DiyLightAnimation

Hardware => Lynx EtherDongle => Topic started by: jem5136 on September 10, 2015,

Title: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on September 10, 2015,
Hello everyone,

I am trying to set up my EtherDongle but I'm not having much luck. I'm not sure where I've went wrong. I've looked through quite a few forums already and haven't found much that has helped.

First of all, I try to program the pic (this is where my first problem is). I'm using a PicKit 2 and PicKit 2 v2.61. I plug the PicKit into the dongle and I check the connection. When I do so, I get an error stating "PICkit 2 VPP voltage level error. Check target & retry operation." I have tried plugging the dongle in with its own power supply and tried without having any power to the board at all, I get the same message here.

My second problem comes when I try to use the EtherDongle. The Dongle has been in storage for a few years, this is why I wanted to try updating the pics, however I still try to use the dongle without programing the pics. Here is what I've done:
1- Plug my computer into my modem(works as wifi router as well, I'm not sure if that makes a difference.)
2- Plug my dongle into the modem
3- Power the dongle
4- Plug my hub into the dongle, power the hub
5- Plug my Smart Strings into the hub
I get nothing out of this set up, I've tried getting something through LOR, Vixen 2.1, xLights, and through the Smart String Setup utility. What am I doing wrong? Why can I not get the PicKit to program the pics?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: Jeffl on September 10, 2015,
Pickit3 is required to program the pic.  The manual is located here.

http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Manual_EtherDongle
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on September 10, 2015,
I don't know how I missed that considering the number of times I looked through the wiki lol I'll get a PicKit 3 and try again. Also, do you think using my modem (from xFinity) will work or should I consider getting a network switch?
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: tbone321 on September 11, 2015,
I would use a network switch.  You don't want to flood your home network with multicast packets.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jnealand on September 11, 2015,
You should add your location info so that it shows on your posts.  There might be someone close by that can help you.

Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on September 11, 2015,
I will get it on there, I thought I had that info already in my profile. Anyway, I'm in Roanoke, IN, not far from ft Wayne, IN

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on September 26, 2015,
Alright, I got my PicKit 3 in today and I've been trying to figure out how to use it. I plugged it into the USB, opened the program, and checked the connection. So far so good. Once I try to import the .hex file, I get a device error and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've tried to click "Blank Check" before I try importing the .hex, and I get "No device detected." What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: tbone321 on September 26, 2015,
The Pickit 3 does not see anything connected to it.  What you are seeing in the device box is the pickit 3 itself.  You need to go into device family and select the PIC32MX795F512L Pic.  The Pickit 3 does not auto detect like the Pickit 2 does.  The voltage is also wrong.  It should be 3.3V,  not 5V.  Also, make sure that you are using the correct HEX file. 
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on September 27, 2015,
I went in and changed the device to PIC32 (There wasn't a PIC32MX795F512L option, so that could be the problem?), and changed the voltage to 3.3 and I'm getting the same problem I had before.

When I select PIC32 from the Device Family, I get a message saying "No device detected. Ensure proper capacitance on VDDCORE/VCAP pin". Not sure what that means. And when I go to Tools>Check Communication, I'm right where I started.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jnealand on September 27, 2015,
I use the IPE programmer that is included with the MPLAB X software suite.  It has all the pics available in it.  I could never get the old pickit 3 programmer to work with the etd.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jnealand on September 27, 2015,
The programmer is IPE not IDE so do not get confused and do not use MPLAB although you must install it in order to get the IPE program.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: tbone321 on September 27, 2015,
Do you have the ETD powered up?  If not, you need to check the box for the Pickit to supply power to the PIC.  As Jim suggested, IPE works much better than the poorly developed programmer software.  Unlike the Pickit 2, the Pickit 3 is a bit of a PITA to get working properly and there is a bit of a learning curve to get a handle on it.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on October 01, 2015,
Ok, I'm not seeing what IPE software you guy are talking about. I've tried using the PicKit 3 program, it hasn't worked for me. I tried using MPLAB, but it's IDE and  will not work, is there something I'm missing on which software I need to use?
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: Jeffl on October 01, 2015,
Should be here is you are using Windows.

Start -> All Programs -> Microchip -> MPLAB X IDE -> MPLAB X IPE
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: bisquit476 on October 01, 2015,
"There wasn't a PIC32MX795F512L"

It should be the very last one in the list IIRC
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on October 01, 2015,
Ok, I got the right software and I have it set up as follows:
Family: 32-bit MCUs (PIC32)
Device: PIC32MX795F512L
Tool: PICkit3 S.No: BUR132284452
Source: C:\User....\EtherDongle2.hex

I have the ETD plugged in to get power and the software can find the device, however I get a message "Connection Failed"

It seems I'm never going to get this thing programmed.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: Jeffl on October 01, 2015,
When you say you have the ED plugged in you are referring to the Pickit3 and not the wall wart correct?  If you do, unplug the power to the ED from the walwart.

The Pickit3 will supply the power.  Others will have top chime in but I think you need to go into the admin option of IPE and set the "Power Target Circuit from Tool" option after you choose the pic model.  Just make sure the voltage is correct.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: bisquit476 on October 01, 2015,
I used the stand alone program (when the ED first came out) and I think you had to update the Pickit3 firmware to get it to work, but I may be fuzzy cause that was a long time ago. Like Jeff said, don't have the ED plugged to power.
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on October 01, 2015,
I'm still having problems, I set "Power Target Circuit from Tool" at 3.3 but now I'm getting a message saying "The target circuit may require more power than the debug tool can provide. An external power supply might be necessary.
Connection Failed."
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: tcdad on October 01, 2015,
I walked thru this today
I made sure my Picket 3 was connected to computer and the arrows aligned to ICSP header on EDT
Opened Program IPE
After I chose PIC32MX795f512L clicked the "APPLY"
Go into Advanced mode
Click the Power and choose "Power Target Circuit from Tool"
Click the "Logout" button
On top "Veiw" click on "Power Settings" (see pic1)
Close It out
Next click "Connect" button next to tool: PICkit3 #### (see pic2)
On EDT the power indication should light up
Get the Hex file
click "Program Button" see pic 3


Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: tcdad on October 01, 2015,
sorry here are the pics
Title: Re: Problems with EtherDongle
Post by: jem5136 on October 03, 2015,
When I go in to check the power settings. Everything was the same as what was in your example, but the "High Voltage on MCLR" was set at "No". And I get the same message I was getting before.

When I go into Advanced mode, I don't get an option to turn the high voltage on.