Hi,
I've finished assembling my Megajolt, I've applied power to the board, the two end pins on the X2 connector.(11 volts at 25mA)
I am having no connection when I plug it into my serial port and run the software.
Nothing is overheating/or worse 'smoking'. I've tried inverting the serial connection, incase I had put the plug on the cable upside-down, still nothing..
Anyone else experiencing serial problems? Im running Win98SE.
thanks
stef.
PC connectivity - serial problem
Moderators: JeffC, rdoherty, stieg, brentp
Debugging
Hi Stef,
First is to find out if you have a hardware problem or a problem with your configurator software.
Review this post to use Hyperterminal as an alternate way to test connectivity with the MJLJ board:
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/111#281
First is to find out if you have a hardware problem or a problem with your configurator software.
Review this post to use Hyperterminal as an alternate way to test connectivity with the MJLJ board:
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/111#281
Hi brent. - -stil no luck.
Ive now using the same cable as with my megasquirt, and the problem persists. Ive tried using Hyperterminal to communicate with the board, 4800bps,8,none,1 but get nothing when I type 'C', 'S' or 'Z'.
I'm concerned this is going to be a hardware issue. My board was built with no problems during the build, all the components were correct..
If you want a pic of my board goto:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/zbrozek/Index.htm
stef
I'm concerned this is going to be a hardware issue. My board was built with no problems during the build, all the components were correct..
If you want a pic of my board goto:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/zbrozek/Index.htm
stef
I reviewed my debugging post
I reviewed my debugging post and noticed that I incorrectly stated to use Xon/Xoff flow control. Actually, it should be 'no flow control'. I fixed my debugging instructions.
Try it again with those settings. Also, try this:
Connect with Hyperterminal <b>before</b> applying power to the MJLJ. With the hyperterm screen up, power up the MJLJ. If you see a single "character" (might be a special character) returned, this is the bootloader software sending back it's startup message.
When the MJLJ is first powered up, the bootloader takes control, checks if there is the PC bootloader software running. if not, it passes control to the main MJLJ firmware. The bootloader is used to upload new firmware versions to the MJLJ.
This is just an alternate test to see if the CPU is working correctly. Also try sending capital 'C' characters to it to see if you get data back.
Also, I assume you've done this already, but test to see if you have proper +5v to the processor, oscillator and the MAX232. If you have access to an oscilliscope, you should verify that you're seeing a signal from the oscillator going to the processor (it's the trace from the oscillator going to the processor). It should look like a square wave.
Try it again with those settings. Also, try this:
Connect with Hyperterminal <b>before</b> applying power to the MJLJ. With the hyperterm screen up, power up the MJLJ. If you see a single "character" (might be a special character) returned, this is the bootloader software sending back it's startup message.
When the MJLJ is first powered up, the bootloader takes control, checks if there is the PC bootloader software running. if not, it passes control to the main MJLJ firmware. The bootloader is used to upload new firmware versions to the MJLJ.
This is just an alternate test to see if the CPU is working correctly. Also try sending capital 'C' characters to it to see if you get data back.
Also, I assume you've done this already, but test to see if you have proper +5v to the processor, oscillator and the MAX232. If you have access to an oscilliscope, you should verify that you're seeing a signal from the oscillator going to the processor (it's the trace from the oscillator going to the processor). It should look like a square wave.
Ive got ~ returned when switching on the MJ..
Hi,
I was just about to post another msg, when I tabbed back to hyperterminal and pressed C again, and it returned a load of garbage. The Software is now comunicating with it, all is well.
Many thanks for advice and help.
stef. - most grateful.
I was just about to post another msg, when I tabbed back to hyperterminal and pressed C again, and it returned a load of garbage. The Software is now comunicating with it, all is well.
Many thanks for advice and help.
stef. - most grateful.
Hi,
Having the wrong Flow control settings in Hyperterminal wasnt a gd start in locating a fault, but I think it was a hardware issue.
Originally I had ordered all the components from Rapid Electronics, UK.
I had ordered a too big a diode for D1 & D5, I think I had used 1.3W (short-fat blue/black case), now they have been changed for 400mW glass Zener (red/black) and now it is all working.
I had a similar problem with my MegaSquirt, 5 of the diodes were too big and the current flow wasn't enough for them to work as diodes - since changing to 400mW Zener the MS works perfectly.
Apart from the wrong size diodes, nothing is different from the BOM spec.
I'm Looking forward to getting a old Ford Escort/Mondeo to get the Zetec engine for my new project..
stef.
Originally I had ordered all the components from Rapid Electronics, UK.
I had ordered a too big a diode for D1 & D5, I think I had used 1.3W (short-fat blue/black case), now they have been changed for 400mW glass Zener (red/black) and now it is all working.
I had a similar problem with my MegaSquirt, 5 of the diodes were too big and the current flow wasn't enough for them to work as diodes - since changing to 400mW Zener the MS works perfectly.
Apart from the wrong size diodes, nothing is different from the BOM spec.
I'm Looking forward to getting a old Ford Escort/Mondeo to get the Zetec engine for my new project..
stef.
PC Connection problem also
I have just purchased the complete assembled unit & I am getting getting a "Unable to connect to Controller" message. I have tried it on 2 laptops (XP & Win2000) with various serial cables. I also connected using "Hyperterminal.exe" as detailed earlier on this post. I get a single character returned when I power up the controller but nothing is returned when I try sending a "C" etc.
Any Suggestions/Ideas would be appreciated.
Any Suggestions/Ideas would be appreciated.
For debugging, make sure you
For debugging, make sure you review the debugging settings in this post:
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/111#281
You have to make sure you have all of the settings are exactly correct when running these debugging steps.
Try finding another machine to test it on, and make sure you're trying on a system that has a known good working serial port. I.E. do any other devices work correctly on the serial port?
Brent
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/view/111#281
You have to make sure you have all of the settings are exactly correct when running these debugging steps.
Try finding another machine to test it on, and make sure you're trying on a system that has a known good working serial port. I.E. do any other devices work correctly on the serial port?
Brent
Connected at Last
Hurray I have solved my connection to PC problem. It was a serial cable issue. I had tried many serial cables that I had lying around on both laptops and finally got a combination that works ok. Can't wait to get it installed now on my BMW 2002.