DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: DanHouston on November 13, 2016,
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I am able to program the PIC and verify, but when I go to the smart string utility it does not work (no flashing lights). The first one I built works just fine, but the next two that I have tried do not work. Before I put the cables on the remaining ones I was looking for what might be the problem??
I thought I was very careful with the capacitors, but if I put those in the wrong slots would this be a symptom?
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Ok Glad to see I am not Crazy, I am having trouble with programming sscV4 also:
Here is what I have tried so far:
Started out with Windows 10 Desktop either dongle SSC v4 , WS2811 nodes
Using Hex File "smart string Controller v4-7.hex"
Pickit 3 Programmer
seems to write fine Checksum D8D3 on both write and verify.
Lynx Smart String Utility V3 to program start channel.
do not get fast flash during channel programming
I get a slow flash during channel programming
does not program start channel and scrambles firmware on pic.
all items are wired correctly and all SSCv4 are good build, swapped out all chips
Programmer will not program SSCv4 that I know are working from Last year also.
Switched to Show computer running Windows 7 and "rinse and repeat" with same results.
anyone have any ideas?
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Ok think I have a solution but it does not make sense?
I had to use "Old" firmware file "smart_strings_v4_v2.hex" and it seems to work???
Unless I am missing something?
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Same issue here. I have a older Win7 pc everything works perfect. On the new PC Win7 with the same SSC Utility and SSC V4. Nothing flashes but the PIC's firmware does get corrupted. This is with both "smart string Controller v4-7.hex" and "smart_strings_v4_v2.hex".
It there any prerequisite for the SmartString Utility that may need installed?
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You do have to use the windows installer: here is what I have done:
1st : SS Utility install: setup file from 7-10-2011
2nd then replace .exe file with SS Utility V3 in the C:\Program Files (x86)\DLA\Smart String Utility
I have attached zip files here:
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Tried the older firmware....does not seem to make a difference for me.
Also reinstalled the Smart String Utility and no difference.
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You do have to use the windows installer: here is what I have done:
1st : SS Utility install: setup file from 7-10-2011
2nd then replace .exe file with SS Utility V3 in the C:\Program Files (x86)\DLA\Smart String Utility
I have attached zip files here:
Yes I do have the Windows installer.
I downloaded from your link anyways and reinstalled, copy the V3 .EXE from the other link tried to program the the SSCV4. No light and PIC get corrupted.
I can't understand why it works on one PC but not the other when both are running Win7. I also tried programming when both ED and PC is on the network and direct from the PC's NIC to the ED. It always work one the older PC but never on the new one.
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another item in the solution:
I switched my show computer and ED onto a separate network from everything else in the house, due to massive interference during multicast from ED.
Of course I have three smart phones, two Smart TV's, three wireless laptops and a streaming device on the home network, all get a little twitchy with the multicast from xlights through ED
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Taybrynn offered up that some people have had success with the Falcon firmware (http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=15572.0).
For me, this worked. I loaded the falcon firmware and instantly got the test cycle (the firmware changes the role of the jumper) and was able to set the start channel and get it to actually respond.
Can get the software and watch a tutorial here:
http://www.falconchristmas.com/wiki/Software:_Falcon_SSC