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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : updating maximite firmware

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peterclarke
Newbie

Joined: 09/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3
Posted: 02:46am 14 Nov 2011
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i am updating to 2.7A. is the boot load button on the maximite the button marked sw2? (the only button on the board). what voltage has to be applied to the terminal marked '+' and the ground terminal?
is it quite safe then to plug in the usb cable between the pc and the maximite.
i am trying this first without downloading the microsoft software for windows xp.does the update usually work without downloading this software? thanks guys.
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 02:57am 14 Nov 2011
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okay you have not been to geoffs web site look for geoffg as a topic starter and go to his website and then go to "the maximite computer"

next what u will require is net framework version two or later also you will require a "c++" compiler

next if you have an sm1 board which i suspect you do there are 2 ways of powering the board

first is with the usb lead connected to the maximite taking power from the p-c to run the maxi

two power it from the term`s at the front of the board 9 volts will be fine "dc" minium of 200 ma or point 2 of an amp basically a dc plug pack will do the job and the SM1 board has diode switching so you should be ok witch ever meathod you chose ...i have not powered from both sorces at the same time but the board has a five volt reg and a three point three volt reg ...

the little push momentery is the switch which will set into boot load mode when pushed with no power connected u must then while holding the button down apply power the green led will start to flash ...this indicates that it is in boot load mode.... read this if you still having problems then post back....sparkey...Edited by sparkey 2011-11-15
technicians do it with least resistance
 
aargee
Senior Member

Joined: 21/08/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 255
Posted: 03:24am 14 Nov 2011
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  peterclarke said   i am updating to 2.7A. is the boot load button on the maximite the button marked sw2? (the only button on the board). what voltage has to be applied to the terminal marked '+' and the ground terminal?
is it quite safe then to plug in the usb cable between the pc and the maximite.
i am trying this first without downloading the microsoft software for windows xp.does the update usually work without downloading this software? thanks guys.


Answers -

1. Yes, the only button on board is the Firmware load button.

2. I don't know what voltage you are talking about - you do have the original Maximite?

3. What Windows software are you talking about? you don't need any special drivers to load the firmware, just the bootloader program from Geoff.

Please try and ask clearly what you want to know.

- Rob.
For crying out loud, all I wanted to do was flash this blasted LED.
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 03:34am 14 Nov 2011
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to be able to connect the maximite to any terminal program or putty for that matter ...go to geoffs web site download the latest firm and also down load the usb drivers u ...must install the usb drivers this will allow for an extra comport...it is this comport via a usb cable that will allow u to use a terminal ...i realize you r using an ev board you must do these steps to communicate with the ev board....via ..P-c ...




this is the board u have then do not bother until u down load the approiate soft where from geoffs site and use the usb cable to power it ..if u use a usb printer on your pc this should use the same type of flat on one end and square on the other... also note that u still have to hold down the "load" button before plugging in the usb cable ..it wont go into boot mode while you have power connected to it ..this is a precaution that stops you from entering boot mode while u have it running...
Edited by sparkey 2011-11-15
technicians do it with least resistance
 
peterclarke
Newbie

Joined: 09/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3
Posted: 09:14am 14 Nov 2011
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to sparkey and aargee,
yes sparkey i have been to geoffs website about updating the maximite. the instructions also say that you may not need the net framework and if you look at the reply below yours aargee says that you only need the bootloader program from geoff.
also the instructions state very clearly to power up the maximite and press the bootleg button before connecting the usb cable to the pc.
yes aargee right next to the bootleg button(sw2) on the left is a voltage entry point. the instructions don't say what voltage should be applied here.
and further down in the instructions it says after loading the update to disconnect and then reapply the power supply on the board for the update to take effect. it does not say disconnect the usb cable.in fact if the usb cable is disconnected with the computer running could be disastrous. i did this once and thought i had lost everything. a computer technician managed to get everything back for me. i will never do it again.
so sparkey you see that a proper interpretation of the instructions is that the board is powered from 2 sources at once which i also found peculiar. and i also don't like making additional work for myself by downloading unecessary software. aargee says it is not necessary.
the instructions i am talking about come with the 2.7A update in a file called 'Loading New Firmware'.
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 09:54am 14 Nov 2011
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if you have early xp even sp3 the net framework is not included but go ahead it recomends these in geoffs file on how to upgrade the firm ....if you have win seven it will prolly be there but not shure and you still may need theb "C++ compiler" all the best hop i helped in some way....look dont power down the pc simply remove the cable from the socket on the ev and then plug it back in close off the boot loader program first hopfully whewn you plug it back in if you have not already had the harwhare wizz detect it then it should after you plug it back in ...on the usb is only 5 volts it is not a problem to dissconnectit it from the ev end cant remember how many times i have done it ......
technicians do it with least resistance
 
centrex

Guru

Joined: 13/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 320
Posted: 10:02pm 14 Nov 2011
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Hi Peter
From what I read I believe you are using the Dontronics SM1 board.
The power into the + - terminals can be anything from 9 to 12 volts.
One feature of the SM1 board is that it can be powered from the usb or an external source automatically you do not have to move jumpers as required by the origonal circuit.
When I upgraded my SM1 to 2.7 I followed the instructions that you already have, with no problem, I was using a laptop running Vista.
Just remember to reboot the device as per the instruction you will have to switch off the external supply and remove the usb cable, then switch on the external supply and you should get the normal boot screen telling you that it is version 2.7.

If you do not remove both supplys the SM1 will just keep on running in the update mode.

Hope this is of some help

Cliff
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 03:24am 15 Nov 2011
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hees basically running an SM1 ...its an ev board short form ...and yes u must dissconnect all powe so the board will come out of boot mode...
technicians do it with least resistance
 
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