USB SPI Flasher with PIC18F2455 - now with source and binaries

[threesixtyuser]

Could someone just confirm that those ribbon cables I linked to will be suitable for my connectors please? I noticed that 3 of them list the Conductor Material as Tinned Copper and one just says Copper, so should I assume that the latter isn't solid core and avoid that one?

You used my first shopping list didn't you?

The 10 pole connectors have a pin spacing of 2.54mm, but this results in de wire connections having a pitch of 1.27mm. I've overseen that as well and bought new connectors (16 way) so I could use a single row of the connector (easier to solder)

If you want to use your current connectors you need a ribbon cable with 1.27mm pitch and thus:

http://uk.farnell.com/amphenol-spectra-strip/135-2801-010/ribbon-cable-10way-per-m/dp/1207451

would be ok, it's non solid, but tinned copper so cores won't spread easilly.

If you want to use your current cable you need different connectors:

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1642024
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1642028

for the diodes I ordered:

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1081177

[doveman]

If I remember correctly, I think I used your shopping list to help find some of the components at Farnell, but for the connectors I was using d4m4n's suggestions on page 27.

I did think of using 8x8 connectors but wasn't sure I'd fit a lugged one in the space available on the 360, so I stuck with the 5x5 ones so that I could use this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=525091

heh, it's obvious now that I've seen the connector that I need 1.27mm pitch wire rather than 2.54mm, but as you say easy to overlook.

This cable seems to have much the same specs as the one you suggested and is 50p cheaper:

http://uk.farnell.com/3m/3302-10/ribbon-cable-10way-per-m/dp/1207417

I want to solder through the holes on the motherboard, so hopefully that won't be any harder with tinned copper rather than solid core.

These are the diodes I've found now that are £0.009 each.
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1469384

It's wierd that when I was looking before I couldn't seem to find anything cheaper than the Maplin's ones for 22p each, which is why I got those. Clearly I just need to learn how to search Farnell better

[MisToR]

hello there, i,v build the spi flasher hihihi only missing that damn chip PIC18F2455 im located in Holland i really searched my ass off.


now i have found Microchip PIC 18F2455-40/P (12k FLASH, 48 MHz, USB, DIP-28)

or

Microchip PIC 18F2450-40/P (8k FLASH, 48 MHz, USB, DIP-28) ??


but thats a 12k flash will im able to use that one???

so i know its worth ordering it other
Thx guys for the help and guides looking great

[doveman]

If you can find it easier, you can use 18F2550. That's what I used and you don't have to change anything else in the circuit.

[s00pcan]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

C:\NandPro20a>nandpro usb: -w16 xbr.bin
NandPro v2.0a by Tiros

Looking for usb interface device
FlashConfig:01198010
Starting Block:0x000000
Ending Block:0x0003FF
Press any key to begin writing nand
File: xbr.bin FileLen:1080000 Blocks:400
Error: 300 Programming block 1
Error:FFFF Programming block 3
Error:FFFF Programming block 4

etc..

[maximilian0017]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

Make sure you are not using to thin wiring, especially ground.

Dont use a resonator, use a crystal with the correct capacitors

[doveman]

Dammit, Farnell have introduced a minimum £20 for credit card orders now, which is really annoying 'cos I only need to get a couple of bits to finish this project 

[s00pcan]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

Make sure you are not using to thin wiring, especially ground.

Dont use a resonator, use a crystal with the correct capacitors

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062640
I'm using this 30awg wire. Not sure what you're talking about in the second half of that post, but I'm using a premade usb spi flasher.

[ReverseAffect]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

Make sure you are not using to thin wiring, especially ground.

Dont use a resonator, use a crystal with the correct capacitors

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062640
I'm using this 30awg wire. Not sure what you're talking about in the second half of that post, but I'm using a premade usb spi flasher.

does it have this in it.....ignore the numbers....
and 30awg wire for a ground?....

[AZImmortal]

Sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere, but can someone provide detailed instructions on how to actually program the PIC?  I almost have my ART2003 and NAND flasher built, but I still don't completely understand what I need to do to get the PIC programmed, and searching through this entire thread is taking a while.  Maybe a new thread with instructions on how to program the PIC would be make it more accessible.  Thanks for any and all help.

[sandungas]

Copied from the technical thread....

I modified the strings for DEVICEMANAGERCATEGORY & DESCRIPTION in both drivers... to clasify the device properly in windows device manager
*The driver provided by Microchip (im not sure if DarkstarTM modifyed it)
*The driver provided by nandpro (is the same driver for all versions of nandpro)

Now looks like this


No more modifications was done to the drivers, only the text strings, is just a aesthetical change but i wanted to share them

Microchip USB Driver (bootloader mode).rar -----> http://www.sendspace.com/file/ilxuf9
Nandpro USB driver (nand access).rar ----------> http://www.sendspace.com/file/rn5au9

To install this drivers.... first you need to completly uninstall the old ones, included registry keys, etc.... (a pain in the ass)
I could not find a way to uninstall the old ones (maybe somebody can make an uninstaller, or recommend an app to uninstall them)
But i tested them in a "clean" PC... and works perfect, and looks like in the screen capture i uploaded

So... no problem with the drivers, the problem is to uninstall them (this ones, and the original ones are the same)

[threesixtyuser]

That's where "Driversweeper" (google is your friend if you want to find it) comes in handy Sandungas! Works for most drivers!

[spawnalex]

Hello!! I am new on this site. I read what you done here and is a very good job. Only one thing i want, if one of you can post a diagram and the parts of a flasher that he used and its working. Thacks very mutch

[Arakon]

wtf? how f****** lazy can you get? the diagram AND the parts list are on this very forum. open your damn eyes.

[lithiumC]

Copied from the technical thread....

I modified the strings for DEVICEMANAGERCATEGORY & DESCRIPTION in both drivers... to clasify the device properly in windows device manager
*The driver provided by Microchip (im not sure if DarkstarTM modifyed it)
*The driver provided by nandpro (is the same driver for all versions of nandpro)

Now looks like this


No more modifications was done to the drivers, only the text strings, is just a aesthetical change but i wanted to share them

Microchip USB Driver (bootloader mode).rar -----> http://www.sendspace.com/file/ilxuf9
Nandpro USB driver (nand access).rar ----------> http://www.sendspace.com/file/rn5au9

To install this drivers.... first you need to completly uninstall the old ones, included registry keys, etc.... (a pain in the ass)
I could not find a way to uninstall the old ones (maybe somebody can make an uninstaller, or recommend an app to uninstall them)
But i tested them in a "clean" PC... and works perfect, and looks like in the screen capture i uploaded

So... no problem with the drivers, the problem is to uninstall them (this ones, and the original ones are the same)

Are these compatible with 64 bit?

[sandungas]

No, are the original one uploaded in the first message of the thread, and the one from nandpro

Edit: i didnt take care about the 64bits drivers when reading the thread, im not sure what ones people is using

[ReverseAffect]

thanks sandungas....got me a clean pc to install the drivers on....going to try this new lf series 3.3 volts...

[joeyddr]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

Make sure you are not using to thin wiring, especially ground.

Dont use a resonator, use a crystal with the correct capacitors

Never had an issue with my resonator.. im sure a crystal is better but i use a 12mhz resonator as posted initially and never had an issue reading or writing.

[ReverseAffect]

I'm getting writing errors.. I can read fine though. What gives?

Make sure you are not using to thin wiring, especially ground.

Dont use a resonator, use a crystal with the correct capacitors

Never had an issue with my resonator.. im sure a crystal is better but i use a 12mhz resonator as posted initially and never had an issue reading or writing.

some can just get a good combo electrically wise and ground wise so the resonator wont be affected....

his problem can also be the timing in transfer using the wrong combo of crystal/caps(it may work for 1 but not the other not syncing correctly to the pc)
USB noise or not handling the speed and just error out lost the timing sync....
best thing to do is unload the memory locked stuff on the pc...that can be causing it to...remember were reading a nand here it should be and important load for the pc and devoted to it at running time...
also just the electric coming in from the wall to the pc not filtered right (surge suppressor,old power supply(caps do dry out you know)
this is why we bring up the fact of, try different pc's to limit the nature of the problems...
also were not working with a long ground plain so it's best to use what would fit in and still be thick...

[ReverseAffect]

Sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere, but can someone provide detailed instructions on how to actually program the PIC?  I almost have my ART2003 and NAND flasher built, but I still don't completely understand what I need to do to get the PIC programmed, and searching through this entire thread is taking a while.  Maybe a new thread with instructions on how to program the PIC would be make it more accessible.  Thanks for any and all help.

here ya go for starters......
ART2003