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CircuitGizmos

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Posted: 05:14pm 02 Jan 2013

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MOBI said I think I have read it somewhare in all the text, but at the risk of becoming tedious, what is the pic32 chip package style to suit the colour maxi?

For the CGCOLORMAX1 (if you update it yourself) or CGCOLORMAX2 the '712 device is the PIC32MX795F512L-80I/PF which is a 14x14 mm package, 100 pins. About $13.

Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
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Posted: 11:15pm 02 Jan 2013

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When prohramming a PIC32 with a PICkit2 or the like make sure to read the Warning such as here:
https://www.olimex.com/Products/Duino/PIC32/PIC32-T795/

John

MOBI
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Posted: 01:02am 03 Jan 2013

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Hello John

Thank you for the warning.

I have just ordered a PICKit3 and now I'm a bit concerned.

I just checked on the associated forum at your link and lots of people have had similar problem with the PICKit3 "bricking" their pic32. I haven't seen any response by microchip on a fix for the problem.

The pic32 might be relatively cheap for its functions, but $13 a pop as a failure is a bit too much.

David M.

JohnS
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Posted: 01:34am 04 Jan 2013

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I understand the fix is to select in the way that Olimex hint. Essentially, you want whatever you use for programming to know the target device correctly BEFORE you connect any wires to that target device from the programmer.

I don't know if pic32prog is a better choice than (say) MPLAB.

If you're using a 'mite then at most you have to go through this once because after that the reprogramming is in effect via software in the actual device. Er, unless the first time bricked it :(

JohnEdited by JohnS 2013-01-05

MOBI
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Posted: 02:20am 04 Jan 2013

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I understand that the problem is related to a button on the PICKit not the application that drives it. From what I can see when I flash up the MPLAB IPE (not IDE), all the programming commands can be controlled from the PC.

I am also not convinced that the PIC32s are "bricked". I have had similar problems with ATMEL where inadvertently a fuse bit has been set incorrectly and the chip would no longer accept a programme unles HV mode was entered and the appropriate command to "unlock" the AVR was sent.

Also I have had problems with 8 bit PIC chips where the configbyte was wrongly set up and the chip would not programme until a "special" sequence of commands was sent to reset the config byte.

Edited by MOBI 2013-01-05

David M.

MOBI
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Posted: 02:03pm 13 Jan 2013

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HOORAY!!

My Colour Maxis have arrived, now to hook things up and have a play.

First to clean off the work bench..

Are there any mods that need to be addressed before I get in too deep?

David M.

MOBI
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Posted: 03:43pm 13 Jan 2013

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I'm on my way from misery to happiness today....ay ay ay ay.

I've plugged in both colour maxis, selected Vin and voilla they work.

Now for some serious fun.

Ok, I haven't cleared the bench yet - the kitchen table will do for now (I'm still batching)

Edited by MOBI 2013-01-15

David M.

paceman
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Joined: 07/10/2011
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Posted: 05:30pm 13 Jan 2013

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MOBI said
Ok, I haven't cleared the bench yet - the kitchen table will do for now (I'm still batching)

\

Brave man!

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
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Posted: 10:31pm 13 Jan 2013

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MOBI said I understand that the problem is related to a button on the PICKit not the application that drives it. From what I can see when I flash up the MPLAB IPE (not IDE), all the programming commands can be controlled from the PC.

I am also not convinced that the PIC32s are "bricked".

I missed this. Judging by the various threads I doubt you're right but try not to find out!

John

MOBI
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Posted: 12:27am 14 Jan 2013

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Unless the PICKit 3 puts undesirable voltages in the wrong places and causes a physical malfunction in the hardware, I don't see how the programmer (empty) can destroy a pic32.

I am still of the opinion that the firmware configuration is altered in such a way as to disallow the programmer from accessing it. I would be surprised if there wasn't a way to "reset" the pic32. I suspect that it is just the programming algorithm in MPLAB and PICKit3 that won't let it happen.

Having said that, I am prepared to be wrong. It is just that some people have reported that their PIC32 "just came good again".

Maybe Microchip did get it wrong this time??

David M.

CircuitGizmos

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Posted: 05:58am 14 Jan 2013

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MOBI said

You should start a "this is my work space" thread with this picture. I think it would be fun to see other people's work spaces.

Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite

MOBI
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Posted: 09:19pm 28 Jan 2013

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I am beginning to think I am thick!

I have been trying to get CircuitGizmo's Colour MaxiMite upgraded to firmware version 4.3.

I have got the USB driver installed and the device driver shows it as Communications Port - Silicon Chip USB Serial Port (com25)

I can get the Bootloader.exe file to run but all greyed out.

The PDF file says to hold down the Bootloader button whilst applying power. What Bootloader button??

David M.

MOBI
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Posted: 10:11pm 28 Jan 2013

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Further to the above, I'm assuming that J7 is the bootload button seeing as it hooks up to pic pin 73 and ground.

I suppose this matter has been covered before.

David M.

centrex

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Joined: 13/11/2011
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Posted: 10:12pm 28 Jan 2013

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Hi Mobi
To put the cg colour maximite into programming mode you have to bridge J7 which is just near the pic chip just above the crystal when you do this the power led will flash.
See page 407 of CG's beginning maximite manual.
Have fun.

Cliff

MOBI
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Posted: 10:20pm 28 Jan 2013

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centrex said you have to bridge J7

Thanks for that - I did post an update querying if it was J7. I checked up on Geoff's schematic and followed PIN73 to J7. But wasn't game to try it until I got confirmation.

It is now flashing so I guess it is ready to download - better finish my dinner first or my sausages will get cold (I'm batching at the moment).

David M.

MOBI
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Posted: 10:27pm 28 Jan 2013

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Ok, I'm happy now. The bootloader worked as it should. I now have the latest version of the software running.

I think I better mount a switch to J7 - my fingers are a bit wobbly to be poking metal bits near the pic.

David M.

paceman
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Posted: 12:02am 29 Jan 2013

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MOBI said
I think I better mount a switch to J7 - my fingers are a bit wobbly to be poking metal bits near the pic.

Yes, I tend to agree David - I think CG should put a push button in CGCOLORMAX V2 if he does one, preferably close to the perimeter somewhere so it can be pressed with the lid on.

GregEdited by paceman 2013-01-30

MOBI
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Posted: 12:35am 29 Jan 2013

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Hi Greg,

I'm going to fit a couple of header pins and plug in a switch mounted on the box (when I find a suitable one) using Dupont leads. Or plug on a jumper and remove it after the power is applied. Which brings me to the need to fit a power switch.

David M.

CircuitGizmos

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Posted: 04:18am 29 Jan 2013

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centrex said Hi Mobi
To put the cg colour maximite into programming mode you have to bridge J7 which is just near the pic chip just above the crystal when you do this the power led will flash.
See page 407 of CG's beginning maximite manual.
Have fun.

The version of that manual that I'm working on has a description of the bootload process step-by-step with pictures. When I release that version the bootload process should be clearer.

Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite

paceman
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Posted: 07:17pm 29 Jan 2013

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MOBI said Hi Greg,
I'm going to fit a couple of header pins and plug in a switch mounted on the box (when I find a suitable one) using Dupont leads. Or plug on a jumper and remove it after the power is applied. Which brings me to the need to fit a power switch.

Power Switch - Yes, I did that just after I screwed mine into the box! I just put pins on the power header and a sub-mini 3pin 2posn toggle switch on the back of the box. You only need three of the four wires from the pins to the switch because two of the four positions on the header are common. If you're switched to the "other" supply instead of the one you're powering it with, then effectively it's OFF but I intend to replace it with a SPDT 3posn on/off/on switch (Futurlec Item No. SPDT101SM), when it arrives,

so I have a proper OFF. With 2posns only (on/on) you can't have two supplies connected at the same time or there will be trouble!

I've also got an SPST off/on mini "press button" switch coming (Futurlec Item No. PSPST01) to mount on the back and connect to programming header pins. Another socket I put in was for the stereo sound/PWM out. I used a standard small chassis mounting 3.5mm stereo socket for that I had from Jaycar (P/No PS0132 $2.45) - again connected to header pins on the audio out of the board - it makes life considerably easier.

Those three connectors all fit easily on the back of the box above the cut-outs for the PCB connectors and with room for more!

Greg
Edited by paceman 2013-01-31

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