I am having problems downloading to some new picaxes. I think I have exhausted virtually all possibilities, so I thought I'd explain the problem together with what I have tried with the hope that someone can spot something obvious - or maybe not so obvious...
I have three picaxe 18X chips and one picaxe 18 (which came on the 18pin standard project board (CHI030).
When I started experimenting (I'm new to picaxe last week!), I was using the 18 on the project board and downloading without any problems - I think I had one memory verification error in the many (hundreds?) of downloads that I did. This is still the case, so I'm happy with 18.
I then put an 18x on the project board and that was also OK, but I was having maybe 5% memory verification errors on download.
I then built a breadboard circuit (including download components) for further experimentation and the above results were pretty similar - say 99%+ success for the 18 and 95% success for the 18x.
I then tried a different (brand new straight out of anti-static container) 18x on my breadboard and was getting more like 99% <i>failure </i> on downloading the software, making it unusable. The same is happening with a 3rd brand new 18x which I put onto the CHI030 project board.
To summarise:
18 - download success 99%+ of the time
18x(1st) - download success 95% of the time
18x(2nd) - fails download 99%
18x(3rd) - fails download 99%
Notes:
I have tested the above on both the CHI030 project board and my own breadboard circuit and the results are repeatable.
I am using a USB to Serial adaptor provided by Tech-Supplies. I have tested using the download cable supplied with the project board and also with my own home-made download cable with no difference in results.
I have tested using 3x1.5V batteries (brand new and also replace during testing). I have also tested with a 4.5V bench PSU and a home-made 5V regulated supply (based on 7805 regaultor).
I can't think of anything else to try, and am now coming to the point where I think the 18x chips are at fault. Unfortunately, my experience of picaxe is very limited, so I have no idea if these download problems are normal or not.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that I wear an anti-static wrist-strip whilst exeriementing!
I'd really appreciate comments or assistance as frustration is prevailing.
Thanks in advance.
I have three picaxe 18X chips and one picaxe 18 (which came on the 18pin standard project board (CHI030).
When I started experimenting (I'm new to picaxe last week!), I was using the 18 on the project board and downloading without any problems - I think I had one memory verification error in the many (hundreds?) of downloads that I did. This is still the case, so I'm happy with 18.
I then put an 18x on the project board and that was also OK, but I was having maybe 5% memory verification errors on download.
I then built a breadboard circuit (including download components) for further experimentation and the above results were pretty similar - say 99%+ success for the 18 and 95% success for the 18x.
I then tried a different (brand new straight out of anti-static container) 18x on my breadboard and was getting more like 99% <i>failure </i> on downloading the software, making it unusable. The same is happening with a 3rd brand new 18x which I put onto the CHI030 project board.
To summarise:
18 - download success 99%+ of the time
18x(1st) - download success 95% of the time
18x(2nd) - fails download 99%
18x(3rd) - fails download 99%
Notes:
I have tested the above on both the CHI030 project board and my own breadboard circuit and the results are repeatable.
I am using a USB to Serial adaptor provided by Tech-Supplies. I have tested using the download cable supplied with the project board and also with my own home-made download cable with no difference in results.
I have tested using 3x1.5V batteries (brand new and also replace during testing). I have also tested with a 4.5V bench PSU and a home-made 5V regulated supply (based on 7805 regaultor).
I can't think of anything else to try, and am now coming to the point where I think the 18x chips are at fault. Unfortunately, my experience of picaxe is very limited, so I have no idea if these download problems are normal or not.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that I wear an anti-static wrist-strip whilst exeriementing!
I'd really appreciate comments or assistance as frustration is prevailing.
Thanks in advance.