prop 1 communication failure

[Bjis]

Hello jon its Bradley McGee iam sorry it toke me so long to get back to you but a lot going on lol .. Ok i got 2 prop 1 controllers and when i identify them they work good but when i go to de bug them i get an (Hardware communication failure! check the serial cable and power supply) on both of them. Now iam getting 12.7 vdc on the out put side and like we spoke of before i did and do got it all pluged in right and i deleted the program and redownloaded it. I got your USB to 232 adapter and on there when i de gug the green light stays lit and a red light is flashing i dont know if that mean any thing or not.    Thank you again

[JonnyMac]

I'm having a hard time understanding... is there a question in there somewhere? 

To do a simple check on the comms between the PC and the Prop-1 you should try to download this simple program.

' {$STAMP BS1}
' {$PBASIC 1.0}

Main:
  DEBUG CLS, "Hello, World!  Prop-1 here."
  END

You should get this:



... so long as everything is setup correctly.  Since you're using USB you should:

1) Update the drivers; get the program from this link:
    -- http://www.parallax.com/ProductInfo/Accessories/FTDIUSBDrivers/tabid/530/Default.aspx

2) After installing the driver make sure that you have comm port setting in AUTO so that the Prop-1 can be found.

All boards are tested before leaving our office so it has worked at some point.  If I remember, you told me on the phone that you had it working on one computer but are now using another -- the problem is likely in the computer/connection, not the Prop-1.

[Bjis]

Sorry i gess it was a question y wont it work lol ... ok i did the simple check and i still get the same thnig . I did have it on a desk top and it was good but we bought a lap top and that was the one i was tryin it on now iam back on the desk top and iam getting the same failure ..

[JonnyMac]

Do you have the BS1 Serial Adapter plugged in upside-down?  This happens.  If not you've damaged the board.  If it's under warranty we will replace it.

[Bjis]

yes it is in the right way and i find it hard to belive that they both are bad .Just so you know that i even try to use the cables on my gps and they dont work so how bout i send you all that i have and you can see with your eyes whats up cause iam lost in the dark lol    Thank you again for everthing

[JonnyMac]

I'm betting they're not bad.  I have a 15-year-old BASIC Stamp 1 boards (same as in the Prop-1) that still works fine, despite years of abuse.  The problem is on the PC end.  If you send something back for checkout you have to pay for shipping both ways, plus a fee for checkout.  You're better off working through the problem.

I suggest these steps:
-- Uninstall the BASIC Stamp Editor on the system you want to use
-- Re-install
-- Install the VCP drivers for the USB to Serial Adapter
-- Check your system to see if the adapter shows up
-- Try to download a program

[Bjis]

Well ive done all that and its hard to work thur it even tho it wont work . i am going to go to a buddys to see if its just a computer

[Bjis]

OK! New Computer ...same problem....

The serial cable I am using was purchased from you. I would like to see about getting this replaced or swapped out. I do not believe I am having a problem with the boards themselves as they have never been used! I am willing to send everything to you for you to look at. If the problem though is not the board and it turns out to be the cable what fees exactly will we be responsible for paying!? We have never even been able to use this product so paying for fees to have them looked at doesnt seem all that warranted to me. I am trying to get this resolved as quickly as possible as Halloween is quickly approaching. Please give me any advice or assistance that you are able. I appreciate all of your help in advance!

[JonnyMac]

You'll need to call our sales # for an RMA and have your sales information (date of purchase, sales order #, etc.) available.  The sales department will provide an RMA.  If it's under warranty and we find it defective then we will replace it at no charge; if out of warranty you'll have to purchase a replacement.

If you send it without an RMA it will get stuck in a pile and may not be attended to until after Halloween, so please follow our return guidelines.  See this link for details: http://www.efx-tek.com/topics/contact.html

[Bjis]

k..will do....sorry for any inconvenience just want to get this ball rolling.

Is there any reason that it would work one time and then not again?...any tip or trick im missing?....Just doesnt make sense to me at all..... ???

[JonnyMac]

No magic.  As I said earlier, I have 15-year-old BASIC Stamp 1 modules that work as well as the day I bought them -- they are very tough parts.  Perhaps you used a bad power supply somewhere along the line and busted the board; it happens.

[Bjis]

nop just the one i got in the starter pack