Editor failure on Vista

[malti]

Hi all,
Sometimes the editor is refusing to sense the hardware and a caption says Hardware not found on com 2 This happens on the 18x, 18 and 08m chips. Changing the port does not help. Resetting the hardware works only sometimes. I am using a Pentium 4 1.7 ghz 1.5 gb ram Vista with full updates. Editor version 5.2.1 Help Please !! It is happening more frequent now !!

 

[BeanieBots]

If this is gradually getting worse, it sounds like a power supply issue.
How are you powering the PICAXE? Have you checked with a DVM?
Serial or USB?

 

[malti]

I am using a serial cable, and batteries. The present voltage, on load is 3.92 volts

 

[BeanieBots]

That's rather a low voltage to program at.
If your 3.92V comes from 3 X 1.5v then they are FLAT!
Replace the batteries and try again.
A set of new ones should give about 4.6v

 

[malti]

At 3.52 volts, (on load) the 08M was working fine for a while. The batteries are 1.23 volta each. I guess you are right.

 

[BeanieBots]

There's more to it than just the simple DC voltage.
When batteries get flat, they not only drop in voltage but their internal resistance goes up. When the PICAXE "does something", for a very short time, it will draw a significant current. A flat battery cannot supply that current and for a very short time will drop dramatically in voltage. With a good 'scope, it is possible to 'see' it happen. One of the reasons why you should ALWAYS fit decoupling caps to ANY circuit which involves a micro.

Anyway, first thing is to try with fresh batteries.