIT 3. If after the above you still can't get it to program you may have to get some flux and retouch the PIC leads as may not have a good connection on some. RJ or others here can give you the best method of doing that. Above all don't give up, I know it can be frustrating (I had a hard time getting my ED to work.) but hang in there as there are plenty of people here willing to help you.
-
Power your ETD when programming it.
RJ
-
Thanks, Guys...
The error code was because I didn't have the EtD attached to the pickit when I was checking the firmware.
I have the latest software version from MPLABS (v8.84).
I have already touched-up the leads on both pics (did an inspection with a 10X eye loupe 'cuz a couple of the pins looked like they had cold solder joints - they are all nice and shiney now).
I even ran one strand of copper wire down thru all sides of both pics between the plastic case and the pins to make sure there was no solder bridge behind the pins that I couldn't see... all paths were clear.
I did continuity checks with one of my DVM's on the ICSP header (see attached picture... the board is the picture from the WIKI... not mine)... all points were fine.
The software is set to power the pic from the pickit. (tried auto and manual).
I have tried programming with and without powering the board with the wall wart... same error.
I had an offer thru PM (from a person who has sucessfully programmed his EtD) to send him my board to try to program the board... I may end up doing that just because I don't know what else to try...
Thanks, again, to all who have tried to help !
-
Have you tried unplugging all other USB devices except for the PICkit3?
-
Yes, tried it with the pickit being the only USB device that was plugged-in (on two different computers... laptop and desktop)... also tried plugging into different USB ports...
thanks !
-
Dandyman.
As mentioned before, I am also new at this so I am just grabbing at straws, I have circled some areas on your board as I am not sure if the solder has to come through to make proper contact with the part. I am sure an experienced member will let us know if this is not the case.
Steve
-
i just tried connecting my eD to my Pickit3 about 5 minutes ago. I didn't label either one. (i have one from each coop) so i decided to connect and see if i could read the firmware to find out which one is the right one.
after choosing the correct chip in the drop down, i clicked read. i got a message saying i needed to update the pickit 3's firmware.
did that, then got "operation failed" when i went to read the pic.
thinking that might be the new one, i connected the other one to be safe. it read it fine.
i went back to the original one, and it read that one fine again.
i did get it, but i don't know how to recreate the error.
-
Dandyman.
As mentioned before, I am also new at this so I am just grabbing at straws, I have circled some areas on your board as I am not sure if the solder has to come through to make proper contact with the part. I am sure an experienced member will let us know if this is not the case.
Steve
That might be true if you are etching a board yourself, but these through holes on these PCBs that are factory made usually have an eyelet that goes all the way through to the other side. Even if you don't get solder to come out on the other side and you have a good joint on the lead side you usually are ok, although it's a good practice to try to get solder flow through the whole solder point.
Try pushing the reset button on the Pickit3 when ever thing is hooked up and you have the hex file imported before you try programing it.
-
the pickit 3 doesn't have a reset button. the button is for "Programmer to go"
-
Thanks, sjb... I appreciate your looking and suggesting !
Penfold hit the nail on the head about the thru hole continuity... not an issue w/these boards...
Dan
-
I've been looking at the picture that has the PIC32. Although it may not be anything but when zooming in on the PIC32 I can see a clear distinct separation between all of the ends of the contacts with the exception of two pins. The pins are located on the left side of the PIC when looking at the PCB. It is next to the 8 MHz oscillator. Counting from the bottom of the PCB up to the top it's pins 14 and 15. As I zoom in the picture gets more pixelated but all the other contacts have a clear dark separation. Those two pins remain grey, like a solder bridge.
Again it may not be anything but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Denny
-
Ok...here is a new one....
After reading through all the links and threads....
I was getting a memory error when trying to load the DMX hex file ( downloaded 3 times to be sure it's the latest and greatest)
I get a failed memory error- see pic
Funny thing is, when trying to load the Pixelnet hex, it works ! verifies and everything.....
I wish to use the DMX file at my work bench as my current project(s) are using DMX. I'll try to connect to the SShub on pixelnet when I get home to see if it does work....
Any Ideas?
-
Did you change the pickit power applied to 3.5 volts (mine defaults to 3.3 volts after selecting the pic in the drop-down)?
-
Ok...here is a new one....
After reading through all the links and threads....
I was getting a memory error when trying to load the DMX hex file ( downloaded 3 times to be sure it's the latest and greatest)
I get a failed memory error- see pic
Funny thing is, when trying to load the Pixelnet hex, it works ! verifies and everything.....
I wish to use the DMX file at my work bench as my current project(s) are using DMX. I'll try to connect to the SShub on pixelnet when I get home to see if it does work....
Any Ideas?
Well this simple means you do not have a hardware issue in the ICSP circuit and that the pickit is working. Not sure why one will load and the other will not try downloading the file again in case it is a file corrupted.
The code is about the exact same size so it it not like bad flash would change the outcome.
RJ
-
Having helpers and two different kits sometimes doesn't work... not only does it take twice as long to do something (but it's a good 'grandfather/child' bonding experience), sometimes things aren't always as they seem :) .
Somehow, instead of the 3.3v regulator, my helper handed me a 7805 (which evidently came from my MR 16 kit that I was working on also), which I promptly soldered into the EtD board w/o even looking (since I had already verified that the 7805 for the EtD was already soldered in the board correctly).
Long story short, I was playing with the MPLAB program (looking at the pickit3 settings AGAIN... when I got an error that there was an issue with VDD... that prompted me to take a look at the regulators and found that I had double 7805's... I de-soldered the 7805 that was wrong and soldered the 3.3v regulater where it was supposed to be and VOILA... programmed the first time <fp.
Moral, i guess, is to check EVERY part before soldering ;D
Thanks to everyone who took the time to suggest a remedy... hopefully, this will help someone else (especially if young helpers are involved)!
thanks, again....
Dan
-
dandyman
It is great to hear that you got it working. Boy a long drawn out process, but in the end it is great to hear that you found the issue.
Steve
-
It is almost always the simplest thing that get you. We always look for the big problem and it is normally the little one.
Glad you found it an got working.
RJ